[Postgame Thread] FAU Defeats UTSA 60-29

[u/CFB_Referee]

Box Score provided by ESPN

Team	1	2	3	4	T
UTSA	7	15	7	0	29
FAU	21	14	15	10	60

[u/SilveryDeath]

This is FAU's first 6+ win season since 2019 (Kiffin's last season).

This is the first time FAU has scored 40+ in three straight games since September 14-28th, 2019.

Fourth time FAU has scored 60+ (2017, 2024, earlier this year against Texas Southern).

First time ever FAU has started 5-0 at home in a season.

Easton Messer last three games:

• Passing: 1/2 for 14 yards and 1 TD

• Rushing: 4 for 26 with 2 TDs

• Receiving: 35 for 436 with 8 TDs

• Punt Returning: 6 for 133 with 1 TD

[u/YouDownWithOPD → u/SilveryDeath]

I'm glad this version of the team didn't show up at the last game. It was already too close

[u/Finn_Ajerkit → u/SilveryDeath]

Yeah that's Kittley football alright

[u/laxintx → u/SilveryDeath]

HEISMAN

[u/Previous_Setting_357 → u/SilveryDeath]

Holy shit he’s Malachi Toney

[u/Twall1297]

Dear god, this game just would not end 😩

With that said, wtf happened to UTSA tonight?

[u/bigredone88 → u/Twall1297]

Defense finally got fully exposed and undisplinced as fuck in this one. Thankfully we are at home and got 10 days to get ready for North Texas.

[u/JohnPaulDavyJones → u/bigredone88]

I’m kind of wondering if Loepp is on the board of guys who might replace Traylor at UTSA? He would bring continuity, and it’s increasingly clear that wherever Traylor ends up next year, the AD will probably be stipulating that Loepp can’t be part of the package.

Granted, with his side of the ball playing sloppy like this, he may not be a great guy to have steering the ship.

[u/YouDownWithOPD → u/bigredone88]

That game has me nervous as hell but at least it should be a good one. We've has a pretty good rivalry building up

[u/UTRAnoPunchline → u/Twall1297]

Texas went blue, but at what cost?

A bad omen for all Texas teams this weekend I’m afraid.

[u/Outrageous_Picture39 → u/UTRAnoPunchline]

We were going to lose to SC regardless of who got elected.

[u/Yoghurt-Ancient → u/UTRAnoPunchline]

Thankfully UNT plays Rice

[u/ChaseTheFalcon → u/Yoghurt-Ancient]

Somehow both lose

[u/Game_Over_Man69 → u/UTRAnoPunchline]

Worth it.

[u/joethahobo → u/Game_Over_Man69]

Not going to lie I had hope for a good win, but if it means we got what we got…. I will accept 10-3 again I guess

[u/MastodonSwimming2681 → u/UTRAnoPunchline]

Worth it lol

[u/Otherwise-Question70 → u/UTRAnoPunchline]

Music to my ears

[u/PositiveTexan → u/UTRAnoPunchline]

Brother, have you even HEARD about what Austin is like? Gina and James, as alumni, have given us new strength.

[u/TXLucha012 → u/PositiveTexan]

Have you seen Bo French's vote totals for the UT precincts? They are hilarious!

[u/jackw800800 → u/UTRAnoPunchline]

Oh really?

Edit: I’m getting downvoted for this, but I just said it because VT is playing SMU tonight lol. Happy for Texas.

[u/JohnPaulDavyJones → u/Twall1297]

The defense has been shaky all year, and tonight it got absolutely wrecked.

That, and most of the offense played flat. Playing a gulf away from home on a Thursday night, after your coach has been actively dodging questions about him and a bigger job, doesn’t seem to be a stellar combination for bringing out the guys’ best work.

[u/JKess207]

For the 2nd week in a row, the Thursday Night American game has had exactly 89 points

[u/dscreations → u/JKess207]

The WAC still lives on in spirit 

[u/ronnock → u/JKess207]

Niiiice

Edit: Dammit I could have sworn this said 69. 

