Heading into Saturday’s Homecoming game against the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, coach Matt Rhule said allowing big plays on defense and offensive line play were the biggest issues through the team’s first three games.
When sophomore running back Ryquell Armstead bounced a run up the middle to the outside, stiff-arming a defender on the way to the end zone for a third quarter touchdown, senior offensive lineman Dion Dawkins and redshirt-senior offensive lineman Brendan McGowan high-fived and celebrated at the five yard line.
The touchdown, which put the Owls up by 31 points at the time, was a minute detail in the Owls’ 48-20 win, but was a sign of improvement.