Can Florida Atlantic Owls' Ground Game and Defense Outshine Charlotte 49ers' Offense?

In a week 13 showdown at FAU Stadium, the Florida Atlantic Owls faced off against the Charlotte 49ers, culminating in a score of 27-39. The Owls now stand at a 2-9 record for the season, while the 49ers improved to 4-7. Despite a spirited performance from both sides, it was the visiting team that ultimately secured victory.

Game Highlights

The game was marked by notable performances from key players on both teams. For the Florida Atlantic Owls, CJ Campbell Jr. led an impressive ground attack with 150 rushing yards on 21 attempts, including a long run of 58 yards that resulted in one of his touchdowns. This performance highlighted his significant contribution to the team's total rushing yardage of 279 yards across fifty attempts.

Quarterback Tyriq Starks also made significant contributions despite the loss. He completed twelve out of twenty-three pass attempts for a total of 179 yards and threw one touchdown pass—a remarkable sixty-five-yard completion to Omari Hayes, who showcased his speed and receiving skills on this play.

On defense, Phillip Dunnam made an impact with an interception that he returned for one yard alongside defending another pass attempt effectively. The defensive line managed to sack Charlotte's quarterback once and recorded four tackles for loss throughout the game.

Special Teams and Penalties

Special teams played their part as well; Morgan Suarez successfully converted two field goals with his longest being twenty-four yards, contributing six points to Florida Atlantic's total score. Punter Logan Lupo had three punts totaling one hundred fifteen yards with his longest punt covering fifty-one yards.

Penalties were minimal but impactful; Malcolm Lamar Sr., Chris Tooley III, Elijah Brown, and Devonta Davis each committed penalties totaling thirty-two penalty yards which affected field positioning at crucial moments during the game.

Looking ahead, fans can catch Florida Atlantic Owls as they take on Tulsa Golden Hurricane at Skelly Field at H.A. Chapman Stadium in Tulsa on November 30th at 3:30 PM EDT broadcasted live on ESPN+. This upcoming match provides another opportunity for FAU to showcase their talents against formidable opposition as they aim to finish their season strong.

Share this article if you're excited about FAU's next game or if you're proud of how they played against Charlotte!