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FAU Football: Lane Kiffin’s tenure start with dud

By Justin Dottavio

ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 31: Offensive Coordinator Lane Kiffin of the Alabama Crimson Tide watches during pre game at the 2016 Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at the Georgia Dome on December 31, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 31: Offensive Coordinator Lane Kiffin of the Alabama Crimson Tide watches during pre game at the 2016 Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at the Georgia Dome on December 31, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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The Navy Midshipmen destroyed the FAU Owls 42-19 down in Boca Raton, FL to open Lane Kiffin‘s tenure as FAU head football coach.

In my post “3 Reasons Lane Kiffin Should Fear Navy” I gave three reasons why Navy would roll FAU:

  1. Navy starts hot and would start hot in ’17 if Zach Abey mastered the read in the triple option
  2. Discipline of Navy over the controversy of Kiffin
  3. Defending the triple option isn’t easy, especially in week 1 as a head coach

1. Zach Abey mastered the read, and grit it takes to be Navy’s starting QB

Abey did just enough in the passing game and torched FAU on the ground on the way to lead the offense to 42 points. Chris Kiffin couldn’t drum up any of Monte’s genetics giving up 42 points, 526 total yards, and allowing Navy to be a perfect 2-for-2 on 4th down conversions.

2. FAU looked sloppy and undisciplined

I said Lane should fear Navy because they’re coached by a stoic tough guy named Coach Ken whose teams commit few penalties (two on the night), stick to their assignments, rally as a program and come prepared for the task at hand.

The Owls only committed four penalties which was shocking, I expected many more. But the Owls’ offense was hindered by not being able to snap the football, two interceptions, and not lining up properly against Navy’s overload fronts.

For instance, in the screenshot above, Navy has six blockers at the point of attack (where the ball is intended to go) versus FAU having four defenders (defensive end, defensive tackle, linebacker, and defensive back). That makes seven counting the runner with the ball and an easy touchdown. FAU is late to adjust and they adjust wrong anyway. FAU’s No. 2 at the bottom of our screen should be on the top of the screen to account for the extra Navy blockers.

In the GIF above, Navy knows they have FAU beat and takes advantage of it hitting on a touchdown pass while the Owls defenders are no where to be found. When you catch guys tired because they’ve given up 35 points and double the time of possession, you catch them being lazy.

3. Defending the triple option is hard, and it showed

In the preview post, I said defending the triple option is hard and it’s hard because when you’re lining up Owls vs Owls in spring and fall camp you’re not defending against it. This puts FAU at a disadvantage because you practice defense completely different versus the Navy offense than your own if you’re FAU. The reads are different for linebackers, the priorities different for safeties, the roles different for the defensive line.

Next: How Kevin Wilson Will Fix JT Barrett

Case in point, the GIF from above. That’s load option meaning the defensive end will be blocked (usually he’s left unblocked in the triple) and B-Back (fullback) is a lead blocker for the pitch play instead of a dive player (inside handoff). This is a look Navy gives but it’s a wrinkle to their triple option (it’s only a double option) and Abey keeps for a big gain.

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