Matchup: FAU (0-0) vs Maryland (0-0)
When: Saturday, August 30th, 12:00 PM
Where: SECU Stadium
TV: Big Ten Network
Radio: FoxSports 640
Line: FAU +14.5
Previous Meetings: First meeting between the schools
The Owls
Saturday morning will feel different in South Florida. Not because of a cold front, but because College Football is back. Let the common fan rejoice, as for them it is the start of a new season, but for Florida Atlantic it is nearly all new.
FAU’s offseason was nothing but calm, as a new head coach was welcomed to Paradise in Zach Kittley. The former Texas Tech offensive coordinator brought along a great staff, but also welcomed a new starting quarterback to Florida Atlantic.
Offense
The Quarterback
Caden Veltkamp, the former Western Kentucky Hilltopper, transferred to the Owls after a 2024 campaign that led to the Bowling Green native earning the CUSA Offensive Player of the Year award.
Seen as a pocket passer, Veltkamp is known for his arm, but has the speed to run when needed. Last season, the redshirt junior had seven touchdowns on the ground with a total of 150 yards rushing. Overall, being able to get the ball out quickly will be important for the Owls offense.
The Running Backs
Coach Zach Kittley shared that his offense will ride with the “hot hand” throughout camp and game prep. Do not be surprised if all three have similar playing time or if one stands out above the rest.
The reliance on the running backs is not only for quick outs and screens. Last season Zach Kittley’s Red Raider offense had a 1500 yard rusher in Tahj Brooks. If one were to expect the Owls to only throw the ball then they are wrong.
That is why it is very important that the trio mentioned above are able to break out. If FAU were to win on Saturday, it will most likely be the run game, not the passing game to thank.
The Wide Receivers
Excitement for the wide receiver room has reached a boiling point as gameday is now only hours away. The room looks to have a more solidified look compared to last year thanks to how important the route tree will be in the air-raid offense.
In the slot the expectation is WKU transfer Easton Messer to start. His speed and quickness will be a major part of the FAU offense throughout the season. Also, Messer’s prior connection with Veltkamp has been beneficial for the wide receiver room on their connection with the QB.
On the outside will most likely be Asaad Waseem and JR Wilson Jr. Waseem’s speed will be a key factor in separation from Maryland’s secondary while Wilson’s height is going to be major in redzone situations.
Overall for the group, it will be a tall task going up against a Big 10 secondary. But the Maryland DBs room is nearly all new and has not had the opportunity to truly prove themselves. Hopefully for the Owls, the Terrapins secondary will not prove themselves in week one.
The Tight Ends
Florida Atlantic’s tight ends room was completely overhauled during the offseason, but it looks to be for a phenomenal outlook. Reid Mikeska and Mike Kirch will be a very prominent duo for the Owls and have shown they can do it all.
From working with the offensive line, running drills with the wide receivers, and a great football IQ, the duo are in line for a great week one. With the weary DB room of Maryland, it will be an interesting matchup to watch come noon on Saturday.
The Offensive Line
The trenches will most likely be the defining characteristic of this game. Last season, FAU’s offensive struggles could be traced back to an offensive line room that dealt with injuries, and attrition throughout. But this season looks to be different for the Owls.
The starting five all have experience on the field and will be healthy for Saturday. The group will have to get up to speed quickly as they will face a Power 4 defensive line, but Maryland’s struggles from last season showed they needed improvements as well.
Defense
Alongside the offense, the Owls defense had a lot of turmoil in the offseason, but looks to be set heading into week one. Led by DC Brett Dewhurst, it will be the 37-year-olds first season as a coordinator. He, with Kittley, makes up one of the youngest play calling duos at the FBS level.
The Defensive Line
On the interior of the line, Bryce Langston and CJ Doggette make up one of the scariest tackle duos in the American. Langston has experience with the Owls as he made an appearance in all 12 games for FAU last season while Doggette transferred in from Ohio where he earned 32 tackles and three sacks.
