An increase in stability failed to produce an increase in victories in 2014.

By Rich Cirminiello | @RichCirminiello

The tumult of 2013, namely the in-season firing of Carl Pelini, was replaced by the steady hand of Charlie Partridge. The Owls, though, sunk from a .500 team to 3-9, closing with a five-game losing streak that must be lugged into 2015. But to be fair, Partridge’s blueprint for a turnaround was never designed to happen overnight.

His first step was to install the foundation, including a thorough cultural shift, before turning loose his new-and-improved kids this season. Improvement will be expected, especially on the road, where Florida Atlantic was 0-7 a year ago.

Last season was a time to learn in Boca Raton. This season, the Owls are a little angry and frustrated by the way 2014 ended. They took out that frustration on one another this spring, Stage 1 of an important rebuilding process that’ll continue in August.

Partridge spoke in March about the quantum leap his kids took from the previous spring, from their execution and conditioning to the communication between staff and personnel. But now the year-over-year upgrade away from the field must translate into on-field success for the program to become more competitive in Conference USA.

The Owls are set at quarterback with senior Jaquez Johnson, and line play figures to be uncommonly strong on both sides of the ball. Everywhere else, though, Florida Atlantic has considerable work to do before the opener with Tulsa.

The offense needs new playmakers to support the development of Johnson as a passer. Meanwhile, the D, which struggled so badly in 2014, must retool a back seven that won’t be the same without LB Andrae Kirk, CB D’Joun Smith and SS Damian Parms.

Florida Atlantic is in a much better place than it was at this time last year. The footing is more solid. The miscommunications less frequent. But no one in this program, especially Partridge, will be satisfied simply by moral victories or gains that fail to impact the standings.

The Owls are targeting a .500 season in 2015, the next step for a program that feels it has the staff and the natural recruiting territory to soon become a player in the East Division.

What you need to know about the offense: Jaquez Johnson is the main driver of this offense, but the staff wants other Owls to grab the wheel every so often this fall. It’ll help if FAU doesn’t fall behind early in games, an all too common occurrence in 2014. Big first-half deficits had a penchant for neutralizing Jay Warren and Greg Howell, a pair of talented young backs worthy of bigger roles. Plus, Florida Atlantic is underrated in the trenches, led by a rising young star at left tackle, Reggie Bain, and an intriguing NFL prospect at left guard, Mike Marsaille. The other concern for an attack that has too often lacked explosiveness, especially in the passing game, is a dearth of playmaking receivers now that Lucky Whitehead and Alex Deleon have departed. While Chandler Dexter has been lured out of Northeast Mississippi Community College to succeed Deleon at tight end, more help is needed for veteran WR Jenson Stoshak. Fingers are crossed that second-year Henry Bussey can do a decent Whitehead impersonation out of the slot in 2015.

What you need to know about the defense: After digesting the totality of last season’s poor defensive results, coordinator Roc Bellantoni is simplifying his scheme and playbook in 2015. The coach wants his best athletes to think less and react more. Something needs to be done after the Owls allowed too many yards, and created not enough tempo-changing plays; FAU ranked last in Conference USA takeaways and next to last in stops behind the line. If the Owls are going to bounce back from 2014, it’ll likely be fueled by the D-line, because linebacker is painfully thin on experience, and the secondary is in the midst of replacing three of last year’s top performers. The front wall will have to lead the way, an edict it’s capable of fulfilling. Not only are DT Trevon Coley and DE Trey Hendrickson back after combining for 15 stops for loss and nine sacks, but playmaking DT Brandin Bryant also returns after missing most of last year to a right knee injury.

What to watch for on offense: Left is right. For a change, the offensive line could be a team strength in Boca Raton this year. But Florida Atlantic will be especially effective to the left of center, where Reggie Bain and Mike Marsaille are expected to man tackle and guard, respectively. Bain was a Freshman All-American in 2014, while the 6-6, 320-pound Marsaille possesses the size and strength to attract the interest of pro scouts this fall. Add in massive UCF transfer Kelly Parfitt to right tackle, and Owl backs Jay Warren and Greg Howell should see more daylight this fall.

