BOCA RATON — Caden Veltkamp gave FAU’s home crowd an early look at how dangerous the Owls’ passing game can be.
The quarterback threw five touchdown passes as Florida Atlantic defeated Navy 38–30 at Flagler Credit Union Stadium, earning its first win of the season and opening American Conference play at 1–0.
Veltkamp completed 27 of 32 passes for 386 yards without an interception. Easton Messer was his biggest weapon, catching eight passes for 179 yards and two touchdowns. Their connection produced scores of 76 and 36 yards in the first quarter, putting Navy on the defensive almost immediately.
FAU continued attacking through the air, with Kelby Valsin and Dominique Henry adding touchdown receptions before halftime. Collin Rogers then provided a highlight of his own, drilling a school-record 60-yard field goal as the first half expired. The kick sent the Owls into the locker room ahead 31–7.
An 80-yard touchdown drive capped by an AJ Johnson reception extended FAU’s advantage to 38–7 in the third quarter. Navy responded with 23 unanswered points, cutting the margin to eight before the Owls secured a late fourth-down conversion and ran out the clock.
The finish gave FAU something to address even on a productive night. Navy rushed for 246 yards, and a game the Owls had controlled became competitive down the stretch.
Still, the passing efficiency offered an encouraging response to the season-opening loss at Florida. Veltkamp tied the program’s single-game touchdown-pass record, and FAU improved to 1–1 in front of 22,273 fans.
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