Matchup: FAU (3-5, 2-3) vs Tulsa (2-6, 0-5)
When: Saturday, November 8th, 3:00 PM ET
Where: Flagler Credit Union Stadium
TV: ESPN+
Radio: FoxSports 640
Opening Line: FAU -4.5
All-time Meetings: Owls lead series 3-1 with back-to-back victories against the Golden Hurricane in American Conference play. Florida Atlantic won last year’s meeting 63-16.
FAU’s bowl game push starts this weekend as the Owls host Tulsa during homecoming. In a CFB rarity, both the Owls and Golden Hurricane will be coming off of a bye week as the two squads have had time to rest, but also have an extra week of planning against one another.
Florida Atlantic
This season can be broken down into three acts with act two being the toughest part of the schedule. The Owls past five games resulted in a 2-3 record with all three losses coming against teams that were ranked or receiving votes in the AP Poll. The two wins are against teams below the Owls in the American standings. Tulsa is another team that sits below FAU in those standings.
Offense
In last season’s matchup, Florida Atlantic’s offense had a phenomenal day. Running the ball, the Owls accumulated over 370 yards on the ground, and passed for nearly 300. That day saw eight touchdowns scored by the offense as well. Although the Tulsa team has not gotten much better record wise, their defense is trending in the right direction compared to others in the American.
Three of the touchdowns scored last season were by the duo of Xavier Terrell with his two and Gemari Sands with his one. Terrell only had two carries on the day but both resulted in touchdowns including a 93-yard scamper. Sands’ roll was limited as well, but his five carries resulted in 5.2 yards per carry.
For the two backs it should be another excellent day as the Golden Hurricane’s defense ranks tenth in the conference in rushing. Being able to take advantage will take stress off the Owls passing game, but also give FAU’s defense needed rest between drives.
Through the air, Caden Veltkamp’s ‘second act’ has looked similar in many areas compared to the start of the season. His completion percentage was roughly 64.9% over Florida Atlantic’s past five games, but the Owls first three games it was 64.7%. Not a major difference and the touchdowns were close to the same as the redshirt junior threw nine touchdowns compared to eight in FAU’s first three contests.
However, Veltkamp has remained relatively clean compared to his first three starts as he had two games where he threw multiple interceptions. Over the Owls’ last five, that number is zero.
The receivers will have their work cut out for them though. Tulsa has the top two pass breakup leaders in the American. For the Owls, like against Navy, it will be about separation. Zach Kittley’s offense has shown they can scheme receivers open, but can Florida Atlantic finish those plays with huge chunks of yards? Luckily, Easton Messer and Jay Platt should make it another easier day for the passing attack as even if they are not open, they draw attention to themselves.
Overall for the offense, making Tulsa respect the run game once again will open up the Owls explosive attacks. If FAU finds themselves in a close contest, making sure they keep true to their identity will be imperative. The Golden Hurricane have shown they have had their struggles stopping the run, so make them stop you on Saturday.
One to Watch
RB Gemari Sands
After dealing with an injury in the back half of the Owls five-game stretch, Sands should start looking like his star self. Last season, Florida Atlantic brought the hammer in the ground game and with the availability of Terrell not becoming available until two hours before kickoff, Sands has to be one who can get the ball going on the ground.
Keep in mind, the running game is something that the Owls will need if they want to make a bowl game, and Sands proving he is true to form will only help that situation. If not, then it could be another season that ends in November.
Defense
The Florida Atlantic defense had their hands full during the month of October thanks to back-to-back games against top offenses in the conference. Coming off the bye, it will be a sigh of relief as Tulsa’s offense has not been something to write home about.
Averaging only 22 points per game, Tulsa should be a good launching point for the Owls as they look to the remainder of their season.
Unlike previous weeks, FAU’s focus will not be on one core group. Tulsa has been pretty even in offensive attacks, but are slightly more prone to rushing the ball. Thankfully for Florida Atlantic, the Golden Hurricane’s starting quarterback in ETSU transfer Baylor Hayes has not been able to prove that his legs are a major impact this season.
