By Pete Pelegrin
Twitter: @Petepelegrin

Usually when quarterbacks and receivers get together in the offseason to work on pass routes they'll try to run as many as they can in one workout. However, when FIU quarterback Alex McGough and receiver Thomas Owens worked out during the summer the duo concentrated on just two routes at a time per workout.

Having to learn a new offense since new FIU Coach Butch Davis and new offensive coordinator Rich Skrosky took over at the end of last year, McGough and Owens worked out at least three times a week, every week since spring football ended leading into training camp.

During these workouts the quarterback and receiver simplified the offense by taking two routes at a time and discussing any and every possibility about the route.

"We focused on the details of every route but only two at a time," said McGough, who begins his senior season as FIU's all-time touchdown pass leader with 48. "For example we would go to the goal line and run a route. Then we would go to the 20. We talked about what would happen if the defense is in man-to-man or Cover 1 or Cover 2. Or if I got a high rush I would have to step up and he has to find space in the zone."

Owens, who entered FIU the same season as McGough in 2014, is a gifted, physical receiver with Velcro hands. Throughout his time at FIU, Owens has had some impressive games and made some spectacular catches.

Among the top 10 most receiving yards in a game in FIU history, Owens has two spots: 166 yards (No. 5 all-time) against Indiana in 2015 and 148 yards (No.  8) against Charlotte last season. Only one other receiver in FIU history has more top 10 games -- T.Y. Hilton, the Indianapolis Colts All-Pro receiver, has four, including the program record of 201 yards at Louisville.

Owens has also been known for highlight reels grabs like the one-handed catch, falling to the ground at UTEP last season.

But Owens would be the first to admit that he had a lot to learn about breaking down defenses and figuring out coverages coming out of Atlantic Community High.

"One of the things I've focused on improving this year is being able to see a defense and figure out what they are trying to do," Owens said. "Alex and I focused on repetition because the more you do something the easier it becomes once you are in the game. Doing two routes at a time is better in my opinion because it becomes second nature like waking up in the morning."

FIU receivers coach Aubrey Hill, who had a stellar career as a receiver leading Florida to three SEC championships, agrees with the approach McGough and Owens took to their offseason work.

"You want to detail your work," Hill said. "You want to get specific at some things and sometimes you can overload the mind and body with doing everything as opposed to let's get better at something. They wanted to break it down and get better and they wanted to work on their chemistry. In my opinion I think that's the right philosophy picking two concepts or two routes where they could just get better."

McGough and Owens already have the passing game numbers. Now they want to help the Panthers take the next step and get back to a bowl game for the first time since 2011. Perfecting their craft is a good start to that goal.

"[Owens] has those baseball gloves in each one of his hands," McGough said. "I feel very confident throwing it up to him or down to him, wherever he's going to catch it for me. His knowledge of the game has become so much better. He's really become a student of the game and not just going out there running routes. That really has helped him and me and it will help our team."