Upcoming Event: Football at Rice on October 4, 2025 at TBA
TBA
Football
at Rice
Florida Atlantic University Athletics
Saturday, September 27
Boca Raton, Fla.
7 p.m.
Florida Atlantic
1-3 , 0-1
26
vs
55
Memphis
5-0 , 1-0
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
F
Memphis
10
7
7
31
55
Fla. Atlantic
7
9
3
7
26
Photo by: Jessica Marshall Vernof/FAU Athletics
Owls Drop Conference Opener Against Tigers
9/27/2025 11:43:00 PM | Football
BOCA RATON, Fla. – The Florida Atlantic football team opened American Conference play with a 55-26 loss to Memphis at Flagler Credit Union Stadium on Saturday evening.
Facing a team receiving votes in the Associated Press Top 25 poll, the Owls (1-3, 0-1) built a first half lead over the Tigers (5-0, 1-0) and found themselves within one score in the fourth quarter before their American foe pulled away.
VIDEO RECAP
FIRST HALF
After conceding an opening-drive touchdown on defense, the Owls responded right back with one of their own. Redshirt junior QB Caden Veltkamp commanded the 75-yard scoring drive, highlighted by a ball down the sideline to redshirt junior WR Easton Messer that went for 35 yards. Facing a 4th-and-goal on the one-yard line, Veltkamp took it in himself to even the score at 7-7.
In the second quarter, a 13-play drive culminated in a 10-yard jet sweep touchdown from redshirt junior WR Jayshon Platt to give Florida Atlantic a 13-10 lead.
The Owls added a field goal for a 16-10 advantage before a late Tigers touchdown sent FAU to the locker room trailing by one.
SECOND HALF
The Tigers struck first in the third quarter with a rushing touchdown to extend the lead. A 50-yard haul from Messer set up redshirt senior K Garrison Smith's second field goal of the game, cutting the deficit to 24-19, before Memphis added another touchdown late in the third to build a double-digit lead.
Momentum shifted in the fourth when redshirt junior LB Leon Hart took down the Memphis quarterback for a sack and forced a fumble in the process, subsequently picked up by junior LB Khmari Johnson and returned 26 yards.
The Owls capitalized with a touchdown run from redshirt sophomore RB Xavier Terrell to bring the score to 31-26 with just over 10 minutes to go before four consecutive scores in favor of the Tigers closed the game.
OFFENSE
DEFENSE
POSTGAME AUDIO
Hagerty Family Head Football Coach Zach Kittley
Redshirt Junior QB Caden Veltkamp
Junior LB Khmari Johnson
Redshirt Junior WR Jayshon Platt
PHOTO GALLERYGallery: (9-27-2025) Memphis at Florida Atlantic
UP NEXT
Florida Atlantic will hit the road for a visit to Houston, facing Rice (3-2, 1-1) on Saturday, Oct. 4. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
FOLLOW ON SOCIAL
Stay informed by reading FAUSports.com or through social media accounts @FAUFootball.
Facing a team receiving votes in the Associated Press Top 25 poll, the Owls (1-3, 0-1) built a first half lead over the Tigers (5-0, 1-0) and found themselves within one score in the fourth quarter before their American foe pulled away.
VIDEO RECAP
FIRST HALF
After conceding an opening-drive touchdown on defense, the Owls responded right back with one of their own. Redshirt junior QB Caden Veltkamp commanded the 75-yard scoring drive, highlighted by a ball down the sideline to redshirt junior WR Easton Messer that went for 35 yards. Facing a 4th-and-goal on the one-yard line, Veltkamp took it in himself to even the score at 7-7.
In the second quarter, a 13-play drive culminated in a 10-yard jet sweep touchdown from redshirt junior WR Jayshon Platt to give Florida Atlantic a 13-10 lead.
The Owls added a field goal for a 16-10 advantage before a late Tigers touchdown sent FAU to the locker room trailing by one.
SECOND HALF
The Tigers struck first in the third quarter with a rushing touchdown to extend the lead. A 50-yard haul from Messer set up redshirt senior K Garrison Smith's second field goal of the game, cutting the deficit to 24-19, before Memphis added another touchdown late in the third to build a double-digit lead.
