Upcoming Event: Football versus FIU on September 19, 2026 at 6 p.m.
6 p.m.
Football
vs. FIU
Florida Atlantic University Athletics
Saturday, September 12
Boca Raton, Fla.
7:30 p.m.
Florida Atlantic
1-1 , 1-0
38
vs
30
Navy
1-1 , 0-1
| Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Navy | 7 | 0 | 7 | 16 | 30 |
| Fla. Atlantic | 14 | 17 | 7 | 0 | 38 |
Photo by: JC Ridley
Five Touchdown Passes Lead Owls Past RV Navy
9/12/2026 11:44:00 PM | Football
BOCA RATON, Fla. – The Owl Raid was on full display on Saturday night on Howard Schnellenberger Field at Flagler Credit Union Football Stadium. Behind five touchdown passes from graduate QB Caden Veltkamp, the Florida Atlantic football team defeated (RV) Navy, 38-30.
In front of a crowd of 22,273, the largest at an FAU home opener since 2019, the Owls (1-1, 1-0) won their American Conference opener over the Midshipmen (1-1, 0-1). They also achieved their first win over an opponent receiving votes in the AP Top 25 since the 2019 victory over SMU in the Cheribundi Boca Raton Bowl.
A record-filled night saw Veltkamp tie his own single-game program mark in touchdown passes, while his fifth-year WR Easton Messer needed just eight minutes to solidify a career night, finishing with 179 yards and two touchdowns on eight catches. Special moments were made by special teams as well, with graduate kicker Collin Rogers connecting on a 60-yard field goal to set the program record.
VIDEO RECAP
THE BEGINNING
The Owls' early aggression paid off on the second play from scrimmage when Veltkamp hit Messer down the field, who went untouched 76 yards into the end zone for a career-long reception.
After Navy scored a touchdown to tie it up, the Veltkamp-Messer connection responded in less than a minute. A 27-yard catch was immediately followed by a wide-open 36-yard Messer score.
By the end of the first quarter, Veltkamp was 10-for-11 with 200 yards, 151 of them going to Messer.
THE TURNING POINT
Florida Atlantic did not let the foot off the gas through the second quarter. Veltkamp spread the ball around with touchdowns to senior WR Kelby Valsin and fifth year Dom Henry, the latter coming with 19 seconds remaining in the first half.
With 17 seconds left on the clock, senior DB Bo Simpson-Nealy nabbed an interception to give the ball right back to the Owls. A five-yard rush was all that was needed to set up the 60-yard field goal from Rogers, who drilled the record-breaker as time expired to put Florida Atlantic up 31-7 at the half.
THE FINISH
The Owls' offense was not done in the third quarter, with a 16-play, 80-yard drive taking seven minutes off the clock and culminating in a red zone touchdown to graduate TE AJ Johnson.
With the score up to 38-7 entering the fourth quarter, Navy mounted a late comeback, but a successful 4th-and-1 conversion by the Owls allowed them to run out the clock.
OFFENSE
DEFENSE
SPECIAL TEAMS
POSTGAME AUDIO
Hagerty Family Head Football Coach Zach Kittley
Graduate QB Caden Veltkamp
Fifth Year WR Easton Messer
Senior WR Kelby Valsin
Sophomore EDGE Josh Roberts
Graduate K Collin Rogers
PHOTO GALLERYGallery: (9-12-2026) Navy at Florida Atlantic
UP NEXT
The 24th edition of the Shula Bowl awaits. The 13th matchup in Paradise between the Owls and the Panthers will take place Saturday, Sept. 19. Kickoff is at 6 p.m. on ESPN+.
FOLLOW ON SOCIAL
Stay informed by reading FAUSports.com or through social media accounts @FAUFootball.
In front of a crowd of 22,273, the largest at an FAU home opener since 2019, the Owls (1-1, 1-0) won their American Conference opener over the Midshipmen (1-1, 0-1). They also achieved their first win over an opponent receiving votes in the AP Top 25 since the 2019 victory over SMU in the Cheribundi Boca Raton Bowl.
A record-filled night saw Veltkamp tie his own single-game program mark in touchdown passes, while his fifth-year WR Easton Messer needed just eight minutes to solidify a career night, finishing with 179 yards and two touchdowns on eight catches. Special moments were made by special teams as well, with graduate kicker Collin Rogers connecting on a 60-yard field goal to set the program record.
VIDEO RECAP
THE BEGINNING
The Owls' early aggression paid off on the second play from scrimmage when Veltkamp hit Messer down the field, who went untouched 76 yards into the end zone for a career-long reception.
After Navy scored a touchdown to tie it up, the Veltkamp-Messer connection responded in less than a minute. A 27-yard catch was immediately followed by a wide-open 36-yard Messer score.
By the end of the first quarter, Veltkamp was 10-for-11 with 200 yards, 151 of them going to Messer.
