What Is 2011 Florida Atlantic Owls football

Overview

The 2011 Florida Atlantic Owls football team represented Florida Atlantic University during the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Led by head coach Howard Schnellenberger in his 10th and final year, the team competed as an independent, meaning they were not part of any athletic conference. This season marked the end of an era for the program before transitioning to Conference USA in 2013.

The Owls finished the season with a 6–6 overall record, failing to qualify for a bowl game due to the NCAA’s requirement of at least seven wins for bowl eligibility at the time. Despite inconsistent results, the team showed flashes of potential on both offense and defense, highlighted by strong performances from key players like quarterback Jeff Van Camp and linebacker Rashaan Evans.

• Record: The Owls ended the season with a 6–6 overall record, marking their third consecutive non-winning season.
• Head Coach: Howard Schnellenberger stepped down after the season, concluding a decade-long tenure that included a 2007 New Orleans Bowl win.
• Scoring: FAU scored 273 total points, averaging 22.8 points per game, ranking 87th nationally in scoring offense.
• Defensive Performance: The defense allowed 310 points, averaging 25.8 points per game, placing them 89th in scoring defense.
• Final Game: Their season concluded with a 49–27 loss to Western Kentucky on November 26, 2011, in a non-conference matchup.

How It Works

The 2011 season operated under standard NCAA Division I FBS rules, with scheduling challenges due to FAU’s independent status. Without a conference, the Owls had to arrange all games individually, often facing teams from various conferences.

• Independent Status: FAU played as an NCAA FBS independent, meaning they were not bound to a conference schedule or championship.
• Scheduling: The team played a mix of seven home games and five road games, including matchups against Big East and Sun Belt teams.
• Offensive Scheme: The Owls utilized a pro-style offense, relying on quarterback Jeff Van Camp, who threw for 1,860 yards and 11 touchdowns.
• Defensive Strategy: They ran a 3-4 base defense, with linebacker Brandon Alexander leading the team with 97 total tackles.
• Bowl Eligibility: With only six wins, FAU did not meet the seven-win threshold required for bowl consideration in 2011.
• Coaching Transition: After the season, Carl Pelini was hired as the new head coach, succeeding Schnellenberger.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2011 FAU Owls compared to select FBS teams in key statistical categories:

The table illustrates that while FAU’s scoring output was slightly above struggling teams like UConn, their defense lagged behind power conference teams. Their independent status made scheduling difficult, often resulting in mismatches. However, the foundation laid in 2011 helped set the stage for future improvements under new leadership.

Why It Matters

The 2011 season was a transitional year that highlighted both the challenges and potential of FAU football. As the final season under Schnellenberger, it marked the end of a foundational era and the beginning of a rebuilding phase.

• Program Legacy: Howard Schnellenberger’s retirement marked the end of a decade-long effort to build FAU into a competitive FBS program.
• Conference Realignment: The independent status in 2011 underscored the need for conference affiliation, which FAU achieved in 2013 with Conference USA.
• Recruiting Impact: A lack of bowl eligibility hurt recruiting momentum, making the 2011 season a cautionary benchmark.
• Player Development: Quarterback Jeff Van Camp’s performance provided a glimpse of offensive potential for future seasons.
• Coaching Change: Carl Pelini’s hiring signaled a shift toward a more aggressive recruiting and playing style.
• Historical Context: The 6–6 record reflected the growing pains of a young program striving for consistency at the FBS level.

While not a standout season in terms of wins, the 2011 campaign was pivotal in shaping the future direction of FAU football, setting the groundwork for eventual conference integration and long-term stability.