Momentum shifted in the fourth when redshirt junior LB Leon Hart took down the Memphis quarterback for a sack and forced a fumble in the process, subsequently picked up by junior LB Khmari Johnson and returned 26 yards.
The Owls capitalized with a touchdown run from redshirt sophomore RB Xavier Terrell to bring the score to 31-26 with just over 10 minutes to go before four consecutive scores in favor of the Tigers closed the game.
OFFENSE
- Messer set his collegiate career high with 131 receiving yards. His 50-yard catch was the Owls' longest play of the season.
- In addition to his rushing touchdown, Platt's nine receptions mark a career high. He joined Messer in the 100+ club with 101 yards.
- With 318 passing yards, Veltkamp is the first FAU quarterback since 2019 to throw for 300+ in three consecutive games.
DEFENSE
- Hart Jr. logged 11 tackles, his second double-digit game of the season.
- Redshirt senior DB Dillion Williams added seven tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss.
- A timely pass deflection came from redshirt sophomore DB Derrick Rogers Jr., thwarting a touchdown pass.
POSTGAME AUDIO
Hagerty Family Head Football Coach Zach Kittley
Redshirt Junior QB Caden Veltkamp
Junior LB Khmari Johnson
Redshirt Junior WR Jayshon Platt
PHOTO GALLERY
UP NEXT
Florida Atlantic will hit the road for a visit to Houston, facing Rice (3-2, 1-1) on Saturday, Oct. 4. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
FOLLOW ON SOCIAL
Stay informed by reading FAUSports.com or through social media accounts @FAUFootball.
Team Stats
MEM
FAU
Total Yards
487
397
Pass Yards
196
322
Rushing Yards
291
75
Penalty Yards
25
62
1st Downs
24
19
3rd Downs
6
7
4th Downs
1
3
TOP
31:05
28:55
1st Quarter
MEM 7, FAU 0
MEM - Lewis,Brendon 18 yd run (Spetic,Gianni kick), 4 plays, 75 yards, TOP 02:18
MEM 7, FAU 7
FAU - Veltkamp,Caden 1 yd run (Smith,Garrison kick), 10 plays, 75 yards, TOP 03:32
MEM 10, FAU 7
MEM - Spetic,Gianni 52 yd field goal 10 plays, 41 yards, TOP 06:02
2nd Quarter
MEM 10, FAU 13
FAU - Platt,Jayshon 10 yd run (), 13 plays, 56 yards, TOP 05:37
MEM 10, FAU 16
FAU - Smith,Garrison 27 yd field goal 9 plays, 45 yards, TOP 02:42
MEM 17, FAU 16
MEM - Desrosiers Jr.,Greg 2 yd run (Spetic,Gianni kick), 10 plays, 75 yards, TOP 01:56
3rd Quarter
MEM 24, FAU 16
MEM - Desrosiers Jr.,Greg 90 yd run (Spetic,Gianni kick), 3 plays, 99 yards, TOP 01:34
MEM 24, FAU 19
FAU - Smith,Garrison 29 yd field goal 7 plays, 67 yards, TOP 01:52
4th Quarter
MEM 31, FAU 19
MEM - Braham Jr.,Cortez 18 yd pass from Lewis,Brendon (Spetic,Gianni kick) 9 plays, 65 yards, TOP 04:34
MEM 31, FAU 26
FAU - Terrell,Xavier 1 yd run (Smith,Garrison kick), 6 plays, 19 yards, TOP 01:59
MEM 38, FAU 26
MEM - Braham Jr.,Cortez 73 yd pass from Lewis,Brendon (Spetic,Gianni kick) 2 plays, 75 yards, TOP 00:48
MEM 41, FAU 26
MEM - Spetic,Gianni 25 yd field goal 6 plays, 17 yards, TOP 03:17
MEM 48, FAU 26
MEM - Desrosiers Jr.,Greg 1 yd run (Spetic,Gianni kick), 3 plays, 48 yards, TOP 01:05
MEM 55, FAU 26
MEM - Lewis,Brendon 15 yd run (Spetic,Gianni kick), 2 plays, 15 yards, TOP 00:51
Game Leaders
Passing Leaders
CMP
31
TD
0
YDS
318
INT
0
CMP
1
TD
0
YDS
4
INT
0
Players Mentioned
LB
/ Football
WR
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WR
/ Football
DB
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K
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RB
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S
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