It’s a non-conference clash on the gridiron as a member of Conference USA makes the trip to the Hoosier State to battle a member of the Big Ten. The Florida Atlantic Owls are on the road as they travel westward to take on the Purdue Boilermakers Saturday night. Florida Atlantic was drubbed 40-14 at home by UCF in a battle of programs from the Sunshine State in their most recent contest last Saturday night. Purdue fell 32-29 in a wild game on the road against Syracuse that saw the majority of its points scored in the fourth quarter. This marks the first time that the two programs have met on the gridiron as FBS opponents.
Florida Atlantic was clobbered at home by UCF in their most recent contest and hope to regroup here. The Owls dropped to 2-2 overall on the season and sit 1-0 in conference play, so they look to avoid falling below the .500 mark here. Against UCF, Florida Atlantic took a 14-7 lead in the final seconds of the opening quarter but that was their high note. The Owls gave up 33 unanswered points the rest of the way to end up getting stomped. Florida Atlantic was obliterated 653-296 in total offense, gave up 32 first downs while picking up 18 and was dominated 37:05 to 22:55 in time of possession. Those massive numbers in UCF’s favor offset that Florida Atlantic won the turnover battle 3-1 in the game.
For the season, the Owls are 62nd in the nation in passing offense with 250.3 yards per game through the air while they are tied for 26th in rushing offense with 218 yards per c ontest on the ground. Florida Atlantic is 62nd in the FBS in scoring offense with an average of 34.3 points per contest and stand 73rd in the country in scoring defense by allowing 25.8 points a game. N’Kosi Perry is 71 of 123 passing for 987 yards with 10 touchdowns against two interceptions while adding 44 yards and two scores on the ground. Willie Taggart Jr. is two of four for 14 yards plus 38 rushing yards in limited work. Larry McCammon leads the run game with 54 carries for 394 yards and two scores. Zuberi Mobley (47 carries, 270 yards, three TD) and Marvin Scott III (18 carries, 80 yards) have been productive when called upon as well. In the passing game, LaJohntay Wester leads the team with 20 catches for 239 yards and four scores. Jahmal Edrine (14 receptions, 206 yards, two TD), Je’Quan Burton (10 receptions, 170 yards, two TD) and Tony Johnson (nine catches, 137 yards, TD) are all over the century mark in receiving yards. Morgan Suarez has hit all 17 extra point attempts and four of five field goal attempts with a long of 43 this season.