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Play the Way You Prepare – UAB Looms
10/5/2021 5:12:00 PM | Football
BOCA RATON, Fla. – The Florida Atlantic University football team (3-2, 1-0 Conference USA) returned to the practice fields Tuesday morning in preparation for this Saturday's contest versus UAB (3-2, 1-0 C-USA), slated for 3:30 p.m. in Birmingham, Alabama. The game will air on STADIUM Network.
The knowledge of what complementary football can look like is fresh on the players' minds, but more importantly the knowledge that preparation is the key to a successful performance remains in the forefront. To a man, the Owls are intent on putting in the work. That preparation will be pivotal if FAU hopes to dethrone the C-USA defending champions and the physical defense the Blazers play.
Gallery: (10-5-2021) Football Practice 10-5-21
On the offense playing complementary football:
"We've done a decent job of having great ball security. We've thrown one interception, not a lot of fumbles. As long as we can do that, I think we're going to be in a lot of football games. We're aware of each game. Certain games you need to be more aggressive, certain games you don't. Whatever is needed for us to win the football game is what we want to do as an offense. That's how we try to approach each and every week and making sure that we're doing our part in this complementary game."
On having a balanced offense:
"We want to have a balanced offense and making sure we can do both run and pass. UAB is an aggressive defense and everything that we do starts with our run game. We want to get that going because that opens up a lot of other avenues for us."
On UAB's defense:
"The focus this week is us. We know we're playing UAB. We know who they are. We know they are the 2020 Conference USA champions, but we are worried about us. [And] making sure that we're playing the right way and making sure that we're executing the way we want to. We feel that when we play the way we're capable of playing, we're hard to play against. That's where our focus is this week. We want to make sure we respect our opponent, make sure we give them their just due, but also really focus on how we're playing and making sure that we're executing our offense to the best of our abilities."
On his scoring expectations for the offense:
"We're just trying to score each and every opportunity we get [the ball]. We don't have a number that we're looking for, but we feel that if we control the time of the possession, then we're going to have a fresh defense and when we have a fresh defense, we're going to play well. If we can control the ball, regardless of how many points we score, I think we're going to be where we want to be at the end of the game."
Redshirt Sophomore Running Back Johnny Ford:
On building off of his game against FIU:
"We're trying to come in and be consistent and execute the plays. We eliminated a lot of things, and we just are attacking now with what we do best."
On the offensive line:
"They're my guys. If they're hungry, I'm gonna feed them. Anything they need, they can come to me. At the end of the day, they start this thing off. We're nothing without them. If you don't take care of your people, they won't take care of you. That's what I was always taught. If they come to me with anything on the field, I'll tell them what I see or they'll tell me what they see. I talk to Big Des [Desmond Noel] the most, but I hear Nick [Weber] and when he's calling his things, I try to help him point out the blitzes so it can be easier on them. I always tell them 'just give me a little crease, I will make you look good' I love the boys, Kamaar [Bell], Nick [Weber], BJ [Etienne], Chaz ]Neal]. Even the backups, I can name all of the boys. If they need something, I got them."
Redshirt Sophomore Wide Receiver Je'Quan Burton:
On the key to playing well:
"Just being consistent every week, coming in on Tuesdays and really playing the game from Tuesday to Friday, and Saturday should just be a rehearsal."
On his touchdown against FIU:
"I saw they [FIU's defense] were in cover four, so like N'Kosi said, I'm not the read. I'm really a clear-out route. I ran the route and I see N'Kosi spinning back out, it turns into a scramble drill."
On believing in himself:
"There were certain points in my life where I thought maybe I'd never play Division I football again, but with my family and having faith in God, I took a leap of faith walking on [at FAU]."
On playing in his first Shula Bowl:
"It was everything I imagined. A sea of red. The seniors were harping hard on this game, so I knew it was real serious and the atmosphere was crazy."
The knowledge of what complementary football can look like is fresh on the players' minds, but more importantly the knowledge that preparation is the key to a successful performance remains in the forefront. To a man, the Owls are intent on putting in the work. That preparation will be pivotal if FAU hopes to dethrone the C-USA defending champions and the physical defense the Blazers play.
Digital Dailies
Coordinator's Corner
Offensive Coordinator/QBs Michael JohnsonOn the offense playing complementary football:
"We've done a decent job of having great ball security. We've thrown one interception, not a lot of fumbles. As long as we can do that, I think we're going to be in a lot of football games. We're aware of each game. Certain games you need to be more aggressive, certain games you don't. Whatever is needed for us to win the football game is what we want to do as an offense. That's how we try to approach each and every week and making sure that we're doing our part in this complementary game."
On having a balanced offense:
"We want to have a balanced offense and making sure we can do both run and pass. UAB is an aggressive defense and everything that we do starts with our run game. We want to get that going because that opens up a lot of other avenues for us."
On UAB's defense:
"The focus this week is us. We know we're playing UAB. We know who they are. We know they are the 2020 Conference USA champions, but we are worried about us. [And] making sure that we're playing the right way and making sure that we're executing the way we want to. We feel that when we play the way we're capable of playing, we're hard to play against. That's where our focus is this week. We want to make sure we respect our opponent, make sure we give them their just due, but also really focus on how we're playing and making sure that we're executing our offense to the best of our abilities."
On his scoring expectations for the offense:
"We're just trying to score each and every opportunity we get [the ball]. We don't have a number that we're looking for, but we feel that if we control the time of the possession, then we're going to have a fresh defense and when we have a fresh defense, we're going to play well. If we can control the ball, regardless of how many points we score, I think we're going to be where we want to be at the end of the game."
Redshirt Sophomore Running Back Johnny Ford:
On building off of his game against FIU:
"We're trying to come in and be consistent and execute the plays. We eliminated a lot of things, and we just are attacking now with what we do best."
On the offensive line:
"They're my guys. If they're hungry, I'm gonna feed them. Anything they need, they can come to me. At the end of the day, they start this thing off. We're nothing without them. If you don't take care of your people, they won't take care of you. That's what I was always taught. If they come to me with anything on the field, I'll tell them what I see or they'll tell me what they see. I talk to Big Des [Desmond Noel] the most, but I hear Nick [Weber] and when he's calling his things, I try to help him point out the blitzes so it can be easier on them. I always tell them 'just give me a little crease, I will make you look good' I love the boys, Kamaar [Bell], Nick [Weber], BJ [Etienne], Chaz ]Neal]. Even the backups, I can name all of the boys. If they need something, I got them."
Redshirt Sophomore Wide Receiver Je'Quan Burton:
On the key to playing well:
"Just being consistent every week, coming in on Tuesdays and really playing the game from Tuesday to Friday, and Saturday should just be a rehearsal."
On his touchdown against FIU:
"I saw they [FIU's defense] were in cover four, so like N'Kosi said, I'm not the read. I'm really a clear-out route. I ran the route and I see N'Kosi spinning back out, it turns into a scramble drill."
On believing in himself:
"There were certain points in my life where I thought maybe I'd never play Division I football again, but with my family and having faith in God, I took a leap of faith walking on [at FAU]."
On playing in his first Shula Bowl:
"It was everything I imagined. A sea of red. The seniors were harping hard on this game, so I knew it was real serious and the atmosphere was crazy."
2021 Season
2021 single-game tickets are available now. To experience "Football in Paradise," Click HERE or call 1-866-FAU-OWLS.
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