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Owls Respond in Practice #2
7/31/2025 3:52:00 PM | Football
BOCA RATON, Fla. – Under sunny blue skies and a heat index greater than day one, the Florida Atlantic football team responded in all three phases of the game. In addition, everyone responded to the day one challenges issued by first-year Hagerty Family Head Football Coach Zach Kittley.
The Owls moved from period to period in an up-tempo manner, often sounding as if they were running through puddles based on the noises coming from their sweat-soaked cleats. FAU had a tremendous spring and summer conditioning using the ability to run on the South Florida sand but are now focusing on getting "football ready" by keeping the pace fast with intermittent sideline water breaks and by attacking the team drills.
PHOTO GALLERYGallery: (7-31-2025) Football Preseason Practice #2
QUOTABLE
Graduate Student Offensive Lineman Alex Atcavage
On the decision to return to Florida Atlantic
"It definitely has paid off. I just texted Coach Kittley when we did our report meeting just saying how much I appreciated him. Since January, it has been a new life, has brought new life for my love of the game. I always loved the school and never wanted to leave. I wish I had five more years left with this staff. They've helped me out tremendously on and off the field and I'm so blessed and thankful that I decided to come back."
On who has made growth from January until now
"I would definitely say Bryce (Langston). He's very reserved…but his growth as a leader, as a man, as a player, the steps that he has taken, I think it's going to pay off for him in the season and down the road into the next level of football for him. He's a total new player and man."
On continuity within the offensive line from the spring
"Having Scarlee (Jean) back brought another level of confidence to (Ja'Kavion) Nonar's game…Scarlee being an older guy having played a ton of football, it also makes (Braden) Cunningham more comfortable and obviously me and Daughtry (Richardson) have a really good connection. We all bring something different to the table, and if we all put it together we will be a really good unit."
On playing next to a new center
"We're really lucky with the offensive line coach that we have [Stephen Hamby] because he did play the position. Braden is a lot further along than most redshirt freshmen are. He does a really good job of everything at his own pace. Sometimes when you get a young guy, it's hard to keep your confidence at a high level if you lose a rep and get into your head. Just reassuring him has been the only thing that I have really had to do because Coach Hamby is so hands on with the centers. If it comes to technique and football, he knows he's comfortable to ask Coach Hamby, but having the reassurance of the older guy, that's a big thing I have focused on with him."
Redshirt Sophomore Defensive Back Derrick Rogers
On the importance of maintaining his off-the-field presence
"That's really important to me because no matter where you are at, football or not, somebody may be watching you…On Instagram, Snapchat, you're exposed to everybody in the world. You may know someone, but you don't know who knows you, so I feel like you should keep yourself at the highest standard at all times no matter where you're at."
On becoming a leader in the DB room with other new additions
"For me coming in, it wasn't hard because of my coaching staff: Coach Fenelus [Defensive Backs Coach Antonio Fenelus], Coach DB [Defensive Graduate Assistant Dominique Bradshaw], they really brought me in and I knew what I had to do, they worked with me. It really was a fast and smooth transition. I just kind of took that role for myself just knowing what I want for the team and what I want for other people on my team. It's family. You have to play for your brother, their family depends on me, my family depends on them, so we have to work together."
On having a next man up mentality
"We work on it right now at practice. Next man up. If you can't go, you can't go. But if you can, we push it until you can't go anymore and then your brother's got you."
PRACTICE NOTABLES
The defense responded in the second half of practice to keep the offense off-balance.
COMPLETE 2025 SCHEDULE
Click HERE.
SEASON TICKETS
To purchase season tickets, click HERE.
GROUPS OF ALL AGES
To purchase group tickets, click HERE.
FOLLOW THE TEAM
Stay informed by reading FAUSports.com or through football's Twitter and Instagram accounts @FAUFootball.
The Owls moved from period to period in an up-tempo manner, often sounding as if they were running through puddles based on the noises coming from their sweat-soaked cleats. FAU had a tremendous spring and summer conditioning using the ability to run on the South Florida sand but are now focusing on getting "football ready" by keeping the pace fast with intermittent sideline water breaks and by attacking the team drills.
PHOTO GALLERY
QUOTABLE
Graduate Student Offensive Lineman Alex Atcavage
On the decision to return to Florida Atlantic
"It definitely has paid off. I just texted Coach Kittley when we did our report meeting just saying how much I appreciated him. Since January, it has been a new life, has brought new life for my love of the game. I always loved the school and never wanted to leave. I wish I had five more years left with this staff. They've helped me out tremendously on and off the field and I'm so blessed and thankful that I decided to come back."
On who has made growth from January until now
"I would definitely say Bryce (Langston). He's very reserved…but his growth as a leader, as a man, as a player, the steps that he has taken, I think it's going to pay off for him in the season and down the road into the next level of football for him. He's a total new player and man."
On continuity within the offensive line from the spring
"Having Scarlee (Jean) back brought another level of confidence to (Ja'Kavion) Nonar's game…Scarlee being an older guy having played a ton of football, it also makes (Braden) Cunningham more comfortable and obviously me and Daughtry (Richardson) have a really good connection. We all bring something different to the table, and if we all put it together we will be a really good unit."
On playing next to a new center
"We're really lucky with the offensive line coach that we have [Stephen Hamby] because he did play the position. Braden is a lot further along than most redshirt freshmen are. He does a really good job of everything at his own pace. Sometimes when you get a young guy, it's hard to keep your confidence at a high level if you lose a rep and get into your head. Just reassuring him has been the only thing that I have really had to do because Coach Hamby is so hands on with the centers. If it comes to technique and football, he knows he's comfortable to ask Coach Hamby, but having the reassurance of the older guy, that's a big thing I have focused on with him."
Redshirt Sophomore Defensive Back Derrick Rogers
On the importance of maintaining his off-the-field presence
"That's really important to me because no matter where you are at, football or not, somebody may be watching you…On Instagram, Snapchat, you're exposed to everybody in the world. You may know someone, but you don't know who knows you, so I feel like you should keep yourself at the highest standard at all times no matter where you're at."
On becoming a leader in the DB room with other new additions
"For me coming in, it wasn't hard because of my coaching staff: Coach Fenelus [Defensive Backs Coach Antonio Fenelus], Coach DB [Defensive Graduate Assistant Dominique Bradshaw], they really brought me in and I knew what I had to do, they worked with me. It really was a fast and smooth transition. I just kind of took that role for myself just knowing what I want for the team and what I want for other people on my team. It's family. You have to play for your brother, their family depends on me, my family depends on them, so we have to work together."
On having a next man up mentality
"We work on it right now at practice. Next man up. If you can't go, you can't go. But if you can, we push it until you can't go anymore and then your brother's got you."
PRACTICE NOTABLES
The defense responded in the second half of practice to keep the offense off-balance.
- Sophomore DB Cameron Goggins recorded the first interception of the day.
- Redshirt Freshman DB Kyle Boylston collected the second INT.
- The unanimous play of the day was a one-handed sideline grab by redshirt junior wide receiver Jayshon Platt, who was tightly covered.
COMPLETE 2025 SCHEDULE
Click HERE.
SEASON TICKETS
To purchase season tickets, click HERE.
GROUPS OF ALL AGES
To purchase group tickets, click HERE.
FOLLOW THE TEAM
Stay informed by reading FAUSports.com or through football's Twitter and Instagram accounts @FAUFootball.
Players Mentioned
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DB
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