Posted by ESPN.com’s Graham Watson

Jeff Van Camp might be charged with jump-starting Florida Atlantic run to bowl eligibility.

The redshirt junior is the likely starter against UAB this week after senior starter Rusty Smith suffered an injury to his non-throwing shoulder against Middle Tennessee last week.

Smith’s initial prognosis was a sprained left AC joint, but he was re-examined Monday and a full report will be released Tuesday.

"At this juncture, we will proceed as if Jeff Van Camp will be this Saturday's starter," coach Howard Schnellenberger said in a statement.

Van Camp already has shown he can work under pressure. He replaced Smith for the Owls' final drive in a 27-20 loss to Middle Tennessee and nearly led them to the game-winning score. On fourth-and-4 with about a minute remaining, Van Camp found receiver Cortez Gent at the 8-yard line. However, Gent was ruled out of bounds.

Van Camp completed 5-of-9 passes for 73 yards against Middle Tennessee. This season he is 14-of-31 for 197 yards.

The Owls are 2-5 this season, but not yet out of a possible at-large playoff berth. If they win out, they could earn a place in one of the Sun Belt’s secondary bowls. Or, at 6-6, FAU could be picked up as an at-large somewhere else. Last season, the Owls went to the Motor City Bowl with a 6-6 record.