FOOTBALL
FAU came into their final home game of the season looking for satisfaction after having lost in embarrassing fashion to Troy in Alabama last week. The Owls (4-7, 4-3), and especially the seniors, would get that satisfaction, as they defeated the Western Kentucky University Hilltoppers 29-23 at Lockhart Stadium on Senior Day.
Quarterback Jeff Van Camp went 16-30 for 266 yards and three touchdowns, two of which were caught by wide receiver Lester Jean. The other was grabbed by tight end Jason Harmon on a 15-yard pass in the second quarter. Van Camp also rushed 3 yards for a score of his own in the third quarter.
“I love running the ball,” said Van Camp. “I felt like I wasn’t playing that well, and I wanted to put it in the end zone.”
Running back Alfred Morris once again rushed for more than 100 yards, gaining a total of 122 yards on 25 carries.
Most of WKU’s points came from the kicking unit, which saw a chunk of the team’s big plays. Kicker Casey Tinius had three field goals, one of which was a booming 47-yarder late in the fourth quarter that crept past the goal post.
Hilltoppers running back Bobby Rainey also contributed with some big plays, rushing for 149 yards on 15 carries. His longest came courtesy of a 43-yard sprint in the third quarter, which helped set up a 31-yard field goal by Tinius.
Western Kentucky (0-11, 0-7) also came out with some trick plays, one of which resulted in a 21-yard touchdown pass from wide receiver Derrius Brooks to wide receiver Seth Tamme.
“They had nothing to lose,” said defensive back Marcus Bartels. “They were pulling out all the tricks.”
The Owls new-look defense had several freshmen starting. Linebackers Yourhighness Morgan and David Hinds and cornerback Brentley Harstad started, and Harstad had an interception in the final moments of the second quarter with WKU threatening.
The Owls also came out with two fumble recoveries. The first came in the first quarter and was forced by safety Ed Alexander and recovered by defensive end Jamere Johnson. The other fumble was caused by linebacker Michael Lockley and picked up by linebacker Malik Eugene.
“Kentucky definitely has a real physical team,” said defensive tackle Josh Savidge. “Fortunately for us, we just kept fighting and had some big-time turnovers.”
FAU closes out its season in Miami next week when it takes on rival Florida International University in the Shula Bowl at FIU Stadium in the Golden Panthers’ Senior Day.