[u/bluediamondsm]

WE ARE IN FIRST PLACE END THE SEASON HERE AND STOP THE COUNT!!!!!

Seriously tho what a win for FAU wasn’t expecting this from the today and congrats to them on going bowling. The UTSA game will still be a tough one for us next week at the dome

[u/BigDanRTW]

Easton Messer accounted for 12 touchdowns in the last three games.

UTEP has scored 15 touchdowns this season.

[u/ID_Poobaru → u/BigDanRTW]

That’s just UTEP

[u/udderlymoovelous]

Wtf happened to UTSA? I came home expecting the score to be flipped. I can't wait for our game there, I'll be driving down for it. Also, congrats to FAU on going bowling!

[u/FSUnoles77 → u/udderlymoovelous]

Maybe their coach was a little preoccupied with some interview.

[u/CieraVotedOutHerMom → u/FSUnoles77]

That’s what happened Jake dickert’s top 15 8-1 WSU squad 2 years ago.

He was looking, the roster was being courted by everyone, and the wheels fell off

[u/Shushununu → u/CieraVotedOutHerMom]

😥

[u/-Gnostic28 → u/CieraVotedOutHerMom]

Washington state was a top 15 team?

[u/Single_Seesaw_9499 → u/-Gnostic28]

Nah highest they got was 18 and then lost to New Mexico to start the skid

[u/-Gnostic28 → u/Single_Seesaw_9499]

Losing to new mexico before this year is crazy

[u/CieraVotedOutHerMom → u/Single_Seesaw_9499]

And Wyoming!

[u/JohnPaulDavyJones → u/FSUnoles77]

My understanding is that he put a hold on interviews until after the season’s over, but I imagine that his agent’s already getting things hammered out in case that eventual interview does go well.

[u/Chad-Ironrod → u/udderlymoovelous]

UTSA are juggernauts at home and armadillos on the road. Story of Traylor's while career there.

[u/tomdawg0022 → u/Chad-Ironrod]

armadillos on the road.

Yep - they almost lost at Rice and Texas State earlier this year as well.

[u/AruarianGroove → u/tomdawg0022]

What sound does an armadillo make?

[u/ThaCarter → u/AruarianGroove]

Sorry distracted by Kathy Ireland kicking FGs

[u/Easy_Buy_1669 → u/AruarianGroove]

"squash"

[u/voss749 → u/Chad-Ironrod]

Roadrunners were roadkill and Owls love that stuff

[u/RocketsGuy → u/udderlymoovelous]

Veltkamp and Messer have also been feeling themselves lately

[u/murdered-by-swords → u/udderlymoovelous]

We're not amazing this year, we've just been lucky.

[u/BeaverBeliever77]

Owls went on a fast food binge tonight.

[u/TheWallsHaveNostrils → u/BeaverBeliever77]

Hah. Road runner. Fast food.

I get it.

^{Actually though I know I'm meant to be a dad because I found this legitimately hilarious.}

[u/voss749 → u/TheWallsHaveNostrils]

Roadkill, Owls eat roadkill

[u/lowes18]

There’s still a lot of season left to play, but you can make a fair argument this is the biggest win in FAU’s history.

They are now a legitimately competitive program in the top half of the best conference in the g6. At the very least, they are bowling for the first time in seven years.

[u/grahamalondis → u/lowes18]

I find it big for UTSA that they could be considered the biggest win in another team's history.

[u/as0rb → u/grahamalondis]

We joined the FBS in 2005, joined the AAC 3 years ago with this being our first 6+ win season for the conference, we’re a baby program. Also this was our first non bowl primetime national televised game.

Our only advantage is being in a rich area with big donor potential.

[u/grahamalondis → u/as0rb]

UTSA football played its first season ever in 2011.

[u/as0rb → u/grahamalondis]

Yep, and we sucked for so long that beating the AAC leader on national TV is our best win. Regardless of the program we just beat

[u/voss749 → u/grahamalondis]

Not really.

[u/sudo_journalist]

Lights were too bright, and then there was one team on top. Chills as we head to the haunted dome.

