2020 Florida Atlantic Owls football team
American college football season
The 2020 Florida Atlantic Owls football team represented Florida Atlantic University in the 2020 NCAA Division I FBS football season . The Owls played their home games at FAU Stadium in Boca Raton, Florida , and competed in the East Division of Conference USA (CUSA). They were led by head coach Willie Taggart , in his first year.
Preseason
Awards
Listed in the order that they were released
Player
Position
Year
Desmond Noel
OL
Senior
[ 1]
The CUSA Media Days was held virtually for the first time in conference history.[ 2]
Media poll (East Division)
Predicted finish
Team
Votes (1st place)
1
Charlotte
2
FIU
3
Florida Atlantic
4
Marshall
5
Middle Tennessee
6
Old Dominion
7
Western Kentucky
Media poll (CUSA Championship)
Rank
Team
Votes
TBD
Schedule
Florida Atlantic announced its 2020 football schedule on January 8, 2020.[ 3] The 2020 schedule originally consisted of 6 home and 6 away games in the regular season.
The Owls had games scheduled against Minnesota , Old Dominion , Stony Brook , and Middle Tennessee which were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic .[ 4] [ 5] [ 6] [ 7]
The Owls also had games scheduled against Georgia Southern, South Florida, and Southern Miss, which were postponed due to the pandemic.[ 8] [ 9] [ 10] The Georgia Southern game is now rescheduled for December 5[ 11] and the Southern Miss game is now rescheduled for December 10.[ 12] They also added a new game against UMass on November 20 to replace their canceled game against Old Dominion, which was previously scheduled for that same weekend.[ 13]
Date Time Opponent Site TV Result Attendance October 3 4:00 p.m. Charlotte ESPNU W 21–175,657
October 24 2:30 p.m. at No. 22 Marshall Stadium L 9–2012,002
October 31 12:00 p.m. UTSA FAU Stadium Boca Raton, FL Stadium W 24–35,026
November 7 6:00 p.m. Western Kentucky FAU Stadium Boca Raton, FL Stadium W 10–65,292
7:00 p.m. at FIU CBSSN W 38–190
8:00 p.m. UMass * FAU Stadium Boca Raton, FL CBSSN W 24–25,554
December 5 6:00 p.m. at Georgia Southern * ESPN+ L 3–203,867
6:30 p.m. at Southern Miss CBSSN L 31–450
December 23 7:00 p.m. vs. Memphis * ESPN L 10–252,979
Schedule Source: [ 14] [ 15]
Game summaries
Charlotte
Charlotte at Florida Atlantic
1
2 3 4 Total
49ers
10
0 0 7
17
• Owls
0
0 21 0
21
Date: October 3, 2020Location: FAU Stadium Boca Raton, FL Game start: 4:02 p.m. EDT Elapsed time: 3 hours and 20 minutesGame attendance: 5,657Game weather: 85 °F (29 °C) • Weather: Drizzle • Wind: SSE 10 MPH Referee: Billy WilliamsTV announcers (ESPNU ): Mike Corey (play–by–play) and Jay Walker (analyst)
Scoring summary 1 06:13 CHAR Jonathan Cruz 43-yard field goal(13 plays, 53 yards, 6:44) CHAR 3–0
01:36 CHAR Cameron Dollar 39-yard pass from Chris Reynolds (Jonathan Cruz kick)(2 plays, 51 yards, 0:53) CHAR 10–0
