Though Florida Atlantic coach Carl Pelini insisted Friday’s game at Miami was not about keeping the score close or moral victories, the Owls had plenty to be encouraged about following the 34-6 loss.
FAU, a 32-point underdog, trailed just 3-0 after one quarter and was within two touchdowns until late in the third.
“I feel like we can compete with anybody,” said sophomore quarterback Jaquez Johnson, who started in his first Division 1 game. “That’s one of the top teams in the nation and we competed with them most of the game.”
The Owls never appeared overwhelmed, though none of the three quarterbacks who played had taken a snap in a major college game, three projected starters were out (two from suspensions and one who was injured) and they were outmanned on both lines.
But there still remains plenty of work before FAU makes its Conference USA debut Thursday at East Carolina.
Friday’s focus was on the quarterbacks. Johnson, a transfer from a Mississippi community college, was named the starter last Monday. The plan was to bring in true freshman Greg Hankerson for the second series and then play both until one stood out. But Hankerson bruised a rib and sat out the second half. X-rays showed no break and Pelini believes he’ll be able to play Thursday.
“They both ran the ball well at times, they both were a little bit impatient in the pocket,” Pelini said.
“They handled the management of the offense OK. Neither one of them just kind of let it loose. I thought they both were tentative at times. They’re both better athletes than that. I want to see them relax and just let the game come to them a little better.”
Then there was that embarrassing finish. The Owls were working on their two minute drill, using all three of their timeouts during their final drive. But on fourth-and-4 and the ball on the Hurricanes’ 25 with less than a minute to play, Pelini was caught on camera exhorting his quarterback to spike the ball and then pointed to himself, taking the blame, after the spike. Johnson tried to protect his coach.
“I made a bad mistake you can’t make as a quarterback,” Johnson said. “I didn’t realize the down and distance. I’ve just got to make better decisions.”
When asked if Pelini called for the spike, he said, “I called for it.”
Johnson likely will start against East Carolina on Thursday as Pelini is eager to settle on one starter even if he plays two quarterbacks. Johnson was 11-of-20 for 83 yards. Hankerson was 5-of-11 for 34 yards. Neither quarterback had much luck running.
Pelini’s disappointment focused on a few plays:
A false start on third-and-goal from the 1 after linebacker Andrae Kirk’s interception of a Stephen Morris pass gave the Owls the ball at the UM 20. FAU had to settle for a field goal.
Dropped passes.
A defensive breakdown on Herb Waters’ 63-yard touchdown run on a reverse.
“Against a team like Miami you can’t hurt yourself, you can’t spot them those plays,” Pelini said. “Those are things we’ve got to correct. At times we were pretty efficient and disciplined. That’s why those mistakes were so disappointing.”
The defense, which gave up 503 yards. managed twice to stop Miami on fourth-and-1, the last near the goal line when Miami had four chances to score starting at the 2.
“I thought we battled,” Pelini said. “I think we’re more physical than we were a year ago. At times we tackled better. But we’ll learn a lot from the tape and you’ll see a much better football team next week.”
Decisions coming on suspended players: Pelini said a decision on when the five players suspended for unspecified violations of team rules will return will come before today's practice.
Senior receiver Daniel McKinney and senior tight end Darion Howard, both starters, senior running back Damian Fortner, freshman defensive tackle Lance Burlingame and junior long snapper Stephen Curtis missed the game. The decision to suspend them came Wednesday.
Kelly shines: Punter Sean Kelly had a solid game. The sophomore averaged 41.5 yards on 10 punts and four times had Miami starting inside the 20.
“I thought their punter was amazing,” UM coach Al Golden said. “I thought he changed the field for them all night.”
