Florida's revamped defense will face an immediate test in the nation's No. 1 returning passing offense from last season. Florida Atlantic averaged 340.2 yards per game through the air and quarterback Caden Veltkamp returns for the Owls after tossing for over 3,600 yards in 2025.
FAU finished 4-8 during Zach Kittley's first season but featured one of college football's most dynamic passing attacks — the Owls ranked atop the FBS in passing yards last fall. The unit also averaged 444.2 total yards and 29.5 points during the campaign.
Veltkamp completed 67% of his passes as a junior and many of those completions went to frequently targeted Easton Messer. The 5-foot-9-inch, 190-pound wide receiver out of Louisville, Kentucky, led the nation with 8.67
receptions per game — he finished the season with 104 catches and over 1,000 yards.
New defensive coordinator Brad White and the retooled secondary are looking to erase memories of the 2025 season, when the group struggled with consistency. The unit was unable to generate turnovers and gave up an uncharacteristically high completion percentage.
The additions of veteran transfers free safety DJ Coleman from Baylor and nickleback Kanye Clark should shore up the back end for White and the Gators. Redshirt freshman Ben Hanks III is a name to watch against the Owls. The former five-star recruit appeared in just three games last season but is projected to start and play a major role for UF.
While the Owls boast a high-flying attack, they have been prone to turning the ball over. In fact, FAU threw 20 interceptions and committed 29 turnovers in 2025. The Owls' turnover issues combined with a defense that surrendered 36.3 points and 436.5 yards per game were catalysts for their 10th-place American conference finish last season.
The vulnerable FAU defense should create plenty of opportunities for Jadan Baugh to rack up plenty of yards from scrimmage. FAU allowed 201.3 rushing yards per game last year, and with the trio of Florida rushers likely to see action in Week 1, it bodes well for Buster Faulkner's unit.
The Gators host the Owls at 7:45 p.m. ET Saturday on SEC Network.
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This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Florida's upcoming opponent: What to know about FAU before Week 1
