Upcoming Event: Football at North Texas on October 29, 2026 at 7:30 p.m.
7:30 p.m.
Football
at North Texas
Florida Atlantic University Athletics
Saturday, October 24
Boca Raton, Fla.
12 p.m.
Florida Atlantic
5-2 , 2-1
51
vs
49
Rice
1-7 , 0-4
| Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rice | 14 | 7 | 21 | 7 | 49 |
| Fla. Atlantic | 7 | 16 | 21 | 7 | 51 |
Photo by: Jessica Marshall Vernof
10/24/2026 5:27:00 PM | Football
BOCA RATON, Fla. – Five touchdowns from fifth-year WR Easton Messer, tying the single-game program record, led Florida Atlantic football to a 51-49 barnburner victory over Rice on Howard Schnellenberger Field at Flagler Credit Union Stadium.
The Saturday afternoon that marked the conclusion to Homecoming weekend saw 100 combined points and 14 touchdowns between the Owls of Florida Atlantic (5-2, 2-1) and the Owls of Rice (1-7, 0-4). A 55-yard field goal attempt in the final minute by Rice came up short to secure FAU's fourth straight home victory.
Messer produced one of the greatest games by a Florida Atlantic player in program history, with 262 all-purpose yards, and accomplished a feat rarely seen in college football: a rushing (twice), receiving (twice) and punt return touchdown all occurring in the same game. Per @ESPNInsights, Messer is the only FBS player in the last 20 seasons with two rush touchdowns, two receiving touchdowns, and a punt return touchdown in the same game.
VIDEO RECAP
CINEMATIC RECAP
THE BEGINNING
Two early Rice rushing touchdowns put Florida Atlantic in an early hole through most of the first quarter. Late in the first, a fumbled backwards pass from Rice was recovered by senior DB Ahlston Ware, setting up FAU's opening score. Graduate QB Caden Veltkamp escaped from danger to find sophomore WR Branden Hoch 30 yards into the end zone for Hoch's first collegiate touchdown.
Florida Atlantic's first safety since Sept. 9, 2015 resulted from a blocked punt by senior DB Derrick Rogers, trimming the deficit to 14-9 early in the second quarter. The lead was then captured on the next offensive possession with Messer taking a toss from the backfield into the end zone for a 2-yard rushing score.
Messer's second touchdown of the quarter came via a reception to grow the lead to 23-14. Rice responded with a long run for a score, but the 23-21 Florida Atlantic advantage carried into halftime.
THE TURNING POINT
Out of the locker room, the Owls of Florida Atlantic moved down the field with a similar toss play to Messer for his second touchdown on the ground. Veltkamp later found Messer deep down the field for a 68-yard score, his fourth of the day.
Rice continued to respond, shrinking a nine-point FAU lead down to two on five different occasions. The two teams traded touchdowns in the final two minutes of the third, with Florida Atlantic holding a 44-42 advantage.
THE FINISH
With just under four minutes remaining, the Florida Atlantic Owls forced a punt that landed in the hands of Messer, who took it all the way back from 82 yards out for his record-tying fifth touchdown, putting 50 on the board.
After another touchdown from Rice and a punt by FAU, the Florida Atlantic Owls' defense prevailed on a 3rd-and-5 pass attempt to force a 55-yard field goal that fell short, allowing for the game-ending kneeldown.
OFFENSE
DEFENSE
SPECIAL TEAMS
POSTGAME AUDIO
Hagerty Family Head Football Coach Zach Kittley
Fifth-year WR Easton Messer
Graduate QB Caden Veltkamp
Senior DB Derrick Rogers
Senior WR Kelby Valsin
Sophomore WR Branden Hoch
Fifth-year RB Leonard Farrow
PHOTO GALLERYGallery: (10-24-2026) FB: Rice at Florida Atlantic
UP NEXT
The quick turnaround commences, as Florida Atlantic will travel to Denton for a Thursday night matchup against North Texas, airing on ESPN. Kickoff between the Owls and Mean Green (4-2, 2-0) is set for 7:30 p.m. ET. This will mark the first of two consecutive Thursday outings for FAU.
