TEAM PROFILE: 2007 Florida Atlantic Owls

Florida Atlantic Owls 7-5

Key Players:

QB- Rusty Smith: big, strong arm, surprise he’s so good as a soph
6-5, 212 SO (Fla)- 2007 CUSA Player of Year, 1st Sun Belt 07’

WR- Cortez Gent: only 66yrds in 06’, stretches field with big plays, 40 only in 4.5s
6-2, 185 SO (Fla)- 1st Sun Belt 07’

TE- Jason Harmon: came on strong after good offseason in weight room
6-3, 210 JR (Fla)- 1st Sun Belt 07’

MLB- Frantz Joseph: hard hitter, in on lots of plays, record 121tackles, 10.5for loss
6-3, 235 JR (Fla)- 1st Sun Belt 07’

SLB- Cergile Sincere: covers ground, 111tackles, will play in Hula Bowl
6-0, 215 SR (Fla)- 1st Sun Belt 07’, HM SunBelt 06’

CB- Tavaris Polo: school record 7ints, broke A. Woodson’s streak at 325comp w/ no int
5-10, 160 FR (Fla)- 1st Sun Belt 07’

OT- John Rizzo: anchors line that scores +30 a game, consistent, hard nosed, plays hurt
6-4, 300 JR (Fla)- 2nd Sun Belt 07’

OG- Jarrid Smith: first player in program to graduate and seek 2nd degree
6-3, 280 SR (Fla)- 2nd Sun Belt 07’

DT- Jervonte Jackson: run stuffer, 25 tackles, 2 for loss
6-5, 300 JR (Fla)- 2nd Sun Belt 07’

CB- Corey Small: 5ints, can tackle well, good speed
5-10, 182 JR (Fla)- 2nd Sun Belt 07’

RB- Charles Pierre: does not catch passes out of backfield, good in weightroom
5-9, 210 JR (Fla)- HM Sun Belt 07’

SS- Kris Bartels: team def MVP in 06’, athletic can make plays
5-10, 205 SR (Fla)- HM Sun Belt 07’

P- Keegan Peterson: former kicker, good leg, on Ray Guy Watch earlier in season
6-1, 175 SO (Fla)

FB- William Rose: nose for the end zone, 12tds 6run 6rec, good speed for size
6-1, 227 SO (Fla)

Watch Out For:
FS- Taheem Acevado: Makes plays all over the field, overlooked, last game will play big
6-1, 222 SR (Fla)


Team Info:

Passing Off: 286.2yrds/g, 19th in NCAA
-big play receivers
-don’t throw many picks
BIGGEST STRENGTH

Rushing Off: 126.9 yrds/g, 94th in NCAA
-not as bad as their rank, but not good or even average
-Pierre is a good back
-Rose is underused

Passing Def: 237.6 yrds/g 75th in NCAA
-lots of athletes that force turnovers
-allow big plays, make big plays
KEY TO GAME

Rushing Def: 179.5 yrds/g 83rd in NCAA
-once again, have talent just don’t perform
-no real stopper besides Jackson
BIGGEST WEAKNESS

Special Teams:
Kicking: B (46 long, 6+ 40)
Punting: A-
Return Game: D

Key Stats:
3rd Down Conversion- 75/192 (39%) vs. 79/177 (42%)
Penalties- 79 for 644yrds (53.7per) vs. 92 for 765yrds (63.8per)
Turnovers- 14 vs. 33 (+19)
TOP- 30:20 vs. 29:40

Head Coach: Howard Schnellenberger, 7th season- 40-32, 4-0 Bowls (w/Lville)
-built Louisville into legit program in 80’s
-Off Coordinator in NFL for 16yrs, 2 Super Bowls
-mentored by Don Shula and Bear Bryant
-fastest team to win conference, only joined 1A in 05’