3 08:16 FAU Nick Tronti 49-yard rush (Vladimir Rivas kick)(6 plays, 73 yards, 2:35) CHAR 10–7
02:57 FAU Logan Peterson 25-yard pass from Nick Tronti (Vladimir Rivas kick)(5 plays, 80 yards, 1:48) FAU 14–10
01:57 FAU T. J. Chase 16-yard pass from Nick Tronti (Vladimir Rivas kick)(1 play, 16 yards, 0:06) FAU 21–10
4 13:00 CHAR Tre Harbison III 1-yard rush (Jonathan Cruz kick)(10 plays, 75 yards, 3:57) FAU 21–17
Pregame line
Over/under
FAU −5
62.5[ 16]
Statistics
Charlotte
Florida Atlantic
First downs
22
15
Total yards
396
315
Rushing yards
82
217
Passing yards
314
98
Turnovers
1
0
Time of possession
37:49
22:11
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Charlotte
Passing
Chris Reynolds
24/32, 314 yards, 1 TD
Rushing
Tre Harbison III
17 carries, 49 yards, 1 TD
Receiving
Victor Tucker
9 receptions, 118 yards
Florida Atlantic
Passing
Nick Tronti
11/22, 98 yards, 2 TDs
Rushing
Nick Tronti
10 carries, 94 yards, 1 TD
Receiving
T. J. Chase
3 receptions, 31 yards, 1 TD
At Marshall
Florida Atlantic at Marshall
1
2 3 4 Total
Owls
0
6 3 0
9
• No. 22 Thundering Herd
7
0 10 3
20
Date: October 24, 2020Location: Joan C. Edwards Stadium Huntington, WV Game start: 2:30 p.m. EDT Elapsed time: 3 hours and 11 minutesGame attendance: 12,002Game weather: 52 °F (11 °C) • Weather: Cloudy • Wind: S 6 MPH Referee: Rodney BurnetteTV announcers (Stadium ): Chris Hassel (play-by-play) and A. J. Hawk (analyst)
Scoring summary 1 05:40 MRSH Brenden Knox 58 yard pass from Grant Wells (Shane Ciucci kick)(5 plays, 79 yards, 2:08) MRSH 7–0
2 02:28 FAU Malcolm Davidson 11 yard rush (Vladimir Rivas PAT blocked)(12 plays, 65 yards, 5:53) MRSH 7–6
3 8:12 FAU Vladimir Rivas 43 yard field goal(11 plays, 52 yards, 6:48) FAU 9–7
6:24 MRSH Artie Henry 41 yard pass from Grant Wells (Shane Ciucci kick)(4 plays, 81 yards, 1:48) MRSH 14–9
3:13 MRSH Shane Ciucci 35 yard field goal(7 plays, 29 yards, 2:25) MRSH 17–9
4 10:53 MRSH Shane Ciucci 22 yard field goal(9 plays, 60 yards, 4:20) MRSH 20–9
Pregame line
Over/under
MRSH −19.5
50.5[ 17]
Statistics
Florida Atlantic
Marshall
First downs
17
19
Total yards
234
385
Rushing yards
86
134
Passing yards
148
251
Turnovers
1
2
Time of possession
33:12
26:48
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Florida Atlantic
Passing
Nick Tronti
18/30, 148 yards, 1 INT
Rushing
Malcolm Davidson
8 carries, 62 yards, 1 TD
Receiving
Jordan Merrell
5 receptions, 48 yards
Marshall
Passing
Grant Wells
18/31, 251 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
Rushing
Brenden Knox
25 carries, 101 yards
Receiving
Corey Gammage
6 receptions, 79 yards
UTSA
Texas–San Antonio at Florida Atlantic
1
2 3 4 Total
Roadrunners
0
3 0 0
3
• Owls
10
7 0 7
24
