VENUE – Flagler Credit Union Stadium (Boca Raton, FL)
HOW TO WATCH –ESPN+
ODDS –Florida Atlantic -7.5
The Shula Bowl returns this Saturday to Boca Raton with both FIU and FAU entering the game at 1-1. FAU comes off a 38-20 win over Navy, while the Panthers come off a 33-20 win over Buffalo.
Quarterback Caden Veltkamp and wide receivers Easton Messer and Kelby Valsin made big contributions for the Owls last week, while JJ Kohl, Jojo Stone, and Maguire Anderson did the same for the Panthers.
This isn’t just another game on the calendar for both teams. For the FIU Panthers and FAU Owls, their bragging rights in South Florida’s I-95 corridor are at stake.
FAU Offense vs. FIU Secondary
Veltkamp will be a guy the Panthers have to watch on the field. He demolished the Navy in his last start, going 27/32 for 386 yards and five touchdowns. The five touchdowns tied a FAU single-game record and earned him American Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Week honors. In two games, Veltkamp has completed 72.6% of his passes and has a rating of 157.7.
Messer is a player that FIU’s secondary must cover. He caught eight passes for 179 yards and two touchdowns against Navy. Valsin is a dangerous weapon as well, who had 118 receiving yards and a touchdown in that game. Messer and Valsin rank first and second in the American in receiving yards, with 252 and 207.
If these receivers get their individual opportunities again, Veltkamp will pressure FIU’s defense and put up points on the scoreboard. FIU’s defense, though, is allowing just 19.5 points per game and has proven to be a productive unit. The Panthers rank first in Conference USA in total defense after two strong performances.
FIU Offense vs. FAU Front Seven
Kohl has been just as productive in his first two games. He’s averaging 334 yards per game, third best in the nation. FIU’s passing attack sits amongst the top 15 in the country. Kohl is completing 60.5% of his passes and has a quarterback rating of 136.8 in two games. His offense has shown that they can move the ball quickly through turnovers; an explosive pass play can swing this game.
His offensive line has protected him well, allowing just one sack. This trenches battle is important because FAU’s defense ranks 14th in the country in total defense and scoring defense. They will try to use their pass rush without sacrificing downfield coverage. However, the Panthers rank first in Conference USA in both total offense and defense.
Both of FIU’s top receivers rank top 10 in the conference in yardage after career games. Stone made seven catches for 106 yards and two touchdowns (one passing, one receiving), while Anderson is coming off an eight-reception, 87-yard performance. The big question is whether they can pressure FAU’s defense to work for them in coverage.
FIU Defensive Line vs. FAU’s Offensive Line
Individually, Elisha Baldridge is FIU’s most intriguing defensive battle. He will be relied on to bring pressure against FAU’s offensive line, which has yet to surrender a sack this season. Baldridge has been a disruptive presence for the Panthers in two games. With 11 combined tackles, 4.0 TFLs, two sacks, and a forced fumble, he has earned Conference USA and Frisco Bowl Week 2 Defensive Player of the Week honors.
Deejay Holmes Jr. is another defensive lineman who will be a threat to the Owls. He has seven tackles, three TFLs, two sacks, and a fumble recovery. Baldridge and Holmes rank first and second among Conference USA edge defenders in Pro Football Focus’ Week 2 grades. If FIU’s front can win on most early downs and force Veltkamp into obvious passing play situations, this unit will be the focal point of this game. A defensive play could be the turning point of this matchup.
We’re live now from Pitbull Stadium for our Week 3 press conference ahead of the Shula Bowl 🎙️https://t.co/j8dyDB3rIM
Aside from both teams being just 46 miles apart, this will be a close matchup, no matter how you look at it. Expect pass-heavy offenses, which could make this a high-scoring, back-and-forth affair. The Panthers rank seventh in the country in passing (343.5 YDS/G) while the Owls rank 15th in the nation (331.0 YDS/G).
Both programs are coming off explosive offensive performances. Veltkamp may have more of a downfield passing game than Kohl, but it will come down to defense, which FIU has proven effective at. This Shula Bowl match could result in one of the highest-scoring games in the rivalry’s history. It wouldn’t be surprising to see this come down to the last possession.
In 23 meetings, FAU leads the rivalry decisively, 17-5. After the Owls had the largest winning streak in the Shula Bowl from 2017 to 2024, the Panthers turned the tide at home with a 38-28 victory. FIU won just once in Boca Raton, back on November 16, 2012, a 34-24 win. It’s also the only time FIU has claimed the Shula Bowl trophy for two consecutive seasons.
He’s a diehard 305 native who roots for his hometown teams in the good, the bad, and the ugly. Recently, he graduated from FIU with an MBA, but now he’s a Lemonhead covering UM basketball. Known to be anywhere and everywhere, you may catch him at a Miami sporting event.
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