South Florida Sun-Sentinel (Sunday)
Robison gives Owls a solid start
Florida Atlantic junior running back Devin Singletary (5) passed Tim Tebow and Marshall Faulk on the FBS’ career rushing touchdowns list on Saturday night as the Owls topped Old Dominion in a key Conference USA game.
BOCA RATON — FAU coach Lane Kiffin stuck with redshirt freshman Chris Robison as his starting quarterback for Saturday evening’s Conference USA game against Old Dominion at FAU Stadium.
Kiffin opened the week on his Sunday conference call with reporters leaving open the possibility of a change depending on the week in practice. On Tuesday, backup Rafe Peavey said he was still running entirely with the second unit in practice while Robison continued with the first team as usual.
Robison took advantage, igniting the Owls offense early. He was 4 for 4 on the opening scoring drive, getting FAU inside the Monarchs 10-yard line within the opening minute Saturday night.
Robison showed rapport with tight end Harrison Bryant, hitting him on the first play from scrimmage for 44 yards, the touchdown to seal that drive and another touchdown in the second quarter. Robison also ran in a touchdown with 29 seconds left before halftime.
Al-Shaair ejected for targeting: FAU senior linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair appeared to get the Clay Matthews treatment on a sack of Old Dominion quarterback Blake LaRussa in the first half.
Al-Shaair, the Owls’ alltime leading tackler, blew up LaRussa when he burst through the line, but he was called for targeting. AlShaair’s helmet appeared to make contact with LaRussa’s but as LaRussa dipped down bracing for the hit.
With the call of targeting, Al-Shaair was ejected for the remainder of the game.
The call was upheld after officials reviewed it. Kiffin was seen jawing at referees following the decision.
At that point in the second quarter, Al-Shaair was leading FAU with five tackles. He also had half a sack as the 15-yard penalty wiped away the sack he acquired on the play.
Whyte’s kick return longest ever: Kerrith Whyte’s 100-yard kick return for a touchdown in the third quarter was the Owls’ longest play ever.
The special teams score was key for momentum in the second half, as it was in immediate response to a second consecutive ODU touchdown that made the Owls’ lead a one-possession advantage.
Jefferson debuts: Defensive tackle Noah Jefferson got his first bit of game action in an Owls uniform on Saturday and made his first tackle in the second quarter.
Jefferson (6-foot-5, 330 pounds), from Las Vegas, started out at Southern Cal before attending Arizona Western College. He transferred in to FAU in the week leading up to the Owls’ Week 3 game against Bethune-Cookman.
More ejections: Early in the second half, a quick scuffle broke out after an extra point that followed an Old Dominion touchdown.
FAU cornerback Herb Miller and Keion White of the Monarchs were ejected for fighting. Jefferson and a second ODU player were called for additional personal fouls for unsportsmanlike conduct. All the penalties offset.
Homecoming for former area standout: It’s hard to find players on the Monarchs’ roster with South Florida connections, but there is one.
Freshman defensive back Justinn Richardson is a Chaminade-Madonna grad. He was on last year’s Class 3A state championshipwinning team for the Catholic school in Hollywood.