Date: October 31, 2020Location: FAU Stadium Boca Raton, FL Game start: 12:00 p.m. EDT Elapsed time: 3 hours & 18 minutesGame attendance: 5,026Game weather: 82 °F (28 °C) • Weather: Humid/Partly Cloudy • Wind: ESE 6 MPH Referee: Chris BynumTV announcers (Stadium ): Chris Vosters (play-by-play) and Max Stark (analyst)
Scoring summary 1 10:53 FAU Vladimir Rivas 24 yard field goal(10 plays, 58 yards, 4:07) FAU 3–0
04:55 FAU Aaron Young 27 yard pass from Nick Tronti (Vladimir Rivas kick)(10 plays, 80 yards, 4:00) FAU 10–0
2 08:55 UTSA Hunter Duplessis 49 yard field goal(15 plays, 43 yards, 6:08) FAU 10–3
01:58 FAU Nick Tronti 2 yard run (Vladimir Rivas kick)(9 plays, 80 yards, 3:46) FAU 17–3
4 02:35 FAU James Charles 2 yard run (Vladimir Rivas kick)(5 plays, 19 yards, 1:03) FAU 24–3
Pregame line
Over/under
FAU −5
47[ 18]
Statistics
UTSA
Florida Atlantic
First downs
16
19
Total yards
230
332
Rushing yards
104
196
Passing yards
126
136
Turnovers
0
0
Time of possession
27:54
32:06
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
UTSA
Passing
Frank Harris
12/26, 109 yards
Rushing
Frank Harris
14 carries, 66 yards
Receiving
Joshua Cephus
5 receptions, 63 yards
Florida Atlantic
Passing
Nick Tronti
11/19, 136 yards, 1 TD
Rushing
Malcolm Davidson
14 carries, 115 yards
Receiving
Aaron Young
3 receptions, 54 yards, 1 TD
Western Kentucky
Western Kentucky at Florida Atlantic
1
2 3 4 Total
Hilltoppers
0
0 3 3
6
• Owls
0
0 3 7
10
Date: November 7, 2020Location: FAU Stadium Boca Raton, FL Game start: 6:35 p.m. EST Elapsed time: 2 hours & 53 minutesGame attendance: 5,292Game weather: 72 °F (22 °C) • Weather: Rainy and Windy • Wind: E 20 MPH Referee: Jon NoliTV announcers (Stadium ): Chris Hassel (play-by-play) and A. J. Hawk (analyst)
Scoring summary 3 08:51 FAU Vladimir Rivas 40 yard field goal(8 plays, 27 yards, 3:23) FAU 3–0
02:57 WKU Brayden Narveson 32 yard field goal(13 plays, 61 yards, 5:54) 3–3
4 08:09 WKU Brayden Narveson 49 yard field goal(4 plays, 6 yards, 1:31) WKU 6–3
02:27 FAU Javion Posey 11 yard run (Vladimir Rivas kick)(12 plays, 75 yards, 5:42) FAU 10–6
Pregame line
Over/under
FAU −7
40.5[ 19]
Statistics
Western Kentucky
Florida Atlantic
First downs
16
18
Total yards
257
273
Rushing yards
94
165
Passing yards
163
108
Turnovers
0
1
Time of possession
33:49
26:11
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Western Kentucky
Passing
Tyrrell Pigrome
19/39, 163 yards
Rushing
Gaej Walker
17 carries, 78 yards
Receiving
Xavier Lane
7 receptions, 60 yards
Florida Atlantic
Passing
Nick Tronti
7/16, 108 yards
Rushing
Javion Posey
9 carries, 60 yards, 1 TD
Receiving
TJ Chase
3 receptions, 47 yards
At FIU
Florida Atlantic at Florida International
1
2 3 4 Total
• Owls
7
17 0 14
38
Panthers
0
10 0 9
19
Scoring summary 1 11:35 FAU LaJohntay Wester 11 yard pass from Javion Posey (Vladimir Rivas kick)(8 plays, 75 yards, 3:25) FAU 7–0
2 13:17 FAU Vladimir Rivas 43 yard field goal(9 plays, 48 yards, 3:07) FAU 10–0
