Florida Atlantic Defeat Middle Tennessee 38-20 Behind Singletary’s Big Night
By: Zach Evans
The Florida Atlantic Owls got their first win over Middle Tennessee in nine years on Saturday night at FAU Stadium as the Owls defeated the Blue Raiders 38-20.
photo courtesy: FAU Athletics
Wanting to avenge their 77-56 defeat last season at Murfreesboro, Tennessee, the Owls capitalized early and had a dominant first half.
“It was definitely personal to the defense, especially after last season’s loss,” said linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair. “ I told you guys on Monday I told the team that on Monday, I remember that feeling and walking off the field and walking in the locker room telling myself I won’t feel like that again.”
The Owls got on the board early with Devin Singletary’s explosive run down the left side to give the Owls the early 7-0 in the first series of the game. Singletary’s 19-yard run capped off a 7-play, 77-yard series by the Owls.
Singletary for his second rushing touchdown of the night with 2:53 left in the first as the 5 foot 9 back was able to once again find the end zone on a 13-yard rushing attempt to extend the Owls lead 14-3.
The Owls went to their star running back early and often, at the first quarter FAU rushed for 15 carries and 117 yards and only passed for 29. For the game, Singletary led all back with 133 yards and four touchdowns.
The last time the Owls rushed for four touchdowns was on November 26, 2011, when Alfred Morris ran all over the University of Alabama at Birmingham Blazers.
photo courtesy: FAU Athletics
“He [Singletary] is just doing what he’s been doing all year long,” said head coach Lane Kiffin. “If you can put guys around him and block for him he does well. He really got our team going tonight, these last three games we’ve run the ball really well.”
In the second quarter Singletary would complete the hat trick. With 12:51 left in the quarter Singletary would score his third touchdown of the night with more time left on the clock. To cap off the blowout in the first half Greg Joseph put up a chip shot 22 yard field goal making it 24-6 at the half.
The American Heritage product was playing angry, with something to prove and wanted to put an exclamation mark on it. Not only did Singletary wreck the defense, but he played like a man possessed, and frustrated with the loss against Buffalo, a game he rushed for 156 yards, on 22 carries and three touchdowns.
”It’s a lot easier to play quarterback when you have a back field like we have,” joked Jason Driskel. “We have three or four guys that can really play running back and we have a great offensive line.”
Tight End Harrison Bryant led the team in receiving yards with 7 receptions for 93 yards and a touchdown.
The Owls now look ahead to their second conference matchup of the year as they take on Old Dominion on the road next week.
