FOOTBALL
After a solid defensive display last week against Arkansas State, FAU came into Alabama with their confidence at a high. Unfortunately for the Owls, they suffered a 47-21 loss against the Troy Trojans on Saturday, Nov. 21, at Movie Gallery Veterans Stadium in Troy, killing their dreams of reaching a bowl game this season.
FAU quarterback Jeff Van Camp went 22-33 for 193 yards and one touchdown as the Owls fell to 3-7 (3-3) from the loss to their conference opponent. Van Camp, who rushed for another score, was under constant pressure throughout the game, and Troy (8-3, 7-0) dominated FAU’s offensive line, recording six sacks in the victory.
Trojans quarterback Levi Brown went 27-36 for 477 yards with three touchdowns and one interception, which came in the second quarter to safety Marcus Bartels. Brown and Troy’s offense put up 33 points in the first half, and one touchdown came in the second quarter on a 59-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Cornelius Williams.
FAU running back Alfred Morris surpassed 1,000 yards rushing on the season with a 45-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. Morris also broke the record for most rushing yards in a season for the Owls, previously held by Charles Pierre with 1,014 yards. Morris, who had 17 carries for 137 yards and a touchdown, now has 1,112 yards on the season with two games remaining.
Leading 33-7 at halftime, the Trojans came out in the third quarter and capped off an 80-yard drive with a 2-yard touchdown rush by wide receiver Jerrel Jernigan, who also had six catches for 147 yards.
FAU responded by scoring two touchdowns in the quarter to make the scoreline more respectable. A 3-yard rushing touchdown by Van Camp and a 6-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Chris Bonner cut the deficit to 40-21.
The Owls almost scored a third touchdown in the second half, but a clipping penalty on tight end Jason Harmon brought back a would-be touchdown pass to wide receiver Lester Jean. Overall, the team committed 17 penalties for 156 yards.
The Owls did manage to record two turnovers in the fourth quarter of the lopsided loss. Both were fumbles, and the first was stripped by cornerback Erick McIntosh and recovered by linebacker Michael Lockley, while the second was forced by a hard hit from Bartels, and it was picked up by linebacker Malik Eugene.
FAU has two games left in its season: one at home vs. Western Kentucky on Nov. 28, and a road match against arch-rival Florida International University a week later.
