Football Begins Final Two Weeks of Prep Before Season Opener

Gallery: (9-8-2020) Football-9-8-20

BOCA RATON, Fla. – With two scrimmages under their belts and a third looming, the Florida Atlantic University Owls began their final week on Tuesday morning and will be working on game prep this time next week with the season opener scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 19. The game at Georgia Southern is scheduled to kickoff at 4 p.m. and will air on ESPN2.

Coaches' Corner

Coach Jeff Norrid's opening remarks on the offensive line:
"So far, I have been really, really pleased with how we have worked up front. Obviously, not having a spring game or not having spring football at all concerns you because the lack of fundamental development is going to be an issue, but I have been real impressed with how much carryover they have had since our last game, the first week of December. They have done a great job working on their own this past summer when it has just been them. They showed up so far in fall camp with a sense of urgency and ready to work. I have been excited for the amount of leadership."

Offensive Line Video Highlight

Sideline Celebrations

Following individual work, the team was broken into three areas: run game, pass, and special teams
Right out of the gate, the offense combined two runs, the second by redshirt senior running back James Charles, to move the chains
Pass coverage was the theme on the west field with the four quarterbacks rotating by twos
During 7-on-7, junior cornerback Teja Young hauled in an interception and freshman linebacker Jarrett Jerrels recorded a sack
Special teams work was followed by "team," which spotted the ball on the offensive 20. Charles received the handoff and ran the distance
Nick Tronti began three big plays, hitting grad student tight end Michael Irvin II, receiver Aaron Young, also a grad student, and redshirt junior tight end Logan Peterson
Sophomore running back/defensive back Glover Cook rattled off a long run in the mix as well
FAU then returned to special teams work, focusing on the punt game
Sophomore running back Larry McCammon caught a pass on the east field and danced 10 yards down the sideline closest to the beach, and later in practice, redshirt junior Ahman Ross recorded a sack while freshman Willie Taggart, Jr. called a quarterback keeper for five-plus yard gain

Inside the Owls' Burrow

This week also marks the return of "Inside the Owls' Burrow, hosted and produced by longtime South Florida television personality Frank Forte. Forte will be joined each week by FAU head coach Willie Taggart. Episode one will feature: FAU vice president and director of athletics Brian White; sights and sounds from fall training camp; and short interviews with co-offensive coordinators Clint Trickett and Drew Mehringer as well as the Owls' defensive coordinator Jim Leavitt.

Forte also will take a look at how the football strength and conditioning staff uses modern technology to monitor players' speed, strength and physical exertion, plus the start of the "20 for 20" series, which will be a look back at 20 great moments or milestones as the football program begins its 20th season. This week will spotlight inaugural FAU head coach Howard Schnellenberger. Inside the Owls' Burrow will air Thursday, Sept. 10 at 5:30 p.m. and will re-air at 9:30 a.m. Friday and 11 a.m. on Saturday, all on Fox Sports South Florida.

Tickets

Tickets for the 2020 season are on sale and can be purchased by calling 1-866-FAU-OWLS or online HERE.

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