Upcoming Event: Football versus Friday Night Showcase on April 17, 2026 at 6:30 p.m.
6:30 p.m.
Football
vs. Friday Night Showcase
Florida Atlantic University Athletics
First Scrimmage
1/8/2001 12:00:00 AM | Football
September 23, 2000
Boca Raton News
Today at 4:00 p.m., Florida Atlantic University's inaugural football class will be introduced to thousands of fans who gather at the Tom Oxley Athletic Fields. This grand occasion marks the first scrimmage of the FAU Fighting Owls football team.
The team of 116 players has been practicing daily for four weeks to prepare for today's scrimmage that features the offensive football team in direct competition with the defensive team. The contest highlights scrimmage plays and eliminates kickoffs and punts.
A different type of scoring system is used in an intrasquad scrimmage. (See Marcus Nelson's scrimmage rules.) You are most familiar with the method of scoring for the offensive team. The offensive team scores points when it completes a touchdown, executes a field goal, or makes an extra point.
For something new to most fans, the defensive team scores when it stops an offensive drive, such as stopping a touchdown or blocking an extra point, recovers a fumble, intercepts a pass, or, scores a touchdown on a turnover.
With this scoring system issued by Paul "Bear" Bryant in 1952, the team that plays the best will have the most points. The scrimmage scoring system evenly reflects the differential ratio of play.
The Big Bad Burly Birds take the field at 3:00 in preparation for the scrimmage which begins at 4:00. From 3:00 to 3:30 players will be available for all children and children of the heart to get autographs and take photographs with players and coaches.
You won't want to miss FAU's nationally recognized cheerleaders, dance team, or pep band. Bleachers will provide seating for 600 Owl boosters. Unlike other major football events, umbrellas and lawn chairs are permissible and encouraged.
The scrimmage will be the headline and most important event of the day. But, don't forget the FestivOwl barbeque that follows. Outback will be cooking its finest barbeque at the gymnasium.
At 8:00 we move to the University Center Auditorium to celebrate football with Coach Don Shula, Governor John Y. Brown, Manny Fernandez, Roman Gabriel, Ted Hendricks, Jim Kelly, Jim Kick, Bernie Kosar, Earl Morrall, Edwin Pope, Dwight Stevenson, and Paul Warfield. These fine coaches and players are readying themselves to roast the Owl's first head coach.
At day's end, an other milestone will have been set in stone. We'll continue the pace. Watch for Tuesday's hallmark announcement to be made at 1:00 from Pro Player Stadium. The University, its coaches, and players, will make an announcement sure to be of interest to all Owl fans.
To believe is to be strong!
Dominique Henry Mic'd Up
Saturday, April 04
Practice #8
Thursday, April 02
Wilky Denaud Mic'd Up
Tuesday, March 31
Inside the Owls Burrow 2025-26 Spring Show #6
Monday, March 30