The University of Tulsa battled hard but ultimately fell to Florida Atlantic, 40-21, on Saturday at Schellenberger Field in Flagler Credit Union Stadium.
Tulsa’s Ajay Allen turned in a monster performance, setting career- highs across every offensive category. Allen powered the Golden Hurricane offense with 118 rushing yards and one touchdown on 23 carries, while also snagging seven receptions for 67 yards—both personal bests.
Quarterback Baylor Hayes kept the chains moving, completing 24 of 46 passes for 235 yards and adding a rushing touchdown on 19 carries for 47 yards— also a career-high on the ground. Kicker Seth Morgan was perfect on the day, drilling all three field-goal attempts, including a 49-yarder. On defense, Nahki Johnson delivered two tackles and a sack.
Florida Atlantic struck first when Terez Reid intercepted Hayes on Tulsa’s opening drive, setting up a 35-yard field goal by Garrison Smith. Quarterback Caden Veltkamp then found Jayshon Platt for a 47-yard strike to make it 10-0.
Tulsa answered in the second quarter when Byron Turner Jr. recovered a fumble at the FAU 3-yard line, leading to a 35-yard Morgan field goal to cut the deficit to 10-6. But the Owls responded quickly, extending their lead to 31-6 by halftime behind a 44-yard touchdown connection between Veltkamp and Easton Messer.
The Golden Hurricane showed fight after the break. Hayes punched in a 7-yard touchdown midway through the third quarter, and Allen followed with a 2-yard score to pull Tulsa closer. However, both two-point tries came up short, and another FAU field goal widened the margin again.
In the fourth, Allen’s powerful 11-yard burst set up another Morgan field goal from 22 yards, but the Owls countered immediately with a 27yard rush by Kaden Shields-Dutton and a 30-yard pass from Zach Gibson to Platt, capped by another touchdown toss to Messer.
Tulsa’s comeback hopes faded as the clock wound down, sealing a 40-21 defeat despite an inspiring offensive performance from Allen and company.
The Golden Hurricane return home next Saturday, Nov. 15, to face Oregon State at Chapman Stadium. Kickoff is set for 12 p.m. CT.
