Van Camp drives offense
FAU Notebook: In limited duty, FAU backup quarterback Jeff Van Camp makes an impression on Owls coach Howard Schnellenberger
Originally published on 9/6/2009
by
Marcus Nelson
LINCOLN, Neb. – Florida Atlantic’s vaunted offense managed just a field goal in the Owls’ 49-3 loss to No. 24 Nebraska on Saturday.
And that scoring drive was led not by senior quarterback Rusty Smith, but by junor Jeff Van Camp, who FAU coach Howard Schnellenberger put in the game in the second quarter, as planned.
Van Camp was 2-of-4 for 49 yards on the drive that resulted in 21-yard field goal by Ross Gornall – the only FAU points of the game.
“Coach Schnellenberger called my number and I just was going to go in there and do my best and try to get a touchdown,” Van Camp said. “We I made a lot of mistakes on that drive and there are things I can improve on.”
Van Camp was 5-of-10 for 72 yards for the game and his 38-yard completion to fullback Willie Rose was the longest pass of the game.
“This is the first we’ve really got to do anything with him,” Schnellenberger said. “He had a pretty good drive there.”
Morris debut: Another player who earned praise from Schnellenberger was sophomore tailback Alfred Morris, who was playing his first game as the Owls’ starting running back and rushed for 85 yards on 18 carries.
“Looking at it from their point of view I think they would say he’s a pretty good running back,” Schnellenberger said. “He hasn’t been at that position long and I think he’s going to be a fine, steady back for us.”
Said Morris: “I did what I could…I just followed the line. They opened the holes I ran through them.”
Meeting with TO: Schnellenberger said he met briefly Friday with former Nebraska coach Tom Osborne, who is now the Cornhuskers Athletic Director.
Schnellenberger’s Miami team defeated Osborne’s Nebraska team in the 1984 Orange Bowl when Osborne decided to try - unsuccessfully - for a two-point conversion instead of going for the tie in a game that cost Nebraska the national title.
“He came out and had his wife with him and it was a very nice meeting” Schnellenberger said. “I’m delighted he looks so fit and healthy. He hasn’t gained any weight at all. We chuckled at things like helicopters and ….well I think that’s all we chuckled about. He and I are not close friends but I look up to him as much as he looks up to me and we’re professionals.”
Owl-so of note: Players who started for the first time in their careers vs. Nebraksa include right tackle Carl Spitale, running back Alfred Morris, defensive end Kevin Cyrille, defensive end Daniel Joseph, linebacker Malik Eugene, linebacker Michael Lockley and safety Antonio Rodriguez. …Wide receiver Cortez Gent had five catches for 58 yards and is one catch away from tying the school-record for career receptions. Former tight end Anthony Crissinger-Hill holds the record with 136 career receptions. ...FAU fell to 1-16 all-time against schools from BCS conferences including 0-7 against teams from the Big 12. The Owls are also 0-6 against ranked teams.