Pok’s Football Week in Review: The Picture Gets Clearer

The FIU Panthers, USF Bulls, and Florida Atlantic Owls all had very interesting college football games in Week 6, laying the foundation for some very interesting storylines going forward. I also had the chance to cover Delaware vs. Western Kentucky last Friday night, which ended up being one of the more fun games of the week.

Add in another edition of the “Standout Seven”, and it looks like this football column is going to be a great one! Sit down, grab a snack, and get comfortable. The latest edition of Pok’s Football Week in Review is here, and it is time to dive into it!

FIU Gets Flattened vs. UConn

For the second straight game, things did not go very well for the FIU Panthers. And that may be putting it nicely.

The Panthers were boatraced by the UConn Huskies on Saturday, losing by a score of 51-10. FIU gave up a large handful of big plays, struggled with turnovers, and looked disjointed from an overall sense.

As always, though, there were some positives for the Panthers. Kenton Simmons continued to rush the passer at a high level for the Panthers, notching seven pressures and a sack. He also provided solid run defense, notching a 67.8 PFF run defense grade. Keegan Davis was impressive, too, notching four pressures, a sack, and three defensive stops as a run defender.

In coverage, freshman safety Jessiah McGrew made plays as a run defender and flashed in coverage once again. Mister Clark was a force as a run defender, notching six tackles and two tackles for loss. Victor Evans III was credited with eight tackles and had some very nice reps in coverage as well.

Offensively, there were plenty of flashes at the running back position and from the pass catchers.

Despite playing in a limited capacity, Jojo Stone showed great speed and route running in the game. Freshman Tyson Carter showed impressive speed and had a great reception for 24 yards. Meanwhile, tight end Jackson Verdugo showed good hands and route running on his one catch. Eric Nelson also flashed YAC ability on his one reception of the game. Kyle McNeal and Alex Perry, when targeted, showed nice all-around ability.

On the ground, Anthony Carrie and Kejon Owens ran at a very high level, despite the struggles around them. Owens notched 4.4 yards per attempt, 66 yards, and the only touchdown for the Panthers. He forced five missed tackles and had two runs of over 10 yards. Carrie had 49 yards on seven carries, forced three missed tackles, and had 41 of his yards after contact.

Outside of that, though, things were not good for the Panthers.

The passing game was extremely rough, as Keyone Jenkins and Joe Pesansky combined for three interceptions. Jenkins was especially poor again. He did not push the football down the field, was hesitant as a decision-maker, and was unable to keep the ball ahead of the sticks. While not all his fault, Jenkins’s play made things easy for the UConn defense and very difficult for the FIU offense.

Defensively, the communication was horrific in the pass game. Joe Fagnano carved up the Panthers due to these issues, racking up 354 yards and four touchdowns. Cam Edwards did not light up the scoreboard, but punished FIU’s defense with multiple big runs to reach 80 yards and a touchdown. Skyler Bell secured 62 yards and two touchdowns in the game. Add in abysmal tackling, and this game is another level beyond the team’s struggles against Delaware.

Heading into another bye week, FIU has plenty of things that they need to fix. They desperately need Brain Blades II and Shamir Sterlin back on the field for their defense. The offense needs to find consistency in pushing the ball down the field, which will, in turn, allow Owens and Carrie to find even more success. Most importantly, the Panthers need to find a way to avoid turnovers and refrain from committing penalties in critical situations.

A truly successful season is still in the cards for the Panthers, and they have shown the ability to win games or compete against all types of opponents. But to reach that point, FIU needs to find that consistency once again. With some time off before the Western Kentucky game, the Panthers need to look deep within themselves to make sure that they hit the ground running once again.

FAU Finds Success vs. Rice

Facing off against an upstart Rice football team, FAU won a close game by the score of 27-21. The Boca Raton Owls still had some of their struggles that have plagued them throughout the first five games of the season. However, they made some important improvements that helped them win the game.

Outside of one interception, Caden Veltkamp dealt all game long. He threw for 290 yards, three touchdowns, and averaged 8.8 yards per attempt. One of his touchdowns was arguably Veltkamp’s best throw of the season, hitting Asaad Waseem on a perfect throw down the sideline just out of reach of the defender.

Tight end Michael Kirch had his breakout game for the Owls, notching four receptions for 82 yards and two touchdowns. Easton Messer notched 11 catches for 110 yards on 16 targets, continuing his incredible start to the season for FAU. Asaad Waseem also continued his breakout season, recording 89 yards and a touchdown on three catches.

Most importantly for the offense, the offensive line was extremely impressive as pass blockers. The starting unit allowed ONE total pressure all game and had one sack recorded. Scarlee Jean and Alex Atcavage led the group with 85.9 PFF pass blocking grades. If the Owls can get this type of play out of this unit, they will be able to challenge all of their opponents for the rest of the season.

On defense, FAU took its lumps against a very unique Rice offense, allowing 21 total points. However, some of the key faces for FAU truly stepped up in this game.

