WKU Football: FAU Q&A with The Owls Nest
We’re a day away from the Willie Taggart Bowl versus Florida Atlantic. WKU has to play perfect the rest of the way to finish with a winning…
We’re a day away from the Willie Taggart Bowl versus Florida Atlantic. WKU has to play perfect the rest of the way to finish with a winning record and that starts with the defending CUSA Champion Owls. With that in mind that, we’d thought we’d get an FAU perspective on the game. Luckily for us, we got Jack Whidden from The Owls Nest to give us his thoughts on this FAU team, the program, the game, and his predictions. Without further adieu, here is our conversation with Jack.
Despite the college football season now entering its third month, FAU has only played 3 games due to Covid cancellations. What has gone down in Boca and how has it affected the morale of FAU’s team and fan base?
South Florida has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, with some of the highest positivity rates per day-of-testing in the entire Southeast. There is probably a myriad of factors why it has ravaged the FAU program, and we could speculate all day about those factors. But what we do know for sure is FAU is not the lone program in the Sunshine State that has had issues with COVID-19.
WKU fans have obviously followed Willie Taggart’s career since he left the Hill and had mixed feeling about him coaching in CUSA. How has the transition from Lane Kiffin to Willie gone?
If it was not for Coid, this probably would have been the smoothest first-year transition in Willie Taggart’s career. Once you add Covid forcing Spring ball to be canceled, hurting the implementation process of a new offensive scheme, then it becomes more of a challenge. Despite that, Taggart’s job is made easier because of the talent Kiffin has brought in over the last three years.
The Owls are coming off their second conference championship in three seasons, tell us why you think that success is sustainable for the foreseeable future?
FAU’s new facilities and the university’s location should keep the Owls afloat as one of the better programs in the Group of 5 alone. All that is needed is a coach to put the scheme together and Marshall to keep finding new ways to choke late in the season. I’m joking, I’m joking! Or am I?
now onto the game…
Nick Tronti has replaced All CUSA quarterback Chris Robison as the Owls signal-caller, how has he played thus far?
Tronti’s coming out party was on that final drive of last year’s meeting in Bowling Green. He controls that four-minute offense so well because he is a skilled runner with great vision. That said, he doesn’t have an elite arm like Chris Robison, who was suspended indefinitely from the program in the Summer. That’s not to say that he is a poor thrower, he can move the ball vertically when needed, especially to Clemson transfer TJ Chase or Duke transfer Aaron Young. But Robison had an NFL level arm and that cannot be replicated overnight
Malcolm Davidson has 195 yards in three games. Is he FAU’s best offensive weapon?
Malcolm Davidson is not Motor Singletary. He lacks the power that the now Buffalo Bills weapon surprising carries in his short stature. But he does have something that Motor did not: explosiveness. In a fast-paced offense like FAU’s, that could come in handy, especially as he works into his rhythm late in the game. But don’t let his under 200 yards rushing in three games fool you. FAU employs a running back by committee. Alabama transfer BJ Emmons should see action for the first since the season-opening win against Charlotte. James Charles and Kelvin Dean have shown glimmers of lethal running ability.
Who else should we watch out for on offense for the Owls?
This offense is very different from what we have grown used to with Lane Kiffin. Without stars like Motor, Robison, and the first-ever Group of 5 Mackey Award-winning and current Cleveland Browns tight end Harrison Bryant, this team struggles to own an identity. The offensive line is fine, but they will obviously have their hands full against DeAngelo Malone. Running backs are talented but opposing defensives have been able to eliminate the big gashes bt stacking the box. And unlike years past, FAU lacks a quarterback that can drop a bomb in the tightest of windows.
FAU’s defense is only giving up 13 points through 3 games. Is this a top-tier CUSA unit or do you think their early success has been opponent driven?
Surprisingly, yes; this defense is elite. Under Lane Kiffin, the Owls utilized a bend-don’t-break type of defensive scheme that prioritized turnovers in the air over stopping the rushing game. Defensive Coordinator Jim Leavitt has flipped the script, prioritizing containing the run game, trusting in the highly skilled defensive backs to back plays when called upon. A pair of elite C-USA RBs in Marshall’s Brandon Knox and UTSA’s Sincere McCormack, who leads the nation in rushing yards going into the game last week, was frustrated by the Owls’ new 3–4 mixed formation. Moreover, the defense has been competing at a high level despite losing an insane amount of talent. Young players, especially in the front seven have shocked Owls fans in showing off their relentless pressure on opposing quarterbacks. This includes DL Leighton McCarthy, DL Jaylen Joyner, and LB Chris Jones, all of whom average more than a sack-per-game, which helps FAU place second in the nation in team sacks-per-game.
What’s your prediction for the game? Final Score?
I’ve always had a soft spot for WKU. A trip to watch FAU play in Bowling Green in the Fall has been a goal for some years now. The change of season and the hills would really be a lovely change. But as a football program, the ‘Tops are down right now. FAU finally has an opportunity to play a team that is -with no disrespect intended- “below” them. Geaj Walker may have another disappointing day on the ground, but I fully expect Tyrrell Pigrome to have one of his best rushing days of the season as the Owls’ defense struggles to contain opposing QBs. That said, if FAU comes out with a quick lead, I do not see a path for WKU to cover.
All that said, I’ll say 31–21 FAU.
Thanks again for having me. Hope the WKU will take it easy on us this basketball season.
I want to thank Jack for taking the time to do this q&a with us. You can read his work on The Owls Nest and follow their official Twitter account @FAU_Owls_Nest for fun analysis and reaction to Saturday’s matchup.