Battle of the Owls: Florida Atlantic storms back to defeat Rice 51-49.
Florida Atlantic · RiceFAU star receiver achieves historic feat with 5-TD performance. Messer is going through the final season of his collegiate career, his second with the Owls.
Easton Messer is the only FBS player in the last 20 seasons with two rushing touchdowns, two receiving touchdowns and a punt return touchdown in the same gam... Despite giving up over 600 yards of offense, FAU scored seven touchdowns - three rushing, three passing and on special teams - to defeat Rice 51-49 on Saturday.
"At the end of the day, we had to find a way to get the stop. They got down the field late, we got the stop and that's what I'm proud of," FAU Coach Zach Kittley said.
The dynamic duo of Caden Veltkamp and Easton Messer continued to shine Saturday afternoon, Veltkamp throwing for 331 yards and three touchdowns. Veltkamp threw an interception at the end of the first half, but he also had a QB sneak for a touchdown.
KEY POINTS
- The FAU Owls set themselves apart in college football history following a spectacular performance from Easton Messer in their 51-49 win over the Rice Owls on Saturday afternoon.
- A wild homecoming victory over Rice has put Florida Atlantic one win away from bowl eligibility for the first time since 2020.
- FAU (5-2, 2-1) still had difficulty stopping Rice's (1-7, 0-4) running game, going down 14-0 early in the first quarter.
- However, the home team fought back, passing for more than 300 yards, forcing a turnover and a safety and going 4-for-4 in the red zone in a key shootout victory.