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Defense Shines in Wednesday Practice
8/19/2026 4:28:00 PM | Football
BOCA RATON, Fla. – Florida Atlantic football returned to the practice fields Wednesday morning, taking the field slightly later to allow more recovery time.
As the team moved through its daily work rotation, spirits were high on the defensive side of the ball with pass breakups and interceptions. The offense capped moments of glory to bookend the day.
QUOTABLE
Defensive Backs Coach Antonio Fenelus
On being in a better place than a year ago
"What is big is that we kept some of the guys from last year, we had guys graduate, but Damon [Allen], [Jayden] Sweeney, Damarius McGhee and with the guys that we brought in, having them come together we have great leadership for us in the back end."
On Graduate DB Tyson Rooks and his leadership qualities, earning a captain spot his first year
"That is just Tyson his whole life. His dad coached him growing up. I got a chance to coach him at Illinois, but it has been great to see him step into that role and add to the leadership. He is doing it with his play. He is starting to speak up and be more vocal. That is definitely helping the group out, especially the young guys like Justin Weatherall, Travis Jackson and guys like that."
Is the main emphasis this year, more plays on the ball?
"Being a back-end guy, we have to find a way to take the ball away and give it back to the offense. I get onto the guys all the time. They get super excited about PBUs. But I'm like, 'hey the offense has another chance to go score on the drive.' I'm challenging them to take the ball away. That brings momentum to the game."
It goes hand-in-hand. If the pass rush is better, there is going to be more opportunities.
"Definitely, and what we are doing upfront is impressive. Guys like CJ [Doggette Jr.], DeShaun [Batiste], Jay [Crable], all those guys and I can keep going on and on. What they do affecting the quarterback makes it much easier for us. All we have to do is hold up for a couple of seconds and they can get back there."
Junior C Braden Cunningham
Togetherness and eliminating pre-snap penalties
"The bond that we have built helps as a unit. It helps us play fast and to know our jobs, eliminate pre-snap penalties and to do our jobs the best that we can."
On the new offensive linemen
"Their work ethic is unbelievable. The veteran new guys have come in, worked hard to know the plays and worked to get in the rotation. For example, Aiden [Jones], Aqil [Meredith-Smith] and Quez [Kortez Winslow], what they are doing coming in and knowing the plays and not skipping a beat when they get put into the lineup. It is awesome to have the camaraderie from the start."
On the run game
"They are explosive. You hold your block for a second, create a tiny gap and they are hitting it hard. A three-yard gain turns into a six- and seven-yard gain. They do a great job of running the ball and protecting the ball."
Graduate DL Blake Burris
Taking the ball away as a defensive line point of emphasis
"It is definitely a point of emphasis. All 11 guys have to be doing their part. If we are not getting sacks and taking the ball away up front, we need to get our hands in the passing lanes and tipping passes, which makes the job easier on the back end. A lot of times the stuff doesn't show up on stats, but even pressure on the quarterback and getting quarterback hits forces them to be a little shy throwing the ball or rush the ball trying to get it out. It definitely works in unison. As far as forcing fumbles, we have really emphasized punching at the football, breaking out the football. Our offense does a good job running screen plays. So as a D-line we emphasize getting out of the stack retracing the screens and when a big guy is running to the football usually big things happen."
On captain CJ Doggette's leadership
"He is amazing. He came in last year and was voted as a team captain in one year. That is very impressive. It is not just fluff. Everything that you want in a leader, he does it. He takes accountability. He is the first guy in and the last guy to leave. He is always getting in extra work. He is not afraid to be that vocal leader that the group needs…He has super high standards for himself and that is what you have to have as a leader. Everyone looks at you to make the play when they are down and CJ takes on that role very well."
2026 FAN FEST
Duffy's Fan Fest Set for Aug. 22 at Flagler Credit Union Stadium
Florida Atlantic Athletics will host the second annual Duffy's Sports Grill Fan Fest at Flagler Credit Union Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 22. The free event begins at 5 p.m. and is headlined by a live concert outside the stadium and a drone show. Complete details HERE
2026 COMPLETE SCHEDULE
Click HERE.
2026 SUMMER PROSPECTUS
Click HERE.
2026 ROSTER, COACHES AND SUPPORT STAFF
Click HERE.
PURCHASE YOUR 2026 SEASON TICKETS NOW
2026 Florida Atlantic football season tickets are now on sale. Tickets start at $75 plus a $5 processing charge per seat, along with various premium seating options. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit HERE, email tickets@fau.edu, or call 1-866-FAU-OWLS during normal business hours to order tickets or to speak with a ticket sales representative.
