Matchup: FAU (0-1) vs Florida A&M (0-1)
When: Saturday, September 6, 6:00 PM
Where: Flagler Credit Union Stadium
TV: ESPN+
Radio: FoxSports 640
Previous Meetings: FAU (1-0), 38-8 victory in 2004.
The Owls
Coming off a disastrous performance against Maryland, the Florida Atlantic Owls will play their first game under the lights of Flagler Credit Union Stadium as the Rattlers of Florida A&M come to Paradise.
The expectation for this weekend is a bounce back for FAU, and head coach Zach Kittley’s first career win as a head coach. But 60 minutes of football must be played before a winner is decided.
Offense
The Passing Game
Last week saw records broken for Florida Atlantic. Six interceptions thrown were a program record for FAU. But the number one target for QB Caden Veltkamp, Easton Messer, tied the Florida Atlantic program record in receptions with 15.
Coach Kittley’s offense had 62 passing attempts during the week one loss; the most attempts by any team at the FBS level last week. The numbers are inflated due to the Owls trying to find a way back into that game, but expect a high number of pass attempts once again this weekend.
Ten Owls had a reception in the loss last week as the offense produced 277 yards through the air. Ignoring the mistakes, Kittley and Veltkamp show how important each skill position is in FAU’s passing offense.
Florida A&M allowed five yards per attempt last week against Howard. With the quick reads and better pass coverage by the Florida Atlantic O-line, Veltkamp should look like his CUSA Offensive Player of the year self Saturday.
On the Ground
Gemari Sands and Xavier Terrell shared touches with the duo earning nine attempts each. The Owls’ run game did not get going against the Terps as FAU ran for only 77 yards.
With an O-line that could not get a push up front against a Big 10 school, facing off against FAMU looked to be a breath of fresh air. But the Rattlers had a great run defense last weekend. In the Orange Blossom Classic, Howard had 30 attempts on the ground and was held to only 50 yards rushing by Florida A&M.
Florida Atlantic’s run game needs to step up against the Rattlers if the Owls want to win as big as expected. Thankfully, the size difference and experience the Owls starting five has, FAU should look like a completely different team on Saturday.
Defense
Stellar Run Stoppage
A bright spot in the Owls loss last week was FAU’s run defense. Florida Atlantic ranked third in the American as a run stopping defense. Maryland averaged 3.7 yards per carry on 30 attempts, and were held to only three rushes over ten yards.
A main leader on the defensive line for FAU was Naejaun Barber. In the redshirt senior’s ten plays against the run game, he played a role in the Owls earning four ‘stops’ according to PFF.
Florida A&M rushed for only 89 yards earning 2.8 yards per carry last week. Expect that to be the largest discrepancy between the two. FAMU should have a hard time getting past the stout Owls run game.
Slowing Down the Passing Attack
Last week, Maryland passed for over 268 yards on 47 attempts; with two of the Terps three passing TD’s coming from completions that were longer than 20 yards. The Owls secondary looked great with Terez Reid being a notable standout, but P4 receivers put FAU at a disadvantage.
Going up against a FAMU team that averaged over ten yards a completion, it will be important for the Owls secondary to lock up the receivers, forcing RJ Johnson to make quick decisions.
Those quick decisions will be aided by the FAU pass rush. During the week one contest against, the pass rush was not able to get to the quarterback. It will be important that the edges can get off their blocks and get to Johnson. If not, the quick pass will be there for the Rattlers. Thankfully, the real advantage will come from the Florida Atlantic’s talent pool being better than FAMU’s overall.
The Return Game’s Breakout
Last week the punt return unit of FAU was unable to produce a return yard. The kickoff return unit was a different story. Jay Platt had multiple opportunities of taking a return to the house, and looks to have the same chances this weekend. With Sands and Platt on kickoff, they will most likely have limited chances, but will definitely make it count.
Last Takes on Florida Atlantic
If the Owls are to not only win, but convincingly earn a victory it will come down to two things: the pass rush, and the run game. We saw how the passing game could put together drives nicely at times last week, but this should be a better week for Veltkamp and his targets. For Gemari Sands and Xavier Terrell it will be a focus on how well they can move the ball against what is expected to be lesser competition.
