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Florida Atlantic University Athletics
10/19/2026 12:10:00 PM | Football
BOCA RATON, Fla. – Florida Atlantic's Hagerty Family Head Football Coach Zach Kittley will be joined by graduate DL Blake Burris and WR Tucker Holloway for the Tuesday, Oct. 20 press conference, airing live on ESPN+ at 12 p.m.
This week, Kittley and the Owls will preview the upcoming Homecoming contest versus the Rice Owls, scheduled for noon on Saturday, Oct. 24. It will be the seventh meeting between the two schools with each holding three wins.
Florida Atlantic football holds a 4-2 record and is 1-1 in American Conference play while Rice enters the game with a 1-6, 0-3 record and is looking for its first win versus conference foe. Saturday's game will be the third option-style opponent and the second in as many weeks.
Burris led the Owls versus Army with a career high nine tackles, including three solo. He has started every 2026 contest for FAU and is sixth among all defenders with 23 tackles and tops among defensive linemen. Holloway has also played in every contest and has been instrumental on special teams while collecting nine receptions for a total of 103 yards on offense. In the team's last outing, Holloway had three receptions for 38 yards and recorded his first collegiate touchdown.
Florida Atlantic provides a 1-2 punch in many ways. The Owls are one of two teams in the nation that are top 10 nationally in both kick return and punt return yardage, joining James Madison, who was announced last week as a future member of the American. Easton Messer is No. 1 nationally in active career receptions (248), as well as No. 2 in receiving yards (2,920), and all-purpose yards (4,175). Messer is a part of another 1-2 combo, being No. 2 among league schools in receiving yards while Kelby Valsin is No. 1 and is No. 13 nationally. Graduate QB Caden Veltkamp is No. 1 in the American averaging 26.83 yards per game and is No. 2 in completion percentage (72.2%).
To watch Tuesday afternoon's presser, click HERE. Due to a short week, there will be no ESPN+ press conference prior to the Owls' contest at UTSA.
2026 COMPLETE SCHEDULE
Click HERE.
FOLLOW THE OWLS
Inside the Owls Burrow airs on The Spot, South Florida 39 (WSFL-TV), will air the show weekly on Thursdays at 5:30 p.m. in the Miami-Ft. Lauderdale DMA with replays running to be determined. The Spot, South Florida 9 (WHDT-TV), will air the show on Thursday at 6 p.m. in the West Palm Beach-Fort Pierce DMA with replays to be determined.
Coaches Radio Show presented by Duffy's Sports Grill on St. Andrew's Boulevard in Boca Raton. Fans can join in person or listen live on FOX Sports South Florida from 6 to 7 p.m. This week's guests include Hagerty Family Head Coach Zach Kittley and Running Backs Coach Chris Perkins.
2026 ROSTER, COACHES AND SUPPORT STAFF
Click HERE.
PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS NOW
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit HERE, email tickets@fau.edu, or call 1-866-FAU-OWLS during normal business hours to order tickets or speak with a ticket sales representative.
FOLLOW THE TEAM
Stay informed by reading FAUSports.com or through football's Twitter and Instagram accounts @FAUFootball.
This week, Kittley and the Owls will preview the upcoming Homecoming contest versus the Rice Owls, scheduled for noon on Saturday, Oct. 24. It will be the seventh meeting between the two schools with each holding three wins.
Florida Atlantic football holds a 4-2 record and is 1-1 in American Conference play while Rice enters the game with a 1-6, 0-3 record and is looking for its first win versus conference foe. Saturday's game will be the third option-style opponent and the second in as many weeks.
Burris led the Owls versus Army with a career high nine tackles, including three solo. He has started every 2026 contest for FAU and is sixth among all defenders with 23 tackles and tops among defensive linemen. Holloway has also played in every contest and has been instrumental on special teams while collecting nine receptions for a total of 103 yards on offense. In the team's last outing, Holloway had three receptions for 38 yards and recorded his first collegiate touchdown.
Florida Atlantic provides a 1-2 punch in many ways. The Owls are one of two teams in the nation that are top 10 nationally in both kick return and punt return yardage, joining James Madison, who was announced last week as a future member of the American. Easton Messer is No. 1 nationally in active career receptions (248), as well as No. 2 in receiving yards (2,920), and all-purpose yards (4,175). Messer is a part of another 1-2 combo, being No. 2 among league schools in receiving yards while Kelby Valsin is No. 1 and is No. 13 nationally. Graduate QB Caden Veltkamp is No. 1 in the American averaging 26.83 yards per game and is No. 2 in completion percentage (72.2%).
To watch Tuesday afternoon's presser, click HERE. Due to a short week, there will be no ESPN+ press conference prior to the Owls' contest at UTSA.
2026 COMPLETE SCHEDULE
Click HERE.
FOLLOW THE OWLS
Inside the Owls Burrow airs on The Spot, South Florida 39 (WSFL-TV), will air the show weekly on Thursdays at 5:30 p.m. in the Miami-Ft. Lauderdale DMA with replays running to be determined. The Spot, South Florida 9 (WHDT-TV), will air the show on Thursday at 6 p.m. in the West Palm Beach-Fort Pierce DMA with replays to be determined.
Coaches Radio Show presented by Duffy's Sports Grill on St. Andrew's Boulevard in Boca Raton. Fans can join in person or listen live on FOX Sports South Florida from 6 to 7 p.m. This week's guests include Hagerty Family Head Coach Zach Kittley and Running Backs Coach Chris Perkins.
2026 ROSTER, COACHES AND SUPPORT STAFF
Click HERE.
PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS NOW
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit HERE, email tickets@fau.edu, or call 1-866-FAU-OWLS during normal business hours to order tickets or speak with a ticket sales representative.
FOLLOW THE TEAM
Stay informed by reading FAUSports.com or through football's Twitter and Instagram accounts @FAUFootball.
Players Mentioned
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Thursday, October 22
Thursday, October 22
Thursday, October 22