13:01 FIU D'vonte Price 77 yard run (Chase Gabriel kick)(1 play, 77 yards, 0:16) FAU 10–7
11:11 FIU Chase Gabriel 41 yard field goal(4 plays, 4 yards, 1:42) 10–10
09:52 FAU Malcolm Davidson 37 yard run (Vladimir Rivas kick)(4 plays, 75 yards, 1:19) FAU 17–10
01:41 FAU Brandon Robinson 5 yard pass from Javion Posey (Vladimir Rivas kick)(8 plays, 70 yards, 2:54) FAU 24–10
4 14:09 FIU Chase Gabriel 21 yard field goal(15 plays, 79 yards, 6:26) FAU 24–13
12:41 FAU James Charles 32 yard run (Vladimir Rivas kick)(4 plays, 68 yards, 1:28) FAU 31–13
02:29 FAU Javion Posey 2 yard run (Vladimir Rivas kick)(12 plays, 78 yards, 6:02) FAU 38–13
01:55 FIU Rivaldo Fairweather 67 yard pass from Max Bortenschlager (Two-point pass conversion FAILED)(3 plays, 67 yards, 0:34) FAU 38–19
Pregame line
Over/under
FAU −8.5
41.5[ 20]
Statistics
Florida Atlantic
FIU
First downs
21
14
Total yards
450
281
Rushing yards
370
156
Passing yards
80
125
Turnovers
1
0
Time of possession
29:33
27:58
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Florida Atlantic
Passing
Javion Posey
10/16, 80 yards, 2 TD
Rushing
Javion Posey
18 carries, 140 yards, 1 TD
Receiving
TJ Chase
1 reception, 28 yards
FIU
Passing
Max Bortenschlager
10/18, 82 yards
Rushing
D'Vonte Price
26 carries, 178 yards, 1 TD
Receiving
Rivaldo Fairweather
6 receptions, 49 yards
UMass
Massachusetts at Florida Atlantic
1
2 3 4 Total
Minutemen
0
0 2 0
2
• Owls
7
0 14 3
24
Scoring summary 1 10:58 FAU BJ Emmons 1 yard run (Vladmir Rivas kick)(8 plays, 57 yards, 3:04) FAU 7–0
3 06:47 FAU Brandon Robinson 13 yard pass from Nick Tronti (Vladmir Rivas kick)(15 plays, 65 yards, 8:13) FAU 14–0
04:27 FAU Javion Posey 70 yard run (Vladmir Rivas kick)(1 play, 70 yards, 0:13) FAU 21–0
01:55 UMASS 9 yard safety FAU 21–2
4 04:58 FAU Vladmir Rivas 30 yard field goal(5 plays, 53 yards, 1:53) FAU 24–2
Pregame line
Over/under
FAU −32.5
50.5[ 21]
Statistics
UMass
Florida Atlantic
First downs
8
16
Total yards
147
368
Rushing yards
62
140
Passing yards
85
228
Turnovers
2
1
Time of possession
25:10
34:50
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
UMass
Passing
Will Koch
12/22, 67 yards, 1 INT
Rushing
Ellis Merriweather
11 carries, 48 yards
Receiving
Josiah Johnson
8 receptions, 42 yards
Florida Atlantic
Passing
Javion Posey
13/27, 203 yards
Rushing
Javion Posey
19 carries, 90 yards, 1 TD
Receiving
TJ Chase
4 receptions, 79 yards
At Georgia Southern
Florida Atlantic at Georgia Southern
1
2 3 4 Total
Owls
0
0 3 0
3
• Eagles
0
10 0 10
20
Date: December 5, 2020Location: Paulson Stadium Statesboro, GA Game start: 6:00 p.m. EST Elapsed time: 2 hours & 55 minutesGame attendance: 3,867Game weather: • Weather: TBD • Wind: TBD MPH Referee: T. LivingstonTV announcers (ESPN+ ): Matt Stewart (play-by-play) and Danny Waugh (analyst)
