April 18, 2009

Florida Atlantic University's football team wrapped up the 2009 spring scrimmage at the Tom Oxley Athletic Center Fields with the offense taking the game 35-25.

The defense came out with an interception on the third play of the game right in front of the record crowd of 2,011. One play later the defense recovered a fumble to take a 6-0 lead in a game that is scored by a modified scoring system. The offense scores in a traditional fashion and added the extra point attempt for the spring game. Ross Gornall connected on each of his five attempts. The defense is awarded for stopping the offense from gaining a first down. Depending where the ball is on the field, the offense has three plays or four if it is inside the defenses 40. The defense is also awarded three points for a turnover and six if they score a touchdown.

Rusty Smith, who started under center, used the next nine plays to drive 60 yards. He gave the final hand-off to Alfred Morris for a three-yard score. Morris tallied 18 carries for 131 yards on day.

Smith would lead the team's second scoring drive of the day in the second half which ended with an 39 yard connection to tight end Jamari Grant. The offense would score on the next drive, five plays later on a Smith to Jason Harmon 19 yard connection.

In all, four quarterbacks would see action. Jeff VanCamp got the bulk of the work and was 8-18-1 for 87 yards and had a 10 yard touchdown pass to Chris Bonner. David Kooi was 1-5 for six yards and Graham Wilbert was 3-5-0 for seven yards. The running game used six ball carriers while 12 receivers were credited with a catch. Morris led all with 131 yards while Avoinne Rolle had 50.

On the defensive side of the ball, the line forced multiple sacks. McIntosh and Marcus Bartels each had interceptions and one fumble was recovered by the defense. The offense was also forced to reset 16 times on the day giving the defense its 25 points total.

FAU will open the 2009 season at Nebraska, September 5, 2009. For season tickets call 1-866-FAU-Owls.

Florida Atlantic University 2009 Spring Game
FAU Offense 35, Defense 25
91 plays

Passing Rusty Smith: 8-10-1, 114 yards, 2 TD
David Kooi: 1-5-0, 6 yards
Graham Wilbert: 3-5-0, 7 yards
Jeff VanCamp: 8-18-1, 87 yards, 1 TD
Total: 21-40-2, 214 yards, 3 TD

Receiving
William Rose: 2-17 yards
Chris Bonner: 3-24 yards, 1 TD (10 yard TD) Jason Harmon: 2-13 yards Jamari Grant: 1-39 yards 1 TD
Cortez Gent: 3-30 yards
Rob Housler: 2-24 yards 1 TD (18 yard TD)
Lester Jean: 2-6 yards
David Muniz: 1-8 yards
Alfred Morris 1-6 yards
Avoinne Rolle: 1-7 yards
Amos Wood, Jr: 1-27
Avery Holley: 2-13
Total: 21-214 yards 3 TD

Rushing
Alfred Morris: 18-131 yards, 1 TD (3 yards)
William Rose: 2-3 yards
Xavier Stinson: 2-14 yards
David Muniz: 4-28 yards
Avionne Rolle: 10-50 yards, 1 TD (11 yards)
Michael Barasch: 4-11 yards
David Kooi: 2-4 yards
Jeff VanCamp: 6- -31 yards
Rusty Smith 1- -5
Graham Wilbert: 2- 11
Total: 40-241 by running backs, 11- -43 --- Total with QBs: 51-198

Interceptions by: Erick McIntosh and Marcus Bartels. One fumble recovered by the defense.