USF vs. FAU 2025 Recap: Bulls Roll the Owls on Homecoming, 48-13

The USF Bulls made light work of the Florida Atlantic Owls on Homecoming Night, winning by a score of 48-13. While the Owls kept it close in the first half, USF would pull away in the fourth quarter and turn the game into a blowout. With that in mind, let’s dive into this USF vs. FAU 2025 game recap.

USF vs. FAU 2025 Game Recap

The USF offense, led by quarterback Byrum Brown, churned out consistent yardage and hit multiple big plays to flip the field. The run game was highly effective, and multiple different weapons made an impact throughout the game. Defensively, the Bulls flew around the field all night and made things brutal for the Owls.

As for FAU, there was a moment where it looked like the Owls had a true shot at this game. The defense got a few stops, while the offense scored enough points to make it relatively close. However, the team imploded in the fourth quarter, just like they did against Memphis a few weeks prior. The offense could not move the ball for a myriad of reasons, while the defense surrendered a large number of chunk plays. Add in some brutal penalties, and you have yet another meltdown for the Owls this season.

USF Has Minimal Issues with FAU Defense

For some drives over the course of the game, Florida Atlantic had some success against the USF offense.

The defensive line held strong against some interior runs. Meanwhile the secondary, led by players like Dillion Williams and Chris Keys Jr., made some great plays in space. The unit, throughout the latter portion of the second quarter and early in the third quarter, did more than enough to give the FAU offense a chance to get back into the game. It truly looked like Florida Atlantic was figuring it out against an upper-level opponent.

However, that was not the case. Outside of these flashes, the USF offense had its way with the FAU defense.

On the night, USF notched 522 total yards from scrimmage, mainly due to quarterback Byrum Brown. Through the air, Brown was 14-of-24 for 256 yards and three touchdowns. He was decisive, accurate, and took advantage of the time that his offensive line gave him. Brown had impressive strikes to Keshaun Singleton and Mudia Reuben to move the sticks, showing an ability to make the big throws in the biggest situations. He also had a game-changing touchdown to Jeremiah Koger, hitting his wideout in stride deep down the field.

As a runner, Brown was borderline unstoppable. The quarterback ran for 111 yards on 14 carries, throwing off defenders and outracing them all night. FAU could not contain him in the pocket, stop him in the open field, or bring him down on first contact. Add in the rushing touchdown that got the scoring kicked off in this one, and Brown truly had an elite performance as a runner.

Outside of Brown, multiple other players stepped up for the Bulls on offense.

Nykahi Davenport ran with impressive power and burst all game. This included his touchdown run, where he carried two defenders into the end zone. He notched 71 yards and averaged 5.1 yards per attempt, slotting in as the second-leading rusher of the game behind Brown.

Keshaun Singleton continued to be a very reliable target, displaying smooth route running and impressive contested catch ability. Jeremiah Koger continued his breakout season, catching a 60-yard touchdown where he broke a defender with a double move and broke multiple tackles. Tight ends Jonathan Echols and Wyatt Sullivan showed their high-end ability all night. Echols had a touchdown on a great route and adjustment on the catch, while Sullivan carried a defender into the end zone for his score.

From an overall sense, this game showed where the USF offense and the FAU defense are at. The Bulls have the depth and talent to to compete with teams all over the country.

As for FAU, they have the talent to compete with teams for small stretches of time. They can, in spurts, stop the run and shut down passing games, buying time for the offense to score points. However, over a four-quarter span, it is simply not good enough against talented teams. They cannot rush the passer, and they give up too many chunk plays. That’s a combination that will sink any team.

To get to where they want, FAU needs to figure out their defensive warts. And unfortunately, those solutions may not come in 2025.

FAU’s Offense Struggles against Bulls

Saturday night was rough for the FAU offense, and that is putting it lightly.

FAU’s offense averaged 3.5 yards per play and -0.10 EPA per play. Quarterback Caden Veltkamp averaged 7.0 yards per completion and had a -2.5 EPA per play. The rushing attack mustered 23 total net yards, and 0.8 yards per rush, and that could have been worse without some garbage time stats. The offensive line allowed five sacks on the night, while USF mustered 11 separate tackles for loss.

