Test of strength in C-USA title game
BOCA RATON — The 2019 Conference USA Championship Game will showcase a battle of strengths.
FAU (9-3, 7-1) and its No. 1 scoring offense in the conference will matchup against UAB (9-3, 6-2) and the league’s top-ranked defense, which is allowing an average of 18.5 points.
The Owls’ offensive line will be challenged in a way it hasn’t since the beginning of the season by dealing with a Blazers defense that recorded a leaguehigh 43 sacks, which is tied for sixth in the nation.
UAB’s pass and rush defense are equally stifling, with both ranked at the top of the conference. It’ll be a battle of wits FAU coach Lane Kiffin admitted he isn’t exactly cherishing.
“I like when we play really bad defenses with bad players,” Kiffin quipped. “Those games are a lot easier. I don’t cherish playing a team that is giving up 269 yards a game and 18 points. We hands full.”
The Blazers will have their hands full, too, with an offense that UAB coach Bill Clark praised for its versatility.
“What you look for offensively when I talk about diversity is you can run and you can throw it, and I think they do it all,” Clark said. “They got a quarterback run-game, screens, shots, tempo, trick-plays… every box is checked, and they’re pretty good at all of them and that makes them hard to defend.”
Three different running backs have led the Owls’ in rushing in their past four games. Seven different FAU players have rushed for at least 100 yards this season, which is a program record.
FAU doesn’t give its opponents extra opportunities to score, committing the fourth-least amount of turnovers in the nation with 10.
Starting quarterback Chris Robison has been one of the best signal-callers will have our in the conference all season outside of his uncharacteristic performance against Southern Miss on Nov. 30.
The redshirt sophomore has thrown for 3,125 yards on a 62% completion percentage to go along with 22 touchdowns and 5 interceptions.
“He’s kind of that guy you worry about because he’s athletic enough to avoid the rush, he’s got a big arm and he’s tough,” Clark said. “He gets the ball out and then he can also make those throws downfield. He’s very impressive.”
Clark had similar praise for tight end Harrison Bryant, a John Mackey Award finalist who’s recorded 61 receptions, 965 yards and 6 touchdowns during his senior season.
“He’s the whole deal,” Clark said. “He’s a great outside threat, but he’s also a good blocker. This guy’s physical, has great hands, can get downfield and the guy almost catches every ball that’s thrown at him. This guy can do it all.”