CAA FOOTBALL WEEKLY RELEASE - OCT. 12
CAA Football Players of the Week -- Oct. 13
CAA Football announced its Player of the Week honorees, Monday, Oct. 13. Four individuals earned honors after helping each of their squads to wins on the field Saturday, including William and Mary’s Jake Phillips, Maine’s Jovan Belcher, James Madison’s Scotty McGee and Hofstra’s Brock Jackolski.
Phillips, the CAA Football Offensive Player of the Week, led the Tribe to a, 38-34, come-from-behind win on the road over a Top-5 ranked New Hampshire squad. Phillips finished the day completing 30-of-40 passes for 310 yards and four touchdowns. During the second half, when William and Mary overcame a 21-7 deficit, Phillips completed 20-of-27 passes for 222 yards and three TD’s. The senior’s highlight of the day came on the Tribe’s final possession of 11 plays and 72 yards, ending with a 17-yard pass to D.J. McAulay with 22 seconds left in the game. The Tribe amassed 495 yards of total offense on the day, 358 of which came in the second half against a New Hampshire team which was previously undefeated. The Warm Springs, Va., native now has 11 touchdowns in his last three starts, including four in each of his last two games.
Belcher grabbed CAA Football Defensive Player of the Week honors after helping Maine to a 27-10 win on the road over No. 24 Delaware. The West Babylon, N.Y., native, recorded seven tackles in a game which saw the Black Bears limit Delaware to just 14 yards rushing -- the fourth lowest single-game rushing total in Blue Hen history. Maine also limited Delaware to just 10 points in a home loss for the first time since Sept. 16, 2006. Belcher, the Preseason CAA Football Defensive Player of the Year, also recorded two sacks on the night for a total of 15 yards. The senior’s biggest contribution came in the way of two forced fumbles, the first of which came with 12:14 left in the game at the Delaware 28-yardline. Two plays after the Black Bears recovered the fumble, Michael Brusko scored what proved to the game-winning touchdown for Maine. Belcher’s second forced fumble of the game was picked up by Jordan Stevens who ran it back 35 yards for a touchdown and upped the Black Bear lead to 27-10.
McGee, the CAA Football Special Teams Player of the Week, provided the game-winning touchdown in James Madison’s dramatic 38-31 win on the road over Richmond. The Virginia Beach, Va., native who tallied a total of 100 return yards in Saturday’s win, broke JMU’s career kick return touchdown mark with his fifth in the game against the Spiders. With less than 30 seconds remaining in a tied ballgame, the Spiders were forced to punt from their own 34-yardline. McGee, who had already returned a kickoff 31 yards earlier in the game, caught the punt at the Madison 31-yardline and raced down the JMU sideline for the game-winning TD with the clock showing just one second remaining. The 69-yard punt return for a touchdown marked JMU’s 10th-longest punt return in school history and was the longest punt return in CAA Football this season.
Jackolski earned CAA Football Rookie of the Week honors after accounting for 295 all-purpose yards in Hofstra’s 45-31 win on the road over Bucknell. Jackolski paced the Pride on the ground with a career-best 170 yards and three rushing touchdowns, including a 78-yard scamper which ranks as the longest rush this season in CAA Football. By halftime, the Shirley, N.Y., native, had accounted for 150 yards on the ground and three of the Pride’s four touchdowns. Jackolski also hauled in two catches for 18 yards in the game and led the team in kick returns with a total of 107 yards, including a long-return of 49 yards.
CAA Football Launches Another Landmark TV Package
CAA Football will feature an even larger television package than the league debuted at the beginning of its Inaugural Season.
CAA Football Commissioner Tom Yeager announced a 41-game television schedule as part of the league’s Media Day Celebration at the ESPNZone in Baltimore, Md. The schedule, the largest conference television package among the nation’s Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), is highlighted by a conference-only package of 21 games on Comcast regional television networks CN8, The Comcast Network and Comcast SportsNet.
The 21-game conference-only package covered by the Comcast networks features the most competitive games airing on regional networks spanning the East Coast. CN8 will air 12 match-ups throughout its Maine to Virginia footprint. Comcast SportsNet networks including Comcast SportsNet New England and Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic will cover an additional nine games throughout the 13-week season, with additional distribution possible on Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia, CSS and SNY, schedule permitting.
