FAU vs. Memphis 2025 Preview: Can the Owls Upset at Home?

With conference play finally here, the FAU Owls have an opportunity that many teams would love to have: a fresh start.

Despite their early-season struggles, the Owls have yet to play a game against another American Conference opponent. If things go right for them, the Owls could still make a run at not only being bowl eligible, but also very competitive in the overall landscape of the conference.

That path is going to be extremely difficult, though. And it all starts with a prime-time, nationally televised game against the fearsome Memphis Tigers. Holding a 4-0 record, the Tigers are coming off an upset victory against the Arkansas Razorbacks. The Tigers have a dynamic offense, a stifling defense, and a coaching staff that is arguably one of the best in the country. As a result, the Owls will be very much up against it on Saturday night.

How do the Owls stack up in this matchup? And how can they compete in and/or win this game? Those questions, and more, will be answered today! It is time for another Florida Atlantic game preview, this time for the team’s matchup against the Memphis Tigers!

FAU vs. Memphis: Matchup History and Quotes

Over the course of the existence of both football programs, the Owls and Tigers have split the series against each other.

FAU is currently 1-1 against the Memphis, with both matchups occurring in bowl games. In 2007, the Owls beat the Tigers in the New Orleans Bowl by a score of 44-27. FAU quarterback Rusty Smith threw for 336 yards and five touchdowns in the victory, while the run game totaled 134 yards on 3.5 yards per carry.

In 2020, Memphis defeated FAU by a score of 25-10 in the Birmingham Bowl. Current Pittsburgh Steelers wideout Calvin Austin had 28 yards and a touchdown, while FAU star LaJohntay Wester had 19 yards receiving in this game.

At his Tuesday media availability, FAU head coach Zach Kittley spoke about what he wants to see from his offense on Saturday night.

“Execution and protecting the football. Protecting the football is No. 1. If you look at where we are at right now, we are at the bottom of the bottom in terms of turnover margin. If you look up in 10 weeks and we are sitting at 136th in the country in turnover margin, it is no secret that we are going to have a really bad record. It starts with us protecting the football on offense. But I use protecting the football and executing the same, because it is a group of things that happen for why that ball gets turned over.”

Kittley added that he challenged the team in this capacity, saying that, “If we look up after the game and we have zero turnovers on the stat book, let’s look up and see what is going to happen. If we continue our trend of averaging three turnovers per game, it is not rocket science. We are going to struggle.”

Regarding the defense, CJ Doggette Jr. spoke about the defense’s main mentality against the Memphis offense.

“[We need to] play as hard as possible, like we always do. Our word in the defensive line room is ‘kill’, so that is the main thing we always focus on. Just play as hard as possible, and everything is going to fall into place. The plays are there to be made, we just have to make them happen.”

FAU vs. Memphis 2025 Preview: Keys, Players, and Predictions

Key Players for FAU

In this pivotal matchup for the Owls, there are key players on both sides of the ball.

On offense, FAU is going to need quarterback Caden Veltkamp at his best to win this game. Veltkamp has had some great highs this season, as evidenced by his 880 passing yards, eight touchdowns, and six big-time throws. He has hit some great throws and shown solid movement in the pocket, keeping drives alive and executing the the offense’s play calls. He has also flashed as a designed runner in the red zone.

However, Vetkamp has had some big struggles, too. The quarterback’s accuracy has been spotty at times, missing throws deep down the field and over the middle. When under pressure, Veltkamp has occasionally looked skittish, bailing on pockets too quickly to try to make a play. Even worse, the quarterback has put the ball in harm’s way too much. On the season, Veltkamp has seven interceptions and 11 turnover-worthy plays.

Through Veltkamp’s struggles and the struggles of others, the FAU offense has an EPA of -0.13 and an overall success rate of 37.0-percent. The Owls need their quarterback at his best on Saturday. If he plays at that level, things will go much better for the team and the offense. However, Veltkamp is not the only one who needs to have a great game on offense.

Running back Gemari Sands and offensive tackle Daughtry Richardson are two other important players for the FAU offense. Sands is an explosive and dynamic player out of the backfield for the Owls, already posting 236 yards rushing on 7.4 yards per attempt through three games. He also already has 11 receptions for 60 yards.