THE TURNING POINT
Florida Atlantic did not let the foot off the gas through the second quarter. Veltkamp spread the ball around with touchdowns to senior WR Kelby Valsin and fifth year Dom Henry, the latter coming with 19 seconds remaining in the first half.
With 17 seconds left on the clock, senior DB Bo Simpson-Nealy nabbed an interception to give the ball right back to the Owls. A five-yard rush was all that was needed to set up the 60-yard field goal from Rogers, who drilled the record-breaker as time expired to put Florida Atlantic up 31-7 at the half.
THE FINISH
The Owls' offense was not done in the third quarter, with a 16-play, 80-yard drive taking seven minutes off the clock and culminating in a red zone touchdown to graduate TE AJ Johnson.
With the score up to 38-7 entering the fourth quarter, Navy mounted a late comeback, but a successful 4th-and-1 conversion by the Owls allowed them to run out the clock.
OFFENSE
- Veltkamp finished with a line of 27-for-32 passing, 386 yards, and five touchdowns. His 84% completion rate is good for second all-time in program history while his passing yard numbers are fifth in a single game.
- Messer's 179 yards are a career high and he logged the second multi-touchdown game of his collegiate career.
- Valsin reached the century mark for the first time, finishing with 118 yards on eight catches. His 30-yard touchdown haul was his career-long.
DEFENSE
- As a team, the Owls totaled seven tackles for loss.
- Sophomore EDGE Josh Roberts led the unit with seven tackles, 2.5 for a loss, and 1.5 sacks, each of these a collegiate best.
- Junior LB Nate Fischer forced a fumble in the first quarter, recovered by graduate LB Leon Hart Jr.
SPECIAL TEAMS
- Rogers' field goal beats the previous program record by six yards, previously set by NFL Owl Greg Joseph in 2017. The 60-yard distance is tied for second longest in American Conference history.
POSTGAME AUDIO
Hagerty Family Head Football Coach Zach Kittley
Graduate QB Caden Veltkamp
Fifth Year WR Easton Messer
Senior WR Kelby Valsin
Sophomore EDGE Josh Roberts
Graduate K Collin Rogers
PHOTO GALLERY
UP NEXT
The 24th edition of the Shula Bowl awaits. The 13th matchup in Paradise between the Owls and the Panthers will take place Saturday, Sept. 19. Kickoff is at 6 p.m. on ESPN+.
FOLLOW ON SOCIAL
Stay informed by reading FAUSports.com or through social media accounts @FAUFootball.
Players Mentioned
LB
/ Football
LB
/ Football
TE
/ Football
WR
/ Football
EDGE
/ Football
K
/ Football
DB
/ Football
WR
/ Football
QB
/ FootballTeam Stats
NAV
FAU
Total Yards
393
428
Pass Yards
147
386
Rushing Yards
246
42
Penalty Yards
70
75
1st Downs
18
27
3rd Downs
3
8
4th Downs
2
1
TOP
26:10
33:50
1st Quarter
NAV 0, FAU 7
FAU - Messer,Easton 76 yd pass from Veltkamp,Caden (Rogers,Collin kick) 2 plays, 75 yards, TOP 00:42
NAV 7, FAU 7
NAV - Woodson,Braxton 48 yd run (Bartley,Nolan kick), 3 plays, 75 yards, TOP 01:06
NAV 7, FAU 14
FAU - Messer,Easton 36 yd pass from Veltkamp,Caden (Rogers,Collin kick) 3 plays, 72 yards, TOP 00:45
2nd Quarter
NAV 7, FAU 21
FAU - Valsin,Kelby 30 yd pass from Veltkamp,Caden (Rogers,Collin kick) 9 plays, 79 yards, TOP 04:25
NAV 7, FAU 28
FAU - Henry,Dom 13 yd pass from Veltkamp,Caden (Rogers,Collin kick) 9 plays, 75 yards, TOP 02:17
NAV 7, FAU 31
FAU - Rogers,Collin 60 yd field goal 2 plays, 5 yards, TOP 00:07
3rd Quarter
NAV 7, FAU 38
FAU - Johnson,Antonio 5 yd pass from Veltkamp,Caden (Rogers,Collin kick) 16 plays, 80 yards, TOP 07:13
NAV 14, FAU 38
NAV - Collins,Jordan 64 yd pass from Gutierrez,Jackson (Bartley,Nolan kick) 3 plays, 75 yards, TOP 01:23
4th Quarter
NAV 20, FAU 38
NAV - Robinson,Charles 8 yd pass from Gutierrez,Jackson () 11 plays, 85 yards, TOP 05:31
NAV 22, FAU 38
NAV - 0 yd safety
NAV 30, FAU 38
NAV - Gutierrez,Jackson 49 yd run (Listorti,Vic pass), 6 plays, 58 yards, TOP 01:21
Game Leaders
CMP
27
TD
5
YDS
386
INT
0
CMP
0
TD
0
YDS
0
INT
0
Thursday, September 17
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