Florida Atlantic Owls News Page 2 - College Football

Texas takes No. 1 in the AP Top 25, Oregon falls and Michigan returns

Texas claimed the No. 1 spot in the AP Top 25 after a historic comeback against Ohio State

SEPTEMBER 13 • Associated Press

Veltkamp throws 5 TD passes and Rogers kicks 60-yard FG to help Florida Atlantic beat Navy 38-30

Caden Veltkamp throws five touchdown passes for Florida Atlantic, leading them to a 38-30 victory over Navy in an American Conference opener

SEPTEMBER 13 • Associated Press

How to watch Navy vs Florida Atlantic: Live stream NCAA College Football, TV channel The Navy Midshipmen (1-0) take a five-game winning streak into their American opener in Boca Raton on Saturday night against the Florida Atl...

SEPTEMBER 12 • THEBIGLEAD.COM

Brooks Johnson - Sidelined for Week 2 Johnson (undisclosed) is out for Week 2 against Navy and there's no definite timeline for his return, per FAU Owls Nest.

Impact Johnson has yet to play this season and he may be sidelined for a while as there's no clear timeline for his return. The Owls' No. 2 tight end, who transferred from Coastal Carolina this offseason, reeled in 11 catches for 87 yards and a score with the Chanticleers last fall. However, he may have a hard time surpassing those numbers this season if his ailment continues to limit him.

SEPTEMBER 8 • ROTOWIRE

Kelby Valsin - Paces FAU receivers in loss Valsin caught 10 of 15 targets for 92 yards and one touchdown during Saturday's 66-21 defeat against Florida.

Impact Valsin was heavily targeted Saturday night, totaling 15 targets as starting quarterback Caden Veltkamp looked his way often. It was a breakout game for the wideout, who in two years with Texas Tech hauled in just six targets for 56 yards total. He also reeled in his first career touchdown on a 20-yard catch late in the third quarter. Valsin and Easton Messer appear set to lead the receiving corps once again against Navy next Saturday.

SEPTEMBER 7 • ROTOWIRE

Easton Messer - Starts season with 73 yards Messer posted seven receptions (on 13 targets) for 73 yards during Saturday's 66-21 loss against Florida.

Impact There is no need to panic early about Messer's performance Saturday, as the entire offense struggled to click against the Gators' relentless defense. The wideout was targeted 13 times, which indicates starting quarterback Caden Veltkamp will continue to lean on his WR1. Even without reaching the end zone, his 73 receiving yards were impressive given the nature of the blowout. Fellow wideout Kelby Valsin had a big first game with the Owls (10-92-1), so it appears the two will become a reliable duo for Veltkamp as the season progresses.

SEPTEMBER 7 • ROTOWIRE

Ethan Ervin - Scores first touchdown of career Ervin posted 16 rushes for 50 yards and one touchdown during Saturday's 66-21 defeat versus Florida.

Impact Ervin recorded his first collegiate touchdown on a seven-yard run in the second quarter. He led the Owls' backfield with 16 carries, splitting snaps with Leonard Farrow (10-51-0). Florida Atlantic's offense is pass-heavy, but if Ervin continues to impress in the backfield, the team could rely on him moving forward.

SEPTEMBER 7 • ROTOWIRE

Caden Veltkamp - Struggles against Florida Veltkamp was 34-for-52 passing for 276 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions during Saturday's 66-21 defeat to Florida. He also had six rushes for one yard with one touchdown.

Impact Veltkamp is no stranger to struggling in season openers, as last season he threw four interceptions to begin the 2025 campaign against Maryland. He once again faced a strong team in Florida and wasn't efficient, throwing two interceptions while attempting a staggering 52 passes. However, he did salvage his performance by rushing for a seven-yard touchdown. The bright spot of his night was that he played the entire game, surprisingly not being pulled before the fourth quarter when the score was 38-14 in favor of the Gators. He will look to bounce back against Navy next Saturday in the first conference game of the season for FAU.

SEPTEMBER 7 • ROTOWIRE

Jadan Baugh runs wild in the Swamp as Florida opens the Jon Sumrall era with a 66-21 win over FAU

Jadan Baugh ran for 160 yards and three touchdowns, and Florida opened the Jon Sumrall era with a 66-21 win over Florida Atlantic

SEPTEMBER 6 • Associated Press

How to watch Florida vs Florida Atlantic: Live stream College Football, NCAA, TV channel The Florida Gators will take on the Florida Atlantic Owls on Saturday at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in a Week 1 college football matchup. Nov...

SEPTEMBER 5 • THEBIGLEAD.COM

College football coaching changes put Kiffin, Whittingham, Sumrall and others in new places

College football’s coaching carousel was a doozy last winter, putting some new faces in new places

SEPTEMBER 2 • Associated Press

AJ Johnson - Listed as starter for Week 1 Johnson (knee) is listed as a starter on the depth chart ahead of Week 1 against Florida on Saturday.

Impact Johnson was dealing with a knee injury in camp but returned to full practice in mid-August. With the senior TE listed as a starter on the depth chart in the season opener, it's safe to say his knee injury is a thing of the past.

SEPTEMBER 1 • ROTOWIRE

Ethan Ervin - Listed on Week 1 depth chart Ervin is listed on the depth chart ahead of Saturday's game at Florida.

Impact Ervin is one of the four running backs listed on the depth chart ahead of the season opener. Since FAU is likely to employ a committee-based approach in the backfield, it's unclear how many touches Ervin could get compared to the other tailbacks. That makes him a risky option across all formats.

SEPTEMBER 1 • ROTOWIRE

Kaden Shields-Dutton - Listed on depth chart for Week 1 Shields-Dutton is listed on the depth chart for Friday's Week 1 matchup at Florida.