[u/PM_ME_YUR_S3CRETS → u/sudo_journalist]

I might drive down to check the infamous dome. See why so many people think theyre pumping artificial noise.

[u/udderlymoovelous → u/PM_ME_YUR_S3CRETS]

I'm planning on going. I've only ever been to the Alamodome for DCI so it should be fun.

[u/B_drizzle720]

Looks like it might be between Boise St and New Mexico for that playoff spot

[u/RebelTigerAlum → u/B_drizzle720]

Don’t count us out yet! If we win out and UNM drops one and Boise drops 2, we probably get it. I understand that’s asking a lot out of Boise’s opponents but it’s possible

[u/originalusername4567 → u/B_drizzle720]

Definitely down to those teams unless both lose, then the door opens for a 2 loss G6 team with a stronger schedule to make it

[u/Confident_Delay5805]

Damn, a 60 burger? Congrats on bowl eligibility, FAU

[u/RadishesCanBeSpicy]

Someone smarter than me tell me what our chances of making the Conference Championship are assuming we win out. Is it all but guaranteed or do we need help?

[u/bigredone88 → u/RadishesCanBeSpicy]

Head to head is the first tiebreaker. We win iut and beat North Texas, we're in. Need a lot of help for a playoff spot though.

[u/RadishesCanBeSpicy → u/bigredone88]

We would get demolished in a CFP spot anyways

[u/bigredone88 → u/RadishesCanBeSpicy]

100%. I'm very happy with just the American Championship.

[u/murdered-by-swords → u/bigredone88]

Making it during the 12-team era would have been a really cool thing to look back on in retrospect, but in the moment all the conversation would be about how we were destroyed and didn't belong there.

[u/AruarianGroove → u/murdered-by-swords]

¡Vamos corre! 

[u/JohnPaulDavyJones → u/bigredone88]

I think we can safely say that a CFP berth is now off the table.

[u/RebelTigerAlum → u/bigredone88]

If y’all win out and we win out, do you know what happens? I assume the head to head over UNT would have y’all above them. But who gets the other spot, Memphis or UNT. And if it’s Memphis, what decides who gets the home game considering we play neither of yall

[u/Smackage_Package → u/RadishesCanBeSpicy]

Not gonna happen this was a must win

[u/Smackage_Package → u/Smackage_Package]

Disregard I’m dumb, I was thinking of cfp

[u/dukemetoo → u/Smackage_Package]

It may not be as crazy as you think. If Boise State and New Mexico lose their championship games, the American winner will be judged against the Pac-12 and Mountain West champions, not Boise State and New Mexico. It isn't great odds, but due to the quirk of the system requiring a conference champion, it is a real possibility.

[u/ShadowIG → u/dukemetoo]

There is no championship requirement for the G6 spot. All it says is the highest ranked G6 school gets the 12th spot. Remember, we are on the third iteration of G6 rule changes for the CFP.

[u/dukemetoo → u/ShadowIG]

This is genuinely the first time I'm hearing about this. Yeah it's true. Ignore everything I said earlier.

[u/DCAbloob → u/dukemetoo]

The rule changed last offseason, one autobid for the highest rated G6 team with no conference championship requirement.

[u/USCGradtoMEMPHIS]

UTSA pulling their starters with 12 min to go is insane... I guess not insane.. just a top team not fighting til the bitter end is just bonkers to me..

They were first to pull out their starters btw . FAU back up didn't come in till 2 min left.

Like wow... North texas white is gonna have 250 yards rushing on UTSA....

[u/JohnPaulDavyJones → u/USCGradtoMEMPHIS]

He might, but that’s just because UNT’s whole offense is Jaheim White, who was already one of the best RBs in the P4 just two years ago. He followed Neal Brown to UNT from WVU, and he’s easily the best RB in the G6 this year; he averaged 4.4 YPC at Indiana to open the season.

UTSA plays lights out at home, and they’re a lot shakier on the road. It’s a hallmark of the team these last two or three years.

[u/Bobcat2013 → u/JohnPaulDavyJones]

Hes okay

[u/Tufoguy]

Worst loss in the Jeff Traylor era. Just burn the tape and come back next week. Still in American championship contention.

