ODU hosts FAU in first conference game of the season

L. Todd Spencer | The Virginia-Pilot

The Monarchs got a much needed bye week last week after a rough two weeks playing 2 ACC schools (Virginia Tech and North Carolina). We learned a lot about ODU in those two weeks as a slew of injuries handicapped the team but created the outlet for Freshman Quarterback, Steven Williams to emerge as THE quarterback. This week Florida Atlantic comes to town for the fourth meeting between the two schools, with the Away team winning each contest. This game is extremely hard for me to cover as it was my final game, a game we could have gotten to bowl eligibility and my last game as a Monarch was against FAU at home and FAU coming back to win late.

As mentioned prior, the Monarchs have the injury bug thus far this season that has led to the Monarchs losing some of their veteran key-weapons. Ray Lawry (hamstring) and Jonathan Duhart (Foot) were both All-CUSA picks this year and head what Head Coach Bobby Wilder states as “the longest injury list” he has ever seen coaching. The other players out for the rest of the season include Kane Miskel (Safety), Justice Davila (Safety), Derek Wilder (Linebacker) and Freshman Casey Perkins and Cameron Muller. This has led to slimmer numbers for the Monarchs and the philosophy for next man up must be imperative in the locker room and field moving forward.

The good news for the Monarchs is that 6 players who have been injured in the span of the season and pre-season camp are expected to return, hopefully as soon as this week for some. This list includes Defensive Line standouts Bumni Rotimi and Daniel Appouh, Offensive Lineman Chad Hendricks and Tight End Melvin Vaughn. Getting these guys back will help drastically as the O-Line has been depleted and it has shown, the D-Line will be back to full force and will be able to once again cause havoc for offenses the rest of the season.

Melvin Vaughn will most likely be the most important returner with the loss of Jonathan Duhart and a young Quarterback entering conference play.

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Overview

Florida Atlantic is coming to Norfolk after a good three-week stretch (minus the hiccup to Buffalo). They look like a very different team than they were at the start of the season. The key to stopping the running game; the Monarchs had done a great job against UMass and Albany before hiccupping against their two ACC opponents. This week will be a tell-all for the Monarchs as to how they are against teams at the same caliber. David Singletary is a very talented runner and if he can get outside (which I expect FAU to gameplan for) he could wreak havoc as that seems to be the major problem with the run defense. Another key will be how the secondary deals with the talented JUCO transfer wide receiver, DeAndre McNeal. Look for that to be a fun battle between him and Brandon Addison.

On Offense, with Jeremy Cox playing with a hip pointer, this will be an important game for Steven Williams to prove himself. After playing two ACC defenses, the schedule eases up and Williams should have more time in the pocket to find the open receiver. It will imperative for him to make smart throws as this Owl secondary is 20th in the nation with 6 interceptions on the year.

I could see this being a big game for Isaiah Harper, the speedster we all remember so fondly for the 100-yard kickoff return against UNC. Isaiah has seen an increased presence in the throwing game since Duhart’s injury and is used often for short bubble screens and throws within ten yards that gives him the chance to create plays. He is very similar to Ty Lee from MTSU who, last week, has 8 catches for 136 yards.

With Cox not at full-strength, look for Brandon Simmons to take a large portion of the carries but I doubt we’ll see many long runs as the Owls have gotten better each week on stopping the run. Simmons and Williams will be imperative though in the short-gain department and I could see them playing a similar role to the running back and QB for Buffalo, who rushed for three touchdowns.

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Prediction:

This will be a great game as FAU is coming in with momentum and the Monarchs starting the 2nd half of their season after a bye week and two losses. Look for the Monarchs to come out excited and ready to play with (hopefully) some of the injured players returning and entering conference play. I think this whole game will come down to how Steven Williams plays now that he doesn’t have to deal with as big a rush as he had to in his first start.

He has all the ability in the world to throw beautiful balls and escape the pocket and run for large gains. We’ll see if the Owl’s defense game plans to try and rush much more than normal to disrupt him and force mistakes. I like the Owls and I think they are coming back into conference discussion, however, I think ODU being at home, the week of rest and Steven Williams able to make plays, are able to pull out the win, 31-21.

To read the co-written article by Satchel Ziffer and FAU beat writer, Cyrus Smith, visit Underdog Dynasty!