This means it should be a more typical type of play for the FAU defense and putting pressure on a Tulsa o-line that has allowed 17 sacks on the year will be a key to earning the victory in paradise.
Ones to Watch
Defensive Line
How does Florida Atlantic get that pressure? It all starts up front. The defensive line has earned 14 sacks this season, but only earned one in their previous two contests. With a Tulsa offensive line that has shown weakness, it is now time to take advantage off the edge. If the Owls can earn multiple sacks but also apply pressure throughout, they should easily earn the win in this one.
Tulsa
Led by first-year head coach Tre Lamb. Tulsa had one of the earlier upsets of the year as they took down Oklahoma State in Stillwater. Since then, it’s been four straight losses for TU. Now, it’s make or break for the Golden Hurricane as they teeter on the edge of a bowl game appearance.
But Lamb understands the power of the FAU offense, but knows where he wants to attack the Owls as he mentioned in his weekly presser.
🗒️ What They Are Saying 🗒️ #Tulsa HC Tre Lamb had high praise for #FAU HC @ZKittley, highlighted an Owls stat that @FAUFootball looks to turn around & more during @TulsaFootball's weekly presser. 🦉🏈 pic.twitter.com/U5gu2gnUej
— FAU Owls Nest (@FAU_Owls_Nest) November 4, 2025
Offense
Mentioned earlier, the Tulsa offense is led by Baylor Hayes. The quarterback transferred with coach Lamb as they set their sights on being a part of a hopeful Golden Hurricane program jump start. The Brentwood, TN prospect has only been the starter since the middle of October, but has helped his squads stay competitive in their losses to ECU and Temple.
On the season, the redshirt freshman has a completion percentage of 60, has thrown for nine touchdown passes including three against the Temple Owls.
In the running game, it’s redshirt senior Dominic Richardson leading the way. The nomadic type of player has spent time with three different programs before settling on Tulsa this season, but it has paid off. Even with a depleted offensive line, Richardson has rushed for 675 yards and earned three touchdowns on the ground this season. He is above the rest of his team in that category as no one comes close to his production on the ground.
The receiving leaders are WR Zion Booker and TE Brody Foley. Booker has been a favorite target and like Richardson stands above the rest in his position. Foley on the other hand, has been a sure thing in terms of being a do-it-all type of tight end. The tight end has back-to-back games with six receptions and looks to be another factor come Saturday afternoon for his squad.
Defense
The Tulsa defense allows nearly 30 points per game and have not been known to slow down high flying offenses. It will be a challenge for the defense to find a way to slow down the Owls, but one thing is for sure; the Golden Hurricanes’ defensive line is legit. With 17 sacks on the year, their front four is scary good. Especially against a FAU offensive line that without Alex Atcavage and banged up starters, has shown weakness.
In terms of sacks, DL J’Dan Burnett leads his squad in sacks (6.5) and TFLs (8.5). Alongside him is DL Byron Turner Jr as the redshirt senior has 4.5 sacks and 6.5 tackles for loss. This duo will give the Owls fits on the line, but it will be up to the schematics of plays for the ball to be out of Veltkamp’s hands quickly. In total, six members of the Tulsa defense have at least one sack on the season.
In the secondary the American’s top pass breakup duo pops up. DBs Lento Smith Jr. & Elijah Green combined for 31 passes defended so far on the year. Smith has 20 of those 31 and is averaging nearly 2.5 per game. If the ball is thrown in either one of their directions, it will be a harder play for the Owls offense. Expect the two to be placed on top receivers of FAU, but Kittley’s playbook may need to go a little deeper in this contest.
Final Thoughts
The hardest part of the schedule is over for Florida Atlantic as they have three of their last four games in Boca Raton. Tulsa looks to be a tough contest, but when both squads are healthy, FAU is the better team.
With a win, the Owls will have a better shot at finishing with a record of at least .500, but it will be a tough road ahead. For now, keep the sights on each Saturday at a time, and it will all play out on the gridiron. Regardless, hopefully this one looks similar to last season.