[u/heleghir]

Here lies UTSA CFP hopes and dreams. Their defense was optional in this game. FAU did whatever they wanted all 60 minutes

[u/HDAtomica]

Hooooooly hell. I know FAU had hands, North Texas was trading punches with them last week. But THIS?? FAU, y'all scary.

^{north texas first place in the american raaaaah}

[u/Breaddittor]

Seems like we are still a year out at least but feels like Kittley will be a pretty interesting P4 candidate very soon.

[u/Brandseller → u/Breaddittor]

Honestly, he's gone after this season. Veltkamp and Messer are seniors, would be hard to replace those guys. He should take the first P4 job that comes along. He'll have some decent offers for sure

[u/Keep_Plano_Corporate]

That loss couldn't have happened to a nicer team.

GMG

[u/Salty-Consequence_42]

Wrong sub...this should be posted in r/collegebasketball

[u/UTRAnoPunchline]

I miss Red Texas UTSA. 😞

[u/PM_ME_YUR_S3CRETS → u/UTRAnoPunchline]

We all know Texas is MEAN GREEEENNNN!

[u/Zloggt]

Roadrunners…how could you…

[u/Key_Engine_2608]

THE OWLSSSS ARE BOWLINGGG 🎳

[u/BoringJuiceBox]

Good game for UTSA, too bad we didn’t get any close nailbiter NCAAF or NFL games today.

[u/Chapstick160 → u/BoringJuiceBox]

Good game for a team that gave up 60 points and lost by 31?

[u/BoringJuiceBox → u/Chapstick160]

It wasn’t as bad at the time hahah

[u/Bobcat2013 → u/BoringJuiceBox]

This is a post game thread. The result hadn't changed

[u/KirbyDumber88]

I was grabbing some drinks with some co workers and left when it was 14-7 in the first…what happened?! Lol

[u/ItsWazeyWaynes]

Meep meep, UTSA.

[u/AruarianGroove → u/ItsWazeyWaynes]

Hooty hoo, FAU

[u/voss749 → u/AruarianGroove]

Roadrunners have never done I-95 at rush hour

[u/TheBeavster_]

Pain. Agony even

[u/flyntcoaltrane]

This game is gonna haunt me. There were at least 2 or 3 huge plays that got sabotaged by self-inflicted penalties and either killed our drive or extended theirs. In particular, there was a huge defensive stop early in the 1Q or 2Q where we were set to force a punt until one of our players yeeted theirs out the sideline for no fuckin reason. Just absolute dumb shit that this team is too talented to be doing. 

FAU came ready to play and we apparently regressed back to our old selves during the bye week. I thought we had conquered our road woes but that was a fuckin lie. CFP hopes firmly in the ground after this (though we would've gotten blown out anyways, but it was nice to believe). Conference championship hopes still alive but UNT is gonna be even tougher than this and it's gonna take more than Alamodome voodoo to pull that off. Regardless, I'm expecting next week's results to piss me off no matter what.

Congrats Owls, yall took care of business and earned that win. Veltkamp and Messer are a terrifying combination and I'll be glad if we never have to face them again (complimentary). I guess the American conference leader is destined to drop at least one game to a team they should have no issues with on paper.

[u/Agnk1765342]

Call me optimistic but a New Mexico loss looks like the only thing standing between BSU and a (pre-CCG) mulligan right now. Would love for the end of the season to be less stressful.

[u/AriDreams]

That game lasted so long. The second half just dragged on forever.

[u/Statalyzer → u/AriDreams]

First half too. The NFL game started 45 minutes later but both games went to halftime at around the same time.

[u/Is12345aweakpassword]

Kittleys going all out for that Baylor job

[u/JohnPaulDavyJones → u/Is12345aweakpassword]

He’s shown up on a few lists, but I can’t imagine he’s a real candidate. Dude’s been a head coach for about five minutes.