Scoring summary 2 13:29 GASO Khaleb Hood 49 yard punt return for TD (Alex Raynor kick)(1 play, 49 yards, 01:25) GASO 7–0
2 03:30 GASO Alex Raynor 30 yard field goal(10 plays, 34 yards, 04:18) GASO 10–0
3 02:26 FAU Vladimir Rivas 26 yard field goal (10 plays, 67 yards, 03:20) GASO 10–3
4 12:39 GASO Logan Wright 2 yard TD run (Alex Raynor kick)(9 plays, 78 yards, 04:39) GASO 17–3
04:51 GASO Alex Raynor 37 yard field goal(10 plays, 23 yards, 05:36) Gaso 20–3
Pregame line
Over/under
GASO −2.5
42[ 22]
Statistics
Florida Atlantic
Georgia Southern
First downs
16
18
Total yards
322
339
Rushing yards
133
269
Passing yards
189
70
Turnovers
4
0
Time of possession
23:15
36:45
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Florida Atlantic
Passing
Javion Posey
7/15, 105 yards, 2 INT
Rushing
Javion Posey
8 carries, 61 yards
Receiving
Jordan Merrell
3 receptions, 67 yards
Georgia Southern
Passing
Justin Tomlin
3/12, 70 yards
Rushing
Justin Tomlin
20 carries, 78 yards
Receiving
Logan Wright
2 receptions, 65 yards
At Southern Miss
Florida Atlantic at Southern Mississippi
1
2 3 4 Total
Owls
7
10 14 0
31
• Golden Eagles
10
14 14 7
45
Scoring summary 1 12:31 FAU Brandon Robinson 20 yd pass from Nick Tronti (Vladimir Rivas kick)(1 plays, 20 yards, 0:06) FAU 7-0
09:09 USM Frank Gore Jr. 73 yard run (Briggs Bourgeois kick)(1 plays, 73 yards, 0:13) 7-7
01:34 USM Briggs Bourgeois 38 yard field goal(12 plays, 60 yards, 5:17) USM 10-7
2 11:18 FAU Vladimir Rivas 40 yard field goal(12 plays, 48 yards, 5:16) 10-10
08:54 USM Trey Lowe 13 yard run (Briggs Bourgeois kick)(6 plays, 75 yards, 2:24) USM 17-10
04:39 FAU James Charles 12 yard run (Vladimir Rivas kick)(7 plays, 77 yards, 4:15) 17-17
00:08 USM Tim Jones 5 yard pass from Trey Lowe (Briggs Bourgeois kick)(13 plays, 75 yards, 4:31) USM 24-17
3 11:08 USM Jason Brownlee 43 yard pass from Trey Lowe (Briggs Bourgeois kick)(6 plays, 80 yards, 3:52) USM 31-17
03:53 FAU James Charles 1 yard run (Vladimir Rivas kick)(6 plays, 61 yards, TOP 2:28) USM 31-24
03:39 USM Camron Harrell 100 yard kickoff return (Briggs Bourgeois kick) USM 38-24
00:54 FAU Armani Adams 43 yard fumble recovery (Vladimir Rivas kick) USM 38-31
4 04:55 USM Kevin Perkins 3 yard run (Briggs Bourgeois kick)(9 plays, 90 yards, 5:23) USM 45-31
Pregame line
Over/under
FAU −8.5
41[ 23]
Statistics
Florida Atlantic
Southern Miss
First downs
19
22
Total yards
326
514
Rushing yards
164
305
Passing yards
162
209
Turnovers
1
3
Time of possession
28:41
31:19
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Florida Atlantic
Passing
Nick Tronti
17/33, 162 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing
James Charles
16 carries, 79 yards, 2 TD
Receiving
Brandon Robinson
5 receptions, 72 yards, 1 TD
Southern Miss
Passing
Trey Lowe
13/19, 209 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
Rushing
Frank Gore Jr.
