FAU’s Comeback Falls Short in Record Breaking loss to UConn

A 31-3 scoring run, recording breaking performances, and four second half lead changes is only scratching the surface of an instant classic type of game in Paradise. UConn (9-3) scored a late touchdown taking the victory from Florida Atlantic and dashing the Owls’ hopes of a bowl game in Zach Kittley’s first season. However, the Owls impressive performance can not go unnoticed.

Coach Kittley's Comments

Opening Statement

“I love this football team so much, and our guys and we battle, you know. And unfortunately for us, that win loss column is not what we want it. But we talked about swinging all week and coming out and hitting first. And I thought we did. I thought we played really well. First quarter wasn’t great, just some miscues, some like execution right there, but more than ever this year, you know, we battled through that adversity. And, man, I thought we just came out and did some really good stuff down 10 at halftime, came in, had an unbelievable third quarter, probably the best third quarter we’ve had all year long. And again, I think that just shows progress and the fight and all those things our team has, and what we’re really trying to build here in the culture that we have in this locker room, I think is something special.”

Message for K Garrison Smith

“As soon as I talked to Coach Moram congratulated him after the game. And their defensive coordinator is a good friend of mine, Matt Brock, I talked to him. I bee lined straight to Garrison. I love that kid to death, man. He has been unbelievable for what we’re building here. He is that kind of guy, and he’s been nails for us all year. He’s nails for us Tuesday and Wednesday in practice. And I gave him the biggest hug. I told him, I love him. And I said, ‘Hey, this ain’t on you, man.’ It’s always interesting that field goal kickers get such a bad rap because they’re supposed to make it right, no matter what’s supposed to make it. But you can look at every other play and it can be the same thing with quarterback supposed to make that throw, you know, but when the stakes are where they’re at and you don’t make it, it’s tough on those guys. But at the end of day, I told the team in the locker room that we didn’t lose that game because of Garrison.”

Game Recap

First Quarter

The Huskies jumped out of the gate early on a 40-yard pitch and catch up to the Owls 35. UConn earned another first but were held to the FAU 20 as Conneticutt settled for a 39-yard field goal which was good. 

Florida Atlantic responded with a solid drive of their own thanks to a mix of the passing and running game, but had to settle for three on a Garrison Smith 49-yard field goal.

Then, UConn had a seven play, 77-yard drive that resulted in a 24-yard touchdown reception for John Neider. The Huskies leading receiver, Skyler Bell, was injured on the drive but later came back in the contest. 

The remainder of the first quarter was all Connecticut as the Huskies stopped the Owls near midfield twice and scored two touchdowns taking a commanding 24-3 lead at the end of one.

Second Quarter

Florida Atlantic’s offense got the run game going thanks to wide receiver Easton Messer as the leading receiver had a 39-yard rush down the sideline cutting the deficit 24-10. 

The Owls defense forced their first punt of the day and gave their offense an opportunity. Caden Veltkamp and his FAU offense did just that with the redshirt quarterback using his legs to find the end zone on a 17-yard rush.

UConn added a field goal before the half as the Huskies led 27-17 going into the locker room.

Halftime Notes

Third Quarter

Coming out of the half, Florida Atlantic’s offense led another great drive down the field culminating in a Kaden Shield-Dutton 11-yard touchdown run. The Owls followed that drive with another defensive stop and had possibly the gutssiest play call of the season when Zach Kittley left his offense on the field on a 4th and 1 from FAU 10.

Thankfully, the offense executed the play perfectly and Veltkamp’s dart to Dom Henry led to a 90-yard score, the third longest passing touchdown in program history.

UConn bounced back though and scored two touchdowns as the Huskies led 41-31.

Fourth Quarter

For the remainder of the fourth, things got interesting. On another 4th down call, Veltkamp found Messer down the middle of the field as Florida Atlantic cut into the deficit. Then, with a little over two minutes to go, Veltkamp scampered into the endzone for his second rushing touchdown on the day putting his Owls up 45-41.

Connecticut followed that with a 15-play 75-yard touchdown drive as the Huskies led 48-45 with only 22 seconds left.

FAU had two major passes to set up a field goal opportunity, but Garrison Smith’s kick shanked wide left as the Owls fell 45-41.

Standouts & Stats

Three Florida Atlantic wide receivers finished with over 100 yards receiving. That is the first time in Owls football history that it has happened. Dom Henry was the leading receiver with 157 yards, but Asaad Waseem had the most receptions on the evening (12).

The running game saw Kaden Shields-Dutton run 14-times, for 77 yards and a touchdown. Gemari Sands had 44 yards rushing, while Caden Veltkamp was the only Owl with multiple touchdowns on the ground (2).

Defensively LB Leon Hart led the way in tackles (9), while four Owls had a pass breakup. Four members of the defense also had a quarterback hurry attempt as well. Finally, FAU earned two sacks on the day.

Offense

QB Caden Veltkamp

Not highlighting Veltkamp’s night would truly be a shame. With four total touchdowns, a career high in passing yards (494) in a game, and a career high for completions in a game (42) all at a 76% completion clip, it was a career night. The redshirt junior also eclipsed the 3,000 yard mark this season through the air, making him only the third FAU quarterback ever to do that.

Veltkamp is now the Owls’ single-game record holder for passing yards. Despite the loss, it was a night that showed us what we knew all along about Veltkamp: he is a baller. And for the injury question, it does not seem to bother him anymore, at least he did not make it be known on Saturday afternoon.

WR Easton Messer

Alongside being second in the country in receptions, Messer has done something this season no other non-quarterback for FAU has ever done. The former Hilltopper is the only Owl (not a quarterback) to have a passing, receiving, and rushing touchdown all in the same season. 

The expectation for Messer was along the lines of what he has done this year, but setting program firsts alongside his transfer mate in Veltkamp has made the duo look incredible this year. Now, the redshirt junior is looking to earn 100 receptions this season.

The Owls defense crashes on a UConn Husky during FAU's contest against Connecticut. Photo, Aubrey Corkum

Defense

Looking at the Florida Atlantic defense, they have been capable this season at getting stops late in games. So, when FAU took the lead after trailing 24-3 it seemed that the defense would be riding the wave of momentum and continue that wave to victory. Sadly, the defense was simply out-coached, allowing nearly 14 yards per completion, three touchdowns, and a 72 completion percentage against UConn’s QB Joe Fagnano.

With much to figure out, hopefully one last game this season proves the Owls defense can turn it around, but when an offense drops 45 points in a game, your team should be expected to win.

Closing Remarks

Despite the outcome tonight, the Owls showed a lot of heart. A Zach Kittley offense is a weapon that can put up numbers against some of the best teams in the country, but Florida Atlantic’s defense has some things to figure out.

With a game left and seniors to celebrate, there is no reason to expect the Owls have given up on the season, and are preparing for next Saturday’s matchup with a win as the end goal.

Look Ahead

Florida Atlantic (4-7, 3-4 American) hosts ECU (7-4, 5-2 American) for the final game of the 2025 season. With Senior Day in Paradise and looking for a five-win season for the first time since 2022, the Owls are hoping for an upset to give them momentum going into 2026. Kickoff is scheduled for noon with the game available to stream on ESPN+.

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