Redshirt sophomore throws for two touchdowns to senior tight end Harrison Bryant in rain-shortened scrimmage

BOCA RATON — Florida Atlantic coach Lane Kiffin doesn’t think he’s seen enough just yet to announce a starting quarterback ahead of the Owls’ Aug. 31 season-opener at Ohio State.

Kiffin’s comments, made after Saturday’s rain-shortened scrimmage at FAU Stadium, came following a two-touchdown, no-interception performance by redshirt sophomore Chris Robison. Both of Robison’s scores went to senior tight end Harrison Bryant.

Redshirt sophomore Nick Tronti didn’t throw a touchdown and had two turnovers. Senior safety and former Royal Palm High standout Da’Von Brown intercepted Tronti during the scrimmage.

Tronti also fumbled a handoff, allowing redshirt sophomore defensive back Ahman Ross to recover the ball for a touchdown.

“The big deal talking with the quarterbacks today was going to be a ‘No Turnover Saturday,’” Kiffin said. “And Nick actually had three days in a row with no turnovers, so unfortunately that didn’t go to four days in a row.”

FAU’s offense moved better for the second straight scrimmage with Robison at the helm. He played cautiously and threw the ball out of bounds when pressured rather than try to force a completion.

“He can only control what he can control, so that’s a positive that he’s throwing it away (and) taking less sacks, which had been an issue in camp with him,” Kiffin said.

Robison connected with Bryant for a 34-yard touchdown early in the scrimmage. The two hooked up again later for an 11-yard score.

“The defense blew an assignment, he’s running down the field wide open just yelling at me — he can scream pretty loud as well,” Robison said of Bryant.

Robison also threw two touchdowns without an interception in last Saturday’s scrimmage. Tronti had a touchdown and two picks last week.

Robison was asked if he feels he has done enough to make his case as FAU’s starting quarterback.

“Me and Nick have done a great job,” Robison replied. “I think I’ve done a great job, especially from last year; I think I’ve boosted my play.

“But I can’t really make that decision just because I think we’ve both been making really good plays, both in the scrimmages and during practices.”

True freshman Javion Posey, promoted to third-string quarterback with junior Justin Agner sidelined because of an illness, also threw two touchdown passes.

Agner has not practiced since last Saturday’s scrimmage because of a lingering illness. Kiffin said Agner’s test results were “fairly positive” but that he had a setback Saturday morning. Agner threw up after eating his breakfast.

Posey’s first score came on a 32-yard pass to walk-on Ronald Patterson, though his second touchdown was arguably the offense’s top play Saturday. Posey caught a wild snap with one hand and threw a short pass to walk-on running back Daniel Leconte, who found open space and sprinted downfield for a 51-yard score.

Kiffin said he spoke with Posey about playing wide receiver this season, considering how many quarterbacks are ahead of him on the depth chart. Posey, a 6-foot-1, 185-pound freshman from Greenville, Ala., saw action at wide receiver before the scrimmage.

“We think he’s going to be a really good quarterback, but he’s not going to play quarterback probably for us this year,” Kiffin said.

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