Upcoming Event: Football versus UTSA on November 5, 2026 at 7:30 p.m.
7:30 p.m.
Football
vs. UTSA
Florida Atlantic University Athletics
Saturday, September 19
Boca Raton, Fla.
6 p.m.
Florida Atlantic
2-1 , 1-0
16
vs
10
FIU
1-2 , 0-0
| Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FIU | 0 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 10 |
| Fla. Atlantic | 7 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 16 |
Photo by: JC Ridley
9/19/2026 11:07:00 PM | Football
BOCA RATON, Fla. – Shula Bowl XXIV came down to three fourth-quarter defensive stops, with the Florida Atlantic football team emerging victorious in the 16-10 victory on Howard Schnellenberger Field at Flagler Credit Union Stadium Saturday evening.
The Owls (2-1) achieved their narrowest margin of victory over the Panthers in program history (1-2) in the lowest scoring Shula Bowl in the game's 24-year existence.
Down to a final red zone stand, a pass attempt into the end zone fell short as time expired, returning the Shula Bowl Trophy to Boca Raton and extending the all-time FAU series lead to 18-5.
THE BEGINNING
The Owls nabbed three interceptions in the first quarter alone, matching the full-game mark from their 2024 Shula Bowl victory.
Senior EDGE Jonathan Bax as well as DBs Chris Tooley III and Bo Simpson-Nealy each logged one pick, and the Owls capitalized with 10 points off a four-yard touchdown from fifth-year RB Leonard Farrow and a chip-shot field goal for grad K Collin Rogers.
FIU drove down the field to score before halftime with Florida Atlantic remaining ahead at 10-7.
THE TURNING POINT
The Owls grew their lead with back-to-back Rogers field goals, with the Panthers tacking on one of their own early in the fourth quarter to keep the game within one possession.
With Florida Atlantic up by six with 10 minutes remaining, FIU drove down the field and faced a 4th-and-4 on the Owls' 9-yard line. Graduate DB Damarius McGhee broke up a would-be touchdown to enforce the turnover-on-downs.
THE FINISH
Another fourth-down stop, this time via a sack from senior EDGE Jay Crable, thwarted a second Panther comeback attempt at midfield with two-and-a-half minutes left on the clock.
While the Owls' offense stalled, junior P Reed Chandley successfully flipped the field on a 43-yard punt downed by junior LB Nate Fischer at the 1-yard line. The Panthers made one final march into the red zone, but Florida Atlantic's defense held firm for the third and final stand of the quarter and game.
OFFENSE
DEFENSE
SPECIAL TEAMS
VIDEO RECAP
CINEMATIC RECAP
SHULA BOWL MVPS
Florida Atlantic:
DB Chris Tooley III: 5 tackles, 1 INT, 1 TFL, 1 FF
FIU:
WR Maguire Anderson: 8 catches, 139 yards, 41 long
POSTGAME AUDIO
Hagerty Family Head Football Coach Zach Kittley
Senior DB Chris Tooley III
Fifth Year WR Easton Messer
PHOTO GALLERYGallery: (9-19-2026) FIU at Florida Atlantic
UP NEXT
The Owls will travel for their final non-conference road game, facing ULM. Kickoff on Saturday, Sept. 26 in Monroe, Louisiana, is scheduled for 8 p.m. Eastern on ESPN+.
FOLLOW ON SOCIAL
Stay informed by reading FAUSports.com or through social media accounts @FAUFootball.
The Owls (2-1) achieved their narrowest margin of victory over the Panthers in program history (1-2) in the lowest scoring Shula Bowl in the game's 24-year existence.
Down to a final red zone stand, a pass attempt into the end zone fell short as time expired, returning the Shula Bowl Trophy to Boca Raton and extending the all-time FAU series lead to 18-5.
THE BEGINNING
The Owls nabbed three interceptions in the first quarter alone, matching the full-game mark from their 2024 Shula Bowl victory.
Senior EDGE Jonathan Bax as well as DBs Chris Tooley III and Bo Simpson-Nealy each logged one pick, and the Owls capitalized with 10 points off a four-yard touchdown from fifth-year RB Leonard Farrow and a chip-shot field goal for grad K Collin Rogers.
FIU drove down the field to score before halftime with Florida Atlantic remaining ahead at 10-7.
THE TURNING POINT
The Owls grew their lead with back-to-back Rogers field goals, with the Panthers tacking on one of their own early in the fourth quarter to keep the game within one possession.
