Easton Messer can't stop scoring touchdowns for Florida Atlantic, goes for 3 in first quarter
· Yahoo Sports
Florida Atlantic's Easton Messer is likely the best receiver in college football you've never heard of, and he's on an absolute heater in his last three games.
Messer scored his 11th touchdown of the Owls' last 9 quarters against College Football Playoff contender UTSA on Thursday, Nov. 5, scoring three times in the first quarter alone. He caught seven passes for 79 yards in the first half, also throwing a 14-yard touchdown.
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He has scored in four different ways during his streak, too. He has thrown, rushed and caught touchdowns during his three-game scoring binge, and had a punt-return score in a 51-49 win against Rice.
He's not a physically imposing player, either. Messer, a former walk-on, is listed at 5-foot-9, 170 pounds and was a two-star recruit out of high school, per 247 Sports' composite rankings. He's making quite the case for the Burlsworth Trophy, an honor given to the nation's best former and current walk-on player in college football.
What can't Easton Messer do?
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) November 6, 2026
He has a receiving and passing touchdown in the first quarter 🤯 pic.twitter.com/YYe9d2f6hJ
It hasn't been just the hot streak of touchdowns, either, for Messer. The small-but-mighty receiver entered Thursday's game with a nation-leading 74 receptions, a ridiculous 42 of which came in Florida Atlantic's previous three games against Army, Rice and North Texas.
His 798 receiving yards entering Week 10 ranked fifth nationally, and his 13 total touchdowns ranked tied-for-seventh nationally. Two of those touchdowns even came on punt returns earlier this season.
Messer entered Florida Atlantic's game against UTSA as the FBS's active leader in receptions (260) while ranking second in receiving yards (3,082) and all-purpose yards (4,437).
Not bad for a 5-foot-9 former walk-on.
Easton Messer stats, 2026 game log
Here's a look at Messer's career stats, including his game log as a fifth-year senior in 2026:
- 2026 (Florida Atlantic): 74 receptions for 898 yards with 13 total touchdowns
- 2025 (Florida Atlantic): 104 receptions for 1,052 yards with seven total touchdowns
- 2024 (Western Kentucky): 55 receptions for 793 yards with four touchdowns
- 2023 (Western Kentucky): 42 receptions for 484 yards with four touchdowns
- 2022 (Western Kentucky): One reception for 44 yards with a touchdown
2026 game log
- Sept. 5 vs. Florida: Seven receptions for 73 yards
- Sept. 12 vs. Navy: Eight receptions for 179 yards with two touchdowns
- Sept. 19 vs. Florida International: Eight receptions for 85 yards
- Sept. 26 vs. Louisiana-Monroe: Five receptions for 20 yards
- Oct. 3 vs. Texas Southern: Four receptions for 88 yards with a touchdown
- Oct. 17 vs. Army: 14 receptions for 102 yards with a touchdown
- Oct. 24 vs. Rice: 12 receptions for 162 yards with two touchdowns; three carries for 18 yards with two touchdowns; 82-yard punt return for a touchdown
- Oct. 29 vs. North Texas: 16 receptions for 189 yards with three touchdowns
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Easton Messer can't stop scoring touchdowns for Florida Atlantic, goes for 3 in first quarter