Rickel makes the most of fake-punt

BOCA RATON — Florida Atlantic punter Ryan Rickel knows there are very few times he doesn’t impact the game by kicking the ball. That changed last Saturday against Western Kentucky. Rickel had a key 22-yard run on a fake punt that helped FAU seal a 42-28 victory. The Owls were only ahead by a touchdown with seven minutes remaining at the time of the play. Five plays later, running back Devin “Motor” Singletary scored on a 5-yard run to put the game away.

“If I punt the ball, they have a chance to come drive down the field and score and make it a tie game again,” Rickel said. “It was definitely nice to contribute to the team that way … I don’t know if it makes me feel more important to the team because I feel like I already am, just how crucial punting is and field position is.”

A graduate student, Rickel is fifth in Conference USA with a 42.6-yard average. It was the first carry of his career.

“I caught the snap and looked up and there was nobody off to the right side,” Rickel said. “We were able to run it, and I got a few good blocks.”

Rickel’s run was one of two big special teams plays. The Owls also blocked a field goal.

“Special teams made a couple big plays, the blocked field goal and the fake punt was kind of a dagger,” FAU coach Lane Kiffin said. “Because any time you stop somebody on offense, you come to the sideline and then all of a sudden you’ve got to go back out on defense.”

FAU vs. Marshall, Friday, 6 p.m., ESPN3,

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