The lid was effectively put on the Owls’ offense, and they struggled to make hay without the big play. Veltkamp tried his best to will the offense down the field, connecting with wideouts and running backs in the short game over and over again. Asaad Waseem and Easton Messer made tough catches in traffic, allowing the Owls to find any semblance of success.

However, it was not enough to overcome the Bulls. Mac Harris and Jhalyn Shuler were everywhere for USF, making plays in the run game and passing game. Fred Gaskin did a little bit of everything all game, while James Chenault, De’Shawn Rucker, and Jarvis Lee provided key contributions. Zavier Hamilton burst onto the scene with five tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss, while Rico Watson III had a huge interception.

Just like the FAU defense against the USF offense, the Bulls’ defense showed that they are on a different level in some respects than what the Owls offense can handle.

Yes, Zach Kittley can scheme up open touches. Yet when push comes to shove, the Owls cannot hold up in the trenches. Veltkamp was running for his life throughout the second half, and took a lot of huge hits that do not happen with better protection. Furthermore, those hits do not happen if the run game is functioning at even an average level. USF destroyed the blocking FAU designed on those touches, making the Owls a one-dimensional offense all night.

There are ways to potentially fix these issues. Outside of adjusting the scheme, FAU can take a page out of USF’s playbook and utilize their young players. Kaden Shields-Dutton and Branden Hoch were two of the better skill players on the field tonight. However, they were barely used throughout the game. Instead of relying on the same players who have not gotten the job done, it may be time to switch things up. This can be on the offensive line, too. Change is good in football, and sometimes a diamond is waiting to be revealed.

Until the Owls find a way to find a consistent run game and hold up in the trenches, they will not be able to find a way to beat the better opponents on their schedule. And just like the defense, there is a real possibility that those solutions do not come until 2026.

Discipline and Mistakes Make the Difference

FAU fell down the penalty rabbit hole again, and it arguably cost them the game.

The Owls could not get out of their own way from a discipline perspective. On offense, FAU recorded multiple holding and false start penalties. These not only wiped out big plays, but put the Owls at a disadvantage.

On defense, Florida Atlantic gave USF two key first downs on two separate drives, which both resulted in South Florida touchdowns. And worst of all, an illegal crack back block wiped out an Easton Messer punt return touchdown that would have put FAU in a prime comeback position.

Add in all of the blown assignments, missed tackles, and other mistakes, and you arrive at a familiar result. FAU not only has a tendency to play sloppy football, but its play descends into an unacceptable realm when things start to slip away from them. The lead extends, the Owls lose their fundamentals, and the mistakes start flying. It feels like clockwork in the Owls’ losses, and even some of the team’s wins this season.

These issues, of course, fall at the feet of the players, but also at the feet of the coaches. Everyone is to blame for the Owls falling apart late in games, and it will take a team effort to put together a full performance against a good opponent.

Zach Kittley’s squad has the potential to be very good. How much potential they can capitalize on, though, is the major question; and how the Owls fare over the rest of the year will answer a lot of them.

Game Quotes

HC Zach Kittley on why the run game struggled again: “I think we had some missed assignments. That is as simple as that, to be honest with you. Whenever you are getting a four-by-one box or a 5-man box of some sort, you have to be able to run the football. People want to try to play Cover-2, Tampa-2, and all of that stuff; they are begging you to run the football, and we have to be better.”

WR Asaad Waseem on how the offense can adjust to not being able to hit the deep passes: “I feel like we just have to continue to grow and build with each other as a team. Me, Caden [Veltkamp], Easton [Messer], Dom [Henry], [Jayshon] Platt, we all have to get together and continue to grind. We still have five games left, we just have to get together.”

Shrine Bowl Watch List

Byrum Brown, QB, USF: Brown can make every play on the field at a high level. He is willing to stand in and let it rip in the pocket, and his accuracy is getting better and better every week.

Mac Harris, LB, USF: Harris is a great open field tackler, pass rusher, and coverage player. He is the heart and soul of the defense alongside Jhalyn Shuler, and they help carry the defense to great performance after great performance.

What’s Next?

USF travels to Memphis for a high-octane American Conference showdown in Week 9. Meanwhile, FAU travels to the Naval Academy to take on the Midshipmen in another conference matchup.