What to watch for on defense: Brandin Bryant’s recovery. Florida Atlantic will be solid this season along the D-line. The Owls, though, could sport Conference USA’s best front wall if Bryant is back to form after missing last year’s final seven games with a right knee injury. DE Trey Hendrickson is coming off a breakout season. And Trevon Coley plus a healthy Bryant, who delivered a team-high six sacks in 2013, will be a handful for opposing offensive lines. If this unit reaches its potential, it’s liable to compensate for some of the back seven weaknesses.

This team will be far better if … it learns to win on the road. Okay, so opening the year in Lincoln, Nebr. and Tuscaloosa, Ala. will ruin the road record of a lot of teams. But Florida Atlantic also lost at Wyoming, Florida International and North Texas. In fact, the Owls went 0-7 away from FAU Stadium in 2014, while allowing a staggering 6.3 yards per carry in those defeats. For this program to evolve under second-year head coach Charlie Partridge, it must pick up a couple of road wins this season.

The Schedule:
For the first time in Florida Atlantic’s FBS history, the team will be playing six home games in a season.
– The Owls are facing eight teams that were bowl eligible in 2014, and no FCS opponents appear on the upcoming slate of games.
– The non-conference schedule is highlighted by a Nov. 21 trip to Gainesville to play Florida and a Week 2 visit from Miami, a rare opportunity to host a Power Five program.
– After travelling to Charlotte on Sept. 26, the Owls will be home for a month, with a bye week preceding back-to-back visits from Rice and Marshall.
– Florida Atlantic hosts the annual rivalry game with Florida International on Halloween, looking to avenge last year’s 38-10 defeat.
– WATCH OUT FOR … Tulsa. The Golden Hurricane will open the season at home and eager to kick off the start of the Philip Montgomery era with a victory.

Best Offensive Player: Senior QB Jaquez Johnson. After two seasons as the starter, Johnson is now the unequivocal leader of the program. He can scramble, he’s constantly improving as a passer and he’s the tone-setter for a program that’s looking for a defined identity. Johnson, who’s worked this offseason to continue his evolution as a bona fide dual-threat, will wear No. 32 this season in honor of a former high school teammate who was murdered more than three years ago.

Best Defensive Player: Senior DT Trevon Coley. Florida Atlantic wants its defensive linemen to be small, quick and as disruptive as possible. The Owls are looking for more players like Coley. No longer the rangy kid fit for the perimeter, he’s added weight and power, yet hasn’t lost the ability to collapse the pocket. Coley will be even more impactful this fall if fellow tackle Brandin Bryant is back from injury and able to command the attention of opposing blockers.

Key players to a successful season: The new receivers. If QB Jaquez Johnson is going to reach the next phase of his evolution, he’s going to need help from a corps of receivers that lost two key all-stars, WR Lucky Whitehead and TE Alex Deleon. JUCO transfer Chandler Dexter is expected to step into Deleon’s former role, but who’s the next Whitehead? While Jenson Stoshak is the reliable possession guy, there’s hope that sophomores Kalib Woods and especially Henry Bussey can perform like veterans this fall.

The season will be a success if … Florida Atlantic earns its third bowl game, and first since 2008. The Owls are in a much better position to compete now that Charlie Partridge’s staff is entering its second season. Plus, the team will be led by a veteran quarterback and a pair of lines with considerable upside potential. The schedule is no picnic, including likely losses versus in-state Miami and Florida. But if FAU can retool its back seven on defense, winning six regular season games will be within reach.

Key game: Sept. 5 at Tulsa. The Owls haven’t won a road game since Nov. 13, 2013, so this opener at Chapman Stadium will be pivotal on myriad levels. Florida Atlantic is itching for a fast start following last season’s disappointment, and what better way to amass a tailwind than by snapping the road skid? With Miami visiting Boca a week later, FAU can avoid its third straight 0-2 start by beating the Golden Hurricane for a second consecutive year.

2014 Fun Stats:
– Rushing touchdowns: Florida Atlantic 14 – Opponents 34
– Third-down conversions: Florida Atlantic 38% – Opponents 47%
– Red-zone touchdown%: Florida Atlantic 52% – Opponents 65%

Players You Need To Know

1. QB Jaquez Johnson, Sr.
Florida Atlantic will enter this season with a luxury on offense, a third-year starting quarterback in the huddle. Johnson has brought stability and diversity to the attack since transferring from East Mississippi Community College two years ago. He’s one of the Owls’ better all-around athletes, and continues to evolve through the air. Johnson ranked second on the team with 513 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on 120 carries, using his 6-1, 225-pound frame to surge for more yards. And as a passer, he finished 182-of-315 for 2,215 yards, 17 touchdowns and only five interceptions.

