All eyes on Singletary as F AU battle sin Boca Bowl
Singletary would jo n elite company for one sea on with big effort in Boca Bo , but he and Owls credit entir offense.
A standout at American Heritage, the running back and Conference USA’s MVP could be the driving force Tuesday against Akron.
BOCA RATON — On a Florida lantic team that has won nine straight games entering Tuesday’s Boca Raton Bowl, no player is hotter than Devin Singletary.
ce carrying the ball six times for just 26 yards in a season-openin loss to Navy, Singletary — the 2017
Conference USA MVP and an Associated Press third-team All-American
— has 1,770 yards on 269 rushes in the past 12 games. Singletary — nic named “Motor” — has 29 rushing touchdowns in that time, more tha previous program leader Alfred Morris (27) d in his career from 2008-11.
“That’s a statement for the whole offense,” said offensive tackle Reggie Bain, one of three Owls linemen named to the all-con erence first team this month. “Receivers blocking downfield, O-line clearing the way.
If Bain and FAU teammates can eate holes against Akron, Singletary — who wa a standout at American Heritage — can become only the 30th player in FBS history wit 2,000 rushing yards in a single season. Singletary is tied for fifth place all-time in single-sea-
son rushing touchdowns and could move into third place with three more scores in the Boca Bowl.
Pro Football Hall of Famers Barry Sanders, Marcus Allen, LaDainian Tomlinson and Tony Dorsett are among notable names to top 2,000 rushing yards in a college season.
“That’s something special, that’s something we as a whole are going to try to accomplish,” Singletary said. “That’s a testament to the whole offense.”
FAU running backs coach Kevin Smith is third all-time with 2,567 yards for UCF in 2007.
With Singletary’s next touchdown, he’ll set the C-USA single-season touchdown record, passing Smith’s 29 in 2007. (UCF was in C-USA before moving to the American Athletic Conference.)
Singletary joked he isn’t worried that his coach will take him out of the game in a goal-line situation to preserve the record.
“I know if anything, (Smith) wants to see me do it and break the record,” Singletary said.
Former Alabama running back Derrick Henry, fifth on the list with 2,219 yards in a 2015 Heisman Trophy-winning season, accomplished the feat under Owls head coach Lane Kiffin, who was then the Crimson Tide’s offensive coordinator.
“Anytime you get those, that’s second to what the goal is to win the game,” Kiffin said of records.
“But anytime you get significant things like that, it’s great for the individual, it’s great for the team. ... When you’re recruiting that position, you add (Singletary’s season) to (USC’s Reggie Bush) winning the Heisman and Derrick winning the Heisman.”
Singletary has run for more than 100 yards in 11 consecutive games, two of those topping 200 yards. Singletary has topped 200 yards four times in the past 13 months and is the only player in FAU history to accomplish the feat.
Dating to his breakout 257-yard, three-touchdown
‘I just think he’s not just a great running back that can make small plays into big plays, he’s a hard, tough runner.’ Terry Bowden Akron coach, on Devin Singletary
performance in a win over Rice last November, Singletary has 2,522 yards and 39 touchdowns in his past 17 games. Singletary is 183 yards shy of becoming only the third player in Owls history to record 3,000 rushing yards and 249 yards away from passing Charles Pierre (3,065) for second place behind Morris.
“Like I always say and kind of what I live by, all the hard work that we have been putting in and going through, it’s kinda paying off,” Singletary said.
Akron coach Terry Bowden called Singletary “blue-collar” after assessing the sophomore’s film. Bowden is no stranger to elite running backs, having coached future NFL Pro Bowlers Tony Richardson and Stephen Davis at Auburn in addition to King’s Academy graduate Heath Evans.
Bowden and Zips defensive coordinator Chuck Amato will have their hands full with Singletary. Akron’s defense is allowing 197.2 rushing yards per game, 99th in the nation.
“He’s not just an outstanding runner with all those moves and the ability to make people miss and make big runs,” Bowden said. “He’s my favorite size, which is short (5-9) and (200 pounds). I just think he’s not just a great running back that can make small plays into big plays, he’s a hard, tough runner.”
Despite all his success and teasing from teammates that he is becoming a “celebrity,” Singletary remains humble.
“I’ve kind of embraced (the celebrity status),” Singletary said. “Kind of accepted my role and keep on going with it, keep on getting better.”