Photo Credit: Michelle Friswell / FAU
Charlotte’s Player of the Game
Week 0 wasn’t quite the start the Niners wanted
Charlotte started out hot with a deep TD strike from Reynolds to Dubose. Before the adrenaline was gone, FAU had countered with a 30-plus yard pass play, a missed connection on a deep ball that would have been a TD, then a 52 yard TD run from McCammon. That sinking feeling hit me, and I’m sure it did everyone else.
After that big carry from McCammon, CLT’s run defense held FAU to approximately 3.5 yards per carry. For the game CLT gave up 4.4 ypc, and last year they gave up 5.5 ypc. There’s a good sign there on defense, but that’s realistically where it stopped. Charlotte netted only 4 pressures and no sacks. Will almost no pressure on N’kosi Perry, he went 16-22 for 256 yards and 1 TD. Third down defense was issue, allowing FAU to complete 50% of their attempts, while also going 2-for-2 on fourth down.
TAKEAWAYS
There we some improvements defensively, but for the most part the unit performed similar to last years program. FAU is generally one of the fastest teams in C-USA, so let’s see how the defense fairs vs William & Mary and other G5 opponents before allowing frustration to simply take over.
Derek Boykins, Linebacker, looked great versus the run, as did fellow LB’s Prince Bemah and BJ Turner. Another guy that jumped off the screen vs the run was true Freshman Maguire Neal. Neal does have some things to clean up in coverage, allowing 1 reception and getting called for a pass interference penalty (coverage was good in my eyes, just needed to get his head turned around quicker).
Hopefully Miguel Jackson is back soon for Charlotte, he showed promise during his true freshman season. Unsure if he was out due to injury or something else.
With Reynolds at QB, the passing game looks to be highly formidable, though the offensive line needs to perform better as a unit in both phases. I was really surprised with the limited rotations on the OL, especially when TJ Moore (Right Tackle) had such a rough night.
Elijah Spencer simply had a rough night with multiple drops. The talent is clearly there for the reigning C-USA Freshman of the Year, so I look forward to watching him bounce back. Spencer was not the only one as both Grant Dubose and Taylor Thompson had one as well. Aside from the one Dubose drop, he shined much like last season. I liked what I saw out of Nolan Groulx, it looked like he was able to create solid separation on multiple occasions. Vic Tucker was solid and steady, as usual. Tight ends never really got on track in the passing game.
The run game simply never got on track as it appeared that FAU’s defensive front dominated the line of scrimmage. I’ll be keeping a close eye on the OL vs William & Mary, hopefully that’s an area we can wear them down.
Baily Rice had 6 punts and FAU had zero returns. That unit continues to do a great job.