The ends will be Deshaun Batiste, Wilky Denaud, Josh Roberts, and Eric Brantley Jr. The quartet. The trio all look great and could be starters elsewhere, so they will make the situation for Maryland’s quarterback tougher than it already will be.
The Linebackers
The middle of the defense will be led by the transfer duo of Tyler Stolsky and Leon Hart. While Stolsky is dealing with a hand injury, he is good to go for Saturday’s matchup. Both have great speed and will make up a major part of stopping Maryland’s star at tight end, Dorian Fleming.
Slowing down Fleming and Maryland’s run game will be the main objective for the linebacker room if FAU has a shot to win in College Park.
The Secondary
The DBs FAU will play on Saturday will be a hodge podge of different players as a rotation is most likely expected. At nickel it seems a name has stuck and will be a major piece in an Owls win.
Wendol Philord will fill in the nickel position while Derrick Rogers and Terez Reid will fill in the corners. Alongside Kyle Boylston and Mike Wright, the Owls secondary will need to step up and make some big plays.
Luckily for FAU faithful, the backs have displayed the talent needed for a starter and should be able to stack up against a Big Ten opponent.
What’s Needed to Win
Offense
Starting the season against a power four team on the road always has its disadvantages. A hungry Maryland fanbase looking to forget last season will fill in a stadium that seats 51,802 fans.
In a quarterback that has pro potential and has the hardware to show his elite talent, FAU’s Caden Veltkamp mixed in with Zach Kittley’s air raid will help set the narrative early in this contest.
A reliance on the running game will help open up the passing game, but it will take the Owls O-line and RBs to make and find those holes against a stout Maryland defensive line.
Overall for the offense,if the run game can work early on it will be a great shot for an upset over Maryland.
ONLY TWO DAYS until #FAU takes the field against #Maryland. We caught up with rising secondary member @TerezReid2 and QB Caden Veltkamp for their thoughts heading into Saturday's 2025 opener. 🦉🎙️🦉 pic.twitter.com/NzSuAM6ziI
— FAU Owls Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) August 28, 2025
Defense
On the defensive side of things, it will need to be stopping the Terrapins run game. If FAU’s front can slow down Maryland’s running game, it will force the quarterback to pass.
If that moment comes, it will make whoever starts for Maryland have to prove himself. And with an Owls front that is one of the nastiest in the American Conference, it could get ugly quickly for Maryland.
Overall for the Owls, stopping the run game, locking down the quick passes, and forcing throws on the run will be a key piece if the Owls were to win.
The Terrapins
Entering his seventh year as head coach at Maryland, Mike Locksley is in a bit of a hot seat situation.
Last season, Locksley’s squad went 4-8, and closed the year out on a five game losing streak. Looking to put the past behind them, Maryland had a lot to figure out heading into the offseason, including the quarterback position.
The Quarterbacks
Three names have swirled around as a possible starter for week one, but Coach Locksley shared that the decision will not be public until gametime on Saturday.
For now that leaves speculation, but one thing is clear; regardless of who starts, they will be inexperienced. Either a true freshman in Malik Washington, UCLA transfer Justin Martin or redshirt-freshman Khristian Martin will be the lead man come Saturday.
But for Florida Atlantic the case remains the same. Put pressure on the quarterback and make the Terps offense rely on him. With all three needing to prove themselves, regardless of who steps up, it will be a test.
The Runningbacks
Redshirt sophomore Nolan Ray is expected to be the lead back for Maryland come Saturday.
With speed that is comparable to a track star, Ray will be an issue in open space either as a runner or receiver.
Being able to keep Ray contained to short yardage, and contained to limited space will be another key factor for the Owls if they were to win.
The Wide Receivers
Two major returners for Maryland in Octavian Smith Jr. and Shaleak Knots look to become two key contributors while Tennessee transfer Kaleb Webb and Oklahoma transfer Jalil Farooq will make up a great quartet of receivers.
FAU will look to lock down the sidelines with the secondary while the LB corp will NEED to be able to lock down the middle of the field and attack the quarterback.
If the Owls want to win on Saturday, locking down the wide receivers on short routes and quick outs will make or break Florida Atlantic.