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 ON SOCIAL
Stay informed by reading FAUSports.com or through social media accounts @FAUFootball.
#WIP
The Saturday afternoon that marked the conclusion to Homecoming weekend saw 100 combined points and 14 touchdowns between the Owls of Florida Atlantic (5-2, 2-1) and the Owls of Rice (1-7, 0-4). A 55-yard field goal attempt in the final minute by Rice came up short to secure FAU's fourth straight home victory.
Messer produced one of the greatest games by a Florida Atlantic player in program history, with 262 all-purpose yards, and accomplished a feat rarely seen in college football: a rushing (twice), receiving (twice) and punt return touchdown all occurring in the same game. Per @ESPNInsights, Messer is the only FBS player in the last 20 seasons with two rush touchdowns, two receiving touchdowns, and a punt return touchdown in the same game.
VIDEO RECAP
CINEMATIC RECAP
Opportunity VII: Throwback Weekend 🔴🔵 #WIP🏝️ https://t.co/JPwWK4J1Fs
— Florida Atlantic Football (@FAUFootball) October 27, 2026
THE BEGINNING
Two early Rice rushing touchdowns put Florida Atlantic in an early hole through most of the first quarter. Late in the first, a fumbled backwards pass from Rice was recovered by senior DB Ahlston Ware, setting up FAU's opening score. Graduate QB Caden Veltkamp escaped from danger to find sophomore WR Branden Hoch 30 yards into the end zone for Hoch's first collegiate touchdown.
Florida Atlantic's first safety since Sept. 9, 2015 resulted from a blocked punt by senior DB Derrick Rogers, trimming the deficit to 14-9 early in the second quarter. The lead was then captured on the next offensive possession with Messer taking a toss from the backfield into the end zone for a 2-yard rushing score.
Messer's second touchdown of the quarter came via a reception to grow the lead to 23-14. Rice responded with a long run for a score, but the 23-21 Florida Atlantic advantage carried into halftime.
THE TURNING POINT
Out of the locker room, the Owls of Florida Atlantic moved down the field with a similar toss play to Messer for his second touchdown on the ground. Veltkamp later found Messer deep down the field for a 68-yard score, his fourth of the day.
Rice continued to respond, shrinking a nine-point FAU lead down to two on five different occasions. The two teams traded touchdowns in the final two minutes of the third, with Florida Atlantic holding a 44-42 advantage.
THE FINISH
With just under four minutes remaining, the Florida Atlantic Owls forced a punt that landed in the hands of Messer, who took it all the way back from 82 yards out for his record-tying fifth touchdown, putting 50 on the board.
After another touchdown from Rice and a punt by FAU, the Florida Atlantic Owls' defense prevailed on a 3rd-and-5 pass attempt to force a 55-yard field goal that fell short, allowing for the game-ending kneeldown.
OFFENSE
- Messer was responsible for 30 points from scrimmage, tied with Devin Singletary for the most in a single game in program history. He is the first Florida Atlantic wideout to rush for two touchdowns in a game and the first to tally multiple scores on the ground and as a receiver. He concluded the day with 168 receiving yards on 12 receptions.
- Veltkamp completed 15 of his first 17 passing attempts and finished with a line of 29-for-37 for 339 yards and three passing touchdowns, with an additional score on the ground. He surpasses Chris Robison for sole possession of second place in the most 300+ yard passing games in program history, now at nine across two seasons.
- Fifth-year RB Leonard Farrow carried the ball 17 times for a season-high 86 yards.
DEFENSE
- Graduate DL Blake Burris led the team in tackles for the second consecutive game, finishing with nine.
- Sophomore DB Damon Allen had seven tackles, a collegiate career high.
- Graduate LB Leon Hart Jr. and senior DL Wilky Denaud joined forces for a sack.
SPECIAL TEAMS
- Messer's 82-yard punt return touchdown is the longest in program history. He joins Brittney Tellis as the only Owl to take multiple punts to the house and is the first to do it twice in one season.
