By Johnny Falduto
With No. 3 Florida State looming in the distance, now-unranked Clemson looks to make it two wins in a row as Florida Atlantic heads to Memorial Stadium on Saturday night.
The Tigers are coming off a 66-17 win over Charleston Southern last Saturday, fueled by a strong second-half performance from QB Cade Klubnik, who finished 28-37 for 315 YDS, 4 TDs, and 1 INT in three-quarters of action. Florida Atlantic is coming off a 17-10 loss at Ohio after a season-opening win over Monmouth in Week 1.
As the countdown to kickoff continues, here is everything you need to know about the Owls.
Offensive Scouting Report
Florida Atlantic enters Saturday’s matchup with Clemson averaging 339 yards of total offense and 26 points per game.
Through the team’s first two games, QB Casey Thompson has thrown a total of 67 passes, completing 43 of them (64.2 CMP%) for 460 YDS, 5 TD (all of which came in Week 1), and 3 INT.
Thompson’s top target- and perhaps the program’s best playmaker for the last two seasons- has been WR LaJohntay Wester, a quick and dynamic threat in the passing game. He leads the team with 18 REC for 156 YDS and 1 TD through the first two weeks, including 12 REC for 101 YDS last Saturday against Ohio. Sophomore receiver Tony Johnson has emerged as the team’s No. 2 WR to begin the season, totaling 8 REC for 119 YDS and 2 TD prior to Saturday’s matchup with Clemson.
RB Larry McCammon is another dynamic playmaker in the Owls’ offense, accounting for 148 YDS on 20 CAR (7.4 YDS/CAR) on the ground and an additional 75 YDS on 7 REC (10.7 YDS/REC) through the air to begin the season after eclipsing the 1,100-yard mark for the first time in his five-year career in 2022.
The offensive line was a huge plus for the Owls in 2022, and they returned 6-foot-4, 320 lb. Marquice Robinson at guard and 6-foot 8, 315 lb. Chaz Neal at tackle in 2023. Making the two previous starts alongside Robinson and Neal this season are Federico Maranges, Dorian Hinton, and Kamaar Bell. The same five are expected to make the start against Clemson on Saturday.
Offensive Stat Leaders
Passing
- QB Casey Thompson: 43-67 (64.2 CMP%), 460 YDS, 5 TD, 3 INT, 137.5 RTG
Rushing
- RB Larry McCammon: 20 CAR, 148 YDS, 7.4 YDS/ATT, 1 TD
- RB Zuberi Mobley: 16 CAR, 52 YDS, 3.3 YDS/ATT
Receiving
- WR LaJohntay Wester: 18 REC, 156 YDS, 1 TD, 8.7 YDS/REC
- WR Tony Johnson: 8 REC, 119 YDS, 2 TD, 14.9 YDS/REC
- RB Larry McCammon: 20 CAR, 148 YDS, 1 TD, 7.4 YDS/REC
- WR Je’Quan Burton: 3 REC, 56 YDS, 2 TD, 18.7 YDS/REC
- TE Jackson Sumlin: 2 REC, 17 YDS, 8.5 YDS/REC
- TE Zeke Moore: 3 REC, 14 YDS, 4.7 YDS/REC
Defensive Scouting Report
Coming into Saturday night’s matchup with Clemson, the Owls have given up an average of 18.5 points and 357.5 yards per game on defense.
The LB group has emerged as the defense’s best position group, led by Eddie Williams, Jackson Ambush, and Morven Joseph. Together, they have accounted for 42 TKL, 0.5 sacks, and 1 INT.
DL Evan Anderson is the lead man in the trenches, and he comes into Saturday night with 12 tackles through the team’s first two games this season. 6-foot-4, 240 lbs. Marlon Bradley has stepped in and filled a critical role at the defensive end spot, and he has 8 tackles and 1 sack to show for it thus far.
CB Darius McClendon has taken over as the team’s leader in the secondary after losing talented S Teja Young to Ole Miss in the offseason, and he’s totaled 11 tackles, a pass deflection, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery so far in 2023. S Dwight Toombs returned for his fifth season at FAU after finishing third on the team with 62 tackles in 2022, and his season is already off to a fast start with nine tackles through two weeks of action.
Jarron Morris (8 TKL), Jayden Williams (7 TKL), and Roman Mungin (6 TKL, 1 PD) are also named to keep an eye on in a Florida Atlantic secondary that has allowed 226 PASS YDS and 3 PASS TD through two weeks of action so far this season.
Defensive Stat Leaders
Tackles
- LB Eddie Williams: 15
- LB Jackson Ambush: 15
- LB Morven Joseph: 12
- DL Evan Anderson: 12
- CB Darius McClendon: 11
- S Dwight Toombs: 9
Sacks
- DE Marlon Bradley: 1
- LB Morven Joseph: 0.5
- DL Jaden Wheeler: 0.5
Interceptions
- LB Jackson Ambush: 1
- DB Jarron Morris: 1
- LB Jarrett Jerrels: 1
Miscellaneous Team Stats
- 3rd Down Conversions: 8-24 (33.3%)
- 4th Down Conversions: 0-3 (0%)
- Fumbles-Lost: 3-1
- Sacks-Yards Lost: 2-11
- PAT FG: 7-7 (100%)
- Red Zone Attempts-Scores: 3-4
- Red Zone TD: 2-4
