Florida Atlantic Owls

Head Coach

Howard Schellenberger	8th year
07-08	8-5
Sun Belt	6-1
FCR	102

Previous Season Wins

Sun Belt Previews –by Tom Farrelly

Head Coach - Howard Schnellenberger has been a head coach for 23 years and he seen it all, but last years campaign may have surprised even him. The Owls beat Minnesota and won the schools first ever bowl game, and with 18 starters returning expectations are high. They play an ambitious schedule once again and they won’t sneak up on anyone this season but Florida Atlantic has the pieces in place to defend their Sun Belt crown.

Quarterback - At quarterback Sun Belt Player of the Year Rusty Smith returns, the junior threw for 3,688 yards with 32 TD’s and but 7 interceptions. He hit 59% of his passes and sees the field extremely well; he’s a 6-5 pocket passer who distributes the ball o all of his receivers and makes great on field decisions. Sophomore Jeff VanCamp is a physically much like Smith and he has a big arm and got the chance to play this spring and is a capable backup.

Running Backs - In in the back pair of senior running backs return in Charles Pierre and Diilvory Edgecomb. Pierre led the team in rushing for the second year in a row with 782 yards and seven TD’s, while Edgecomb is primarily a third down back he hauled in 24 passes for an impressive 416 yards and for scores. At fullback junior William Rose gets his share, he rushed for 333 yards and caught 38 passes and scored eight times, and he a great blocker.

Receivers - They’re deep, experienced and have potentially the best receiving group in the Sun Belt. Retuning at the X is last years leading receiver is Cortez Gent; the junior caught 64 passes for 1,082 yards and added 9 TD’s, he gets outside in a hurry. Starting at the inside Z will be junior Chris Bonner, who had 25 receptions for 420 yards and three TD’s in a reserve role last year. Sophomore Lester Jean who impressed this spring and junior Conshario Johnson will be on the field when the Owls go to the three wide formation. At tight end senior Jason Harmon returns, he had 63 receptions for 625 receptions and 5 TD’s nd along with Gent he gives FAU two returning 1st team All-Sun Belt receivers.

Offensive Line - They return three starters up front, both senior tackles return in Brandon Jackson on the left and on the right John Rizzo, and in the middle at center senior Nick Paris. They must replace both guards and look for sophomore Ryan Wischnefski on the left side and at right guard junior Kevin Miller. Fighting for time will be junior David Matlock and senior Vinny Hernandez, Matlock saw time at center last season and Hernandez is a converted defensive lineman. As expected they gave Smith time to throw, but with some improvement in their run blocking the offenses numbers could explode.

Defensive Line - The leader upfront is defensive tackle Jervonte Jackson, the senior was 2nd team All-Sun Belt and he’ll be joined in the middle by a rotation of juniors, Josh Savidge and John Mertilus. At the defensive end both starters return in senior Robert St Claire and junior Jeremaine Council, St Claire led the team with 4 sacks and Council had 34 tackles. They need to generate more of a pass rush, especially given the fact that the Owls will often play with the lead and the other team will be forced to pass.

Linebackers - FAU returns three senior starters led middle linebacker Frantz Joseph, he was 1st team All-Sun Belt and led the team with 131 tackles and added three sacks, he has good size and plays the entire field. On the weakside is Gorge Allen and manning the strongside, Andre Clark, last year Clark had 63 tackles and three sacks, while Allen had 25 tackles in a limited role.

Defensive Backs - The Owls are set at cornerback where both starters return in senior Corey Small and sophomore Tavious Polo, their both returning All-Sun Belt performers, Polo had seven picks and Small 103 tackles and five INT’s. Both safeties must be replaced and at free safety will be sophomore Ed Alexander and manning the strong safety senior Greg Joseph.

Special Teams - At placekicker senior Wayne Leroy returns, he was 19 of 27 but not much leg strength, sophomore Mickey Goody returns as the punter but will be pushed by junior Keegan Peterson. Handling the returns will be sophomore Tavious Polo and senior Diilvory Edgecomb.

Schedule - They start the season at Texas and three of the next four are o the road at Michigan St, Minnesota and Middle Tennessee, they do get a breather in there with UAB at home. Should be 2-3 at worse to start the season and then they roll. The offense is loaded; QB Smith will post monster numbers, look for the defense to be much improved this season. FAU defends their Sun Belt crown and goes to another bowl game on their way to a 9+ win season.