April 5, 2003

BOCA RATON - The first of three Florida Atlantic University scrimmages was held Saturday afternoon on the Tom Oxley Fields with the offense capturing the game, 24-18, in the modified scoring system. The second scrimmage will be 2 p.m., April 12 at Lockhart Stadium.

Jared Allen, the Owls returning starting quarterback, opened the game. Allen quickly marched the offense down the field. Allen ran a total of 26 plays and allowed the defense to stop the offense in three downs, just three times. He ended his practice with a 7-for-9 passing performance for 75 yards and two scores.

Allen gave way to Danny Embick, who received his first action for the Owls after transferring from West Virginia. Embick, a sophomore is getting used to the pro-style college offense after two years at WVU where the focus was on the run. Embick and Atwan Blatch, who ran FAU's scout team in the fall, divided the remaining 60 plays. Blatch had 34 under center.

Embick ended the day with an 8-11-1 performance for 123 yards and two TDs while Blatch was 4-10 for 37 yards.

On the ground, Daveon Barron, the only FAU running back to start and end the 2002 season had a scrimmage high 54 yards. Barron also had 1 reception for 10 yards. Leland Rodgers, who transferred to FAU in the fall and saw early season action had eight carries for 20 yards, two receptions one of which was a TD.

In the air, Larry Taylor continued to lead the team where he left-off in the fall with four reception for 83 yards and a TD. Darrion Porter-Isom had five receptions for 64 yards and newcomer Roosevelt Bynes, who transferred from the University of Pittsburgh had three catches for 31 yards and a TD. All three were on the offensive team's third and final down.

Defensively, there were seven sacks, two interceptions and 12 defensive stops. Jerrell Terry had one interception, a touchdown saving grab and Craig Roundtree the second off a deflection by Quentin Swain.

Several players were held out of action, due to injury: Late week injuries which held players out of action were a shoulder sprain to defensive lineman William Gray and hamstring pulls to defensive back Willie Hughley.

Saturday's action saw running back Dekolan James miss two-thirds of practice with a knee injury. James left to have a MRI with results expected back by Monday. Offensive lineman Kenneth Campos also missed a portion of practice and is day-to-day with a leg bruise.

Scrimmage #1

Total Plays 86, 235 yards passing, 84 yards rushing, 319 total yards Final Score 24-18 24-18

Passing
Jard Allen (26 plays)
Passing 7-9-0, Yards 75
Sacked (3)

2 TDs
19-yard TD by Dantson Dareus
20-yard TD by Larry Taylor

Danny Embick (26 plays)
Passing 8-11-1, Yards 123
Sacked (1)

2 TDs
3-yard reception to Leland Rodgers
20-yard reception to Larry Taylor

Antwan Blatch (34 plays)
Passing 4-10-1, Yards 37
Sacked (4)
Fumble (1)

Rushing
Daveon Barron 12-54
Dekolan James 6-7
Aaron Sanchez 6-19
Jared Allen 6-6
LeLand Rodgers 8-20
Danny Embick 3-9
Casey McGahee 1- -14
Antwan Blatch 4- -8

Receptions
Larry Taylor 4-83, 1 TD
Dantson Dareus 1-19, 1 TD
Dekolan James 2-5
Roosevelt Bynes 3-31, 1 TD
Aaron Sanchez 1-14
Darrion Porter-Ison 5-64
LeLand Rodgers 2-9, 1 TD
Daveon Barron 1-10

Injuries: Dekolan James (left knee) having a MRI, Kenneth Campos bruised leg.