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
Photo by: Jessica Marshall Vernof
10/26/2026 5:36:00 PM | Football
BOCA RATON, Fla. – Florida Atlantic football will head back on the road on a short week for the first of two consecutive Thursday night games, both nationally televised. First up is North Texas in Denton, with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
The Owls (5-2, 2-1) have the opportunity to gain ground in the American Conference standings, facing a Mean Green team (5-2, 3-0) that is currently undefeated in league play.
Florida Atlantic is coming off a remarkable 51-49 victory over Rice, won in large part thanks to a historic performance from fifth-year WR Easton Messer who tallied 262 all-purpose yards and five touchdowns. His 30 points responsible for ties the single-game program record and are the most against an FBS opponent. He is the only player in the nation this season with a rushing, receiving and punt return touchdown in the same game, and per ESPN Insights is the first player in at least 20 years with two rushing, two receiving, and a punt return in the same outing.
National eyes are on the reigning American Conference Offensive Player of the Week and watch list member for both the Biletnikoff and Paul Hornung Awards. Messer is the active FBS leader in career receptions (260) and is No. 2 in receiving yards (3,082) and all-purpose yards (4,337). This season, he ranks No. 2 nationally in receptions per game (8.3), No. 9 in receiving yards per game (101.3) and No. 18 in touchdowns (6). Messer and senior WR Kelby Valsin are top two in the American in all three categories.
The distributor of those passes is graduate QB Caden Veltkamp, who leads the nation in completions per game (26.8). He has tallied nine 300+ yard passing games as an Owl, second most in program history behind NFL pro Rusty Smith.
Defensively, graduate DL Blake Burris has produced the best stretch of games in his six-year collegiate career, totaling 17 tackles in the last two weeks.
On special teams, the punt and kick return units have combined for four touchdowns, most in one season in team history and most among FBS schools. Messer's 82-yard punt return score in the Rice win was the longest in program history.
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.
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.
PURCHASE TICKETS NOW
2026 Florida Atlantic tickets are available now. 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.
#WIP
The Owls (5-2, 2-1) have the opportunity to gain ground in the American Conference standings, facing a Mean Green team (5-2, 3-0) that is currently undefeated in league play.
Florida Atlantic is coming off a remarkable 51-49 victory over Rice, won in large part thanks to a historic performance from fifth-year WR Easton Messer who tallied 262 all-purpose yards and five touchdowns. His 30 points responsible for ties the single-game program record and are the most against an FBS opponent. He is the only player in the nation this season with a rushing, receiving and punt return touchdown in the same game, and per ESPN Insights is the first player in at least 20 years with two rushing, two receiving, and a punt return in the same outing.
National eyes are on the reigning American Conference Offensive Player of the Week and watch list member for both the Biletnikoff and Paul Hornung Awards. Messer is the active FBS leader in career receptions (260) and is No. 2 in receiving yards (3,082) and all-purpose yards (4,337). This season, he ranks No. 2 nationally in receptions per game (8.3), No. 9 in receiving yards per game (101.3) and No. 18 in touchdowns (6). Messer and senior WR Kelby Valsin are top two in the American in all three categories.
The distributor of those passes is graduate QB Caden Veltkamp, who leads the nation in completions per game (26.8). He has tallied nine 300+ yard passing games as an Owl, second most in program history behind NFL pro Rusty Smith.
Defensively, graduate DL Blake Burris has produced the best stretch of games in his six-year collegiate career, totaling 17 tackles in the last two weeks.
On special teams, the punt and kick return units have combined for four touchdowns, most in one season in team history and most among FBS schools. Messer's 82-yard punt return score in the Rice win was the longest in program history.
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.
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.
PURCHASE TICKETS NOW
2026 Florida Atlantic tickets are available now. 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.
#WIP
Players Mentioned
Wednesday, October 28
Wednesday, October 28
Tuesday, October 27
Saturday, October 24