Sometimes when a team is struggling to gain any traction offensively it can cause frustration to brew in a locker room, but for FAU that hasn’t been the case. For FAU, the first 2 games of the season saw an offense that didnt look to be in sync, the pass game was off, the run game never was able to break through and it led to a pair of tough losses to start the 2024 campaign, but then came the Shula Bowl. FAU broke out for 259 yards on the day on the ground, getting 5 total rushing touchdowns and finding success with both Zuberi Mobley and CJ Campbell Jr on the ground, and in the pass game, en route to a 38-20 victory over FIU. It was an important display of success for the FAU offense, as the Owls controlled the line of scrimmage against an in-state rival and lit a spark that permeated throughout the game. A big part of their ability to do that was because Mobley and Campbell Jr never got overly down during their struggles, rather Campbell Jr says the unit focused on all the little things knowing eventually they would find their success. If things arent working out the way you expect it to work out, there is always some frustration that goes about it, but at the end of the day it is about honing in on the details, there isnt much to change other than being more detailed, focusing on your assignment, and making sure that you have what you need to do right, before telling somebody else what to do with their job, Campbell Jr. said. Whatever the Owls did, it worked and in a big way, as even despite a broken hand to Daughtry Richardson FAUs starting right tackle in pre game warmups, both Campbell Jr. and Mobley were able to churn out yardage. Campbell Jr. played a larger role in the pass game, finishing with over 100 scrimmage yards, while Mobley was the bruising back all day, finishing with 134 yards and 3 scores all on the ground. Campbell led FAU in carries during both the Army and Michigan State games, however this matchup saw Mobley finish with more total touches and carries. There was no pre-game shift in lead back to Mobley over Campbell, this game was a byproduct of an unselfish unit of the team putting whoever they needed out there to light a fire and it worked. FAUs ability to mix-and-match at running back is something that will help them avoid attrition as the season goes along as none of the backs should be overworked. Aside from just dodging fatigue, the Owls using a dual threat at running-back is something that Campbell and Mobley have attacked with a selfless approach and according to Campbell, both have become better because of it. Me and Zu, we dont look down on each other, we treat each other as equals, we know what each other’s weaknesses are. We get in those formations where we are both in the game, we feed off of oh you are better at this, you got that and i got this, so me and Zu being able to coexist, hes just a real good dude, I love working with Zu in the backfield because its pushed me to be better and I pushed him to get better, Campbell said. Campbell Jr is up to 191 scrimmage yards and a score through 3 games so far this season and although it hasnt been the most explosive start he has increased his production each game, culminating in his biggest contribution of the season to this point against FIU. It has been a long time coming for Campbell Jr to be able to make an impact like he did against FIU, as during his 2 seasons at Florida State he was buried in the depth chart and although he showed flashes of his potential, like his 70 yard TD in 2023, he was never given a real opportunity to show what he can do. Now with that opportunity at FAU, Campbell acknowledges it feels good to have the type of game he did against FIU, however there are still things to work on and improve as the competition FAU faces only increases as the season goes on. It always feels good to have a good game and prove to yourself that you can actually make the plays the coaches stress you to make for the run game, it is great to get that going because it keeps your team from being one dimensional, whenever you’re able to run the ball it opens up so much more for the receivers, but seeing the work the o-line put in to get the run game going, it has been a process, but they continue to grow, and there is still some things we have to work on, but I feel like our game will get even stronger, Campbell said. Campbell, Mobley and the Owls run game has a chance this week to do what he believes and get stronger against a UConn team that has given up 150+ yards rushing on the ground in each game this season, however one thing is for certain and that is no matter what happens, Campbell doesnt ever want him or his teammates to be satisfied. Trust in our training, pushing them every day to get better and even if they feel like they are to a point where they don’t feel like they can get any better, continue to hone in on those details, as long as we continue to follow the process and the plan, we will be alright, Campbell said.