The Tight Ends
The biggest threat to FAU on Saturday looks to come out of this room. Former Georgia State Panther, Dorian Fleming, is lined up to be the game wrecker for Maryland.
Last season Fleming had 49 catches for 558 yards and six touchdowns. He will be a massive receiving threat, but do not doubt his blocking ability. His 6’3, 245 lbs frame bodes well as an extra blocker.
Maryland’s ability to ride with Fleming will be a problem for Florida Atlantic. It will not be about stopping him, but more so slowing him down.
The Offensive Line
The O-line is possibly the biggest question mark for Maryland. Only two starters from last season’s team returned.
The Florida Atlantic D-line looks to have a great opportunity to get into the Terrapins backfield with how limited of a role the offensive line has seen. Expect this group to give up sacks, and QB pressures, but they have had time to grow.
But, it is a great matchup for an FAU squad that has experience compared to a unit that is littered with little or no experience at the collegiate level.
TE Dorian Fleming on Maryland’s 2025 offense: “coach Pep [Hamilton], he does a great job with being able to spread the ball around. Anybody can get the ball at any moment. We got a lot of playmakers that can make plays when the ball gets to their hands. I’m excited” pic.twitter.com/NjVvNrrRva
— Inside the Black & Gold (@Insideblackgold) August 27, 2025
Defense
Ted Monachino’s unit will have to adapt quickly to the air-raid offense of Zach Kittley. From watching for the deep ball, to a breakout rush, or even a tight end reception, Florida Atlantic’s offense should be able to do it all.
So how does Maryland’s defense stack up against the Owls?
The Defensive Line
Over 85% of the line’s production from last season is gone. Now with transfers, high school recruitments, and the few players that stuck it out, the Terps had to find an answer.
Cam Rice from Ohio is expected to be one of those names that could possibly cause issues for Florida Atlantic. Thanks to his experience compared to those in the room around him, Rice is easily seen as a leader, and should be called upon in multiple fronts throughout the game on Saturday.
The Linebackers
Daniel Wingate and Michael Harris look to go from the two deep to the starting role come Saturday. The duo had 84 combined tackles with nine TFLs.
With their experience these two will be heavily relied upon in College Park.
The Owls must be able to work around the duo and keep them on their toes, or it could be an issue quickly for the offense. Expect FAU to avoid the duo at all costs.
The Secondary
Wake Forest transfer Jamre Glasker looks to be in line for a starting slot at the cornerback position as he will be joined by Dontay Joyner opposite. The duo will experience playing time together for the first time, but are a solid pairing.
The safeties should be a rotation led by Jalen Huskey and Lavain Scruggs.
All four have experience and should definitely prove why they have their roles. They will give Florida Atlantic fits in the passing game, but with the Owls speed in the wide receiver room, these Terps may look to fit their school’s nickname.
What's Needed to Win
Offense
A major issue of Maryland’s last season was the run game. Ranked 13th in the Big Ten, Maryland looks to turn that around this season.
The Terrapins biggest MUST for this game is getting the ball down the field on the ground. If Locksley’s team is able to do that then it should be no problem for the Terps.
Defense
The biggest concern for Maryland will be Caden Veltkamp. If they are able to make Veltkamp feel uncomfortable in the pocket from a rush then the Owls will have to run.
While Kittley’s offense is made to do both, the reliance on a run game could become a problem.
The Terps will have to cover over the middle of the field well or they may give the Owls a good chance in this one.
Final Thoughts
College football season is always exciting. With so many unknowns our idea of what MUST happen will obviously change come time when you’re screaming at the tv, jumping for joy, or sulking in defeat.
But this contest should be a good one. Ironically enough, FAU seems to be more put together where it matters. A strong retention on the O-line, a great RB corps, and a defensive line with high caliber talent in every slot, this could bode well for Florida Atlantic.
Overall, while FAU is an underdog in this one, it may simply be because of unanswered questions. Thankfully for all of us, those questions will soon be answered on Saturday at noon.