The FAU Owls (2-3, 1-0 C-USA) picked up their second consecutive loss against the Purdue Boilermakers (2-2, 1-0 Big Ten) in a 28-26 thriller Saturday night at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, IN.
Down two with 2:07 left in regulation, graduate quarterback N’Kosi Perry led the Owls’ offense onto the field with one final chance to score. After advancing the ball to their own 43-yard line, they were left with a 4th-and-1.
The offense ran a quarterback sneak, and as he appeared to have the first down, Perry fumbled the ball which the Boilermakers recovered and returned 29 yards, sealing the loss.
The fumble came on the drive after the offense went on a seven-play, 75-yard touchdown drive to bring the score within one point. Sophomore wide receiver LaJohntay Wester took a bubble screen five yards for a touchdown, leaving them the opportunity to take the lead with a two-point conversion. However, the two-point attempt was unsuccessful after the double-pass went incomplete.
The second consecutive loss for FAU marks the end of their non-conference schedule as they prepare to face North Texas on the road next Saturday at Apogee Stadium in Denton, TX.
Here are 3 takeaways from the loss:
The Stats are Lying
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Despite finishing the night completing 60% of his passes for 230 yards and three touchdowns, Perry had a shaky performance Saturday night.
He made several great throws during the game, including a beautifully placed 43-yard fade route to redshirt junior wide receiver Je’Quan Burton amidst a collapsing pocket that left FAU in the red zone.
He did, however, miss on multiple easy throws that squandered opportunities for the Owls and contributed to their defeat.
Facing a 4th-and-1 with 1:42 in the first quarter, Perry overthrew a wide open Wester on a 15-yard out route where he had around four yards of separation, however, a defensive-holding penalty kept the Owls’ drive going. Had the penalty not been called, Purdue would have gotten the ball back around midfield already up by seven.
Later again with 1:36 in the second quarter, facing a 3rd-and-5 in the red zone, Perry overthrew redshirt junior running back Johnny Ford, forcing them to settle for a field goal. Had they kept the drive going, a touchdown would have put FAU ahead by ten heading into halftime while getting the ball to start the second half.
These and a few other missed throws doesn’t change the fact that Perry led the offense on several efficient drives that kept them in the game late. He was even the team’s leading rusher with 93 yards on 13 attempts.
However, these “freebie” throws are ones that you’re expected to complete every time as a quarterback, especially in games like these where there is no room for error.
Being a sixth-year and potentially looking to earn a spot on a professional roster next season, these are throws NFL scouts expect him to be able to make.
Wester is bound for Sundays
His stand-out performance that included nine catches for 90 yards and three touchdowns was just the latest edition of the “LaJohntay Wester Show” that has been the Owls’ first four games.
This comes just two weeks after Wester racked up eight catches for 140 yards and two touchdowns against Southeastern Louisiana, earning him that week’s FL Teams College Player of the Week.
Our FL Teams College Player of the Week goes to… FAU WR LaJohntay Wester! pic.twitter.com/PdZXrsAsPD
— FL Teams (@FLTeams) September 12, 2022
Wester’s three touchdown catches moved his season total to seven which ties for first in the nation.
Despite his ridiculous stat line Saturday night, the most impressive moment of his performance won’t show up in the box score.
If you go back and watch the game film, at the 4:40 mark in the third quarter you will see Wester signal to Perry pre-snap. After the snap, Wester proceeded to break wide open on a seam route between the two high safeties and connected with Perry for a 16-yard touchdown, bringing the score within two points.
This ability to read and recognize holes in a defense, coupled with his tremendous athletic ability is why pro scouts will soon be fawning over Wester.
His versatility within an offense will also be a huge selling point for pro scouts.
While he is usually lined up as a slot receiver, his route running also allows him to play outside. His ability running the ball after catch (RAC) also leaves the option of having him run routes out the backfield.
Don’t Panic Yet
With the Owls’ past two losses being as disappointing as they were, discouragement is fair. But despite dropping those two, they aren’t in the worst spot to end their non-conference schedule.
With Western Kentucky, the only other team with a 1-0 C-USA record, taking on Troy of the Sun-Belt Conference this weekend, the winner of Saturday’s matchup against North Texas will be the only team 2-0 in the conference and take control of first place.
A loss this Saturday would make that three consecutive for FAU. While it may not be a must win game, it certainly has that feeling as the Owls travel to Denton.