Florida Atlantic University's third season of football is under way, and the Owls, fresh off a huge upset win over Division 1-A Middle Tennessee State, open their home season at 4p.m. Saturday at Lockhart Stadium (301 NW 12th Ave., Fort Lauderdale).
The story of FAU's 2003 campaign should be onward and upward, as the upstart program finally begins to reap some of the benefits from all of the groundwork laid over these past two seasons. Most of the starters this year have three years of college experience, two seasons of on-the-field training, and a desire to see the Owl program take the next step toward Division 1-A standing.
On the defensive side of the ball, 2002 team MVP Chris Laskowski will anchor the unit. Laskowski, a red-shirt junior linebacker, led the team with 84 tackles last season.
On offense, red-shirt junior and returning two-year starting quarterback Jared Allen will be the undisputed leader. Allen's track record, along with a receiving corps of four returning starters, offers stability to an offense that has otherwise seen much injury and turmoil.
And Coach Howard Schnellenberger is enthusiastic about the move from Pro Player to Lockhart Stadium. Playing closer to campus will be a huge asset for the team, he says. "Going into Lockhart will be a major plus for us," Schnellenberger says. "For the first time, we'll have a real home-field advantage."
General admission tickets are $10, with reserved seats $15. Call 954-523-3309. -- Russ Evans
MON 9/8
Duffin' for Dollars
Score a goal for youth hockey
Today you can hit the links and help support a bunch of would-be hockey pros. The second-annual Charity Golf Tournament to benefit the Florida Junior Panthers Travel Hockey Club begins with an 8 a.m. shotgun start at Deer Creek Golf Club (2801 Country Club Blvd., Deerfield Beach).
The tourney is a four-man scramble setup, and they're playing from the championship tees, so bring your A-game. The best team wins fabulous prizes, as does the longest driver and the closest-to-the-pin shot. Last year's tournament even saw a few of the Panthers' players out and about. No telling which NHL greats will come this time around.
Registration fees are $500 per foursome. Call 954-341-9956. -- Russ Evans
