The Bulls upended Western Kentucky last weekend, 24-12, handing the Hilltoppers their 24th consecutive loss -- the longest current losing streak in the nation. Demetris Murray darted for 115 yards in the win for South Florida.
Van Camp led the way for Florida Atlantic with 273 yards passing and one touchdown in the 21-17 loss to North Texas. Tight end Rob Housler caught that touchdown, one of his four receptions which went for 94 yards. Van Camp has connected on 63.7 percent of his passes this season while averaging 248.3 yards per contest with five touchdowns and two interceptions. Lester Jean leads the Owls in receptions with 22, good for 317 yards and two scores. Alfred Morris heads the FAU rushing attack, averaging just over 70 yards per contest and he has scored three touchdowns.
While Florida Atlantic only averages 73 yards rushing each game, it's quite a different story on the other side of the ball. The Owls defense has let up 827 yards rushing in the three games so far in 2010. That's a staggering average of 275.7 yards per game to go along with six total touchdowns. In last week's 21-17 loss to North Texas, the Owls gave up 257 rushing yards and one score to the Mean Green. FAU's opponents are well aware of this issue, running the ball 131 times this season. The Owls allow just 122.3 passing yards per game, but that's due to the fact that the opponents have only thrown the ball 53 times all season.
The running game shined as South Florida took care of the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers, 24-12, at home last weekend. Demetris Murray led the way with 115 yards on the ground, while Mo Plancher, Richard Kelly and quarterback B.J. Daniels all ran for touchdowns. The Bulls churned out 226 rushing yards on 44 carries in the victory. Daniels didn't have much success with his arm, going 7-of-11 for 57 yards and one interception. Come this weekend, look for the same game plan from the Bulls as Florida Atlantic owns one of the worst run defenses in the nation.
South Florida's defense allows its opponents to throw for just 170 yards per game with five touchdowns this season, while the run defense lets up 160 ypg. The reverse took place in last Saturday's victory of WKU, however, as the Bulls allowed just 88 yards on the ground and 226 through the air, including the Hilltoppers' two touchdowns. USF needs to show more aggression on defense if it hopes to defeat a sporadic Florida Atlantic team. The Bulls have only sacked the quarterback three times this season. Also, opponents have converted four of five attempts on fourth down.
The Owls hope to pull an upset behind Van Camp's arm, but look for the running of the Bulls to take place in Tampa as FAU's defense will be unable to stop the ground game of USF.