Linebacker Leon Hart Jr. was a force for the Owls’ defense, flying around all game. He notched 10 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and had six defensive stops. He not only graded out as the highest graded run defender for FAU (87.2), but also as the best overall defender for the Owls at 83.0. For his efforts, the standout linebacker was named the player of the game for Florida Atlantic.

Wilky Denaud and CJ Doggette Jr. had good moments as run defenders, each grading out as very positive players in this category. Dillion Williams was a force as a run defender, notching four stops as a run defender. He also notched a pass breakup and 75.7 PFF coverage grade. Chris Keys Jr. also had a pass breakup while notching an elite 83.8 coverage grade.

FAU still failed to rush the passer at a high level or run the ball at a high level. These issues are going to have to get fixed going forward, as the Owls will need a diverse game plan against the likes of USF, Tulane, and the rest of their schedule.

But if FAU can execute their strengths at this high of a level consistently, they will be able to go toe-to-toe with many teams left on their schedule. Things are heading in the right direction for Florida Atlantic, and if the execution continues, the Owls still have a shot to have a successful 2025 season.

USF Faces Little Opposition vs. Charlotte

Can a team score 54 points in a game and still have plenty of room for improvement? Somehow, USF accomplished just that!

In their matchup against Charlotte, the Bulls blew out the 49ers by a score of 54-26. And for the most part, USF did a lot of things very well!

Quarterback Byrum Brown was truly a dual threat all night, carrying the offense up and down the field. As a passer, Brown threw for 211 yards, four touchdowns, and had three big-time throws. Despite having two interceptions, Brown still had an elite 82.2 PFF passing grade, which is likely due to having five drops from his wideouts. As a runner, Brown rumbled for 162 yards and a touchdown on 16 attempts. He had a ridiculous 12 missed tackles and had seven runs of 10 yards or more. Brown continues to power the Bulls’ offense, and despite his small struggles, has been one of the best quarterbacks in the country. The Charlotte game was just another key example of the quarterback’s skill level.

Outside of Brown, the rushing attack was very effective for the Bulls.

Nykahi Davenport ran with great burst and power, forcing nine missed tackles and having 53 yards after contact. Averaging 5.3 yards per attempt and notching a touchdown, Davenport could be in store for a much bigger role down the stretch of the 2025 season.

Sam Franklin and Cartevious Norton were also very impressive. Both players averaged 5.0 yards per carry and each had over 30 yards after contact. Norton also had a nice 37-yard touchdown run to open up the scoring for the Bulls.

The pass catchers, despite some drops, had a very solid day overall. Freshman Jereimah Koger broke onto the scene for the first time in his career, racking up 75 yards and a touchdown on four receptions. Chas Nimrod and Mudia Rueben each had touchdowns in the game, which continued their solid starts to the 2025 season.

Defensively, the major standout was, once again, linebacker Mac Harris.

The star defender did literally everything for the Bulls once again, keeping the Charlotte offense in check for the majority of the game. Harris had seven tackles, two quarterback hits, a forced fumble, four total pressures, and six defensive stops. As a result, he had an elite 91.8 PFF defensive grade, which was bolstered by an elite 91.8 coverage grade. Is that good? That seems pretty damn good.

Outside of Harris, Jhalyn Shuler had another good performance for the Bulls. The linebacker had 10 tackles, a pressure, and a forced fumble. In the secondary, De’Shawn Rucker, Ben Knox, and Jonas Duclona had some nice reps and coverage over the course of the game. Defensive tackle Traveon Mitchell also had a nice game as a pass rusher, generating three pressures on 16 attempts.

Even with all of this success, the Bulls have plenty of room to improve.

USF saw its pass catchers have five separate drops over the course of the game and had four separate turnovers. There was plenty of miscommunication on defense that led to Charlotte hitting some big plays in the second half. Overall, it felt like the Bulls took their foot off the gas after taking an early 23-0 lead, which led to some of their sloppiness and mistakes.

However, USF is a talented enough football team to still easily dispatch weaker opponents when they make mistakes. It’ll be intriguing to see how the Bulls compete against the North Texas Mean Green, as they present multiple challenges on offense and defense. It is arguably the most important game for USF this season, as it will go a long way toward deciding the American Conference championship game and potentially a spot in the College Football Playoff.

If USF can eliminate its mistakes and keep the positive aspects of its game rolling, it should be in a great position to not only win this game but also win the majority of its remaining games in 2025.

Western Kentucky vs. Delaware Notes

Maverick McIvor was fantastic in this ballgame. The WKU signal caller was great, getting through his reads, evading pressure, and making the big-time throws when necessary. He was pinpoint with his accuracy at every level of the field and could have had a lot more production with a few extra catches. It’ll be exciting to see how McIvor fares going forward, including on Tuesday against FIU.

On the WKU defense, Harper Holloman was a force as a pass rusher, notching seven pressures. He also provided great run defense throughout the game. In coverage, Jaylen Lewis and Demarko Williams fared very well, shutting down wideouts for the Blue Hens on a consistent basis.

