FAU linebacker Yourhighness Morgan, right, tries to make a tackle in Tuesday's practice with a little help from former safety Austin Jensen, who has taken snaps at linebacker lately. (FAUOwlAccess.com photo)
Help on the way
FAU received good news where it needed the most as reserve linebacker Yourhighness Morgan was back at practice Tuesday helping shore up the Owls’ depleted linebacking corps
Originally published on 11/17/2009
by
Marcus Nelson
BOCA RATON – Reserve linebacker Yourhighhess Morgan was back at practice on Tuesday and no one, expect for Morgan himself, was happier than junior linebacker Malik Eugene.
Since Morgan and Alex Pattee received concussions vs. UAB, the linebacking corps has been decimated and is so thin Eugene has had to take shifts with both the first and second team at string side linebacker.
“You get more reps and see the plays more often, but it’s probably better to just get some rest or at least a little bit of a breather,” said Eugene, who was in on around 60 plays in Saturday’s victory vs. Arkansas State.
FAU has lost players for a variety of reasons including reserve Mark Soto, who left the team, and Tony Walding, who will red-shirt this season. Walding, a freshman, was expected to battle for a starting spot.
The lack of players available has also pressed safety Austin Jensen into action at linebacker.
“We’re very thin,” said FAU coach Howard Schnellenberger. “We’ve been snake-bit by position. ”
PracticeBrowser: A look at Tuesday’s practice
Stepping up: Redshirt freshman defensive tackle Andy Czuprynski graded out high vs. Arkansas State in his first career start and is expected to start again vs. Troy.
Making plays: In the span of a few minutes, safety Marcus Bartels reeled off three interceptions. He may be poised to have the kind of game his older brother, Kris, had vs. the Trojans in 2007 when he had an interception and a fumble recovery in the biggest victory in school history.
Instant message: "I have to live with it. I can’t talk my way out of that one.”
- FAU coach Howard Schnellenberger when reminded that the Owls are 1-5 all-time vs. Troy
Worth a Re-Tweet: FAU's defense spending the early part of practice laying on the ground before popping up and getting in formation
- Re-Tweet from Tuesday’s practice.
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