Impact Shields-Dutton is one of four RBs listed as starters for FAU ahead of the season opener, and it wouldn't be surprising if they adopt a committee approach at the beginning of the campaign. Shields-Dutton appeared in 11 games for FAU in 2025, racking up 84 carries for 460 yards (5.5 YPC) and six touchdowns.

SEPTEMBER 1 • ROTOWIRE

Sammy’s Sportsbook Whispers: Wise Guys Back Notre Dame, Fade Florida

Welcome to Sammy’s Sportsbook Whispers. This week, Sammy P breaks down what wise guys are betting ahead of college football Week 0.

AUGUST 27 • FOX SPORTS

Sammy’s Sportsbook Whispers: Wise Guys Back Notre Dame, Fade Florida

College Football Rankings: Where All 138 FBS Teams Stand Ahead Of 2026 Kickoff

Ahead of the 2026 college football season, FOX Sports' RJ Young ranked every single FBS team — all 138 of 'em.

AUGUST 17 • FOX SPORTS

College Football Rankings: Where All 138 FBS Teams Stand Ahead Of 2026 Kickoff

AJ Johnson - Should be back to full practice Johnson (knee) should be back to full practice soon, FAU Owls Nest reports.

Impact Part of Florida Atlantic's updated roster is Johnson, a tight end who logged his 2025 season elsewhere before transferring. For a brief time in fall camp, a minor knee injury affected his availability.

AUGUST 17 • ROTOWIRE

Caden Veltkamp - Cleared for fall camp Veltkamp (shoulder) has been cleared to participate in fall camp with the team, per FAUSports.com.

Impact Head coach Zach Kittley indicated that Veltkamp has been physically cleared since the spring but had been held out for precautionary reasons. The 6-foot-5 quarterback had a career year for the Owls in 2025, throwing for 3,641 yards and 24 touchdowns to 17 interceptions while adding 45 yards and four scores on the ground as well.

AUGUST 6 • ROTOWIRE

Caden Veltkamp - Still recovering from ailment Veltkamp (shoulder) is still recovering from his injury and isn't throwing deep balls this spring, per Yianni Kourakis of WPBF 25 News.

Impact Veltkamp isn't a full go this spring for the Owls. The gunslinger, who tossed for 3,641 yards, 24 touchdowns and 17 interceptions last season while completing 67 percent of his passes, will look to return to full health by fall camp.

APRIL 21 • ROTOWIRE

Easton Messer - Makes big plays in spring game Messer made multiple big plays in Florida Atlantic's spring game, per Brandyn Pokrass of The League Winners.

Impact Messer was limited earlier in the spring with a hamstring injury, but he's over that and reportedly shined in the spring game. The wideout had 104 catches for 1,052 yards and six touchdowns last fall, and he appears poised for another big statistical season.

APRIL 21 • ROTOWIRE

Caden Veltkamp - On track to throw in spring game Veltkamp (shoulder) is on track to throw the football during Florida Atlantic's spring game, FAU Owls Nest reports.

Impact After undergoing shoulder surgery, Veltkamp is still recovering, but his health may no longer be an offseason concern should Florida Atlantic's spring game include him. The quarterback has until April 17 to recover, a three-plus-week timeline to get his shoulder right.

MARCH 24 • ROTOWIRE

Easton Messer - Close to return Florida Atlantic's head coach Zach Kittley has announced that Messer (hamstring) is close to returning, FAU Owls Nest reports.

Impact A tight hamstring indicates why Messer's focus has been rehabbing. But following Kittley's update, perhaps the wide receiver can participate in Florida Atlantic's spring game, scheduled for April 17. In their 2025 season together, Messer established himself as one of the American Conference's top wideouts, so that will be what is expected of him during 2026.

MARCH 24 • ROTOWIRE

Easton Messer - Rehabbing from injury Messer is rehabbing from an undisclosed injury, FAU Owls Nest reports.

Impact Florida Atlantic's wide receivers coach DJ McCarthy said Messer will return when fully healthy, which he does not appear to be at this point in spring camp. Ideally for the wideout, his undisclosed injury subsides by April 17, when FAU's spring camp is scheduled to end.

MARCH 23 • ROTOWIRE

Caden Veltkamp - Will be limited during spring Veltkamp (shoulder) will be limited until the last two weeks of Florida Atlantic's spring practice, FAU Owls Nest reports.

Impact Veltkamp underwent shoulder surgery, which explains why he is limited as Florida Atlantic's team begins its spring practice. It ends on April 17, so he will spend all of March on the mend. Once the next month hits, Veltkamp is expected to make positive progress, though that does not ensure he becomes 100 percent before spring practice finishes.

MARCH 17 • ROTOWIRE

Tucker Holloway - Joins FAU Holloway is listed as a member of the Florida Atlantic roster ahead of the 2026 season.

Impact Holloway will join the Owls following three years at Virginia Tech. The 6-foot-2 receiver appeared in four games for the Hokies in 2025, catching five passes for 82 scoreless yards. He will retain a single year of eligibility with FAU.

MARCH 5 • ROTOWIRE

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Texas takes No. 1 in the AP Top 25, Oregon falls and Michigan returns

Veltkamp throws 5 TD passes and Rogers kicks 60-yard FG to help Florida Atlantic beat Navy 38-30

Jadan Baugh runs wild in the Swamp as Florida opens the Jon Sumrall era with a 66-21 win over FAU

College football coaching changes put Kiffin, Whittingham, Sumrall and others in new places

Sammy’s Sportsbook Whispers: Wise Guys Back Notre Dame, Fade Florida

College Football Rankings: Where All 138 FBS Teams Stand Ahead Of 2026 Kickoff