FAU’s Van Camp does the job when called on

Florida Atlantic will bring a tall, rifle-armed quarterback to Troy Saturday, but not the one it had planned.

Owls junior Jeff Van Camp took over the starting duties two weeks ago when starter — and perhaps the most acclaimed quarterback in FAU history — Rusty Smith went down with a season-ending shoulder injury.

Smith led the Owls to a win over Troy in 2007, sending FAU to the New Orleans Bowl and garnering Smith, then a sophomore, Sun Belt Player of the Year honors. Smith threw for 3,224 yards and 24 touchdowns last year and was the Preseason Co-Offensive Player of the Year in the Sun Belt this year.

But the 6-foot-5 Smith injured his non-throwing shoulder Oct. 31. The 6-foot-5 Van Camp, a junior, has thrown for 693 yards, six touchdowns and two interceptions this season. FAU lost to UAB 56-29 in his first start but defeated Arkansas State 35-18 last week.

FAU and Troy play Saturday in Troy at 3:15 p.m. Van Camp, who is from Gulf Breeze, Fla., said he would have 10 to 15 family members and friends in attendance.

“I’m pretty excited because a lot of them will be able to see me play for the first time,” Van Camp said. “It’s like a homecoming for me, because it’s only 3 1/2 hours from home.”

Van Camp went to some Troy games in 2005 and attended camps at Troy, but he was never offered. Troy signed quarterbacks Jonathan Chandler and Tanner Jones that year, but FAU was Van Camp’s first choice.

“I liked the pro-style offense and coach (Howard) Schnellenberger,” Van Camp said.

“Troy was definitely in my top three, and I did have a little bit of interest in going there.”

Van Camp has hit 67 percent of his passes in his two starts with three touchdown passes in both games, making the quarterback change from Smith to Van Camp seem smooth.

“The new leader of our offensive team [Jeff Van Camp] proved that last week was not a fluke,” Schnellenberger said after the win over ASU. “His performance today demonstrates he has a big upside, the same kind of capacity that Rusty Smith had, and he has shown great manhood by waiting his turn so nobly.”

Smith will rehab his shoulder and work out for NFL teams, hoping to get drafted or sign a free agent deal. Van Camp said he learned a lot while waiting his turn.

“Rusty’s one of the best quarterbacks at reading the defense,” Van Camp said. “He’s been a great quarterback the past few years, and if I was going to sit behind a guy for three years, it would definitely be him.”