Traveling to East Hartford, the FAU Owls were outmatched against the Huskies from the start
After their Week 3 victory against FIU, the FAU Owls were beaten convincingly in Week 4.
From the first snap of their game against the University of Connecticut, the Owls were outmatched. Whether getting bullied on defense or not finding any footing on offense, it was another game where the Owls simply did not come to play. It is a recurring theme for them this season and threatens to derail what once looked like a promising 2024 season.
A total defensive letdown
Coming into the game, the defense was seen as the strength of the Owls. Led by a talented secondary and linebacker core, they were supposed to be the unit that would help propel the team to victories.
However, that was not the case on Saturday night in East Hartford.
UConn seemingly combined the offensive gameplans of FIU and Army to attack the Owls’ defense. They constantly kept their foot on the gas pedal while using the option to mess with FAU’s defensive read keys.
The result? The Huskies consistently found lanes in the rushing game and simply outmuscled the Owls. UConn racked up 421 yards and four touchdowns on 6.4 yards per carry(change after game). Quarterback Nick Evers found lanes all over the field while running back Durell Robinson consistently got to the edge of the defense.
TOUCHDOWN!! 💪😤
Durell Robinson rushes in to extend our lead! pic.twitter.com/6x0h6DpVfn
— UConn Football (@UConnFootball) September 22, 2024
FAU was also uncharacteristically irresponsible against the pass. They let up a big pass play to wideout Skyler Bell and left running back Mel Brown Jr. wide-open for a touchdown in the red zone. They also allowed a big-time play on 4th down late in the fourth quarter to give UConn 500 total yards of offense. The Huskies ultimately ended up with 542 yards of total offense.
TOUCHDOWN!!!
Evers throws to Mel Brown for his first touchdown catch as a Husky. pic.twitter.com/3N4pdjKmH5
— UConn Football (@UConnFootball) September 21, 2024
Most significantly, the defense played sloppy. There were missed tackles on almost every play at all levels of the defense. Plays that should have been stopped in the backfield went for positive gains. Short gains were turned into long gains. Ultimately, FAU made it really easy for UConn to dominate the football game.
The FAU Owls have to do some soul-searching before their game against Wagner. This is the second game this season that they have been knocked out with the running game; if they do not make significant changes, it definitely will not be their last.
The offensive ineptitude continues
As bad as the defense performed, the offense was arguably worse.
The Owls mustered 250 total yards on offense. 163 of those yards were from the rushing attack, but those numbers lie. The offensive line was consistently pushed around and could not gain much traction. Quarterback Cameron Fancher rushed for 71 yards on primarily scrambles. With his power and vision, C.J. Campbell Jr. was a bright spot, but 38 yards came on a single carry that went for a long touchdown. On his other carries, Campbell Jr did what he could behind an overmatched offensive line.
C.J. again 👀
Campbell rushes it in from 38 yards out! pic.twitter.com/nYyCDOdKgl
— Florida Atlantic Football (@FAUFootball) September 22, 2024
The Owls’ passing game was much worse than the running game.
Despite having garbage time to assist his play, Fancher only mustered 87 passing yards. Due to brutal inaccuracies, he did not hit throws down the field. On other plays, the offensive line did not hold up, and the receivers did not create consistent separation.
FAU has simply not done enough on offense to win football games. The unit is costing themselves and the team game after game with their poor performances.
Simply put, something needs to change for the Owls on the offense side of the football. Otherwise, this season will be over before the coaches and players even realize it.
Zero discipline to be found
A new issue arose for the FAU Owls during their loss at the hands of UConn.
FAU had 11 penalties for 79 yards, occurring on the defensive and offensive sides of the ball. They killed multiple drives with costly penalties and allowed UConn to keep their offensive onslaught going.
It is unacceptable that the Owls had penalty issues on top of their other struggles on Saturday. Florida Atlantic was unprepared or ready to face the Huskies, and their performance showed it. Tom Herman and his staff need to get the team on the right track, or his seat could be getting warm very, very soon.
Other notes
- CJ Heard and Jackson Ambush were all over the field making tackles. In terms of the run defense, they played very well for the most part and looked like two of the best players on the entire unit.
- In the secondary, Wendol Philord made some great plays in the backfield. Kahzir Brown and Cameron Goggins had great coverage on multiple plays, flashing the talent that makes them lockdown corners in this scheme.
- C.J. Campbell needs more carries and overall touches on the offense. He is arguably the best playmaker on the team and could help unlock the Owls’ rushing attack.
