Owls look for fast conference start

Shootout scenario could play out again as Blue Raiders visit.

BOCA RATON — After going 1-3 in nonconference play with their only win against FCS Bethune-Cookman, Lane Kiffin and the Florida Atlantic Owls are looking to begin Conference USA play with a victory over Middle Tennessee (2-2) tonight.

In last year’s season finale, the teams combined for 133 points and 1,349 yards — 757 of which by the Blue Raiders even though they lost their quarterback. Again, the Blue Raiders will likely be without quarterback Brent Stockstill, who is doubtful with a cracked sternum.

The rematch seems primed to be another shootout after the 77-56 Middle Tennessee win in 2016.

“It’s not so much about what they do as it is about what we do,” Kiffin said.

For the Owls to avoid a three-game losing streak, they’ll need to do these five things:

1. Spread the wealth Whether it is Daniel Parr, who started the first three games, or Jason Driskel, the 2016 starter who took the reins in last week’s 34-31 loss to Buffalo, the quarterback must do a better job of spreading the field. Only Willie Wright and DeAndre McNeal had first-half receptions last Saturday (a Harrison Bryant catch for a first down was erased via penalty). Look for Kamrin Solomon and John Franklin III, two players with big-play potential, to see increased opportunities a week after combining for just one catch.

2. Stick to the run game In the season’s first month, FAU’s rushing game has flourished with Devin Singletary (American Heritage), Gregory Howell Jr., and Kerrith Whyte (Seminole Ridge) proving to be reliable options. If Kiffin’s comments this week on what he believed the pass-run ratio against Buffalo should have been, however, fans should expect plenty of touches for all three backs.

“I would have liked it to be 100 percent run and no pass (against the Bulls),” Kiffin said. “I felt like every time we passed there was a chance something bad was going to happen, we were getting sacked or we threw an interception or an incompletion. Every time we ran, something good happened, almost.”

Howell figuresto be a game-time decision after missing last week with an undisclosed injury.

3. Test the Blue Raiders early

On FAU’s first play from scrimmage last week, Driskel threw a deep ball that was nearly intercepted; the redshirt junior wasn’t so lucky three plays later, as an interception by Ryan Williamson set up the Bulls’ second touchdown. Testing Buffalo early wasn’t the problem — the Bulls’ pass defense wasn’t great — but the execution failed. Driskel is not known for his deep-ball accuracy, which showed with several poor throws.

Testing the Blue Raiders’ defense early, whether it’s with creative plays that feature Franklin in the wildcat formation or using all three running backs on the first drive, will be crucial for the Owls. If Driskel starts again, Kiffin and offensive coordinator Kendal Briles may want to stay away from having him throw deep early.

4. Feed off the crowd FAU has begun the season with two consecutive home games with reported attendance of 15,000 or more, the first time that’s happened since September 2015. For returning players who played the final four home games of 2016 in front of fewer than 9,200 fans, it’s a welcome change.

5. Make a statement Asked during his introductory news conference about sending a message to the rest of Conference USA, Kiffin said he learned his lesson after saying, “I was going to sing ‘Rocky Top’ all night long in The Swamp” while coaching at Tennessee in 2009.

Kiffin’s players, however, view the game as a chance to atone for last year’s season-ending defeat.

“It’s not really a statement game, but obviously, we went into the season with this new defense and we wanted to make sure that they know this is a completely different defense,” All-American linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair said. “You pop on the tape and you’ll see it.”

Since joining C-USA in 2013, FAU has never posted a winning record in conference play.

How to watch: Tonight’s game will be the Owls’ first on Stadium, a new streaming network. Fans can stream the game on both the internet (Watchstadium.com) and Twitter (WatchStadium.Twitter.com); Stadium also has an iPhone app. Locally, the game will be available on WTCN-15.