The remaining 20 games on the 2008 CAA Football Television package will include two non-conference games on CN8, one on Comcast SportsNet, seven broadcasts on the ESPN family of networks and a single game on both the Big Ten Network and NESN. WABI-TV in Maine will provide coverage for five of the Black Bears’ six home games this season. Madison Square Garden Network (MSG) has plans to broadcast one contest, Towson will play a non-conference match-up on CSTV and WMUR-TV in New Hampshire will provide coverage of New Hampshire’s contest at Dartmouth.
Television listings for every game are listed throughout this release.
CAA Football In The Polls
For a complete rundown of both the Sports Network Top-25 and the FCS Coaches Poll visit page 18 of the weekly release. Below are highlights and notes about CAA Football in this week’s rankings.
The Sports Network Top-25
No. 1 James Madison carries on what is now a four-week span CAA Football has owned the top-spot in the poll. The last time a CAA Football school was ranked No. 1 in consecutive weeks was in 2006 when New Hampshire held on to No. 1 from Sept. 11-Oct. 9 (five weeks).
The Dukes’ No. 1 ranking also marks the third-straight week they have been at No. 1 -- the first time since 2005 JMU has been at the top of The Sports Network Top-25 for consecutive weeks.
On Sept. 22 both Richmond (No. 1) and James Madison (No. 2) became the first duo from a single-league to hold the Top-2 spots in The Sports Network Poll since 1991. It also marked the first time in CAA Football’s 62-year history (Atlantic 10 and Yankee Conference) it has ever held the Top-2 spots in any National Top-25.
CAA Football’s five ranked squads in the Sports Network’s Top-25 is one fewer than the league had each of the last seven weeks. The last time only five CAA Football programs were ranked in The Sports Network poll was the final Top-25 edition of the 2007 season. That poll included No. 2 Delaware, No. 4 Richmond, No. 6 Massachusetts, No. 7 James Madison and No. 14 New Hampshire.
Both the Missouri Valley and Southern have five teams among the Top-25, but CAA Football’s five teams fall no lower than No. 11 -- making it the only league with five among the Top-15.
CAA Football teams among the 2008 Sports Network rankings continue a weekly string of at least three league squads ranked among the Top-25 since the poll’s inception.
CAA Football also extends its string of at least two teams in the Sports Network Top-10 to 48-straight weeks. The league can now boast having at least two teams in the Sports Network Top-10 in 74 of the last 78 weeks.
FCS Coaches Top-25
James Madison’s No. 1 ranking in this week’s poll continues the first-time accomplishment of CAA Football owning the top spot in the FCS Coaches Poll in consecutive weeks (now four-straight weeks). When the Dukes first earned the No. 1 ranking (Sept. 22) it marked a first for CAA Football, as no team from the league had ever been ranked No. 1 by the Coaches during the poll’s two-year existence.
On Sept. 22 both James Madison (No. 1) and Richmond (No. 2) held the Top-2 spots in the poll, marking another first-ever for CAA Football in the FCS Coaches Poll. Since the poll debuted in 2007 no league has held the Top-2 spots in the same week.
Since the FCS Coaches Poll debut, CAA Football has had at least four squads ranked every week (22 weeks). The league’s total of five in this week’s poll mark the 20th-straight edition CAA Football has had five-or-more squads listed.
CAA Football’s five teams among the poll’s Top-15 mark the seventh-straight week the league has had at least five squads among the Top-15 -- something only accomplished by CAA Football. The league has had four-or-more teams among the Coaches Top-15 each of the last 21 weeks of the Top-25 -- the poll has been released a total of 22 weeks dating back to the Preseason 2007 edition.
UMass’ Coen, Towson’s Schaefer Among 2008’s Best Signal Callers
Massachusetts’ Liam Coen and Towson’s Sean Schaefer enter this weekend at the top of the NCAA career records among ACTIVE FCS QUARTERBACKS.
