Good Morning, Owl Nation. Florida Atlantic University made considerable gains in the U.S. News & World Report list of "Top Public Schools," moving up to No. 103 from No. 112 in this year's ranking of the nation's best universities. U.S. News & World Report also ranked FAU at No. 189 for "Top National Schools," increasing 20 spots from No. 209 last year.

"The culture of excellence fueled by our dedicated faculty and staff is driving new achievements on a national scale, and we are proud to be recognized as a leader in student success,” said FAU President Stacy Volnick.

What else do we have mixed into today’s Brew? Check it out below!

🏀 FAU set to play Auburn in MBB exhibition match
⛹🏾‍♀️ WBB is officially underway as practice has begun
🦉 And much, much more

📈 STOCK UP

🔼 We’re Here For This Hoopla. Florida Atlantic and Auburn have announced a men's basketball preseason exhibition game at 8 p.m. ET on Friday, Nov. 1, at Auburn's Neville Arena.

The game will benefit Auburn University's Melton Scholars Program and mark the Owls’ first visit to Auburn since 1994. NCAA rules mandate that for an exhibition game between two Division I teams, the host school must sell tickets and donate the proceeds to a designated charity.

"We are excited to be a part of this event,” said head coach John Jakus. “I am happy to do this alongside Bruce Pearl while supporting charity. These preseason games are great for our sport and will help both programs prepare for the season in an amazing atmosphere."

🔼 Put Us In, Coach. The Florida Atlantic Coaches Show, presented by Duffy's Sports Grill, returns today from 12-1 p.m. at the Duffy's Sports Grill Boca Raton.

Head football coach Tom Herman is the featured guest throughout the fall, joined this week by Defensive Line Coach Roosevelt Maggitt Jr. and host and voice of the Owls Ken LaVicka. Herman will review last week's game and preview this week's 6 p.m. home contest versus Wagner.

COACHES SHOW FALL SCHEDULE:
Wednesday, Sept. 25 – 12-1 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 9 – 12-1 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 30 – 12-1 p.m.
Wednesday, Nov. 6 – 12-1 p.m. 
Wednesday, Nov. 13 – 12-1 p.m.
Wednesday, Nov. 20 – 12-1 p.m.

🔼 Even Steven. Florida Atlantic men's soccer (2-3-2) and Jacksonville (1-4-3) drew 0-0 on Tuesday night in non-conference action. A chippy 90 minutes featured 29 fouls, ten yellow cards, and just six shots on goal.
 
The Owls had the game's best chance (and the only chance of the first half) in the 10th minute, but Arthur Widiez was denied from just outside the six-yard box.
 
FAU goalkeeper Nacho Alfaro came up with two back-to-back saves late in the second half to preserve the tie. He finished with three saves to record his third clean sheet of the season. 
 
The Owls return to conference action on Sunday at home vs. Temple. The start time is 2 p.m. ET.

🔼 Tourney-Riffic News. The Florida Atlantic men's basketball team will take on Oklahoma State for their first game in the 2024 Charleston Classic on Thursday, Nov. 21.

In the eight-team field, Florida Atlantic will face the Oklahoma State Cowboys for the first time since 2006 on Nov. 21 at 2:30 p.m. ET. The Owls will take on Miami or Drake in either a semifinal or a consolation game on November 22. The championship game is set for Sunday, Nov. 24, at 8:30 p.m.

Go HERE to purchase all-tournament tickets. Pending availability, single-session tickets will go on sale in October. Fans are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance, as Premium Lower Sideline tickets have sold out before October for the past three years. 

🔼 Hittin’ the Hardwood. Florida Atlantic women's basketball officially kicked off its 2024-25 season on Monday as the Owls had their first day of official practice inside Eleanor R. Baldwin Arena.
 
“This is going to be a really special group,” said head coach Jennifer Sullivan. “I think they are going to mold and mesh and play well together. The first day of practice is a wrap, and just proud of their effort."
 
The Owls officially kick off the 2024-25 regular season in 42 days when they travel to Florida on Monday, Nov. 4. Florida Atlantic will open its home slate on Saturday, Nov. 9, as the Owls welcome the Mercer Bears to Paradise.

