Tom Herman mentioned in his opening statement, “once is an anomaly, twice is a coincidence and 3 times is a pattern,” and for FAU they have hit that 3rd time, suffering their 3rd straight defeat in a disheartening 44-21 loss to USF. FAU led 21-14 in the 3rd quarter, as they were dominating on the ground, and limiting the Bulls offense, and at the half FAU was out gaining USF 149 to 96 on the ground, but it all came crashing down.
USF went on to score the final 30 points of the game, out gaining FAU in total yardage 359 to 179 in the second half and flipping the script in the run game, rushing for nearly 8 times the amount of FAU, 223 to 30. It was total domination for the Bulls in the second half and for FAU it was the 3rd straight game where they found themselves in the game in the second half before ultimately falling short in the end.
The Owls down-fall in this one started following an 8 play 49 yard drive midway through the 3rd quarter. The Owls marched downfield getting a magician-esque play from Cam Fancher, who ran for 35 yards to convert a 3rd and 18 and they found themselves inside the USF 30 looking to respond to a Bulls TD on the previous drive which evened the game at 21.
Ultimately they fell short and ended up with nothing, as they found themselves in a 3rd and 1 situation and opted to attempt a shot play to Wyatt Sullivan on 3rd which fell incomplete and rather than attempt a 46 yard field goal following 2 previous missed attempts the Owls opted to go for it on 4th and 1 and were stuffed, turning it over on downs to a USF offense which never looked back. FAU Coach Tom Herman says there is no regret in going for that, however those are situations they must convert.
“No, we’ve got to do a better job, but if we can’t make one yard when we have to, we’re going to have a lot more problems than the decision as to whether to go for it or not, we missed 2 field goals, we got to do better, I have to figure out what we can do better,” Herman said.
The second half it seemed like 2 completely different teams came to play as in the first half FAU limited USF to a punt or turnover on downs on 6 out of 7 possessions, however in the second half USF scored on 6 straight drives to open half and they did not punt until their second to last drive of the game. Offensively, after dominating in the trenches during the first half, the Owls were held to only 30 yards rushing in the second half and they went from averaging 7.1 yards per play in the first half to only 4.8 during the second.
After the game, Herman was left without answers as to why his team performed strongly during the first half and fell off during the second half, however the Owls have lacked execution at times this season and in terms of penalties, something that at times can reflect a lack of execution, the Owls racked up 60 penalty yards in the second half compared to only 15 in the first. This wasn’t the first time this season the Owls collapsed during the second half of a game this season and it has left Herman perplexed and looking for answers.
“I wish I had good answers for you, they were running inside-zone, counter and taking shots, and that’s kind of what they were doing the first half. That’s the perplexing part. We have to figure out why in the first half we were executing, and in the second half we weren’t,” Herman said.
The lack of execution during the second half spoiled what was a really positive performance at times from the FAU offense. Cam Fancher finished 22 of 42 for 306 yards and a TD, also adding 23 yards on the ground, bouncing back with the re-addition of slot receiver Omari Hayes who finished with 7 catches for 73 yards. On the ground, Cj Campbell Jr dominated, finishing with 90 yards and 2 scores on the ground and another 78 yards and a TD through the air, while Zuberi Mobley rushed for 66 yards and had 28 yards through the air. In terms of the offensive line, they stood their ground against a blitz-heavy USF defense, allowing only 9 total pressures and 1 credited sack. (per PFF)
The Owls looked as fluid as they have all season at times offensively, getting consistent gains on the ground, which helped Fancher get comfortable and allowed for him to complete multiple big passes and make plays with his legs. The catalyst of the FAU offense today however, was CJ Campbell Jr who finished with 168 scrimmage yards and 3 TDs, finding a way to make an impact through the air when the run game was bottled up. FAU Coach Tom Herman says that his success is a result of improvements in his game, but also the offensive line and others around him elevating their game to lead to team success.