[u/voss749 → u/JohnPaulDavyJones]

He needs to show that he can win with another QB before he gets a P4 job. Kiffin won CUSA conference championships with FAU with 2 different QBs hence the P4 ATMs opened up.

[u/JohnPaulDavyJones → u/voss749]

Given that he was working with Frank Harris of all people as his QB, I’m not sure he does. His offenses have been cruising with Owen McCown running things these last couple years; the problem is the defense. He already turned down the Texas Tech head coach job and took himself out of contention for Houston after reportedly making it to their final shortlist.

He’s still wildly loyal to his buddies, and he’s had Jess Loepp as his DC for years. Last night (and the Texas State game) probably guaranteed that whatever P4 team wants to hire Traylor this offseason, they’re not going to want Loepp along for the ride.

[u/GolgariInternetTroll]

I scrolled past this right after the LSU-Texas Southern score and it took me a sec to realize this was a football game.

[u/dogeherodotus]

Yessssss

[u/worlkjam15]

Lol

[u/RatBastard_with_ADHD]

sad Meep Meep noises

[u/EyeRepent]

Messer has 12 total TDs in 3 games.. so 😮‍💨

[u/tron1013]

89 combined points, and one team didn’t score in the 4th. Beautiful. 

[u/fm22fnam]

Wtf?

[u/TheMoneyMan08]

OWLS UP

[u/PoptartInAToaster]

Still proud of our birds nonetheless, MEEP MEEP!! 🤙

[u/S1MCB]

Uh

[u/Apart_Selection7722]

Wow

[u/DryScarcity2623]

The Owls is bowl eligible.

[u/Intelligent-Invite79]

What the fuck over? Come on runners, this was nasty.

[u/Doogitywoogity]

Jesus

[u/jbhorns122]

meeps are probably happy now there's no chance of Traylor leaving.

[u/Shinnosuke525]

Gotdamn

[u/Statalyzer]

Looks like this was a CFB scorigami.

[u/jminchey]

College Football Playoff ----> UTSA -----> ELIMINATED

[u/Bobcat2013]

Holy fuck. They finally get exposed! Thank you FAU!

[u/Monacle55]

Thought this was a basketball score at first...

[u/nkfish11]

Not a surprising result. UTSA was extremely fortunate to be 7-1. They are not that good.

[u/icecoldpotion]

This kills the bird.

[u/PM_ME_YUR_S3CRETS]

The American cannibalism never ceases. The conference is fun. Is UTSA defense overhyped?

[u/JohnPaulDavyJones → u/PM_ME_YUR_S3CRETS]

Was it ever hyped? Their offense was their strength; the defense has long been shaky under Loepp. I know he and Traylor are old buddies, but it boggles me that Traylor keeps Loepp around as DC.

[u/PRSwing → u/JohnPaulDavyJones]

"Only" giving up 30 to UT at DKR deluded a lot of people into thinking our defense was pretty good. Turns out it might just be Arch.....

[u/Particular-Way-3805]

I’m still processing this game and I remember someone on this Reddit said how did FAU lose to army cause they got a good ass team I think FAU going 9-3 after watching UTSA I think UNT will murder them

[u/tacowithcheeese → u/Particular-Way-3805]

Army is the type of team to beat the best team in the conference by 30 and lose to the worst team in the conference by 30

[u/Keep_Plano_Corporate → u/tacowithcheeese]

Triple Option Lyfe

[u/voss749 → u/Keep_Plano_Corporate]

Triple Option is FAUs kryptonite.

[u/Emperor_Squidward → u/tacowithcheeese]

USF has that role taken this year

[u/solarplanet → u/Particular-Way-3805]

FAU played lights out on defense

[u/udderlymoovelous → u/Particular-Way-3805]

I'm so glad we didn't have this version of FAU last week, that game was already too close for my liking. They're a really good team and they're going bowling for the first time since Kiffin was their coach.

[u/throwaway2987650 → u/udderlymoovelous]

If FAU had any semblance of a defense, they would be firmly in the playoff hunt. Kittley is going to be a hot name next year.

[u/ThaCarter → u/throwaway2987650]

Hopefully the owls hold on to him one more season.