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Florida Atlantic University Athletics
Farrow American Special Teams Player of the Week; Two Honorable Mentions
10/5/2026 9:27:00 AM | Football
BOCA RATON, Fla. – After tying an FBS single-game record with two kick return touchdowns, Florida Atlantic's fifth-year RB Leonard Farrow has received the American Conference's Special Teams Player of the Week honors. Additionally, senior WR Kelby Valsin and DL Wilky Denaud were named honorable mentions by the conference, announced on Monday.
The Owls (4-1) earned these recognitions fresh off recording the largest margin of victory in program history, a 66-10 victory over Texas Southern. For the first time at FAU, all three phases: offense, defense, and special teams, scored touchdowns. The trio of American honorees combined for six TDs.
Farrow's opening kickoff return for the 98-yard score was impressive on its own, tied for the second longest return in team history and making him only the second Owl to take a kickoff to the house, alongside NFL pro Kerrith Whyte.
But it was his very next return six minutes later where he solidified his name in the NCAA record book with a 92-yard score, tying the single-game FBS mark and becoming the first player with two kick return touchdowns in one game since 2023.
Farrow follows fifth-year WR Easton Messer who received the special teams honor in the previous week with a 73-yard punt return touchdown. Under Special Teams Coordinator Tyler Schovanec, the Owls have now scored both a kick and punt return touchdown in the same season for the first time in program history.
On offense, Valsin hauled in seven catches for a career-best 126 yards and three touchdowns. All three of his scores came in the second quarter to give the Owls a program-record 49 points at halftime.
Defensively, Denaud recovered a fumble and returned it 31 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter. He finished the night with five tackles, including a tackle assist for a loss.
Six Owls have now been honored by the American in the past four weeks. Entering the bye weekend, Florida Atlantic is on top of the conference standings with a 4-1 record, 1-0 in league play, its best start to a season since 2020.
American Conference play resumes on Saturday, Oct. 17 when the Owls face Army on the road at noon on CBS Sports Network.
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.
FOLLOW THE TEAM
Stay informed by reading FAUSports.com or through football's Twitter and Instagram accounts @FAUFootball.
The Owls (4-1) earned these recognitions fresh off recording the largest margin of victory in program history, a 66-10 victory over Texas Southern. For the first time at FAU, all three phases: offense, defense, and special teams, scored touchdowns. The trio of American honorees combined for six TDs.
Farrow's opening kickoff return for the 98-yard score was impressive on its own, tied for the second longest return in team history and making him only the second Owl to take a kickoff to the house, alongside NFL pro Kerrith Whyte.
But it was his very next return six minutes later where he solidified his name in the NCAA record book with a 92-yard score, tying the single-game FBS mark and becoming the first player with two kick return touchdowns in one game since 2023.
Farrow follows fifth-year WR Easton Messer who received the special teams honor in the previous week with a 73-yard punt return touchdown. Under Special Teams Coordinator Tyler Schovanec, the Owls have now scored both a kick and punt return touchdown in the same season for the first time in program history.
On offense, Valsin hauled in seven catches for a career-best 126 yards and three touchdowns. All three of his scores came in the second quarter to give the Owls a program-record 49 points at halftime.
Defensively, Denaud recovered a fumble and returned it 31 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter. He finished the night with five tackles, including a tackle assist for a loss.
Six Owls have now been honored by the American in the past four weeks. Entering the bye weekend, Florida Atlantic is on top of the conference standings with a 4-1 record, 1-0 in league play, its best start to a season since 2020.
American Conference play resumes on Saturday, Oct. 17 when the Owls face Army on the road at noon on CBS Sports Network.
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.
FOLLOW THE TEAM
Stay informed by reading FAUSports.com or through football's Twitter and Instagram accounts @FAUFootball.
Players Mentioned
Saturday, October 03
Friday, October 02
Wednesday, September 30
Wednesday, September 30