It was Florida Atlantic's low point. The Owls had just lost to Troy 11-5 on April 14. By sweeping the series, the Trojans had handed Florida Atlantic its fifth consecutive loss, dropping the Owls to 6-11 in the Sun Belt.

Not only did the Owls lose the series, they didn't play well. Coach John McCormack had run out of things to say to his club. The players were waiting for McCormack to explode. He didn't.

"After the game I think they expected me to yell and scream, but I just said, 'It's over with. It's over with. We are starting a new season from this day," McCormack recalls. "At one point I just kind of chuckled and said, 'It is what it is. We can't change it. We put ourselves in this mess.'"

McCormack told his club to forget about the weekend, that there was nothing they could do about it. The team showered and went back to the hotel.

A little while later a couple of players made a point to talk with McCormack.

"Some of the older guys, when we were at dinner, said that was the best thing that could happen to us," McCormack said. "Everybody was sitting there waiting for an absolute verbal drubbing or some sort of physical punishment."

The players didn't need need to run laps. Though they lost to Miami in their next game, the Owls put themselves in the position to win the game late. FAU then won its next six games and enters the weekend series at Western Kentucky looking to continue the turnaround.

The low morale the Owls experienced following the Troy series was barely a memory on Wednesday. FAU players and coaches were upbeat as they went through their drills. It's amazing what a little winning can do.

"Now, the thing is, will this all translate tomorow morning when we get on the plane?" McCormack said Wednesday. "And will it appear against at Western Kentucky on Friday night."

Ozga hurting: First baseman Travis Ozga (photo) didn't start in the Owls win over Bethune-Cookman on Tuesday because of a sore elbow. Ozga had his left elbow scoped in the fall to remove bone chips. Swinging the bat caused some pain in that elbow

FAU played seven games in an eight-day period and McCormack decided to rest Ozga to be safe. On Wednesday Ozga said he could have played against the Wildcats and would be good to go against Western Kentucky. Still, this situation bears watching. FAU needs Ozga to play well if the Owls are going to qualify for the Sun Belt Tournament.

Check-in: Be sure to check with FAUOwlAccess.com throughout the weekend for tidbits from the Western Kentucky series as well NFL draft updates.

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