Farrow returns two kickoffs for touchdowns as Florida Atlantic wins 66–10

Leonard Farrow returned two kickoffs for touchdowns and Caden Veltkamp threw four scoring passes as Florida Atlantic beat Texas Southern 66–10 Saturday in Boca Raton. The Owls scored on special teams, defense and offense, building a 49-point first half before adding 17 more points after the break.

Farrow took the opening kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown. After Texas Southern answered with a 44-yard field goal, he returned the ensuing kickoff 92 yards for another score. Florida Atlantic's offense had not yet needed to carry the scoring load, and the Owls were already ahead 14–3.

The defense added another touchdown on a strip-sack sequence. Joseph Sipp Jr. forced the turnover and Wilky Denaud finished the return, according to the school's official report. Florida Atlantic thus scored its first three touchdowns without an offensive drive producing any of them, an unusual start that immediately put the Tigers behind.

Veltkamp then connected with Easton Messer for a 19-yard touchdown and found Kelby Valsin for scoring passes of 19 and 55 yards. Texas Southern got its only touchdown on Athean Renfro Jr.'s 11-yard run, but Veltkamp and Valsin answered with an eight-yard score before halftime.

Valsin caught seven passes for 126 yards and three touchdowns. Veltkamp completed 13 of 16 throws for 247 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions. Messer had four receptions for 88 yards, giving the Owls another receiver who could move the offense rapidly without a long string of snaps.

Florida Atlantic's 453 total yards included 323 passing and 130 rushing. Brady Tillman III ran six times for 48 yards and a touchdown, and Almari Brown also scored on the ground. Collin Rogers made a 47-yard field goal after halftime, adding to an evening in which the Owls were productive through several different scoring routes.

Texas Southern actually held possession for 42:22, compared with Florida Atlantic's 17:38. The disparity reflects the return touchdowns and quick scores: time with the ball did not create a competitive margin. The Tigers gained 312 yards, converted four of 17 third downs and committed two turnovers. Renfro ran for 101 yards on 20 attempts, while Cam'Ron McCoy threw for 158 yards and one interception.

Florida Atlantic's official report called the 56-point margin the largest in program history and the 49-point first half a school record. The Owls improved to 4–1 with their fourth consecutive victory. They have a bye before visiting Army on October 17, with Farrow's two returns and Valsin's three touchdowns providing the defining plays of Saturday's win.