“He’s understanding the run schemes a little bit better. I think his patience has improved, certainly vision has improved. But, I mean, we knew he was a good player. You know, our offensive line is playing better at times in front of those guys. I thought Zuberi, except for that fourth down run, had a pretty good night as well. I like CJ because, first and foremost, because he’s a really good teammate and a great leader. I like him on the field on game day, because he is so versatile. You know, he’s great out in space, he’s good between the tackles. He’s good in protection, you know, he’s got great hands, so he continues to merit more touches, I think he was our leading receiver against North Texas, he was our leading receiver tonight, so we’re going to continue to find ways to get him the ball,” Herman said.
This was a game that brought a lot to the table in terms of a conference battle between 2 teams looking to turn their season around, an in-state battle which affects recruiting, and a budding rivalry between 2 teams that don’t like each other very much. FAU christened this rivalry a year ago with a 56-14 victory in Raymond James Stadium on USF’s homecoming and the Bulls returned the favor with a shellacking on FAU’s homecoming this time around.
Regional rivalries are a good thing for the sport, however with them sometimes tempers flare and after FAU went for an onside kick up big last year, USF opted to go for 2 up 44-21 this time around. Usually no harm no foul with these types of things, however most coaches will remember what occurs, and that held true for Alex Golesh as he seemed to breeze by Tom Herman in the post game handshake line, which Herman took expectation too, flagging him down and attempting to rekindle the conversation. Although it seemed to frustrate him immediately after the game, during the post-game press conference Herman said that nothing of substance occurred, although he wished that there was a conversation.
“I wish there was a conversation, but no (nothing of substance occurred),” Herman said.
With only 4 games remaining and needing a win in all 4 of those games to make a bowl, the outlook on the season could potentially turn bleak with 1 loss. That cannot be the mindset for an FAU team which came into the season hoping to turn things around in year 2 of the Herman era and looked to institute a culture that many were proud of heading into the season.
That culture remains in effect despite the struggles and for Cam Fancher, a captain and leader of the offense he believes that during this final stretch of the season the Owls need to dig deep and remember why they started playing football, not for wins and losses, but for the love of the game.
“Go back to why you play this game, the first time you played this game the love and passion for the game, getting to play the sport that you love is really a blessing, and putting it in that perspective that this can be taken away at any time,” Fancher said.
Now sitting at 2-6, FAU will have to win out to reach a bowl game, but the Owls have a serious problem on their hands of not being able to finish ball games and it is something they have to figure out how to do over the course of the next 6 days as the Owls take on ECU next Thursday. The Owls have put in a lot of effort over the past few weeks to try to iron out all of the little things that have plagued them throughout the season, and it has left Tom Herman struggling to figure out why his team is capable of executing during the first half, but unable to in the second, however they will continue to turn over all stones and look to finish this season off strong.
“We have got to figure out what we can do well and what we can sustain doing well, you know, because you don’t ever want to be a jack of all trades and master of none. And, you know, I think part of offensive and defensive football, you poke and prod a little bit early, and you find things that work and things that give you an advantage, and those same advantages were still there in the second half, and for some reason, we didn’t capitalize. So it’s a bit perplexing right now, especially considering the time, effort and energy that we put in to correcting some of those mistakes that showed up again tonight. So I don’t have great answers right now, other than we dug ourselves a hole and the first thing we got to do if we want to get out of this hole, is we got to stop digging, we got to stop being our own worst enemy. And then we’ve got a confidence issue. I’m trying like hell to make these guys believe how good they can be. I don’t know what more evidence you need than to watch us for extended periods of time look like s well coached, well executing football team. I’m a bit perplexed right now, because we put so much time and energy into correcting it, but there’s no rest for the weary We have to get back up tomorrow and figure out a way to not beat ourselves, not worried about East Carolina as much as not beating ourselves,” Herman said.
Previous in-game recap
1st Quarter
USF drive 1
USF started with the football after FAU deferred to the second half.
USF started the day with Kelly Joiner on the ground and he picked up 4, however their up-tempo offense on 2nd down resulted in an unblocked Jackson Ambush who sacked Bryce Archie which brought up 3rd and long. Despite an offsides penalty which shortened the 3rd down from 3rd and 13 to 3rd and 8, Archie threw a long pass down the right side which fell incomplete which forced a USF punt following a 3-and-out.
