Veltkamp throws 4 TDs as FAU routs AAC leader UTSA 60-29 for bowl berth

Caden Veltkamp threw four touchdown passes, Easton Messer scored four ways, and Florida Atlantic pounded American Conference leader UTSA 60-29 on Thursday night at Flagler Credit Union Stadium in Boca Raton. The Owls are bowl eligible at 6-3 (3-2 American). UTSA falls to 7-2 (4-1), its first conference loss of the season.

Veltkamp completed 17 of 25 passes for 210 yards with no interceptions. Messer caught seven passes for 85 yards and three scores, then threw a 14-yard touchdown to AJ Johnson. Leonard Farrow added 12 carries for 126 yards, a 59-yard rushing touchdown and an 18-yard scoring catch. FAU piled up 563 total yards and 339 on the ground without a turnover.

How the Owls pulled away

Messer opened the scoring on a 6-yard catch from Veltkamp. Owen McCown answered with a 20-yard touchdown to Mekhi Anderson, but FAU scored twice more in the first quarter: Messer's 14-yard throw to Johnson and a 15-yard Veltkamp-to-Messer strike for a 21-7 lead.

A'Marion Peterson's 52-yard run cut it to 21-13, and Johnson answered with a 4-yard rush. McCown hit Anderson again from 45 yards, yet FAU still led 28-19. Veltkamp found Farrow for an 18-yard touchdown late in the half, and Michael Petro's 54-yard field goal made it 35-22 at the break.

Johnson's second 4-yard run and a two-point pass from Veltkamp to Kelby Valsin stretched the lead to 43-22. McCown's 26-yard touchdown to Isaiah Butler-Tanner was UTSA's last push. Farrow's 59-yard burst made it 50-29, Messer caught his third touchdown from 6 yards, and Alex Grace capped it with a 37-yard field goal.

McCown finished 20 of 35 for 265 yards and three touchdowns. Anderson had six catches for 117 yards and two scores. Peterson rushed for 77 yards. UTSA managed 425 yards with two turnovers.

Top performers

1. Caden Veltkamp, FAU: 17 of 25, 210 yards, four touchdowns, no interceptions.
2. Easton Messer, FAU: seven catches, 85 yards, three receiving TDs; 1-for-1 passing, 14 yards, one TD.
3. Leonard Farrow, FAU: 12 carries, 126 yards, one rush TD; 18-yard receiving TD.
4. Owen McCown, UTSA: 20 of 35, 265 yards, three touchdowns.
5. Mekhi Anderson, UTSA: six catches, 117 yards, two touchdowns.

Per the Associated Press, the loss drops UTSA a half-game behind North Texas and into a second-place tie with Memphis. FAU visits Tulsa on Nov. 14. UTSA hosts North Texas the same day.