2. DT Trevon Coley, Sr.
Coley arrived in Boca Raton three years ago as a skinny defensive end, but he’s grown into a 6-2, 300-pound playmaking tackle. He’s often too quick for opposing interior linemen, exploding off the snap before shooting the gaps with a head of steam. Coley is light on his feet, and he uses his hands well, the impulses for last season’s 53 tackles, 6.5 stops for loss and four sacks. He could require multiple blockers in 2015, which will free up teammates along the front seven.

3. CB Cre’von LeBlanc, Sr.
LeBlanc is an experienced corner, but he plays the game with all of the physicality of a safety. His career actually began at nickelback, because of his keen instincts and ability to step up to support the run. Last season, he ranked third on the team with 71 tackles, while making two picks and eight passes defended to earn honorable mention All-Conference USA. If LeBlanc improves in coverage and adds weight to his 5-11, 175-pound frame, he’s liable to catch the attention of pro scouts in 2015.

4. LT Reggie Bain, Soph.
The 6-4, 286-pound Bain was a revelation in his first season out of high school. He not only won the left tackle job, but he also consistently performed better than any other FAU blocker. Nimble, both athletically and intellectually, Bain allowed just two sacks and quarterback hurries all season, while recording 52.5 knockdowns, grading out at 97% and committing no pre-snap penalties. Overlooked as a recruit, he’s well on his way to answering his critics.

5. DT Brandin Bryant Sr.
There’s cautious optimism around campus that Bryant can regain the form that made him so disruptive in 2013. The 6-3, 290-pound former transfer from Fort Scott (Kans.) Community College was a force from the inside two years ago, collecting 51 tackles and team-highs with 9.5 stops for loss and six sacks. But a right ACL tear cut short his junior year after just five games. Bryant took it slow in the spring, but is hoping to showcase his trademark quickness and get-off when the Owls reconvene in August.

6. DE Trey Hendrickson, Jr.
Few young Owls ascended higher than Hendrickson did in 2014. After playing sparingly as a rookie, he earned seven started as a sophomore, chipping in with 32 tackles, 10 stops behind the line and a team-high five sacks. He has a great motor, and has maintained his quickness even after bulking up to 6-4 and 250 pounds. Now that Hendrickson has introduced himself to the rest of the league, he could have an all-star ceiling in 2015.

7. RB Jay Warren, Jr.
While Warren’s production improved in 2014, much more is expected from the two-time letterwinner this season. He only started four times a year ago, yet still led Florida Atlantic on the ground with 571 yards and two touchdowns on 121 carries. Although Warren is only 6-0 and 195 pounds, he’s an assertive inside runner who’ll earn yards after contact and protect the pocket on passing downs. He must be employed more in 2015.

8. WR Jenson Stoshak, Sr.
The departure of all-star Lucky Whitehead leaves Stoshak as the Owls’ leading returning receiver. The 6-1, 195-pound former walk-on caught 37 passes for 508 yards and two touchdowns as the starter at ‘X’ receiver in 2014. Stoshak won’t be the flashiest pass-catcher on the roster this fall, but he has sticky hands, and he knows how to locate the soft spots in opposing defenses.

9. P Dalton Schomp, Jr.
Schomp only got his shot to play after Sean Kelly left the team last June, but he surely made the most of the unexpected opportunity. Punting for just the first time at this level, he averaged 45.4 yards to be named Second Team All-Conference USA. Schomp displayed excellent hang time throughout his debut, but still must improve his directional kicks.

10. LB Robert Relf, Jr.
The graduation of all-star Andrae Kirk has elevated Relf into a leadership role at linebacker for his junior season. The Phoenix, Ariz. native began laying a foundation in 2014 by starting all but the finale and ranking fourth on the team with 65 tackles. He has good size for the position, 6-3 and 220 pounds, now needing to improve his instincts and big-play ability.