Both are part of the Top-3 in four major passing categories. Below is a breakdown of where each ranks in those four statistical groups:
Pass Attempts
1. Sean Schaefer, Towson - 1,413
2. Ryan Alexander, Davidson - 1,148
3. Liam Coen, Massachusetts - 1,146
Pass Completions
1. Sean Schaefer, Towson - 905
2. Liam Coen, Massachusetts - 736
3. Dominic Randolph, Holy Cross - 643
Passing Yards
1. Sean Schaefer, Towson - 10,211
2. Liam Coen, Massachusetts - 9,746
3. Ryan Alexander, Davidson - 7,901
Passing Touchdowns
1. Liam Coen, Massachusetts - 76
2. Sean Schaefer, Towson - 64
2. Dominic Randolph, Holy Cross - 63
Madison’s McGee and Maine’s Belcher Help Extend CAA Football National Honors Streak
James Madison’s Scotty McGee and Maine’s Jovan Belcher both garnered national recognition for their play on Saturday. McGee was recognized as The Sports Network Special Teams Player of the Week and as a College Sporting News Special Teams All-Star Monday after earning the league’s Special Teams honor. Belcher was The Sports Network’s National Defensive Player of the Week after garnering the league’s Defensive honor Monday.
The Sports Network and College Sporting News, both publications which devote major coverage to the FCS level of college football, will select National Player of the Week honorees following each week of competition during the 2008 regular season.
After seven weeks of play CAA Football has already garnered recognition 13 times (at least one honor in seven-straight weeks) -- a total that is eight more than any other FCS conference has won.
CAA Football athletes were honored nine of the 12 weeks in 2007, and boasted a total of 15 national winners. CAA Football’s total trailed only the Southern Conference’s 16 National Player of the Week honorees last season.
Check out page 16 of the weekly release for a complete rundown of CAA Football’s National Players of the Week.
Payton/Buchanan Watch
The Sports Network released its 2008 Preseason Watch lists for both the Walter Payton and Buck Buchanan awards. CAA Football had two on the Payton Watch List -- UMass’ Liam Coen and James Madison’s Rodney Landers -- and one on the Buck Buchanan Watch List -- Maine’s Jovan Belcher. The Walter Payton Award is given to the most outstanding offensive player in the Football Championship Subdivision, while the Buck Buchanan Award is awarded to the most outstanding defensive player in FCS.
Several other league players may be added to the watch lists over the course of the season -- below are some of those names (including their to-date stats) along with those already on the lists.
Walter Payton Award
-- Liam Coen, QB (Massachusetts) - 112-177-6-1464 pass yds, 63.3%, 10 TD, 244.0 pass yds/game, 8-1464-1472 total yds, 245.3 total yds/game
-- Rodney Landers, QB (James Madison) - 52-83-3-692 pass yds, 62.7%, 8 TD, 98.9 pass yds/game, 121-797 rush yds, 8 TD, 113.9 rush yds/game, 797-692-1489 total yds, 212.7 total yds/game
Buck Buchanan Award
-- Jovan Belcher, DL (Maine) - 6 G, 20 solo, 32 assisted, 52 total, 8.0-36 TFL, 4.0-22 sacks, 2 FF, 1 FR, 1 PBU
-- Sherman Logan, DL (Richmond) - 7 G, 8 solo, 17 assisted, 25 total, 6.0-37 TFL, 2.0-24 sacks, 1 FF, 1 PBU
-- Greg Miller, DL (Villanova) - 5 G, 21 solo, 9 assisted, 30 total, 10.5-48 TFL, 4.5-35 sacks, 2 FF
-- Lawrence Sidbury, DL (Richmond) - 7 G, 12 solo, 14 assisted, 26 total, 8.5-30 TFL, 3.0-16 sacks, 1 FR, 2 FF, 2 PBU
Turn Me Over
Hofstra (No. 6), James Madison (No. 13) and Richmond (No. 13) rank among the Top-15 in the country in turnover margin after seven weeks of play.
The Pride has forced a total of 16 turnovers while committing only eight, for a margin of +8 (1.33/game). The Dukes have and Spiders have forced 15 turnovers and committed just eight for a margin of +7 (1.00/game).
For a league-wide rundown on turnover margin visit page 36 of the weekly release.
CAA Football In The NFL
As of Oct. 14 a total of 31 CAA Football alumni and one head coach were listed among NFL franchises player personnel (athletes who exhausted their NCAA eligibility in CAA Football). Below is a list of CAA Football alums, the teams they are part of and each players’ statistics and results from the most recent week of NFL contests.
**The list includes head coaches, active rosters, practice squads, suspended players and injured reserve/physically unable to perform.