🔼 Above and Beyond. After helping lead Florida Atlantic volleyball to a 3-0 weekend in the Owls Paradise Classic, earning a five-set win over Illinois State and four-set victories against Mercer and Stetson, three Owls earned weekly American Athletic Conference honors. Victoria Hensley was named AAC Setter of the Week, Natalie Depaula earned AAC Freshman of the Week, and Madison Dyer was named AAC Weekly Honorable Mention.
 
The honors mark the first career AAC Player of the Week honors for Hensley and Depaula and the first AAC weekly honorable mention honor for Dyer.

The Owls now set their sights on AAC play as they host the East Carolina Pirates on Friday, Sept. 27. First serve is set for 6 p.m. PT inside the Elly.

🔼 Dynamic Duo. Florida Atlantic junior Daniella Diaz and senior Emmy Schleifer have been named to the American Athletic Conference women's soccer honor roll as two of the league's top five players for the week.
 
Last Thursday, the Owls took down Charlotte for the first conference win of the season. Schleifer started it off early for the Owls with her first goal of the season in the first six minutes of the match from a free kick. It was her first goal as an Owl and the second of her collegiate career. In the 22nd minute of the match, Diaz scored the first goal of her career to extend the lead for Florida Atlantic. The Owls improved their conference record to 1-1-0 on the season.

🔼 Your Scouting Report. Florida Atlantic is set to play host to Wagner this Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, at 6 p.m. at FAU Stadium. Florida Atlantic is undefeated versus Wagner. It will be the first time head coach Tom Herman has led the Owls versus the Seahawks.

The Owls' offense is led by QB Cam Fancher, who is 60-103 on the year for 557 yards and two touchdowns. Fancher's go-to receiver is slot receiver Omari Hayes, who has tallied 13 receptions for 145 yards and one TD. The run game is led by Zuberi Mobley who has 217 yards on 43 carries. Defensively, FAU is led by freshman safety CJ Heard, who leads not only the Owls but all freshmen nationally in total tackles at 32.  Captain LB Jackson Ambush is second on the squad with 30 tackles.

🔼 Sweet Sixteen. Florida Atlantic women's golf finished 16th at the Schooner Fall Classic hosted by the University of Oklahoma on Monday. The event was shortened to 36 holes due to weather.

With rounds of 73 and 76, Giulia Scarcello was the Owls' top finisher for the second consecutive event. 

The Owls will have three weeks before they hit the road again for "The Southern" hosted by Georgia Southern in Savannah, GA, beginning October 14.   

🔼 Ultimate Goals. Florida Atlantic men's soccer was once again represented in the weekly awards for the American Conference. On Monday, junior attacker Aboubacar Traore was included on the Honorable Mention list.
 
On Saturday against UAB, Traore provided a goal and an assist as the Owls rallied from a two-goal halftime deficit before ultimately falling by a 3-2 final. The Ivory Coast native delivered the cross that Noah Kvifte headed home to get the Owls on the board in the 64th minute. Traore tied the game in the 76th minute with a right-footed bullet that overpowered the UAB goalkeeper. It was his second goal of the season.

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Wednesday, Sept. 25
(No Activities Scheduled)

Thursday, Sept. 26
⚽️ Women’s Soccer vs. South Florida @ 7 p.m. ET FAUSports.com | Watch Live | Live Stats

Friday, Sept. 27
🎾 Women’s Tennis @ the Bedford Cup
🏐 Volleyball vs. ECU @ 6 p.m. ET ESPN+ | Live Stats

Saturday, Sept. 28
🎾 Women’s Tennis @ the Bedford Cup
🏈 Football vs. Wagner @ 6 p.m. ET ESPN+ | Fox Sports 640 South Florida | Live Audio | Tickets

Sunday, Sept. 29
🎾 Women’s Tennis @ the Bedford Cup
🏐 Volleyball vs. Charlotte @ 1 p.m. ET FAUSports.com | Live Stats

🦉 Go here for the complete Florida Atlantic University Athletics Calendar

⇢⇢⇢ Where is FAU’s Zuberi Mobley ranked among American Athletic Conference rushers?

Have a guess?

Scroll to the bottom to find out!

Paradise Trivia is brought to you by Choice Mortgage Group, the Official Mortgage Lender of Florida Atlantic Athletics.

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🦉 ONE BIG THING

Par For the Paradise Course. It’s time to clear those calendars!

The Answer: Zuberi Mobley, who has 217 yards on 43 carries, is ranked No. 10 among American Athletic Conference rushers.

🦉 Let’s get over the hump, y’all!