WR Woods having huge impact

BOCA RATON — After a few months of dealing with adversity, Florida Atlantic receiver is starting to regain comfort in the offense.

Woods was suspended the first six games of the season for his role in an off-campus fight over the summer, but he has been productive since being reinstated. He caught seven passes for 172 yards and two touchdowns in the Owls’ 52-24 victory against Florida International on Saturday.

Woods was named FAU’s most valuable player of the Shula Bowl.

“I had that feeling that he had that look an hour before the game on the field that he was going to have a special night,” FAU coach said.

A senior, Woods rejoined the team last month after being suspended indefinitely. He was charged with felony battery after a punch left another man with a broken jaw, but the case is still ongoing. Woods, who lost his scholarship because of the incident, was allowed to return as a walk-on.

He hasn’t been allowed to speak to the media this season.

“Those are heavy prices for a very bad mistake that he made,” Kiffin said.

In just five games, Woods is already among the Owls’ leading receivers. He has 12 catches for 327 yards and three touchdowns, including a 77-yarder against FIU. He was the team’s leading receiver last season.

FAU at Charlotte, Saturday, 2 p.m.; no TV, but streaming on watchstadium.com

Next game: Lane Kiffin Kalib Woods