FOLLOW THE TEAM
Stay informed by reading FAUSports.com or through football's Twitter and Instagram accounts @FAUFootball.
As the team moved through its daily work rotation, spirits were high on the defensive side of the ball with pass breakups and interceptions. The offense capped moments of glory to bookend the day.
QUOTABLE
Defensive Backs Coach Antonio Fenelus
On being in a better place than a year ago
"What is big is that we kept some of the guys from last year, we had guys graduate, but Damon [Allen], [Jayden] Sweeney, Damarius McGhee and with the guys that we brought in, having them come together we have great leadership for us in the back end."
On Graduate DB Tyson Rooks and his leadership qualities, earning a captain spot his first year
"That is just Tyson his whole life. His dad coached him growing up. I got a chance to coach him at Illinois, but it has been great to see him step into that role and add to the leadership. He is doing it with his play. He is starting to speak up and be more vocal. That is definitely helping the group out, especially the young guys like Justin Weatherall, Travis Jackson and guys like that."
Is the main emphasis this year, more plays on the ball?
"Being a back-end guy, we have to find a way to take the ball away and give it back to the offense. I get onto the guys all the time. They get super excited about PBUs. But I'm like, 'hey the offense has another chance to go score on the drive.' I'm challenging them to take the ball away. That brings momentum to the game."
It goes hand-in-hand. If the pass rush is better, there is going to be more opportunities.
"Definitely, and what we are doing upfront is impressive. Guys like CJ [Doggette Jr.], DeShaun [Batiste], Jay [Crable], all those guys and I can keep going on and on. What they do affecting the quarterback makes it much easier for us. All we have to do is hold up for a couple of seconds and they can get back there."
Junior C Braden Cunningham
Togetherness and eliminating pre-snap penalties
"The bond that we have built helps as a unit. It helps us play fast and to know our jobs, eliminate pre-snap penalties and to do our jobs the best that we can."
On the new offensive linemen
"Their work ethic is unbelievable. The veteran new guys have come in, worked hard to know the plays and worked to get in the rotation. For example, Aiden [Jones], Aqil [Meredith-Smith] and Quez [Kortez Winslow], what they are doing coming in and knowing the plays and not skipping a beat when they get put into the lineup. It is awesome to have the camaraderie from the start."
On the run game
"They are explosive. You hold your block for a second, create a tiny gap and they are hitting it hard. A three-yard gain turns into a six- and seven-yard gain. They do a great job of running the ball and protecting the ball."
Graduate DL Blake Burris
Taking the ball away as a defensive line point of emphasis
"It is definitely a point of emphasis. All 11 guys have to be doing their part. If we are not getting sacks and taking the ball away up front, we need to get our hands in the passing lanes and tipping passes, which makes the job easier on the back end. A lot of times the stuff doesn't show up on stats, but even pressure on the quarterback and getting quarterback hits forces them to be a little shy throwing the ball or rush the ball trying to get it out. It definitely works in unison. As far as forcing fumbles, we have really emphasized punching at the football, breaking out the football. Our offense does a good job running screen plays. So as a D-line we emphasize getting out of the stack retracing the screens and when a big guy is running to the football usually big things happen."
On captain CJ Doggette's leadership
"He is amazing. He came in last year and was voted as a team captain in one year. That is very impressive. It is not just fluff. Everything that you want in a leader, he does it. He takes accountability. He is the first guy in and the last guy to leave. He is always getting in extra work. He is not afraid to be that vocal leader that the group needs…He has super high standards for himself and that is what you have to have as a leader. Everyone looks at you to make the play when they are down and CJ takes on that role very well."
2026 FAN FEST
Duffy's Fan Fest Set for Aug. 22 at Flagler Credit Union Stadium
Florida Atlantic Athletics will host the second annual Duffy's Sports Grill Fan Fest at Flagler Credit Union Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 22. The free event begins at 5 p.m. and is headlined by a live concert outside the stadium and a drone show. Complete details HERE
2026 COMPLETE SCHEDULE
Click HERE.
2026 SUMMER PROSPECTUS
Click HERE.
2026 ROSTER, COACHES AND SUPPORT STAFF
Click HERE.
PURCHASE YOUR 2026 SEASON TICKETS NOW
2026 Florida Atlantic football season tickets are now on sale. Tickets start at $75 plus a $5 processing charge per seat, along with various premium seating options. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit HERE, email tickets@fau.edu, or call 1-866-FAU-OWLS during normal business hours to order tickets or to speak with a ticket sales representative.
FOLLOW THE TEAM
Stay informed by reading FAUSports.com or through football's Twitter and Instagram accounts @FAUFootball.
Players Mentioned
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