Upcoming Event: Football versus Navy on September 12, 2026 at 7:30 p.m.
7:30 p.m.
Football
vs. Navy
Florida Atlantic University Athletics
Football Game Notes Week #1
9/1/2026 3:53:00 PM | Football
BOCA RATON, Fla. – Florida Atlantic football kicks off its 2026 season on Saturday, Sept. 5 taking on Florida in the Swamp. Kickoff is at 7:45 p.m. on SEC Network.
Second-year Hagerty Family Head Football Coach Zach Kittley has prepped the Owls for the season opener and will look to lead them to their first program victory over the Gators. There have been four previous meetings, all in Gainesville, last being the 2021 season opener. Most notably in 2015, FAU was on the brink of a historic upset over the then-No. 8 Florida, falling just short in overtime, 20-14.
The Owls return graduate QB Caden Veltkamp, who led a unit that finished the 2025 season No. 1 nationally in passing offense with 340.2 yards per game. Veltkamp finished the season ranked No. 1 with 28.75 completed passes per game.
Defensively, Florida Atlantic brings back its leading tackler in graduate LB Leon Hart Jr. alongside DL CJ Doggette Jr., who paced the team with seven tackles for loss, including four sacks, a year ago.
Fifth-year WR Easton Messer and FAU's return unit completed the 2025 season ranked No. 3 nationally in punt returns averaging 18.87 yards per return. Individually, Messer was No. 1 in receptions per game at 8.67.
2026 COMPLETE SCHEDULE
Click HERE.
2026 SUMMER PROSPECTUS
Click HERE.
2026 ROSTER, COACHES AND SUPPORT STAFF
Click HERE.
PURCHASE YOUR 2026 SEASON TICKETS NOW
2026 Florida Atlantic Football season tickets are now sale. Tickets start at $75 plus a $5 processing charge per seat, along with various premium seating options. 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.
Second-year Hagerty Family Head Football Coach Zach Kittley has prepped the Owls for the season opener and will look to lead them to their first program victory over the Gators. There have been four previous meetings, all in Gainesville, last being the 2021 season opener. Most notably in 2015, FAU was on the brink of a historic upset over the then-No. 8 Florida, falling just short in overtime, 20-14.
The Owls return graduate QB Caden Veltkamp, who led a unit that finished the 2025 season No. 1 nationally in passing offense with 340.2 yards per game. Veltkamp finished the season ranked No. 1 with 28.75 completed passes per game.
Defensively, Florida Atlantic brings back its leading tackler in graduate LB Leon Hart Jr. alongside DL CJ Doggette Jr., who paced the team with seven tackles for loss, including four sacks, a year ago.
Fifth-year WR Easton Messer and FAU's return unit completed the 2025 season ranked No. 3 nationally in punt returns averaging 18.87 yards per return. Individually, Messer was No. 1 in receptions per game at 8.67.
2026 COMPLETE SCHEDULE
Click HERE.
2026 SUMMER PROSPECTUS
Click HERE.
2026 ROSTER, COACHES AND SUPPORT STAFF
Click HERE.
PURCHASE YOUR 2026 SEASON TICKETS NOW
2026 Florida Atlantic Football season tickets are now sale. Tickets start at $75 plus a $5 processing charge per seat, along with various premium seating options. 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
DL
/ Football
LB
/ Football
WR
/ Football
QB
/ FootballFriday, September 11
Friday, September 11
Thursday, September 10
Wednesday, September 09