Owls players bust out Touchdown Chain

BOCA RATON — Florida Atlantic has taken a liking to its new Touchdown Chain since it debuted last week in the Owls’ home opener against Air Force.

FAU, specifically Devin “Motor” Singletary, got to wear it several times early against BethuneCookman on Saturday evening.

The Owls like how the celebratory jewelry is inclusive to virtually all players and not just those on defense that create takeaways like the Miami Hurricanes’ Turnover Chain that UM started handing out last season.

“We did the Touchdown Chain because on offense you can’t really get a turnover but everyone can score a touchdown,” FAU tight end Harrison Bryant said this past week.

While any player can get the Touchdown Chain, some, of course, will get it more often than others.

Singletary donned the chain four times in the first quarter, rushing for touchdowns of 7, 18, 2 and 1 yard, and had another 2-yard score in the second that gave him the school’s single-game rushing touchdowns record.

Singletary may naturally get to wear it most often since he scores the most, but he is generous with his linemen.

“If Motor wears the Touchdown Chain, he came to us and was like, ‘Man, this for y’all boys,’ offensive guard Antonio Riles said this past week. “That’s what I like about Motor. It’s not just about him. He’s one of the most selfless dudes I met in my life.

“He came up to us when we were sitting down on the sideline. He was like, ‘This ain’t just me. This just y’all.’ He’s pointing at the chain. I thought that was dope.”

In addition to Singletary, who also was first to wear it in the home opener against Air Force, receivers Jovon Durante and Willie Wright earned chain-wearing opportunities in that game.

Jalen Young out

Safety Jalen Young missed Saturday’s game against BethuneCookman with an undisclosed injury.

Quran Hafiz started in place of Young at strong safety. He forced a fumble that the Owls ended up recovering, but it was overturned as officials said the runner’s knee was down.

Young left last week’s game against Air Force late in the first half when he walked off on his own. He is expected back for the UCF game on Friday.

Motoring up the charts

Singletary moved into sole possession of No. 2 on the Owls’ career rushing leaders list on his third carry on Saturday, which went for a 7-yard touchdown on FAU’s opening drive.

He passed Charles Pierre, who accumulated 3,069 yards from 2004 to 2008, and now only has Alfred Morris (3,529) ahead of him. Singletary got to the mark in nearly 200 fewer carries than Pierre.

The touchdown run also made it the 16th consecutive game for Singletary with a touchdown, which is a Conference USA record.

Local flavor

Bethune-Cookman, which is in Daytona Beach, has 20 players from the South Florida tri-county area on the roster.

Two of them started on Saturday — wide receiver Keavon Mitchell (Flanagan), who scored a touchdown late in the first half, and cornerback Elliott Miller (Miami Norland). Uriel Hernandez (Homestead) is the team’s place kicker.

The Wildcats also have South Broward, Cardinal Gibbons, Palm Beach Lakes, Dillard, Everglades, Dwyer, McArthur, Blanche Ely and Boyd Anderson represented on the roster.