BOCA RATON, Fla- FAU’s offense struggled mightily in their first American Conference loss to UTSA 36-10. UTSA’s stingy defense held the Owls to 162 total yards of offense and 2.4 yards per play.
Heading into this game, FAU has won three straight against UTSA with the last matchup being back on Oct.31 of 2020. UTSA quarterback Frank Harris has been on a historic ride as the Roadrunners starter as he owns 38 school records. He recently eclipsed 10,000 yards passing and 12,000 total yards.
The first quarter saw a lot of action with Harris throwing for a first drive touchdown. FAUs defense clamped down at the end of the first causing a pair of interceptions, one being returned back for a touchdown by Latrell Dean. The Owls defense has been stingy all year, if you take out the game at Clemson, FAU only allows 16.8 points per game which would be good for 28th in the country and No.3 in the AAC.
Harris would respond in the second quarter with a 10 yard touchdown pass to his wide receiver Wille McCoy and a Chase Allen 37 yard field goal as time expired in the second to extend the UTSA lead to 20-10. FAU could not get much going on the offensive side in the first half gaining only 105 yards of total offense and 3 offensive points.
The Roadrunners defense was stellar in the first half with 8 tackles for loss and a forced interception. Daniel Richardson was also held to a 50% completion rate (5-10) and 83 yards. Star running back Larry McCammon also struggled in the first half, only rushing for 32 yards.
UTSA carried their momentum into the second half. Frank Harris threw a 47 yard strike to Tykee Ogle-Kellogg on their second drive to make it a three score game (27-10). FAU’s lackluster offensive play carried over into the second half. Following their pick six, the Owls came up empty on 9 straight drives. The Roadrunner defense held the FAU offense to a staggering 2.4 yards per play through three quarters.
FAU’s defense showed vulnerability in the second half, allowing 202 total yards. “We got to get off the field on 3rd down, we didn’t tackle like we were supposed to,” said DL Latrell Dean, who got his first start of the season. Daniel Richardson continued to struggle moving the ball, only throwing for 59 yards. The Owls offense could only tally 12 first downs the entire game compared to UTSA’s 27.
Frank Harris was spreading the ball around, completing passes to eight different UTSA receivers and a 74% completion rate. The UTSA secondary held FAUs star wide receiver LaJohntay Wester to 3 catches for 10 yards on 8 targets. “They had a great gameplan of double teaming him,” Daniel Richardson after the game on UTSA’s plan for LaJohntay Wester.
FAU Head Coach Tom Herman talks after the game on the disappointing loss.
“Hopefully this is the wakeup call we needed. When you don’t block them it makes everything harder on offense,” he said on the performance of the offensive line and run game. “We’ve got guys on this team that won’t let this define us.”
FAU will look to bounce back next Friday night when they travel to take on the Charlotte 49ers. UTSA looks to keep their momentum going when they play East Carolina next Saturday at 3:30.