BOCA RATON, Fla.—Navy nearly pulled off a remarkable second-half comeback, rallying from a 31-point deficit behind backup quarterback Jackson Gutierrez before falling to Florida Atlantic, 38-30, Saturday night at Flagler Credit Union Stadium.
The Midshipmen (1-1, 0-1 American Conference) trailed 31-7 at halftime and 38-7 with 2:39 remaining in the third quarter before scoring the final 23 points of the game. Navy outscored the Owls 16-0 in the fourth quarter and held FAU to minus-27 yards of total offense in the final period.
Navy was forced to make the comeback without starting quarterback Braxton Woodson, who left the game with an ankle injury with 10:41 remaining in the third quarter. Woodson rushed for 96 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries while completing 3 of 11 passes for 47 yards before leaving the game.
Gutierrez, who entered the night with just two career passing attempts and no passing yards, took over and accounted for three touchdowns. The junior completed 6 of 12 passes for 100 yards and two touchdowns while rushing seven times for 75 yards and another score.
Florida Atlantic (1-1, 1-0) built its lead behind quarterback Caden Veltkamp, who completed 27 of 32 passes for 386 yards and five touchdowns. The five touchdown passes were the most by a Navy opponent since Houston's Clayton Tune threw five against the Mids on Oct. 22, 2022.
FAU wasted little time taking control as Veltkamp connected with Easton Messer for a 76-yard touchdown on the Owls' second play from scrimmage, giving FAU a 7-0 lead just 42 seconds into the game.
Navy answered immediately. Michael Barrow opened the ensuing possession with a 24-yard run before Woodson raced 48 yards for a touchdown to tie the game at 7-7 with 13:12 remaining in the opening quarter.
The Owls regained the lead later in the quarter when Veltkamp found Messer for a 36-yard touchdown to make it 14-7.
Navy had opportunities to stay close but could not capitalize. Freshman kicker Nolan Bartley missed a 46-yard field goal, while the Mids also lost a fumble in the first quarter.
FAU broke the game open in the second quarter. Veltkamp threw a 30-yard touchdown pass to Kelby Valsin with 5:26 remaining and a 13-yard scoring pass to Dom Henry with 19 seconds left. After an interception gave the Owls the ball at the Navy 47 with seven seconds remaining, Collin Rogers kicked a 60-yard field goal on the final play of the half to send FAU into the locker room with a 31-7 advantage.
The 24-point halftime deficit was Navy's largest since trailing Notre Dame 31-7 at halftime in 2024.
Woodson led Navy on a seven-play drive to open the second half before leaving the game. Gutierrez took over at quarterback, but FAU extended its lead to 38-7 when Veltkamp capped a 16-play, 80-yard drive with a 5-yard touchdown pass to Antonio Johnson with 2:39 remaining in the third quarter.
From there, Navy mounted its comeback.
Gutierrez threw the first touchdown pass of his career on Navy's next possession, connecting with sophomore tight end Jordan Collins for a 64-yard score that cut the deficit to 38-14 with 1:16 left in the third quarter. Collins finished with two receptions for 68 yards, with the touchdown marking just the second reception of his career.
The Mids put together an 11-play, 85-yard drive in the fourth quarter, with Gutierrez finding Charles Robinson for an 8-yard touchdown with 5:41 remaining to make it 38-20. It was Robinson's first collegiate touchdown.
Navy attempted an onside kick, but FAU recovered at the Navy 45. The Mids' defense then forced the Owls backward, forcing a punt, and a bad snap over the punter's head resulted in a safety that cut the lead to 38-22 with 3:12 remaining.
Gutierrez struck again after the free kick. He capped a six-play, 58-yard drive with a career-long 49-yard touchdown run with 1:46 remaining. Gutierrez then completed the two-point conversion pass to Vic Listorti to pull Navy within 38-30.
FAU recovered Navy's ensuing onside kick and was able to run out the clock.
Despite the loss, Navy held a commanding 246-42 advantage in rushing yards and averaged 6.8 yards per carry. The Owls countered by throwing for 386 yards and five touchdowns while finishing with a 428-393 edge in total offense.
Messer led FAU with eight catches for 179 yards and two touchdowns, while Valsin caught eight passes for 115 yards and a score.
Defensively, sophomore linebacker Christian Johnson led Navy with a career-high 11 tackles, while MarcAnthony Parker and Giuseppe Sessi recorded nine apiece. Parker, Aiden Lyczek and Griffen Willis each recorded a sack as Navy limited FAU to 42 rushing yards on 44 attempts.
The loss was Navy's first in four all-time meetings against Florida Atlantic.