FAU drive 1
The Owls went to CJ Campbell 3 straight times to start the day, gaining 2 on the ground and 7 through the air before Campbell broke a 14 yard rush on 3rd and 1 which moved FAU to the 50. On the ensuing 1st down, Cam Fancher found Jabari Smith Jr over the middle for a gain of 13, which moved FAU into Bulls territory at the 37.
The drive stalled after that, as Fancher had back to back incompletions intended for Marlyn Johnson and Caleb Coombs, gained 5 on 3rd down, and the Owls opted to go for it on 4th and 5 from the 32, but the pass to Omari Hayes only gained 1 yard and resulted in a turnover on downs and USF took over at their own 31.
USF Drive 2
Following the FAU turnover on downs USF got back to work quickly, as on 2nd and 10 Nay’Quan Wright busted a run for 17 yards which got them near midfield, 1st and 10 at their own 47. Bryce Archie was able to make an impact with his legs early on, gaining 8 on a 3rd and 9 and converting a 4th and 1 on the ground with a gain of 2, which moved USF past midfield 1st and 10 at the 42. A few plays later on another 3rd and 8, Archie showed what he can do through the air, finding Keshaun Singleton for a gain of 12 over the middle for a first down at the FAU 28.
USF attempted to institute the ground game on the ensuing set of downs, but the FAU defense responded stuffing Wright for no gain on second and third down which brought up 4th and 10 and forced a USF field goal attempt from the FAU 28. USF failed to convert on the 46 yard field goal, as Cannon missed wide right and the FAU offense tookover.
FAU drive 2
CJ Campbell started out with 23 scrimmage yards, moving FAU past midfield to the USF 49. On the ensuing set of downs, Fancher found Leon Washington for a gain of 2 and Omari Hayes for a gain of 8, which kept FAU moving inside USF territory, 1st and 10 at the USF 39. On 2nd and 11, Fancher found Hayes over the middle for a gain of 28 which gave them a first down at the 12. A few plays later, CJ Campbell bounced it to the outside to the left on a carry and took it 9 yards into the end zone, which put FAU up 7-0 with 2:09 remaining in the first quarter.
USF drive 3
USF looked to respond following the Owls score, however the FAU defense came ready, as USF started with a first and 15 following a false start and they were never able to recover. Archie had a pass go for a loss of 3 on 1st and 15 and an incompletion on 2nd and 18, and although he picked up 13 on a dump-off to Keith, it was short and resulted in a punt which gave FAU a first down at the 25.
FAU drive 3
The Owls were riding with momentum to close out the first quarter, and back to back runs from Mobley and Campbell set them up with a 3rd and 1 to open the second quarter. Unfortunately for FAU, Mobley was stuffed on 3rd and 1, and it resulted in a punt which gave USF the ball back at their own 13.
Second Quarter
USF drive 4
Kelly Joiner looked to give USF with a jolt, picking up 9 yards and then 1 yard to move the chains for the bulls on the first set of downs. The FAU defense bounced back following that, as they allowed 7 yards on a pass on first down to Sean Atkins, but after that they stuffed them on an Archie run on second down, and his 3rd down pass fell incomplete which gave FAU the ball back at their own 16.
FAU drive 4
The Owls started backed up 3rd and 10, however on 3rd Fancher targeted his Marshall connection Caleb Coombs who went for 27 and gave FAU 1st and 10 at their own 43. The Owls drive looked to stall on 4th and 5, however a penalty on USF brought it to 4th and 1 and the Owls opted to go for it. Fancher found Jabari Smith Jr, who went for 21 yards and a 1st down. Following that however, the USF defense bounced back, forcing an incompletion, loss of 1, and sack of Fancher on 3rd down lost 6 yards which brought up a 49 yard FG from Carter Davis which was no good and USF took over at the 32 yard line.
USF drive 5
USF made quick work on their next drive as on the second play of the series, Nay’Quan Wright took it 64 yards to the house, breaking multiple tackles and scoring to tie the game at 7 a piece with 7:48 remaining.
