College football is set to enter Week 2, and another FAU Owls media availability is in the books. Head coach Tom Herman, wide receiver Jayshon Platt, and cornerback Kahzir Brown all spoke to the media about their upcoming matchup against the Army Black Knights.
FAU Owls Head Coach Tom Herman Media Availability
Herman said FAU Owls quarterback Cameron Fancher got an X-ray on his hand, but they were negative. According to Herman, the quarterback is fully cleared and ready to go for Saturday. He also said the risky sliding from Fancher concerns him and that going forward, Fancher will “be diving forward” a lot more.
The Owls’ head coach spoke about the importance of Saturday’s game, saying that “this one counts” toward rings and conference championships. He also talked about the importance of the fans being in attendance against Army.
“We’re a lot better of a team when our fans are there. Out students, the citizens of Boca and Palm Beach County, we need you for sure. Because when that stadium is packed and rocking, it is definitely an advantage. Coming into this week with the team that we are playing, we will take every advantage that we can get,” said Herman.
Herman spoke about the team’s offensive line struggles against Michigan State, saying that it was a “problem” but not the team’s “biggest” problem.
“We thought we had a good plan to not leave the offensive linemen on an island all the time. We involved the backs, who did well but had some breakdowns. The tight ends did well for the most part but had a breakdown or two,” said Herman.
“You look at the offense, and a lot of times, nine or ten guys were doing something really good. But one guy has a breakdown, and it’s a really bad play. Offensive football is truly synchronistic; you are only as strong as your weakest link. We need everybody to do their best when their best is needed.”
I personally asked Herman about the offensive game plan for this week against the Black Knights, specifically if they were focused on execution or a specific weak spot in the Army’s defense.
“It’s about execution. I think they’re really good on defense. Their free safety, number six, is a hell of a player. Their outside linebacker and edge rusher, number 95, is a heck of a player. They are going to have some talented dudes. We will match up a little bit better up front and on the perimeter, though,” said Herman.
“To be honest with you, Army is a bit more multiple than expected. In playing the service academies, they’re usually more of, we are going to line up and do this better than you. They blitz a little bit more and throw some unique coverages at you. They get a little exotic on third down. I think we will know, for the most part, where they will be. I don’t think our guys will be confused a whole lot on offense. But we are certainly going to have to execute because they know what they’re doing, and they do it really well.
In terms of aggressiveness, Herman said he wants to push the ball down the field more but noted that “it will be important to keep drives alive” due to Army’s unique offense. Herman also confirmed that Platt, Omari Hayes, and Dominique Henry are the Owls’ “starting” wideouts. However, the head coach said there would still be a rotation at the position.
“Those guys have earned it, but not to a great degree where you will see them play 80 percent of the snaps. Those guys have earned the right to go out first, but it will still be pretty rotational.”
Herman added that, in his ideal offense, he would like to rotate the wideouts on first and second downs while solidifying the players used on third downs.
Regarding Army’s offense, Herman spoke about how they can shut down the Black Knights’ rushing attack on Saturday.
“Hopefully, you hear the word ‘eyes’ this week more than you have ever heard. Option football, on that side, they want you to be chasing the ball. But if you read the keys and read the people you’re supposed to read, it will tell you what the play is. The ball won’t matter; you will be in the right gap at the right time.
As a head coach, these are some of the most nerve-wracking weeks. I’ve seen us play lights out against these types of teams, and I’ve seen us struggle. And sometimes, when you struggle, it’s hard to unstruggle and adjust mid-game. I think we’ve got a great plan; we believe in the plan, and we have to stick to it. We are going to be very simple and use our technique, athleticism, and fundamentals. And if our eyes are in the right place on every play, we will have a chance to succeed.”
Also, Herman lauded the defensive line’s effort in Week 1 but acknowledged the different running scheme they will face against the Army Black Knights. He said there will be “zero” carry-over from Michigan State to Army, mainly due to a lack of counter and gap-scheme running and a large amount of option-based football. Herman also praised defensive lineman Chisom Ifeanyi, noting that he had a “really good game. He added that he is excited about Ifeanyi being explosive off the football” to pressure the quarterback.
Asked about the history between the FAU Owls and the Army, Herman spoke about the school playing them for the first time and what it means.
