Editor’s note: This is part 10 of a 12-part series previewing Western Kentucky’s 12 football opponents for the 2018 season.

The Hilltoppers will travel to Boca Raton, Fla., for a Nov. 10 game at Conference USA foe Florida Atlantic. Kickoff time from FAU Stadium has yet to be announced. The game will be broadcast by Stadium.

FRISCO, Texas – Devin Singletary’s father earned the nickname “Motor” with his hard-running style as a high school football player.

When Singletary took to the football fields of south Florida, he lived up to the family name.

“It was kind of passed along. I was ‘Little Motor,’ ” the Florida Atlantic running back said last month during Conference USA Media Days at The Star.

“Then when I started playing football, they saw that I was fast and powerful. That’s how it stuck with me.”

The running back known as “Motor” was one of the best in the nation last season. Singletary ran for 1,920 yards – averaging 6.38 yards per carry – with 32 touchdowns for the Owls.

For his efforts, Singletary was named Conference USA MVP and became the first AP All-American in FAU program history.

Now a junior, Singletary carries expectations for another big season. He was named last month as the C-USA Offensive Preseason Player of the Year and was one of six Owls picked to the league’s preseason team.

Florida Atlantic even placed a billboard along Interstate 95 promoting Singletary as a candidate for college football’s ultimate individual award: the Heisman Trophy.

“Honestly I never pay attention to it,” the Deerfield Beach, Fla., native said. “I keep my head down, keep working. I keep at it for my brothers. My biggest fear is to let my brothers down.”

Singletary stands 5-foot-9 and 200 pounds. He runs low to the ground and lives up to his nickname by motoring through would-be tacklers.

“I think the first guy rarely ever tackles him,” Owls coach Lane Kiffin said. “He’s got a unique ability to sense everything that’s around him. He’s not the fastest guy in the country, but he makes up for it with all his other intangibles.”

Singletary estimated more than half his 32 touchdown runs last season came after he’d run through first contact.

One of Singletary’s best outings came Oct. 28 in a 42-28 win at Western Kentucky. His bruising running style wore down the Hilltoppers as the game progressed, and he finished with 36 carries for 244 yards and four touchdowns.

“I’ve definitely got to take pride in that,” Singletary said of his powerful running. “I was taught that since I was 5 years old, never let the first man take you down.”

Singletary is Conference USA’s most heralded star, but FAU certainly isn’t a one-man show. Linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, offensive lineman Reggie Bain, tight end Harrison Bryant, cornerback Shelton Lewis and safety Jalen Young joined the running back as preseason All-C-USA selections.

The senior Al-Shaair was named Conference USA Preseason Defensive Player of the Year, giving the Owls two players expected to be the best in the league on their sides of the ball.

The practice matchups between the hard-running Singletary and hard-hitting Al-Shaair are intense, the running back said.

“We definitely go at it,” Singletary said. “We don’t take it easy on each other, that’s the best way to put it. We’re real competitive. Sometimes we might get real heated out there on the field, but that’s what we need.”

The Owls go into the 2018 season as one of the FBS’ hottest teams. They started the 2017 season 1-3, then won their final 10 games.

Florida Atlantic won the Conference USA East Division for the first time, then beat North Texas at FAU Stadium in the C-USA Championship Game. Kiffin’s Owls stayed on their home field for the Boca Raton Bowl, in which they pummeled Akron 50-3.

FAU was picked to repeat as C-USA East champs, receiving 22 of 26 first-place votes in the division. Second-place Marshall received the other four.

“It should be a great year again as long as we keep working, keep at it,” Singletary said. “We’ll see what happens.”

Best offensive player

Devin “Motor” Singletary, Running back, Junior

Singletary’s 32 rushing touchdowns last season ranked third in FBS history behind Oklahoma State’s Barry Sanders (37, 1988) and Wisconsin’s Montee Ball (33, 2011). His 33 TDs from scrimmage also ranked third all-time behind Ball (39, 2011) and Sanders (37, 1988).

Best defensive player

Azeez Al-Shaair, Linebacker, Senior

Al-Shaair racked up 147 tackles last season, most in Conference USA and fifth-most across the FBS. The Tampa, Fla., native was a Freshman All-American in 2015 and has made 354 tackles during his career.

Head coach

Lane Kiffin (11-3, second season; 46-24 overall)

2017 season results

11-3 overall, 8-0 Conference USA, Conference USA champions, Boca Raton Bowl champions

Series history vs. Western Kentucky

Florida Atlantic leads 6-3 (Owls won last meeting 42-28 on Oct. 28 in Bowling Green).