Matchup: FAU (3-3, 2-1) vs USF (5-1, 2-0)
When: Saturday, October 18th, 7:30 PM ET
Where: Raymond James Stadium
TV: ESPNU
Radio: FoxSports 640
Opening Line: FAU +21.5
All-time Meetings: South Florida leads the all-time series 2-4 with the previous two meetings being blowout wins by both squads.
For the first time this season, Florida Atlantic will face off against a top-20 team in #19 USF. The Bulls enter the weekend seeking perfection in conference after taking down their arguably biggest challenge in the American play against North Texas last week.
On the other hand, FAU has back-to-back wins with an offensive explosion coming out of last week’s win over UAB. With both teams at their highest point of the season, a cross-state rivalry looks to be brewing with a winner being decided Saturday night.
FAU
Bouncing back from a 1-3 start is no small feat. For the Owls, getting to a winning record looks to be the harder challenge. But, Zach Kittley’s squad has shown out on offense and looks to be clicking on all cylinders.
Offense
In the passing game, Caden Veltkamp has a completion percentage of 66 since the bye week after the 1-2 start. Although that number is pretty similar to his season average of 65, his touchdown to interception ratio is down. The redshirt junior has thrown for six touchdowns to two interceptions since that bye week and looks to have an offense that is now working around the entirety of the field.
With the winning, the offense has found a key to that success: the running game. Missing Xavier Terrell and a healthy Gemari Sands would typically be a major hit on offense, but the Owls have had a next man up mentality throughout the season.
The Owls starting duo was out last week, but Zach Kittley has turned to his backs. With the expectation of the air-raid being all about passing, FAU has had more rushing plays than passing in their previous two victories.
One could argue the massive lead against the Blazers played a part in that, but even in the win over Rice, Florida Atlantic rushed the ball 33 times.
For the run game, it should be a full go for Gemari Sands as he shared touches with Kaden Shields-Dutton last week. FAU can not be one dimensional on offense if they want to pull off the upset Saturday night.
Ones to Watch
WR Jayshon Platt
It’s been the breakout year many expected during Fall Camp for Platt. The redshirt junior has put the country on notice with his speed, agility, and overall play of the game. Leading the team with 730 all purpose yards, the Sarasota native is easily considered Florida Atlantic’s most valuable specialist.
For FAU to knock off the Bulls on Saturday, Platt will have to bring attention to him, or be a star all over the field. Regardless, expect to see #3 all over the place in Tampa.
Ball Protection
The entirety of the offense must work together on this one. USF is averaging one forced fumble per game and 1.5 interceptions per game. It is imperative that the Owls keep the ball secure and force South Florida to work from long fields. Making sure of that will make things easier on Florida Atlantic for all 60 minutes of play.
Defense
A concern for FAU has been the defense in their wins. Doing a good job against Rice, but allowing 33 points to UAB is not the best of looks. Coach Kittley even mentioned that in his postgame. But it will be a major challenge in facing Alex Golesh’s Bulls as his offense can create problems for any defense.
Starting off, it will be up to the four up front on keeping dual-threat QB Byrum Brown in the pocket. Forcing him to throw will be important as he is 15th in the conference in rushing yards. Once Brown gets outside of the pocket it could be a problem for a FAU defense that is allowing 4.4 yards per carry.
FULL #USF Presser for @FAUFootball Coach @ZKittley including remarks on the Bulls, Owls Offensive and Defensive line play, and MORE 👇 https://t.co/xjknZFbqzY pic.twitter.com/SXzvax7I9A
— FAU Owls Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) October 14, 2025
Another problem for Florida Atlantic is the secondary’s job. The Owls will have to worry about a notable trio of wide receivers and know they can not focus on just one guy. Three receivers have three touchdown receptions and each has a reception for over 50 yards.
The FAU defense will have to find a way to bend but not break. It is obvious this USF team will score points, but being able to limit the damage is the only way Florida Atlantic can truly stay in the contest.
Ones to Watch
LB Tyler Stolsky
Coming off his best game of the season, the former Golden Gopher will look to follow up his performance in a big way. Looking to have gotten healthier as the season progresses, Stolsky has been coming to form as the solid voice in the middle of the defense. With a major role of leading his defense against the Bulls, Stolsky will be a show for anyone to enjoy on Saturday.
USF
Led by HC Alex Golesh, the Bulls have had a very successful season. With wins over Boise State, Florida, and UNT, South Florida has been clicking. That success has led USF to becoming a favorite to win the American, but also represent the Group of Five schools in the College Football Playoff.
Offense
For South Florida, it all starts with Senior QB Byrum Brown. On the season, Brown has 1,439 passing yards, 13 touchdown passes and five interceptions thrown. We have already mentioned his legs as he leads his squad with over 400 yards rushing, over four yards per carry, and five touchdowns on the ground. Brown is the heartbeat of this team and has the stats to prove it over the last three games as he and his Bulls have scored at least 54 points in their last three games.
From there the running back that leads USF in rushing is Sam Franklin although five Bulls have 28 rushes. The leading touchdown getter out of the South Florida running backs room is Franklin with three.
Brown’s targets are impressive to say the least. Led by Chas Nimrod, the former Volunteer has 466 receiving yards and three touchdown receptions. Nimrod’s yardage is 4th best in the conference.
🗒️ WHAT THEY ARE SAYING 🗒️ #USF Coach Alex Golesh went DEEP on @FAUFootball in his weekly presser for the upcoming tilt vs the Owls and here is what he had to offer. #FAU 🦉 pic.twitter.com/CcGqqSbaTR
— FAU Owls Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) October 14, 2025
Following Nimrod is Keshaun Singleton and Jeremiah Koger. But, keep in mind that five South Florida players have at least 100 yards receiving. Anyone can be a top target on any given night.
Defense
The biggest issue for South Florida is their passing defense. The Bulls have allowed the most yards in the American in the air and have allowed nearly seven yards per attempt. USF also ranks 10th in the conference in sacks earned.
Those two numbers bode well for FAU’s passing attack, but how does the South Florida defense look against the run?
Well, it is not looking great for the Owls. With run stoppers like LBs Jhalyn Shuler and Mac Harris, the Bulls have limited opponents to a conference fourth-best 127.8 YPG. The issue with relying on the run defense is the secondary will have to step up when needed. This year, they have not.
Allowing the most yards passing in the American could have its excuses. Multiple teams have had to play from behind, meaning they are more prone to passing the ball. But even if that was the case, the Bull’s defense knows how to come away with turnovers. The nine interceptions on the season ranks USF sixth in the country.
The team leaders in picks: CBs James Chenault and Jarvis Lee with two each. While both have not had eye popping stats this season, the ballhawks will be out in force for the Bulls and will be ready to spot a Veltkamp mistake, if made, early.
Final Thoughts
A lot rides on this game for both teams. FAU would control their own destiny in the conference in terms of making a championship game with a victory, but more realistically would increase their chances of making a bowl game exponentially. On the other hand, South Florida is hoping to use FAU as a final tuneup game before a gauntlet of Memphis, UTSA, and Navy.
While both program’s history is short, one thing is for certain: whoever wins will make sure their bragging rights are used to their fullest extent. Not just conference wise, but for recruiting battles as well.
Overall, this should be another high scoring contest, and the winner will be the team that has the defense to slow down the opponent. If not, it could be a true barnburner in Tampa.
