New season begins
Owls can put 0-2 start behind them with victory over Louisiana-Monroe
Originally published on
9/25/2009
by
Marcus Nelson
BOCA RATON – Put up the bodybags.
They weren’t needed anyway.
For Florida Atlantic, the games against teams from BCS Conferences are over. After losses to Nebraska (49-3) and South Carolina (38-16) to start the season, the Owls will be able to compete in every game for the rest of this season, FAU coach Howard Schnellenberger said.
And that begins with Saturday’s game vs. Louisiana-Monroe.
“I think both of these games have been helpful to get our youngsters on defense ready – a baptism by fire if you will” Schnellenberger said. “Hopefully we will use that to get better as time goes on. Obviously we look forward to starting conference play and our first home appearance. Hopefully our fortunes will improve.”
More importantly, the games that really matter for the Owls – games against Sun Belt Conference opponents – begin when FAU (0-2) faces ULM (1-2).
“It’s all up to us,” Schnellenberger said. “We’ve got to get our group together. We’re as good as they are and if we can outplay them, we’ll win.”
It’s these Sun Belt games that determine if FAU will make it to the New Orleans Bowl.
FAU players are eager to start the Sun Belt Conference season on a good note after losing the first two conference games in 2008 which put the Owls behind early in the conference race.
“Last year we put ourselves in a huge hole in the conference with a couple of losses,” said senior quarterback Rusty Smith. “It’s very important for us to get off on the right foot vs. Louisiana-Monroe.”
It’s also the conference opener for the Warhawks, who, too, are anxious to get Sun Belt play going after losses at Texas and Arizona State.
“It’s kind of like the NFL preseason,” said ULM quarterback Trey Revell. “You get the first three games out of the way, the kinks out of the way and it’s kind of like a new season. That’s how you look at it after the fact. Before the fact, you want to win those games and come out 3-0.”
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Louisiana-Monroe (1-2, 0-0 Sun Belt Conference)
at Florida Atlantic (0-2, 0-0)
When: Saturday, 4 p.m.
Where: Lockhart Stadium, Fort Lauderdale. (
weather)
TV: None
Key matchups
FAU Wide receiver Chris Bonner vs. ULM ‘Hawk’ James Truxillo
Bonner had a good game last week vs. the Gamecocks, finishing with six receptions. However, he will be watched closely this week by the Warhawks’ defense and with Truxillo the fifth defensive back, it may be harder for Owls receivers to get open this week.
FAU linebacker Michael Lockley vs. ULM Running back Frank Goodin
South Carolina runnings backs were able to get into the secondary easily last week, but if Lockley and the other linebackers can bottle up Goodin, ULM’s offense will sputter and the Owls will be able to key on stopping the Warhawks passing game.
FAU quarterback Rusty Smith vs. ULM safety Greg James
Smith has thrown an interception in each game this season and it won’t get any easier vs. the Warhawks. James, a senior, leads NCAA active players with 13 interceptions in his career.
Stat Download:
0 – Points by scored FAU in the second half this season
5 – Number of times the visiting team has won the game in this five game series
6 – Fumbles ULM has forced and recovered this season
21 – points FAU was trailing by before coming back to win last year’s game at ULM 29-28