GAINESVILLE, FL – Florida Atlantic University’s football team opened the 2011 the season against the University of Florida Gators in Gainesville, Fla. on Saturday. The Gators, ranked No. 22, proved deserving of a top-25 ranked with the 41-3 win over the Owls.
The first quarter proved slow for the Owls offensively. FAU picked up its initial first down in the second quarter. Florida moved the chains, but was only able to put three points on the board following an FAU rushed quarterback play that caused a 15-yard loss on a fumbled snap. The Gators finished out the first quarter 10-0 when Chris Rainey scored a touchdown pass from quarterback John Brantley.
Florida put together a pair of touchdowns to put the Gators up 24-0, before the Owls were able to string a couple of good drives together. With positive field position following a Marcus Bartels interception that put the ball on the Florida 31 yard line, FAU quarterback Graham Wilbert was able to move the chains up the field. Wilbert connected with Darian Williams, Damian Fortner and Nexon Dorvilus to set up a 27-yard field goal by kicker Vinny Zaccario. The successful kick was his first collegiate field goal. FAU received the ball one last time before the end of the half following Toney Moore’s first career interception. However, FAU failed to capitalize, missing a 44-yard field goal.
Starting with possession in the third quarter, FAU picked up a first down right away off of a combination of plays beginning with an 11-yard pass to DeAndre Richardson, then a nine yard catch by Williams and a run by Alfred Morris. On the next play, Wilbert was sacked for a loss of 12 yards giving the ball to Mickey Groody. Groody’s punt was blocked and returned 22 yards for a touchdown by Rainey. With Florida up 31-3, sophomore Keith Reaser picked up his first career interception, deep in the end zone, to prevent a score.
The No. 22 team in the nation put the game away with 10 fourth quarter points.
Next week FAU will travel to Lansing, Mich. to take on the Michigan State Spartans for the third time and second year in a row. Game time is noon and the contest willl be televised nationally on ESPN2.
Game Notes:
- Linebacker Toney Moore had his first career interception, a four-yard return
- Defensive back Marcus Bartels had his fourth career interception, a 33-yard return
- Kicker Vinny Zaccario first career field goal, a 27 yarder
- Tight end Nexon Dorvilus had team-high receiving yards (55) on three catches
- Running back Damian Fortner recorded his first career reception
- Defensive back Keith Reaser had his first career interception
- Last time FAU had three interceptions in a game was in 2010 against FIU. Marcus Bartels had two of those interceptions.