Owls look to make move in C-USA
Orlando Sentinel college insider Matt Murschel ranked all 128 Football Bowl Subdivision teams in the country entering the 2016 season. The Sentinel staff takes a closer look at a new team daily, counting backward from No. 128 to our projected No. 1 team.
Today at No. 87: FAU Coach: Charlie Partridge (6-18, entering third season; 6-18 overall) 2015 record: 3-9 overall, 3-5 in Conference USA; sixth in East Division Look back: FAU coach Charlie Partridge has posted back-to-back 3-9 seasons, but the Owls are making progress under his watch. The team continues to struggle to close out tight games, with four of the team’s losses coming by a margin of seven or fewer points.
Offensive starters returning: 8
Offensive starters lost: 3
Defensive starters returning: 7
Defensive starters lost: 4
Key losses: QB Jaquez Johnson, WR Jenson Stoshak, LG Mikingson Marsaille, DT Trevon Coley, LB Freedom Whitfield, SS Sharrod Neasman, CB Cre’von LeBlanc Top returnees: RB Greg Howell, WR Nate Terry, WR Kalib Woods, TE Tyler Cameron, OL Reggie Bain, OL Dillion DeBoer, OL Kelly Parfitt, DE Trey Hendrickson, DE Hunter Snyder, LB Azeez Al-Shaair, DB Ocie Rose, DB Jalen Young
Strengths: FAU showed significant improvement on defense, going from No. 110 in total defense (460.8 yards allowed per game) in 2014 to No. 70 (405.1 yards allowed per game) in 2015. Senior DE Trey Hendrickson played a big role in the progress and returns to anchor the defense. He set FAU’s single-season sack record with 13.5 in 2015 and he enters this year as the program’s leader in career sacks with 20.
Junior OL Reggie Bain leads an offensive line that is starting to make strides
Weaknesses: FAU has to find a way to improve its offense, with the team ranking No. 105 in scoring offense (22.5 point per game). The Owls also rank No. 104 in turnovers lost (25), significantly hindering the offense.
Following the graduation of experienced quarterback Jaquez Johnson, the Owls have yet to identify a starting signal caller. Oviedo Hagerty High graduate Jason Driskel shined during the spring game, passing for 242 yards and two touchdowns. However, Partridge said his evaluation of Driskel and QB Daniel Parr will continue through preseason camp.
In addition to Johnson, the Owls will have offset the loss of CB Cre’von LeBlanc and WR Jenson Stoshak. They were strong leaders who bought into Partridge’s system and mentored underclassmen.
Outlook: FAU led the nation by starting 16 true freshmen in at least one game last season. The Owls are hoping that game experience will finally translate to improved play this season. FAU will likely be on the bubble for a potential bowl bid, but the team has to cut down on turnovers and find an offensive spark.