If the Owls want that convincing win that earns momentum before next week’s Shula Bowl, a high flying offense with a run game that compliments it well will do the trick.
FAMU
Like FAU, Florida A&M is coming off a loss. Unlike the Owls, it was in heartbreaking fashion as the Rattlers lost thanks to Howard’s last second field goal. Looking to pick up the offensive production, it will be a challenge for FAMU. But the group is expected to have a “big-time improvement” according to head coach James Colzie.
Offense
Finding an Identity in the Passing Game
FAMU’s performance in the passing game left a lot to be desired heading into this weekend’s matchup against Florida Atlantic. RJ Johnson had had questions circling around him on if he should even start for the upcoming matchup, but HC Colzie puts his trust in the sophomore.
As mentioned earlier, a reliance on short passes and quick reads is what will help the Rattlers. If the Owls secondary and linebackers can shut down the sidelines and middle of the field check downs, Florida A&M will have to air it deep, an issue for the squad.
Starting up the Running Game
Like FAU, the Rattlers struggled to produce on the ground averaging only 2.7 yards per attempt. Expected starter, Thad Franklin Jr. entered the season with All-SWAC first-team honors. The second string, Levontai Summersett, averaged over four yards per carry off his nine attempts on the ground.
Arguably, the Owls run defense proved to be the team’s best strength last week. It will be an up-hill battle for Florida A&M to get the ball moving on the ground thanks to that strong run stoppage of Florida Atlantic.
Defense
The strength of FAMU, the Rattlers rank 14th in total defense after week one. While Howard and Florida Atlantic are two complete levels apart, the ranking is a testament to Colzie’s focus on defense.
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING 🗒️ @FAMU_FB #Rattlers HC James Colzie III's approach to slowing down the #FAU offense, the "chaotic" nature of the Owls, and more during his weekly presser before Saturday night's contest in Parad🌴se! 🦉🏈 pic.twitter.com/jhNMzWgWeR
— FAU Owls Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) September 3, 2025
Stopping the Air-Raid
Stopping an up-tempo offense is challenging regardless of the level of play. For Florida A&M that is no exception. The Owls will be an up tempo team not afraid to take shots early and often.
If the Rattlers want to have a chance in this one it will be in part thanks to a disruptive secondary. With the size and speed differential in the matchup, the Rattlers will have to make Veltkamp uncomfortable.
While Florida Atlantic’s O-line left much to be desired after last week, there will be a clear bounce back. FAMU will have to rely predominantly on FAU’s mistakes if they want to stick around in this one.
Defensive-line Presence
A former Kansas Jayhawk, Davion Westmoreland was a standout for the Rattlers last season. Now a pre-season All SWAC selection, the defensive lineman is considered among the best at the FCS level. Sadly for the Rattlers, Westmoreland was unavailable last week and a status on him this week is unavailable.
If the line is without the grad student, it will make an already difficult task that more challenging. Nicholas Dimitris and Cameron Donald will be the ones at the tackle positions. Neither were a major factor in the loss last week. It is clear that while the unit was able to perform well against an FCS opponent, stopping the Owls will be a daunting task.
Last Takes on Florida A&M
The Rattlers have a hard task at hand. While showing a top-tier defense last week, having an offense that showed no signs of life is demoralizing. An expectation of quick drives for Florida Atlantic means that FAMU will have to keep offensive drives alive.
If not, the defense will be exhausted and wheels will fall off early. Florida A&M should be able to stick around, but after attrition sets in, the Owls should easily pull away.
All time, FAMU is 1-34 vs FBS opponents with the lone victory coming against the University of Miami (1979). Clearly done before, but should not happen in 2025.
Final Thoughts
This one should easily go Florida Atlantic’s way. While last week was disappointing, it’s a new day in Paradise. With an FCS opponent as a tune up, the Owls can not go wrong here being aggressive, but also building confidence.
FAU should look more like their preseason expectations, and show how a Zach Kittley offense works when run against an inferior opponent. It should be a fun one for all Florida Atlantic faithful Saturday night.