On Saturday, October 4th- The Florida Atlantic Owls won their first game of American Conference play, defeating the Rice Owls 27-21.
The Red and Blue Owls from Boca Raton showcased the explosive offensive masterclass that fans have been long awaiting, while holding Rice’s option offense to a very quiet night.
FAU’s high flying air raid offense boasted 290 yards and three scores in the air, headlined by an 11 catch, 110 yard night from WR Easton Messer and a 4 catch 82 yard and 2 score evening from TE Mike Kirch. The Owls weren’t just flying around Houston, as FAU’s offense also racked up 104 yards on the ground, primarily work-horsed by a 20 carry, 69 yard night from RB Xavier Terrell.
Following the win, CBS Sports’s Matt Zenitz named Florida Atlantic’s first year Head Coach Zach Kittley as the American Conference representative for National Head Coach of the Week honors. The full list of honorees for this week’s Coach of the Week honors lists as follows:
American- Zach Kittley, Florida Atlantic
ACC- Mario Cristobal, Miami
BIG10- Tim Skipper, UCLA
BIG12- Scott Satterfield, Cincinatti
CUSA- Tyson Helton, Western Kentucky
MAC- Joe Moorhead, Akron
Mountain West- Ken Niumatalolo, San Jose St.
SEC- Billy Napier, Florida
SunBelt- Butch Jones, Arkansas St
Kittley wasn’t the only Owl honored following the W vs Rice, as TE Mike Kirch was named to the American Conference’s weekly honor role, as an offensive honorable mention.
What’s Next for Florida Atlantic Football? It’s Homecoming week in Paradise, and the Owls are eyeing a return to .500 on the season, as they prepare to face UAB on Saturday, October 11. Kickoff is slated for 6:00 P.M. EST.
For those interested in purchasing tickets to this Saturday’s Football in Paradise, the link can be found HERE