9 carries, 111 yards, 1 TD
Receiving
Jason Brownlee
3 receptions, 81 yards, 1 TD
Vs. Memphis (Montgomery Bowl)
Memphis vs. Florida Atlantic
1
2 3 4 Total
• Tigers
10
8 7 0
25
Owls
0
0 10 0
10
Scoring summary 1 07:15 MEM Riley Patterson 53-yard field goal(10 plays, 53 yards, 3:20) MEM 3-0
02:26 MEM Javon Ivory 5-yard pass from Brady White (Riley Patterson kick)(8 plays, 52 yards, 3:18) MEM 10-0
2 00:22 MEM Joseph Dorceus 2-yard pass from Brady White (John Hassell two-point conversion rush)(10 plays, 58 yards, 4:25) MEM 18-0
3 09:53 FAU TJ Chase 3-yard pass from Nick Tronti (Vladimir Rivas kick)(9 plays, 73 yards, 3:14) MEM 18-7
07:38 FAU Vladimir Rivas 27-yard field goal(7 plays, 16 yards, 2:15) MEM 18-10
05:14 MEM Calvin Austin III 7-yard pass from Brady White (Riley Patterson kick)(7 plays, 75 yards, 2:24) MEM 25-10
Pregame line
Over/under
MEM −9
52.5[ 24]
Statistics
Memphis
Florida Atlantic
First downs
24
19
Total yards
469
290
Rushing yards
185
139
Passing yards
284
151
Turnovers
3
2
Time of possession
30:44
29:16
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Memphis
Passing
Brady White
22/34, 284 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT
Rushing
Asa Martin
15 carries, 96 yards
Receiving
Javon Ivory
7 receptions, 126 yards, 1 TD
Florida Atlantic
Passing
Nick Tronti
16/32, 146 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing
James Charles
16 carries, 82 yards
Receiving
Brandon Robinson
4 receptions, 39 yards
References
^ "2020 Preseason Football Awards" . Conference USA . August 25, 2020.
^ "Conference USA to hold virtual football media days due to COVID-19" . ktsm.com . May 5, 2020. Retrieved June 17, 2020 .
^ "2020 FAU Football Schedule Announced" . Florida Atlantic University Department of Athletics. January 8, 2020. Retrieved June 17, 2020 .
^ Myerberg, Paul. "Big Ten football reduces season schedule to only conference games, maybe setting stage for others to follow" . USA TODAY . Retrieved July 10, 2020 .
^ Singelais, Mark (July 16, 2020). "Reports: CAA football won't play this fall" . Times Union . Retrieved July 17, 2020 .
^ "Old Dominion postponing football and fall sports" . The Virginian Pilot . Retrieved August 10, 2020 .
^ "Football at MT Canceled" . Florida Atlantic University Department of Athletics. November 27, 2020.
^ "Football Game versus Georgia Southern Postponed" . Florida Atlantic University Department of Athletics. September 18, 2020.
^ "The FAU vs USF Football Game has been Postponed" . Florida Atlantic University Department of Athletics. September 23, 2020.
^ "Football vs. Southern Mississippi is Postponed" . Florida Atlantic University Department of Athletics. October 8, 2020.
^ "Football Reschedules Game with Georgia Southern" . Florida Atlantic University Department of Athletics. September 30, 2020.
^ "C-USA Reschedules FAU Football at Southern Miss" . Florida Atlantic University Department of Athletics. November 4, 2020.
^ "Football Inks Deal to Host UMass on Friday, Nov. 20" . Florida Atlantic University Department of Athletics. November 6, 2020.
^ "2020 Football Schedule" . Florida Atlantic University Athletics . Retrieved October 14, 2020 .
^ "2020 Florida Atlantic Owls Schedule" . ESPN . Retrieved October 14, 2020 .
^ "Charlotte 49ers vs Florida Atlantic Owls" . Odds Shark . Retrieved October 14, 2020 .
^ "Florida Atlantic Owls vs Marshall Thundering Herd" . Odds Shark . Retrieved October 26, 2020 .
^ "UTSA Roadrunners vs Florida Atlantic Owls" . Odds Shark . Retrieved November 3, 2020 .
^ "WKU Hilltoppers vs Florida Atlantic Owls" . Odds Shark . Retrieved November 3, 2020 .
^ "Florida Atlantic Owls vs FIU Panthers" . Odds Shark . Retrieved November 10, 2020 .
^ "Massachusetts Minutemen vs Florida Atlantic Owls" . Odds Shark . Retrieved November 17, 2020 .
^ "Florida Atlantic Owls vs Georgia Southern Eagles" . Odds Shark . Retrieved December 1, 2020 .
^ "Florida Atlantic vs Southern Mississippi" . ESPN . Retrieved December 8, 2020 .
^ "Memphis Tigers vs Florida Atlantic Owls" . Odds Shark . Retrieved December 26, 2020 .
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