Steve Irvine Previews UAB At FAU Game
By Steve Irvine
BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA - October 10, 2025
UAB (2-3) VS. FLORIDA ATLANTIC (2-3)
FAU STADIUM
SATURDAY, 5 P.M. CST, ESPN+
When FAU has the ball: Expect the Owls to do what they can to get the running game going this week. Now, that pretty much goes against what FAU has done to this point of the season. For the most part, the Owls like to throw the football, so much so that they lead the country in passes per game. A week ago, though, FAU had 33 pass attempts and 33 rushes in the 27-21 win over Rice. The Owls had just 103 rushing yards but they did show the willingness to commit to the run game. In the fourth quarter, FAU had 12 running plays and seven pass plays, holding the ball for nearly 10 of the 15 minutes while nursing a lead. On Saturday, they are facing a UAB defense that allows 227.6 yards rushing per game, which is 131st in the country. Now, that skewed a bit with UAB facing the No. 1 (Navy), No. 5 (Army) and No. 32 (Tennessee) rushing teams in FBS. But the Blazers also allowed 159 rushing yards against an Akron team that is 92nd in the country. So, it’s easy to see why FAU hopes to get its running game cranked up to bring a little balance to the offense. There is still no question that quarterback Caden Veltkamp is the key to the FAU offense. He leads the country in completions per game (28.80) and 8th in passing yards per game (297.6). But he is also susceptible to making mistaking. The 6-foot-6, 236-pound Veltkamp has thrown eight interceptions on the season with four of those coming in the season-opening loss to Maryland. In the other four games, he was intercepted four times. His favorite target is slot receiver Easton Messer, who played with Veltkamp at Western Kentucky. The 5-foot-9, 180-pound Messer has 48 catches for 473 yards with a touchdown. Messer leads the country with 9.6 receptions per game. When Veltkamp needs a big play he often looks toward Colorado transfer Asaad Waseem, who has 18 catches and four touchdown receptions. Waseem gained 273 yards on the 18 catches, which is an average of 15.17 yards per catch. Tight end Michael Kirch had 82 yards receiving and two touchdowns in last week’s win over Rice. It was the most single game receiving yards by a FAU tight end since 2019. One key for the UAB defense today is finding a way to create some takeaways. FAU is one of the worst teams in the country with 10 interceptions and two lost fumbles. UAB entered the season with hopes of being a team that was proficient at takeaways. However, through five games the Blazers have just two fumble recoveries and one interception.
When UAB has the ball: Just as with FAU, getting the running game moving could be a focus for the Blazers in Saturday’s game. UAB opened the season by running for 273 yards in a win over Alabama State. Since then, UAB has a combined 355 yards in four games. Last week was the only other time that UAB managed over 100 yards rushing since the opener. UAB had 103 yards on 18 carries last week in the loss to Army. The lack of rushing success is perplexing with talented running backs Jevon Jackson, Solomon Beebe and Isaiah Jacobs in the backfield and a solid offensive line. UAB head coach Trent Dilfer said early this week that the hope is for more commitment to getting the run game going. Each of the last three FAU opponents have rushed for at least 213 yards with Memphis gaining 296 yards on 46 carries. Saturday’s weather in Boca Raton could make the running game even more important, particularly in the first half, with thunderstorms in the forecast. UAB still needs the passing game to work and needs Jalen Kitna to bounce back from a frustrating afternoon against Army. Kitna is second in the country in completions per game (26.4) and seventh in passing yards per game (303). Something to watch could be the effectiveness of UAB receivers Iverson Hooks and Brandon Hawkins Jr., who were both banged up in last week’s loss to Army. Hooks has a team-high 25 catches for 338 yards with two touchdowns and Hawkins is second with 19 catches for 202 yards with a touchdown. Xavier Daisy has been excellent in the last two games with 11 catches for 102 yards with a touchdown against Army. It wouldn’t be surprising to see tight end Antonio Ferguson to get more involved in the offense. The FIU transfer missed the first three games with injury. Last week, Ferguson had his first UAB catch and it went for 18 yards. Expect him to continue to get more involved in the passing game.
Special teams: Can UAB kicker Jonah Delange bounce back from a difficult afternoon against Army? History will tell you that Delange, who has been one of the team’s most consistent players over the past two seasons, should come back nicely. Dilfer said earlier this week that he would put Delange in some difficult situations during practice this week. It’s not a stretch to say that Dilfer and his team still have plenty of confidence in Delange. FAU kicker Garrison Smith made all six of his kicks this season with four of those coming from closer than 30 yards. His season-long field goal from 48 yards was his lone attempt over 40 yards this season.
Hello my name is: Jevon Jackson, Isaiah Jacobs and Solomon Beebe. It’s time for these three to come back to the forefront of the offensive attack. Jackson has a team-high 369 rushing yards on 63 carries this season. He has three of the team’s nine rushing touchdowns this season.
Trend to follow: Red zone defense has been a nightmare for UAB this season. Opponents have scored on 21 of 22 red zone trips this season with 18 of those ending in touchdowns. The only stop was actually not a stop by the defense. Tennessee took a knee on the final snap of the game from the UAB 15-yard line. That needs to get better for UAB. FAU’s offense has not been great in the red zone with 10 touchdowns in 19 red zone trips. The Owls are 99th overall in red zone offense.
How FAU wins: Win the turnover battle, minimize timely penalties and establish the running game.
How UAB wins: Win the turnover battle, minimize timely penalties and establish the running game.
Coach’s corner: Can Trent Dilfer get his first road win as a college football head coach? Dilfer is 0-14 on the road during his time at UAB.
One more thing: UAB safety Pierre Royster has one more interception this season than any other defensive player on the field for either team. It’s hard to think that Royster will finish the game as the only player with an interception.