Ohio (1-1) reached new heights on offense in its 41-38 win over FAU (1-0) a season ago. Saturday, the Bobcats will attempt to have the same offensive resurgence on the road against the Owls.
To do so, the Bobcats may need significant contributions from backup Quarterbacks CJ Harris and Parker Navarro as Kurtis Rourke's status remains unknown.
Game Information
Opponent: FAU
Date and time: Saturday, Sept. 9 at 6 p.m.
How to watch: ESPN +
Weather: Boca Raton, FL. is expected to be 85 degrees and sunny during the game.
Head Coach
Tom Herman is in his first year with the Owls. Previously, Herman spent time as the Offensive Coordinator at Ohio State, he then became the head coach of Houston. At Houston, Herman led the program to multiple double-digit win seasons including a Peach Bowl victory in 2015. Herman then went to Texas where his time was highlighted by a Sugar Bowl victory over Georgia in 2018.
Most recently, Herman coached with the Chicago Bears as an offensive analyst.
Offensive leaders
Although he has only played one game for the Owls, Casey Thompson has made an instant impact. Thompson threw for five touchdowns to one interception in FAU's game against Monmouth. Previously at Nebraska, Thompson accounted for 22 touchdowns (17 passing and five rushing touchdowns) while completing 63% of his passes. Thompson threw for 2,407 yards in 10 starts.
Larry McCannon gained over 1,000 yards for the Owls in 2022 on the ground and has already started positively in 2023. The senior running back lived up to his first-team All-American Atheltic Conference preseason conference honors in week one. McCannon went for 125 yards on 13 carries, which included a touchdown.
LaJohntay Wester was the Owls' leading receiver a season ago and returned to the Owls in 2023. Wester had 55 yards receiving with a touchdown against Monmouth.
FAU scored 42 points in its first game against Monmouth and averaged 29.75 points per game a season ago.
Defensive Leaders
Armani Eli-Adams led the Owls in solo and total tackles last season but had a relatively quiet performance against Monmouth, a game in which he only registered two total tackles. Jackson Ambush transferred to the program this season following his graduation from Albany in 2022. Ambush wasted no time in making plays for the Owls in week one, during which he led the Owls in total tackles.
