Owls roll to sixth straight win
Singletary, Whyte help FAU remain unbeaten in C-USA.
Florida Atlantic running back Devin Singletary continued his stellar season, rushing for 104 yards and three touchdowns on 18 carries, and Kerrith Whyte had the first kickoff return TD in school history as the Owls earned their sixth consecutive victory, routing Louisiana Tech 48-23 Saturday afternoon in Ruston, La.
Singletary, who nearly has as many rushing touchdowns this season (22) as school record-holder Alfred Morris had in four years from 2008-11 (27), has topped 100 yards in seven straight games for the Owls (7-3, 6-0 Conference USA). Despite only holding the ball for a little more than 20 minutes, FAU put up 415 yards of offense and six touchdowns on the Bulldogs (4-6, 2-4) in the first meeting between the two schools.
“It’s just really enjoyable, watching these kids because they work really hard,” head coach Lane Kiffin said. “The past coaching staff left us some really good players with a great work ethic . ... (The players) are getting national recognition for their work.”
FAU, which clinched its first winning regular season since 2007, will hosts rival FIU in next Saturday’s annual Shula Bowl.
Here are our five takeaways:
1. Kalib Woods continues hot streak.
The senior receiver continues to star after returning from a suspension last month. Woods had a key 36-yard catch in the first quarter before scoring his first touchdown since Sept. 24, 2016, a 77-yard reception on a flea-flicker.
FAU has to feel good about its passing game if Woods — who finished with three catches for 118 yards and also caught a two-point conversion — continues his standout play down the stretch.
2. Lane Kiffin loves taking risks.
Playing Woods as much as he has in recent weeks has certainly been a risk for Kiffin, which made his going for it on fourth-and-short on the Owls’ 23 not surprising. Kiffin has made it clear since arriving in Boca Raton that he’s willing to take chances, and his risks on Saturday all paid off.
3. Jason Driskel deserves Kiffin’s trust.
Even when Driskel has had “disappointing” outings by both his and Kiffin’s own admissions, his coach has stuck with him since, inserting him as the starting quarterback in Week 4. Driskel improved to 6-1 as the Owls’ starter with one of his most efficient career games, finishing 14 of 17 passing for 221 yards and two touchdowns.
“We need that because it’s not about one game,” Kiffin said of Driskel learning from mistakes. “You’ve got to get rid of your flaws as you go on.”
4. Kerrith Whyte goes the distance.
Whyte (Seminole Ridge) took back the second-half kickoff 98 yards to become the first player in FAU history to return a kickoff for a touchdown.
Former local standouts Singletary (American Heritage) and Whyte — who had the longest rushing play in FAU history in October with an 82-yard score against North Texas — continue to give the Owls a jolt and climb up the record books.
5. Injury bug finally hits Owls.
FAU has been healthy for the most part this season, but defensive backs Jalen Young (Seminole Ridge) and Andrew Soroh — as well as tight end John Raine, linebacker Rashad Smith, and defensive end/linebacker Leighton McCarthy — all left Saturday’s game with injuries. Young, who tied a school record with three interceptions last week, did not return.
Chris Kiffin’s defense also lost starting defensive tackle Steven Leggett late in the first half after an ejection for targeting.