Three years of Football Bowl Subdivision play makes for a CliffsNotes version of a record book, but junior quarterback Rusty Smith nonetheless rewrote it last fall. Smith was the Sun Belt Player of the Year after throwing for 3,688 yards, 32 touchdowns and, most important, only nine interceptions. Smith is a well-regarded leader even as a redshirt sophomore, and his instincts have caught up with his classic 6'5" build, portending even greater accomplishments for 2008.

Another reason Smith should flourish is that nearly all of his running mates are back. Senior tailbacks Charles Pierre and DiIvory Edgecomb will handle most of the carries, while fullback Willie Rose is an underrated pass catcher and a bull of a blocker.

Junior wide receiver Cortez Gent is a first-team All-Sun Belt performer, and should be good for five receptions or more per game. Tight end Jason Harmon was expected to be a key cog in the passing game, but suffered a torn ACL and is out for the season. Add in Chris Bonner, Conshario Johnson and Lester Jean, and the Owls have all the elements for another year of passing fancy.

FAU tied for the 13th in the country in fewest sacks allowed last year and welcomes back four regulars on the offensive front. Tackle John Rizzo is a four-year starter, and senior center Nick Paris shores up the middle.

Defense

Senior linebacker Frantz Joseph, a watch-list candidate for the Lombardi and Butkus awards, is the fulcrum of a unit that often held on for dear life last fall. The 229-pound Joseph, author of 131 tackles as a junior, will be flanked by two new starters, likely George Allen and Edward Bradwell.

The Owls’ front four could be considered a front five, since a quintet of regulars returns. Junior tackle Josh Savidge missed most of 2007 with a knee injury; junior John Mertilus filled in ably for him. Senior Jervonte Jackson is the best athlete up front.

Two new starters at safety must be broken in, but FAU’s corners — senior Corey Small and sophomore Tavious Polo — are all-conference caliber. Polo’s seven interceptions tied for ninth in the nation in ’07.

Greg Joseph and Carldayle Brantley have the edge in experience in the battle for starting safety slots. The big question will be whether the Owls can replicate a plus-18 turnover margin from 2007, which papered over some of their defensive shortcomings.

Specialists

Senior kicker Warley Leroy demonstrated range out to 45 yards while converting 19-of-27 field goals a year ago. Edgecomb, first in the Sun Belt in all-purpose yards in ’07, is a weapon on kick returns, and Polo is the primary punt returner. Punters Keegan Peterson and Mickey Groody could split snaps; Groody is the placement specialist on a short field.

Final Analysis 

Howard Schnellenberger’s latest foray into program-building sped ahead of schedule by winning the Sun Belt Conference and the New Orleans Bowl with a boatload of sophomores and juniors at the controls. With 17 starters returning, Florida Atlantic is ideally positioned to repeat. Smith and Gent form one of the most dangerous pass-catch combos in the league, but Harmon, Rose and Bonner all keep defenses honest. Defensively, the Owls do have some issues in the secondary and among the linebackers, but Polo and Joseph can flip the field around by forcing turnovers on any given down. FAU was third in the nation in turnover margin last fall; another season of opportunism will equal another banner in Lockhart Stadium.