Despite Sands’s success, though, the rushing attack has had major struggles. The unit, according to Game on Paper, has mustered a -0.16 EPA per rush, which ranks 123rd in the country. Their EPA of -0.21 on early downs is 131st, while their rushing success rate of 34.1-percent ranks 120th in the country.

Essentially, the metrics show that Sands has had to be Superman in the running game, and that Veltkamp has been put in very tough situations as a result. They also show that the offensive line has been a big part of the offensive inconsistencies, and that is where the importance of Richardson against Memphis comes into play.

Richardson has held up relatively well in the run game. However, the unit as a whole needs to get a bigger push. They have been stymied too many times on early downs, which has set up disadvantageous situations for the passing game. Furthermore, the Owls need Richardson to bring his best as a pass blocker. Richardson has had his successes as a pass blocker this year, but he has also been beaten on a decent handful of occasions.

For the Owls to compete on Saturday, the offensive line has to be rolling. The run game needs to open lanes up, while the pass blocking needs to be at its highest level. As one of the veterans on the unit, Richardson needs to lead that charge and ensure that the trench warfare is not one-sided against the Memphis defense.

On defense, the line and linebackers for the Owls will be important.

FIU gashed the Owls on the ground in the Shula Bowl, and Memphis is a supercharged version of the Panthers’ unit. Sutton Smith is one of the best running backs in the country, racking up 394 yards and five touchdowns through four games played. Fellow running backs Frank Peasant and Makari Bodiford have also been very useful, combining for four touchdowns between the two of them. Quarterback Brendon Lewis has been lethal, too, notching 329 yards, four touchdowns, and 7.7 yards per attempt through four games.

The entire front seven of FAU needs to come to play. If they can find a way to stifle the Tigers on the ground, a path to winning the game will be clear for the Owls.

Key Players for Memphis

For the Tigers, there are a few key players to highlight.

Sutton Smith is an obvious inclusion in this section, and for good reason. The running back looks like one of the best players at his position in the country. With speed and vision, Smith can erase angles and make things difficult for the opposing defense. Against FAU he should be given the ball early and often. There is a very good chance he could have another big-time performance.

Sticking with the offense, wide receiver Cortez Braham Jr. could play a big role in the passing game for the Tigers. Already recording 255 yards and two touchdowns, the Nevada transfer has a built-in rapport with quarterback Brendon Lewis. He has also shown great big-play potential, posing an ADOT of 13.6, and has come down with all four of his contested catch attempts. Against a team that might be selling out for the run, Braham will have the chance to make some big-time plays.

On defense, William Whitlow Jr. and Kamari Wilson are the two players worth highlighting.

Whitlow already has 16 pressures and two sacks in 2025. He has also been a force in the run game, producing an impressive 13 run stops and 12 tackles. Whitlow is one of the best defenders in the American Conference, and against a vulnerable FAU offensive line, he could be in store for a big-time game.

Wilson is the best coverage player for the Tigers in 2025, posting a 75.6 PFF coverage grade. He has three pass breakups, an interception, and has only allowed five receptions on nine targets. FAU will look to challenge the Memphis secondary all night, and for the Tigers to have a good night against them, Wilson will have to play a key role.

FAU vs. Memphis: Keys to Victory

For the Owls to compete against and potentially beat Memphis, here are the main keys they need to accomplish.

Eliminate Turnovers

The Owls have turned the ball over way too much through three games. These mistakes have overshadowed offensive success and put the team in holes they cannot climb out of. If FAU plays clean football, they will have a great chance to get some great shots in against the Tigers.

Execute at a High Level

The Owls have a ton of talent and a fun scheme. They competed against Maryland and looked like they were on their way to winning the Shula Bowl after a great first half. If FAU executes on both offense and defense while avoiding the backbreaking mistakes and lack of attention to detail, the team should be in a good spot on Saturday night.

Play Disciplined

Penalties are drive-killers and game-enders. FAU can’t afford to play undisciplined against an elite team like Memphis. If the Owls do not clean up this area of their game, they will have no chance against the Tigers.