FAU ROUTS N. TEXAS
» Owls set conference record with 804 yards,
BOCA RATON — Florida Atlantic running back Devin Singletary ran for 123 yards and three touchdowns, the last of which set a program single-season record, as the Owls totaled a Conference USA-record 804 yards of offense Saturday in a 69-31 rout of North Texas.
On the same day the school honored the 2007 team that won the Sun Belt Conference, the Owls (4-3, 3-0) looked like a team ready to win C-USA, as they dismantled the Mean Green (4-3, 3-1). FAU and Marshall are the only teams without a conference loss.
Owls coach Lane Kiffin’s concerns about keeping momentum after a bye week evidently were for naught as FAU played its most effective game in program history.
Takeaways from the Owls’ third consecutive victory: 1. Singletary is C-USA’s best running back
Devin Singletary trailed North Texas senior Jeffery Wilson in yards entering Saturday’s game, but the Owls’ blowout win showed which of the two reigns supreme among Conference USA tailbacks. Over the Owls’ past five games, Singletary has run for 715 yards and 13 touchdowns, the majority of those scores coming on extended rushes.
Singletary has 14 rushing touchdowns for the season, an FAU record.
As a whole, FAU’s rushing attack totaled 447 yards, 82 of which came from redshirt sophomore Kerrith Whyte (Seminole Ridge) on the longest rushing touchdown in program history.
Wilson had 49 yards on 11 carries.
2. Passing game can be dangerous
Both Kiffin and Jason Driskel said throughout the week they believed FAU’s passing game was ready to turn a corner. While Driskel did force some throws, the redshirt junior completed 24 of 35 passes for 357 yards and two touchdowns, by far his best game of the season and the most effective the passing offense has looked this season.
Wide receiver Kalib Woods didn’t do much in his first game back from suspension, but tight end Harrison Bryant had seven catches for 69 yards and Kamrin Solomon added five for 64 yards.
3. Willie Wright is a weapon
One of Kiffin and offensive coordinator Kendal Briles’ goals is to start each series with an explosive play, a feat accomplished by Wright when the true freshman receiver took a shovel pass for a 22-yard gain.
Later in the first quarter, Wright caught a 69-yard touchdown pass, the second time this year he’s scored on a play of at least 60 yards.
Wright finished with eight catches for 141 yards and the touchdown, providing a reminder of what the future holds for FAU’s offense.
4. Turnover party continues for defense
Like Driskel, North Texas quarterback Mason Fine — who entered Saturday leading C-USA in passing yards and touchdowns while ranking third in completion percentage — forced several throws, but was unable to avoid a turnover-free night.
Fine threw two interceptions, one of which came from rising star cornerback Chris Tooley.
Defensive end Ernest Bagner recovered a first-quarter fumble for the Owls, and Shelton Lewis had an interception.
5. Penalties, wild snaps for FAU
Two of FAU’s early season issues, wild snaps and penalties, returned Saturday night.
Center Antonyo Woods did not put FAU in bad position with his snaps, though Driskel did have to make an effort to make sure the football didn’t go behind him.
FAU committed five penalties for 39 yards in the win, many of those coming on holding calls.