FAU drive 5
The Owls went back to work looking to respond and they started with 45 scrimmage yards on 5 straight plays, a Fancher pass to Hayes for 8, Fancher carry for 8, completion to CJ Campbell for 7, a gain of 15 to Zuberi Mobley on a screen pass, and lastly a Campbell gain of 7, which set FAU up 2nd and 3 at the USF 30. After an incompletion on 2nd down brought up 3rd and 3, the Owls called Campbell’s number once again and he rewarded, taking an inside zone carry 30 yards to the house, giving FAU a 14-7 lead with 4:44 remaining.
USF drive 6
USF attempted to go bombs away on their next drive, as Archie attempted 3 long passes down the left side and all of them fell incomplete, with freshman CB Lawrence Johnson breaking up a 3rd down pass. The bulls punted back to FAU and the Owls set up 1st and 10 at their own 27.
FAU drive 6
Zuberi Mobley started the Owls next set of downs with a burst of energy as he took a carry 40 yards up the right side to give FAU a jolt of energy and a 1st down at the USF 33. Fancher found Omari Hayes for 9 yards on the ensuing first down and Mobley picked up 4 on 2nd and 1 to give the Owls a first down at the USF 20. The drive stalled after that, as the Owls looked to convert a 3rd and 13 on a pass over the middle, however it was called back due to penalty, and FAU ultimatley missed a 36 yard field goal to keep the score at 14-7 and give USF the ball with 44 seconds remaining.
USF drive 7
The bulls attempted to put something together last minute, getting 12 yards to Sean Atkins and 11 to Ta’Ron Keith, however with only 7 second remaining after the completion to Keith, the offense stalled as Archie’s bomb to Hardeman was complete, however he was out of bounds and was first to touch the ball and that resulted in an illegal touching penalty to end the half.
FAU led 14-7 heading into the break.
Second-Half
3rd Quarter
FAU second half drive 1
The second half started in a dreadful way for FAU as Fancher’s 1st and 2nd down passes fell incomplete and on 3rd down Fancher was sacked, which resulted in a 3 and out and USF took over at their own 39 yard line with 14:09 remaining.
USF second half drive 1
The bulls went to work quickly following the Owls 3 and out and they capitalized. Kelly Joiner started with 37 rushing yards on back to back carries which set USF up 1st and 10 at the FAU 24. The Bulls rushed down field and quickly snapped it and Archie found Smith for a gain of 14 on the very next play, which set USF up with a first and goal from the 10. After back to back Joiner rushes brought USF to the one, Archie did the rest, plowing into the end zone and tying the game at 14 a piece with 12:30 remaining in the second half.
FAU second half drive 2
The Owls went back to work following the USF TD and their drive looked to stall as Fancher’s pass fell incomplete on 3rd and 8 however, FAU transfer Decarius Hawthorne committed a roughing the passer penalty against his old team and it kept the drive going. CJ Campbell took over after that rushing for 11 yards on the ensuing first down and the next play Fancher dropped back, dodged a blitzer and found a wide open Campbell over the middle who blazed by the USF defenders for a 63 yard TD to give the owls a 21-14 lead with 10:25 remaining in the 3rd quarter.
USF second half drive 2
USF needed a response after a penalty allowed FAU to march down the field and take the lead and they got one. On the first play of the drive, Archie found Atkins from 16 yards out and a few plays later he was targeted on a deep ball on 3rd and 8, the pass fell incomplete however a PI penalty on FAU gave USF a first down at the FAU 42. Archie completed 3 more big throws that set him up for a a big one, as he found Singleton for a gain of 9 and on 3rd and 10 he found Nay’Quan Wright for a gain of 8, and on 4th and 2, he completed a dump off pass to Wright for a first down. On the very next play he dropped back and found a wide open Sean Atkins in the end zone for a 13 yard score to tie the game at 21 with 7:22 to play.
FAU second half drive 3
Once again the Owls drive looked to be over before it began, as it started with a loss of 2 on first down and loss of 6 on second down which brought up a 3rd and 18. Fancher did what he does on that lengthy 3rd down, extending the play with his legs and escaping for a gain of 35 down the left sideline which set FAU up past midfield. Fancher found Mobley for a gain of 13 on the ensuing first down, however after that the drive stalled. The Owls got quick gains of 5 and 4 from Mobley on the ground, however they were stuffed on 3rd and 1 and instead of kicking a 36 yard FG to go up 24-21, they went for it and were stuffed, resulting in a turnover on downs and USF took over 1st and 10 at their own 26.
