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Photo by: Cadence Whitehouse
10/26/2026 10:54:00 AM | Football
BOCA RATON, Fla. – A performance for the ages from fifth-year WR Easton Messer, that saw him tie Florida Atlantic football's single-game touchdown record, earned him American Conference Offensive Player of the Week as announced by the league on Monday.
Four of the Louisville, Kentucky native's five scores came on the offensive end, two rushing and two receiving, in the Owls' (5-2, 2-1) 51-49 victory over Rice. He is the first FAU wide receiver to have two rushing scores in a game, and per ESPN Insights, is the only FBS player in the last 20 seasons with two rush touchdowns, 2 receiving touchdowns, and a punt return score in the same game.
Just one week after a 14-reception performance that was one shy of his own single-game program record, he followed up with 12 catches for 168 yards against the Rice Owls (1-6, 0-4, catapulting him into the conference lead in both receptions (58) as well as receiving yards (709). He added 12 yards on the ground to make 180 of his 262 all-purpose yards come from offense.
Messer's first touchdown of the day was a two-yard rush which gave FAU its first lead at 16-14. The second was a one-yard reception to put the home Owls up 23-14. Out of halftime, Messer completed a hat trick with a five-yard rush to put FAU up 30-21 and on the next drive he had a 68-yard scoring reception from graduate QB Caden Veltkamp.
Also a Biletnikoff Award as well as Paul Hornung Award nominee, Messer is the active FBS leader in receptions (260) and is No. 2 in receiving yards (3,082) and all-purpose yards (4,437).2
For his efforts, the wideout also earned a helmet sticker from EJ Manuel on ESPN for the fantastic finish as well as league recognition and national attention.
This is the seventh weekly league accolade collected by an Owl on the season and the third player of the week. Messer previously earned Special Teams Player of the Week after recording his first punt return touchdown in Week 4 against ULM.
Messer and the Owls will look to carry their momentum into a Thursday night outing on the road against North Texas. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
2026 COMPLETE SCHEDULE
Click HERE.
2026 ROSTER, COACHES AND SUPPORT STAFF
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.
Florida Atlantic's Coaches Show, presented by Duffy's Sports Grill, will be on Tuesday, Oct. 27 from 6-7 p.m. at the 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 640 AM. Hagerty Family Head Football Coach Zach Kittley will be joined by Tight Ends Coach Jajuan Dulaney as well as Head Men's Basketball Coach John Jakus.
FOLLOW THE TEAM
Stay informed by reading FAUSports.com or through football's Twitter and Instagram accounts @FAUFootball.
Four of the Louisville, Kentucky native's five scores came on the offensive end, two rushing and two receiving, in the Owls' (5-2, 2-1) 51-49 victory over Rice. He is the first FAU wide receiver to have two rushing scores in a game, and per ESPN Insights, is the only FBS player in the last 20 seasons with two rush touchdowns, 2 receiving touchdowns, and a punt return score in the same game.
Just one week after a 14-reception performance that was one shy of his own single-game program record, he followed up with 12 catches for 168 yards against the Rice Owls (1-6, 0-4, catapulting him into the conference lead in both receptions (58) as well as receiving yards (709). He added 12 yards on the ground to make 180 of his 262 all-purpose yards come from offense.
Messer's first touchdown of the day was a two-yard rush which gave FAU its first lead at 16-14. The second was a one-yard reception to put the home Owls up 23-14. Out of halftime, Messer completed a hat trick with a five-yard rush to put FAU up 30-21 and on the next drive he had a 68-yard scoring reception from graduate QB Caden Veltkamp.
Also a Biletnikoff Award as well as Paul Hornung Award nominee, Messer is the active FBS leader in receptions (260) and is No. 2 in receiving yards (3,082) and all-purpose yards (4,437).2
For his efforts, the wideout also earned a helmet sticker from EJ Manuel on ESPN for the fantastic finish as well as league recognition and national attention.
This is the seventh weekly league accolade collected by an Owl on the season and the third player of the week. Messer previously earned Special Teams Player of the Week after recording his first punt return touchdown in Week 4 against ULM.
Messer and the Owls will look to carry their momentum into a Thursday night outing on the road against North Texas. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
2026 COMPLETE SCHEDULE
Click HERE.
2026 ROSTER, COACHES AND SUPPORT STAFF
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.
Florida Atlantic's Coaches Show, presented by Duffy's Sports Grill, will be on Tuesday, Oct. 27 from 6-7 p.m. at the 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 640 AM. Hagerty Family Head Football Coach Zach Kittley will be joined by Tight Ends Coach Jajuan Dulaney as well as Head Men's Basketball Coach John Jakus.
FOLLOW THE TEAM
Stay informed by reading FAUSports.com or through football's Twitter and Instagram accounts @FAUFootball.
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