- This marked Rogers' second blocked punt as an Owl, making him one of 10 players in team history to block multiple kicks.
POSTGAME AUDIO
Hagerty Family Head Football Coach Zach Kittley
Fifth-year WR Easton Messer
Graduate QB Caden Veltkamp
Senior DB Derrick Rogers
Senior WR Kelby Valsin
Sophomore WR Branden Hoch
Fifth-year RB Leonard Farrow
PHOTO GALLERY
UP NEXT
The quick turnaround commences, as Florida Atlantic will travel to Denton for a Thursday night matchup against North Texas, airing on ESPN. Kickoff between the Owls and Mean Green (4-2, 2-0) is set for 7:30 p.m. ET. This will mark the first of two consecutive Thursday outings for FAU.
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 ON SOCIAL
Stay informed by reading FAUSports.com or through social media accounts @FAUFootball.
#WIP
Players Mentioned
DB
/ Football
DL
/ Football
DL
/ Football
RB
/ Football
LB
/ Football
WR
/ Football
WR
/ Football
DB
/ Football
WR
/ Football
QB
/ Football
DB
/ FootballTeam Stats
RIC
FAU
Total Yards
608
461
Pass Yards
109
339
Rushing Yards
499
122
Penalty Yards
50
45
1st Downs
18
29
3rd Downs
4
7
4th Downs
1
2
TOP
29:03
30:57
1st Quarter
RIC 7, FAU 0
RIC - Ochoa,Gael 55 yd run (Bauchiero,Tommy kick), 3 plays, 75 yards, TOP 01:27
RIC 14, FAU 0
RIC - Ochoa,Gael 52 yd run (Bauchiero,Tommy kick), 7 plays, 77 yards, TOP 04:07
RIC 14, FAU 7
FAU - Hoch,Branden 30 yd pass from Veltkamp,Caden (Rogers,Collin kick) 6 plays, 53 yards, TOP 02:04
2nd Quarter
RIC 14, FAU 9
FAU - 0 yd safety
RIC 14, FAU 16
FAU - Messer,Easton 2 yd run (Rogers,Collin kick), 11 plays, 75 yards, TOP 04:05
RIC 14, FAU 23
FAU - Messer,Easton 1 yd pass from Veltkamp,Caden (Rogers,Collin kick) 5 plays, 34 yards, TOP 01:52
RIC 21, FAU 23
RIC - Ochoa,Gael 74 yd run (Bauchiero,Tommy kick), 2 plays, 75 yards, TOP 00:52
3rd Quarter
RIC 21, FAU 30
FAU - Messer,Easton 5 yd run (Rogers,Collin kick), 9 plays, 75 yards, TOP 02:25
RIC 28, FAU 30
RIC - Mosey,Max 41 yd run (Bauchiero,Tommy kick), 2 plays, 75 yards, TOP 00:46
RIC 28, FAU 37
FAU - Messer,Easton 68 yd pass from Veltkamp,Caden (Rogers,Collin kick) 3 plays, 67 yards, TOP 00:37
RIC 35, FAU 37
RIC - Hardeman Jr.,D'Andre 1 yd run (Bauchiero,Tommy kick), 8 plays, 75 yards, TOP 04:25
RIC 35, FAU 44
FAU - Veltkamp,Caden 1 yd run (Rogers,Collin kick), 11 plays, 90 yards, TOP 04:33
RIC 42, FAU 44
RIC - Ochoa,Gael 69 yd run (Bauchiero,Tommy kick), 2 plays, 75 yards, TOP 00:47
4th Quarter
RIC 42, FAU 51
FAU - Messer,Easton 82 yd punt return (Rogers,Collin kick)
RIC 49, FAU 51
RIC - Walker,Braylen 71 yd pass from Ochoa,Gael (Bauchiero,Tommy kick) 2 plays, 75 yards, TOP 00:46
Game Leaders
CMP
29
TD
3
YDS
339
INT
1
Wednesday, October 28
Wednesday, October 28
Tuesday, October 27
Saturday, October 24