USF second half drive 3
The Bulls now rolling with momentum made quick work of the Owls defense, as Ta’Ron Keith gained 56 scrimmage yards on back to back plays to open the drive and after the drive stalled out John Cannon converted a 34 yard FG to put USF up 31-21 with 2:26 remaining in the 3rd.
FAU second half drive 4
It started to get away from the owls on this drive as on the first play from scrimmage, Fancher was hit from behind and never saw it coming and as a result the ball popped out and USF recovered, taking over at the FAU 25 following the fumble.
USF second half drive 4
The bulls once again were ready to roll following the FAU turnover, as they gained 22 scrimmage yards on back to back plays a Joiner rush for 10 and a completion from Archie to Singletary for a gain of 12, and a play later Archie flipped it to Joiner from 3 yards out for a TD, which gave the Bulls a 31-21 lead with 48 seconds remaining in the quarter.
4th Quarter
FAU second half drive 5
The Owls started their must score drive with 2 steps back, a loss of 5 and loss of 1 and on 3rd and 16 to start the 4th quarter Fancher scrambled around and took a shot down field, however it fell incomplete and the Owls punted back to USF, setting them up 1st and 10 from their own 39 yard line with 14:34 remaining.
USF second half drive 5
The rout began to commence for the Bulls as they quickly went to work to go up 3 scores. Wright started the drive with a gain of 10 on the ground, and on the next play Archie found Joiner for a gain of 29 to give the Bulls a first down at the FAU 22. Archie took off on the next play, dashing inside the 10 to the 7 for a Bulls first down, however on the ensuing play the Bulls were charged with a blindside block penalty which set them back 15 yards, however they were not phased. 2 plays later, Joiner took it 17 yards to the house, breaking multiple tackles on his way to the endzone and putting the Bulls up 38-21 with 12:35 remaining.
FAU second half drive 6
The Owls had nothing left in the tank late in this one, as they went 3 and out with 2 Fancher incompletions and a sack and punted back to USF with the Bulls taking over at they FAU 42.
USF second half drive 6
The nothing left in the tank translated over to defense too unfortunately, as Keith took the first play of the drive 42 yards to the house, blazing past the FAU defense and putting the Bulls up 44-21 with 11:01 remaining.
FAU second half drive 7
The Owls looked to find something to hang their hat on late in this one as the drive started out with positives, gaining 8 on a completion to Hayes and 17 on a pass from Fancher to Marlyn Johnson, setting FAU up 1st and 10 from their own 33. On the ensuing play, Fancher found Leon Washington JR over the middle for a gain of 20 and on the play after he found Khalil Brantley for a gain of 8 which moved them inside the USF 30. After a PI penalty moved them to the 11, the drive stalled, as the Owls picked up 8 yards but on 4th and goal the pass was incomplete and USF took over 1st and 10 at their own 3.
USF second half drive 7
USF started the drive on the ground, gaining 12 yards on 3 rushes from Nay’quan Wright and they kept on going. Wright rushed for 11 more yards on 3 carries, however a delay of game penalty set them back and it resulted in a punt. FAU took over 1st and 10 at their own 40 with 4 minutes remaining.
FAU second half drive 8
The Owls looked to put something together in their final drive, however they fell short, they started quickly getting 19 yards from Fancher to Dom Henry, however after that Fancher fired 4 straight incompletions and the Owls turned it over on downs, resulting in USF taking over at their own 40 with 2:32 remaining.
USF second half drive 8
The Bulls looked to run the clock out on their final drive rather than run it up, as Yasias Young and Izzy Carter rushed for 4 yards a piece and after the Owls stuffed Young on 3rd and 2 and a delay of game penalty brought up 4th and 7, USF opted to go and Bryce Archie found Sean Atkins for a gain of 10 and a first down which ended the game following an Archie Kneel.
Final- USF 44 FAU 21.