Defense will dictate Owls’ 2019 success
Scoring 31.1 points per game sounds great for FAU — until you realize their defense surrenders 31.8 points. That average ranked 92nd out of 130 college football teams a season ago — a huge difference from Lane Kiffin’s first season when the Owls only gave up 22.7 points per game.
What should we expect in 2019?
Linebacker Rashad Smith returns for his senior season after a team-high 85 tackles in 2018. He was virtually everywhere, too, making 5.5 tackles-for-loss and hauling in four interceptions for the Owls. Zyon Gilbert (51 tackles, two pass deflections) and James Pierre (55 tackles, nine pass deflections) return for the FAU defense as well, but losing Azeez Al-Shaair, Jalen Young and Andrew Soroh demands immediate improvements from the young guys.
Tim Bonner from the Netflix docu-series Last Chance U and senior Noah Jefferson are expected to patrol the trenches with a slew of underclassmen. The Owls will likely play the hot hand along the defensive line early in the season, though, trying to find players who can consistently put it all together.
However, junior defensive end Leighton McCarthy is expected to garner the majority of snaps at one defensive end. His 39 tackles were tied for 8th on the Owls’ roster a season ago, but he added three tackles-for-loss, half a sack and one pass deflection.
The 2019 FAU football season will heavily depend on what the defense is capable of. If they’re able to hold their opponent”s to drive-ending kicks that aren’t extra points — meaning punts or field goals — the Owls should be successful. Kiffin-coached team’s score and if he’s got one that can stop his opponent’s from doing that? Look out.