“I told the team at our Monday meeting that I respect the heck out of these players. We were asked about the tradition of standing for their fight song at the end of the game. I said, are you serious? Why would that even be a question? Of course, we are going to do that. My father-in-law, an extremely positive male role model in my life, served in Vietnam with the Marines. Any chance we have to pay tribute to the men and women of our service, we do,” said Herman.
“Our four main phases of special teams are named after different FAU football players who had military careers. We’ve got one visiting for the game this week who we will get to know a little bit and pay tribute to. We have a ton of respect for what these guys do.”
Herman added that the Army football players are “truly remarkable young people” and that playing against the service academies gives him “hope” for the country’s future.
Jayshon Platt Media Availability
Asked about preparing for Saturday’s game, Platt said he is unphased by the conditions.
“I feel like we’ve been practicing under these conditions since fall camp. Some days are really hot, and some days it rains. I feel like we are used to that, and the preparations are going well.”
Platt said he is doing “everything the coaching staff asks” at 100 percent to solidify his role as the number one receiver on the FAU Owls. When I asked about building on his performance in Week 2, the wideout reiterated the same message.
“Just doing my job at 100 percent. Whether it’s blocking, getting somebody out of the play, or catching the ball. Just being that leader for my group.”
Regarding the team’s offensive struggles against Michigan State, Platt cited “not having enough time in the pocket” but expressed confidence in his offensive coordinator for this week’s game plan. He also spoke about his relationship with quarterback Cameron Fancher.
“Since we arrived in the spring, Cam and I have been doing routes on air, going to the field on off days, throwing the ball back and forth, going to the film room together. That’s been our relationship.”
Additionally, Platt said he “respects” Fancher for how tough he was playing against Michigan State, specifically when he took the big hits early in the game.
I asked Platt about his mentality about being a featured player in FAU’s specific offense and scheme.
“Same thing it’s always been since I got here. Being that leader for my group, going hard no matter what the circumstances are. If I have a bad play, I have to just snap back to it.”
Regarding the upcoming home environment on Saturday, Platt said it is “very exciting” and that he loves the atmosphere of the home stadium of the FAU Owls.
Kahzir Brown Media Availability
The Owls’ starting cornerback started his media availability talking about what went into his interception on the first play of the Michigan State game.
“We were in man-to-man. There were two receivers on the other side, and I traveled over, which is what we had been working on. Technically, we made the wrong check, but obviously, it worked out in our favor. I knew I was in; I had my left foot down the whole time. So once it was on replay, I was like, I know we got it … It felt really good.”
Brown said that the Owls will have a very good defense, but that FAU has small things they need to clean up.
“We gave up some touchdowns that we should not have given up. It’s just us working the scheme, getting with Coach Roc, and making sure everything is rock solid. It goes to what I said before; I feel like our back end can guard anybody in the country, no matter who you are.”
Regarding himself and Daedae Hill‘s performances, Brown said it was expected. The cornerback said that he and Hill always tell each other, “No catches today,” and credited their performance to trusting their “technique and coaching.”
When asked about their game plan against Army, Brown said the main focus is “reading keys” and doing “your job” on defense.
“Army has a lot of moving pieces to their triple option scheme. If your eyes are in the wrong spot or you are trying to look for the ball, that thing is going to crease and go for 60 yards on the ground. It is emphasizing everybody playing strong, everybody doing their job, everybody being mentally tough. No matter how bored you are, just doing your job over and over again.”
Brown acknowledged that playing the run against the Black Knights could be boring, but he emphasized that he would be happy and excited “to play with his guys” on gameday.
I asked Brown about what went into his preparation for Week 1 and what he is looking to build upon in Week 2.
“Nothing special. I’m just doing what I’ve always been doing, coming in here and trying to get better every day. Treating practice like a game has gotten my body really conditioned and ready to play. But there’s nothing special that goes into last week’s preparation; just doing our jobs, trusting our coaching, reading our keys, and getting better every practice,” said Brown.
“What we want to build on is being a dominant defense and not giving up anything. We gave up some small stuff, but it’s about not giving up anything big. Everybody has to trust each other; we trust each other, but we are trying to build on that trust by ensuring everyone is doing what they should be doing.”
From a mindset perspective, it is clear that the FAU Owls are ready to go. Florida Atlantic will now look to translate that mentality to the field this Saturday and get their first win of the season against Army.
