If there are any silver linings of the start to FAU’s season being postponed four times, one would be it ensured one of the Owls’ most important defensive players would be able to play in the opener.
Linebacker/safety Ahman Ross rejoined the team earlier this week after finishing a 14-day quarantine period due to being exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19.
FAU postponed its season opener scheduled for Sept. 19 after 18 members of the program tested positive for the coronavirus throughout the previous week. Ross would’ve had to sit out the game against the Eagles and the Owls’ Sept. 26 game versus USF — which was also postponed — due to contact tracing.
It was the second 14-day quarantine period Ross had to go through due to contact tracing since the team started practices last month.
“It was definitely tough at first,” Ross said about quarantining for 28 total days since FAU started practices in early August despite never testing positive for COVID-19.
“The guys kept me involved,” he added. “I didn’t miss a meeting [on Zoom]. I didn’t get the physical part with the reps, but I was still a part of every meeting. Guys were checking on me on both offense and defense, making sure I was OK.
“It’s a brotherhood. We say ‘BOB’ — band of brothers. It’s not just something we use as a hashtag, that’s actually how we feel about each other.”
Ross’ return to practice came just in time for FAU’s season opener versus Conference-USA foe Charlotte Saturday at FAU Stadium.
The redshirt junior has been credited by his teammates and coaches as being one of the team’s key defensive leaders.
“With him being back, you just feel the energy in practice, especially on defense,” FAU coach Willie Taggart said. “He’s a leader on our football team and was voted as a captain. [Tuesday] he spoke to the guys and I thought his message was great.”
And what message did Ross send to his teammates?
“I was just letting the guys know we have to take every moment in — whether it’s practice, walk-throughs or even lifts,” he said. “We can’t take them for granted because these are things that can be easily taken away from us with COVID, quarantine and things of that nature.”
Taggart joked Ross will probably try to be a loner after having to miss nearly a month’s worth of practices.
“I’m definitely being extremely careful of who I’m around,” Ross said, “always wearing my mask and things of that nature.”
FAU defensive coordinator Jim Leavitt has called Ross a “special player” that the team will need, especially because of his versatility on the field.
“Ahman plays everywhere,” Leavitt said. “He plays some safety still. Sometimes he’s outside linebacker, sometimes he’s inside linebacker.”
Ross takes pride in being able to play multiple positions.
“The more I can do and do for this team, the better,” he said. “It allows our coaches to be able to make certain calls. They don’t have to switch personnel. It helps the defense and it helps coaches out with play-calling.”
By the time Saturday’s game kicks off, FAU would’ve had almost two months of practice without playing a game due to its season opener being postponed four times due to COVID-19-related reasons.
Ross said the extra time has helped defensive players be dialed into Leavitt’s defense.
“Defense, sometimes with certain calls and certain packages, it depends on how many reps you get,” he said. “We have had a lot of repetition, plays and practices. With that constant repetition, we know the standard and we know how he wants it and we know how we are going to play it.”
Matchup rescheduled
The FAU-Georgia Southern matchup that was postponed due to the Owls’ COVID-19 outbreak has been rescheduled for Saturday, Dec. 5. at Paulson Stadium in Statesboro, Ga. — the same day the Conference USA championship game is scheduled to take place.
If the Owls don’t make the title game, they’ll play against the Eagles that weekend.
