FACTS & STATS: Site: Apogee Stadium (30,850) — Denton, Texas.
Television: FCS. Home Record: FAU 3-1, UNT 2-2. Away Record: FAU 0-5, UNT 0-4.
Neutral Record: FAU 0-0, UNT 0-0. Conference Record: FAU 2-3, UNT 0-4. Series
Record: .
GAME NOTES: The North Texas Mean Green will try for the fifth time to win
their first Conference USA game of the season, as they welcome the Florida
Atlantic Owls to Apogee Stadium on Saturday night.
The Owls are just 3-6 overall this season but have managed to go 2-3 in C-USA
action. All of their wins have come at home, however, as they are winless in
five road bouts. FAU most recently dropped its homecoming matchup versus UAB
last Saturday, 31-28, for its second straight setback.
North Texas has been stuck in a tailspin since a solid 2-2 start to the
campaign with losses in each of its last four contests, all coming by double
digits. The Mean Green were no match for Rice on the road on Oct. 25, falling
41-21 to dip to 0-4 in the league.
FAU holds a 6-3 advantage over North Texas in the all-time series, which
includes a 4-1 mark in Denton.
FAU’s offense strikes very little fear in opposing defenses, as the unit
tallies just 24.0 ppg and 364.4 ypg, although last week it impressed with four
touchdowns.
Although the offense hasn’t done much this season, Jaquez Johnson has still
been stellar. He’s throwing for 209.9 ypg with 14 touchdowns to just two
interceptions while adding great rushing totals as well (382 yards, five TDs).
Johnson has established a strong rapport with Luck Whitehead, who’s tied for
ninth in the nation in receptions with 63 for 621 yards and six scores.
Jay Warren is the primary tailback and has turned 85 carries into 441 yards,
although he’s found the end zone just once.
The Owls’ underperforming defense certainly hasn’t done their struggling
offense any favors. The unit yields 35.1 ppg and 469.9 ypg and has forced just
10 turnovers.
Damian Parms (75 tackles), Andrae Kirk (74 tackles, 8.0 TFL 2.0 sacks, two
INTs) and Trey Hendrickson (11.0 TFL, 5.0 sacks, two FF) are FAU’s only
defensive standouts.
North Texas’ offensive numbers (29.2 ppg, 333.1 ypg) have been skewed by a few
big performances early in the season. On its current four-game losing streak,
the squad has failed to score more than 24 points in any contest, and last
week the unit put up just 216 yards.
The Mean Green have used three quarterbacks this season but none have stood
out, combining to complete just 53.6 percent of their throws for 184.1 ypg
with nine touchdowns and nine interceptions. Andrew McNulty earned the most
recent start, going 15-of-33 for 186 yards, a touchdown and a pick.
Antoinne Jimmerson (89 carries, 424 yards, four TDs) and Reggie Pegram (80
carries, 309 yards, four TDs) have split time in the backfield evenly to
modest results.
Regardless of who is lined up under center, Carlos Harris has shined as the
team’s go-to receiver, tallying 45 catches, 623 yards and three touchdowns.
Defensively, North Texas has not performed very well either, allowing 33.1 ppg
and just shy of 400 ypg.
Derek Akunne (73 tackles) has nearly twice as many stops as any of his
teammates. James Jones and Lairamie Lee have two interceptions apiece, and
Chad Polk has racked up 4.5 sacks.
This will likely be an ugly matchup between two floundering teams. With FAU’s
road woes, expect North Texas to take advantage and put an end to its losing
streak.
Sports Network Predicted Outcome: North Texas 31, Florida Atlantic 28
