FAU Football: Can Owls improve on impressive 2017 season?

Offense

FAU was one of the top offenses in the country in 2017. The Owls averaged just under 500 yards per game. The Kendal Briles-coordinated offense scored more than 40 points per outing. Both marks ranked in the top 10 nationally, with FAU scoring the eighth-most points and averaging the ninth-most yards.

To produce those numbers, the FAU offense in 2017 leaned heavily on its running game. Devin Singletary was a force, leading the nation in rushing touchdowns as he racked up 32 scoring carries. Singletary was 80 yards short of a 2000-yard season last year, and he is back with dreams of topping that mark in 2018.

The offensive line loses Antonyo Woods and Roman Fernandez, two key parts that were all-Conference USA players last year. Two of the top three receivers are also gone, as are both of last year’s top two quarterbacks on the depth chart.

Focusing on the unexpected quarterback battle

Last year’s quarterback, Jason Driskel, was a major factor in the resurgence of FAU football in 2017. Driskel actually threw for fewer yards than the previous season, but he added more yards on the ground and generally presented a solid veteran presence to balance out Singletary’s running.

But Driskel announced after the season that he would not return for his senior season with the Owls. The offense is looking to change direction and the coaching staff alerting that there would be an open competition for the starting position under center. Driskel, realizing he was unlikely to go pro, decided to leave the sport on his terms.

2017 preseason starter Daniel Parr left for FCS Duquesne as well, leaving the quarterback position starting from scratch. De’Andre Johnson and Chris Robison dueled for the starting role through the spring. One or the other is likely to take the starting role, though both could end up playing this season. Locking in on one of the two and getting quick improvement is going to be critical.