First Look: Florida Atlantic
The last meeting: This is the first game between Purdue and Florida Atlantic
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Here's an early look at Purdue's fourth opponent in 2022, the Florida Atlantic Owls.
Time: Saturday, Sept. 24, 7:30 PM EDT
Location: Ross-Ade Stadium
Surface: Bermuda Grass
Capacity: 57,236 (tickets available)
2022 schedules/records: Florida Atlantic 2-2 (1-0 CUSA); Purdue 1-2 (0-1 Big Ten)
Series notes: This is the first meeting between the schools.
TV: BTN
Early line: Purdue -18
STORYLINES TO WATCH
The Owls can move the ball
Yes, Florida Atlantic was held to just 14 points in a 40-14 home loss to Central Florida last Saturday night, but the Owls were at the Knights’ 1-yard line with first-and-goal and down just 23-14 late in the third quarter. Four plays later, the Owls not only failed to punch it into the end zone but had a field-goal attempt blocked. It went downhill from there.
This game will feature two of the best passing quarterbacks in the nation in terms of yardage. Purdue's Aidan O'Connell has thrown for 1,000 yards in three games, while the Owls' N'Kosi Perry is just 13 yards behind O'Connell with 987. Perry has thrown just two picks in four games. LaJohntay Wester, who has 20 catches for 239 yards and four touchdowns is his top receiver and also returns punts.
Running back Larry McCammon III ranks eighth nationally with 384 rushing yards through four games and is averaging 7.3 yards per carry.
Defensively, Purdue ranks 25th in the nation in total defense, while the Owls are 99th, giving up over 413 yards per contest.
Both teams are among the most penalized in the nation, with FAU ranking 111th and Purdue 124th of the 131 FBS teams.
Schnellenberger and coaching ties
The Owls play at Howard Schnellenberger Field, a name near and dear to Jeff Brohm. Schnellenberger, who passed away in 2021, started the Owls program from scratch completing all the necessary administration and fundraising. He was its first coach when the Owls began play in 2001. Brohm served as Schnellenberger's quarterbacks coach in 2009. Brohm also played for Schnellenberger at Louisville.
FAU coach Willie Taggart is in his fifth head coaching job, boasting a 68-75 overall record. Taggart and Brohm were college quarterbacks, with Taggart at WKU from 1995-98. Taggart is 12-14 in his fourth season with the Owls after stops at WKU, South Florida, Oregon and Florida State.
Homecoming at Night--will that help the mood of the Boilermaker faithful?
To put it mildly, the Purdue alums are a bit restless after the meltdown late at Syracuse, but what will the mood be in Ross-Ade Stadium on Saturday night? Yes, it is the first Homecoming night game ever and maybe the sting of Saturday will have dissipated, at least a little, by then.
Purdue should be 3-0, and that is no stretch. Now it has to get back to work on trying to have the season it hoped. It's not too late, but another performance like the Boilermakers had in Upstate New York, and the 2022 season may fall short of expectations.
Brohm on the Owls
"We have tremendous respect for the program that Howard Schnellenberger built. I know as well as anybody that they have talent. It's a half mile from the beach and and a great place to live and hang out.
"We have to get better at containing the quarterback run, and that will be a challenge again for us this week,"
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