BOCA RATON — c bounced again from its season-opening loss to realize its first win towards Navy.
After permitting probably the most factors in its historical past every week in the past, the s rode p's 5 landing passes and held off a fierce Midshipmen comeback to narrowly survive for a 38-30 win on Saturday evening.
was firing on all cylinders from the beginning towards Navy (1-1, 0-1) within the American Convention opener for each. On the second play of the sport, Veltkamp dropped again and threw a 76-yard landing to Easton Messer. Veltkamp handed for 373 yards, 179 to Messer for a profession excessive.
“Easton Messer … simply ran proper previous them. Then what a ball (from Veltkamp)," FAU coach Zach Kittley mentioned.
The Owls excelled on particular groups, too. Kicker Collin Rogers broke a faculty file proper earlier than halftime, nailing a 60-yard discipline objective.
“Nobody expects you to make it, so that you go on the market and drill it and go from there.” Rogers mentioned.
Listed here are 4 takeaways from FAU’s victory over Navy.
Veltkamp's 5 TD passes tied for his most as an Owl and his 373 passing yards had been his most since Nov. 22 towards Connecticut.
4 totally different receivers caught landing passes, together with the primary as an Owl for tight finish A.J. Johnson.
Veltkamp confirmed poise and didn’t flip over the ball, a change from final season when he led the nation in interceptions. He additionally had two in final week's 66-21 loss to Florida.
“That’s how you must play as a quarterback and concentrate on the little particulars, higher play,” Veltkamp mentioned. “Simply ensuring that it's as excellent as it may be. I attempt to intention for perfection, it’s actually that easy.”
Kittley spoke about Veltkamp’s improved play.
“He was pissed off with the week earlier than, with the turnovers,” Kittley mentioned. This week, man, this was unbelievable. You’re speaking 27-for-32. He had a terrific week in observe too. He protected the ball in observe.”
Easton Messer, Kelby Valsin two-headed monster at WR
Easton Messer was electrical Saturday evening, posting eight catches for 179 yards and two TDs.
That was not it for the Owls, nevertheless, as Texas Tech switch receiver Kelby Valsin caught eight passes for 115 yards and one rating. Valsin caught six passes in his two years with the Crimson Raiders; in two video games with FAU, he has 18 catches and two touchdowns.
Valsin has steadily turn into one of the necessary transfers on the Owls’ roster, and Messer remains to be enjoying a number of the finest soccer of his collegiate profession.
“The truth that we’ve got Kelby, Dom (Henry), AJ, a extremely good run recreation this 12 months, and a stud at quarterback, there ought to be no means anyone can cease this offense,” Messer mentioned.
Super enchancment defensively for Owls
The Owls’ protection considerably improved after giving up 66 factors and 9 touchdowns towards UF.
Till the fourth quarter, the Owls had solely allowed one landing. Going through a Navy dashing assault that had over 500 yards and 6 touchdowns in its opener, the Owls held the guests to underneath 250 yards dashing and two dashing touchdowns.
“I simply really feel like all through the week, we had been much more bodily. Final week was like a wake-up name.” defensive finish Josh Roberts mentioned. “We wanted it to humble us. We went out and did our factor at the moment.”
The Owls held Navy quarterback Braxton Woodson to 47 passing yards and an interception earlier than Woodson went down with damage to ship backup QB Jackson Gutierrez into the sport.
The Owls additionally pressured turnovers; linebacker Nate Fischer pressured a fumble and security Bo Simpson-Nealy got here up along with his first Owls’ interception.
Heading into the fourth quarter, the Owls had been main 38-7. However they then allowed three touchdowns and a security, permitting Navy to chop the deficit to eight factors. Within the fourth quarter, FAU was outgained 117-27 and outscored 16-0. The Owls allowed 81 dashing yards and didn’t file a single passing yard.
FAU operating again Ethan Ervin ran for a primary down with underneath a minute left to clinch the win. Ervin led the crew in dashing with 17 carries for 67 yards.
Kittley tried to relaxation his starters, however a fumbled punt and Navy's rally pressured Veltkamp and others again onto the sector.
It was FAU's first win over Navy in 4 tries.
“Not how I wished to complete that recreation, however on the finish of the day, we bought to have a good time,” Kittley mentioned. "We’ve by no means crushed them in class historical past till tonight.”
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