Despite some turnovers, Delaware quarterback Nick Minicucci helped move the ball all night long. His rushing ability was huge for the offense, and he made some big-time throws at key points of the game. Delaware may have come up short, but Minicucci continues to play at a very high level for the Blue Hens.

Jake Thaw is a tough player in traffic, has smooth route running, and is just simply a reliable player. While he wasn’t a major focal point of the offense, he was consistent, and an excellent safety valve.

The Blue Hens have some very impressive linebackers. Gavin Moul had some impressive plays in the run game and provided a huge sack as a pass rusher. Marje Mulumba and Blake Matthews flew all around the field all game, each recording five or more tackles. This unit is going to help the Blue Hens shut down multiple Conference USA opponents.

Standout Seven: Favorite Football Players from the Week

Cam Edwards, RB – UConn

UConn has another excellent player at running back. Continuing his great start to the 2025 season, Edwards averaged 6.7 yards per carry and totaled 80 yards against FIU. He ran with power, had impressive vision, and consistently put the UConn offense in a position to succeed. With multiple fun matchups in the coming weeks, including Boston College and Duke, Edwards could truly cement himself as one of the better running backs in the country and a potential 2026 NFL draft prospect.

Skyler Bell, WR – UConn

All Skyler Bell does is catch touchdowns and make big plays for the Huskies. Against FIU, Bell had 62 yards and two touchdowns on six receptions. The wideout’s route running was crisp, his hands were very solid, and his speed was on full display all game. Bell has dominated for the majority of this season, continuing his form from 2024 and even improving upon that season. If he continues to light things up, Bell will be a coveted player in the draft.

Amir Renwick, LB – UConn

Returning to action against the Panthers, Amir Renwick showed that he is a vital pert of the UConn defense. Renwick notched eight tackles, five defensive stops, four pressures, a sack, and an interception. He was everywhere for the Huskies in this game, playing a major role in shutting down FIU’s offense for the better part of four quarters. Renwick is a player who could break onto the scene with a few more big-time performances. Even if he does not, though, the dominance of the linebacker in this past week earns him a spot on the list.

Caden Veltkamp, QB – FAU

Things keep improving for Veltkamp in 2025, and his performance against Rice is further evidence of that. The quarterback was smooth in the pocket, hit big-time throws down the field, and constantly kept the FAU offense on schedule. The accuracy is improving, along with the command of the offense and Veltkamp’s confidence. The quarterback looks to be much closer to capitalizing on his ceiling as a player.

Byrum Brown, QB – USF

Byrum Brown powered the USF offense through the air and on the ground. He accounted for over 300 yards of offense and five touchdowns by himself. Brown has gotten more comfortable as the season has gone on, carrying more of the offensive load and ensuring that the Bulls are in the best possible position to succeed. He is one of my favorite quarterbacks and overall players in the country, and USF has a chance for a special season on the back of his performance.

Dallas Wilson, WR – Florida

The Florida Gators have a great group of wideouts, and the best one of the bunch may have finally arrived. Dallas Wilson starred against the Texas Longhorns, notching 11 yards and two touchdowns on six receptions. He showed great speed, body control, play strength, and route running against a very talented defense. To say that the sky is the limit for Wilson is an understatement.

Malachi Toney, WR – Miami

On the other coast of Florida, Malachi Toney continues to show out for the Miami Hurricanes. Against Florida State, Toney had 107 yards and two touchdowns on seven receptions. On top of great hands, Toney has shown ridiculous athleticism and speed on a level comparable to some of the best wideouts in college football. Only 17 years old, the sky is the limit for Toney as a player at Miami.

Honorable Mentions: WKU QB Maverick McIvor, UConn QB Joe Fagnano, FAU WR Easton Messer, Delaware LB Blake Matthews, Florida QB DJ Lagway

College Football Quote of the Week

“Right now, there are too many instances where one player does not do their job. On film, we are not seeing 11 guys busting their assignments; it may just be one guy. But in football, that one guy may be the reason a play is unsuccessful. We have to get back to the drawing board. We have to figure out what our quarterbacks can handle and execute, and we have to run those plays. I think we have the talent, and I have said that from the beginning, but the execution is not matching the talent. And we have ten days to figure that part out.”

– FIU HC Willie Simmons

The Look Ahead

Heading into a new week of football, here is a new edition of “The Look Ahead!”

• I will be in attendance for this weekend’s Temple-Navy game! Both teams have very unique and high-powered offenses, and this should be one of the more fun games of the weekend. I am very excited to cover this game in person.
• USF faces off against North Texas in what could be one of the best American Conference games of the 2025 season. It’ll be exciting to see how the Bulls and the Mean Green look in this game, especially when it comes to the high-powered offenses of both teams. From a purely USF perspective, they need to get the run game and pass rush rolling. If they do, it could be a great night for the Bulls.
• Dante Moore vs. Fernando Mendoza. That’s it. Don’t sleep on this showdown this weekend.

That is it for another edition of the column! Thank you for reading along, and I will catch you all next time!