With Florida Atlantic up by six with 10 minutes remaining, FIU drove down the field and faced a 4th-and-4 on the Owls' 9-yard line. Graduate DB Damarius McGhee broke up a would-be touchdown to enforce the turnover-on-downs.
THE FINISH
Another fourth-down stop, this time via a sack from senior EDGE Jay Crable, thwarted a second Panther comeback attempt at midfield with two-and-a-half minutes left on the clock.
While the Owls' offense stalled, junior P Reed Chandley successfully flipped the field on a 43-yard punt downed by junior LB Nate Fischer at the 1-yard line. The Panthers made one final march into the red zone, but Florida Atlantic's defense held firm for the third and final stand of the quarter and game.
OFFENSE
- The offense stayed turnover-free for the second straight game. The last time this occurred for the Owls was in 2022: Oct. 29 versus UAB (24-17 victory) and Nov. 12 at FIU (52-7 win)
- Graduate QB Caden Veltkamp completed 24 of his 36 passing attempts for 202 yards. His top target was fifth-year WR Easton Messer with 83 yards on seven catches.
- Farrow recorded his first Division I touchdown.
DEFENSE
- In just three games, the Owls have surpassed their 2025 interception total, now up to five. Simpson-Nealy has two, coming in consecutive weeks.
- Tooley III won the Shula Bowl MVP after finishing with five tackles, one for a loss, a forced fumble and a 47-yard interception return that set up FAU's touchdown.
- Fifth-year LB Joseph Sipp Jr. recorded the Owls' first double-digit tackle game of the season, finishing with 11.
- 10 points allowed is the least amount by a Florida Atlantic defense against an FBS opponent since the 52-7 Shula Bowl victory on Nov. 12, 2022.
SPECIAL TEAMS
- Chandley recorded multiple 50-yard punts, including a season-long of 56.
- Rogers had his first game with three made field goals since Nov. 23, 2024.
VIDEO RECAP
CINEMATIC RECAP
The Shula Bowl is back in Paradise. Week 03 Recap #WIP🏝️ https://t.co/aQZuksJd5R
— Florida Atlantic Football (@FAUFootball) September 22, 2026
SHULA BOWL MVPS
Florida Atlantic:
DB Chris Tooley III: 5 tackles, 1 INT, 1 TFL, 1 FF
FIU:
WR Maguire Anderson: 8 catches, 139 yards, 41 long
POSTGAME AUDIO
Hagerty Family Head Football Coach Zach Kittley
Senior DB Chris Tooley III
Fifth Year WR Easton Messer
PHOTO GALLERY
UP NEXT
The Owls will travel for their final non-conference road game, facing ULM. Kickoff on Saturday, Sept. 26 in Monroe, Louisiana, is scheduled for 8 p.m. Eastern on ESPN+.
FOLLOW ON SOCIAL
Stay informed by reading FAUSports.com or through social media accounts @FAUFootball.
Players Mentioned
EDGE
/ Football
P
/ Football
EDGE
/ Football
RB
/ Football
LB
/ Football
DB
/ Football
WR
/ Football
K
/ Football
DB
/ Football
LB
/ Football
CB
/ Football
QB
/ FootballTeam Stats
FIU
FAU
Total Yards
357
260
Pass Yards
262
204
Rushing Yards
95
56
Penalty Yards
65
83
1st Downs
21
17
3rd Downs
9
6
4th Downs
2
1
TOP
34:07
25:53
1st Quarter
FIU 0, FAU 7
FAU - Farrow,Leonard 4 yd run (Rogers,Collin kick), 2 plays, 9 yards, TOP 00:23
2nd Quarter
FIU 0, FAU 10
FAU - Rogers,Collin 16 yd field goal 7 plays, 22 yards, TOP 00:33
FIU 7, FAU 10
FIU - Kohl,JJ 3 yd run (Czeremcha,Robert kick), 13 plays, 58 yards, TOP 05:32
3rd Quarter
FIU 7, FAU 13
FAU - Rogers,Collin 30 yd field goal 16 plays, 51 yards, TOP 06:11
FIU 7, FAU 16
FAU - Rogers,Collin 36 yd field goal 10 plays, 47 yards, TOP 03:17
4th Quarter
FIU 10, FAU 16
FIU - Czeremcha,Robert 36 yd field goal 12 plays, 57 yards, TOP 04:25
Game Leaders
CMP
25
TD
0
YDS
204
INT
0
Friday, October 30
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Wednesday, October 28