Player - Alma Mater - NFL Franchise - Roster Status
- Mike Adams - Delaware - Cleveland Browns - Active Roster
-- 5 tackles vs NYG (W 35-14) --
- Stephen Bowen - Hofstra - Dallas Cowboys - Active Roster
-- 1 tackle vs ARI (L 24-30) --
- Jermon Bushrod - Towson - New Orleans Saints - Active Roster
-- did not see action vs OAK (W 34-3) --
- Willie Colon - Hofstra - Pittsburgh Steelers - Active Roster
-- BYE WEEK --
- Marques Colston - Hofstra - New Orleans Saints - Active Roster
-- not active vs OAK (W 34-3) --
- Stephen Cooper - Maine - San Diego Chargers - Active Roster
-- 10 tackles, 1 sack for 1 yard, 1 tackle for loss, 1 quarterback hit vs NE (W 30-10) --
- Mike DeVito - Maine - New York Jets - Active Roster
-- 3 tackles vs CIN (W 26-14) --
- Brian Finneran - Villanova - Atlanta Falcons - Active Roster
-- 3-29 receiving yards vs CHI (W 22-20) --
- Joe Flacco - Delaware - Baltimore Ravens - Active Roster
-- 28-of-38 for 241 passing yards, 3 interceptions, 3-12 rushing yards vs IND (L 3-31) --
- Corey Graham - New Hampshire - Chicago Bears - Active Roster
-- 10 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1 forced fumble vs ATL (L 20-22) --
- Tim Hightower - Richmond - Arizona Cardinals - Active Roster
-- 7-20 rushing yards, 4-29 receiving yards vs DAL (W 30-24) --
- Akeem Jordan - James Madison - Philadelphia Eagles - Active Roster
-- 2 tackles vs SF (W 40-26) --
- Dan Kreider - New Hampshire - St. Louis Rams - Active Roster
-- started at Fullback, 1 tackle vs WAS (W 19-17) --
- Mike Leach - William and Mary - Denver Broncos - Active Roster
-- 1 tackle vs JAC (L 17-24) --
- Paris Lenon - Richmond - Detroit Lions - Active Roster
-- 3 tackles, 1 sack for 6 yards, 1 tackle for loss, 1 quarterback hit vs MIN (W 12-10) --
- Brandon London - Massachusetts - Miami Dolphins - Active Roster
-- saw action vs HOU (L 28-29) --
- Montell Owens - Maine - Jacksonville Jaguars - Active Roster
-- 1 tackle vs DEN (W 24-17) --
- Ben Patrick - Delaware - Arizona Cardinals - Active Roster
-- not active vs DAL (W 30-24) --
- Darren Sharper - William and Mary - Minnesota Vikings - Active Roster
-- 2 tackles, 1 tackle for loss vs DET (W 12-10) --
- Mike Tomlin - William and Mary - Pittsburgh Steelers - Head Coach
-- BYE WEEK --
- Raymond Ventrone - Villanova - New England Patriots - Active Roster
-- 1 tackle vs SD (L 10-30) --
- Brian Westbrook - Villanova - Philadelphia Eagles - Active Roster
-- not active vs SF (W 40-26) --
- Kyle Arrington - Hofstra - Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Practice Squad
- Anthony Cotrone - Maine - Jacksonville Jaguars - Injured Reserve
- Christian Gaddis - Villanova - Cleveland Browns - Practice Squad
- Ryan Gibbons - Northeastern - Dallas Cowboys - Practice Squad
- James Ihedigbo - Massachusetts - New York Jets - Practice Squad
- Shemiah LeGrande - Hofstra - Detroit Lions - Injured Reserve
- Brandon McGowan - Maine - Chicago Bears - Injured Reserve
- Matt Mulligan - Maine - Miami Dolphins - Practice Squad
- Matt Sherry - Villanova - Cincinnati Bengals - Injured Reserve
- Arman Shields - Richmond - Oakland Raiders - Injured Reserve
DELAWARE (2-4, 0-2 CAA)
This Week: hosts William and Mary (3-2, 1-1)
Next Week: at Hofstra (3-3, 1-1)
-- The Blue Hens could manage just 14 yards on the ground against Maine, the fourth lowest total in school history and lowest since netting zero rushing yards against Northeastern in 2001.
-- Mark Duncan caught a career-high 10 passes for 84 yards and Aaron Love had seven catches for 83 yards against Maine. Five different Delaware receivers had 50-or-more yards receiving.
-- Schoenhoft’s 344 yards against the Black Bears was the 12th-highest single-game passing mark in Blue Hen history and he has now thrown at least one touchdown pass in five-straight games.
-- Walter Blair posted a career-high 13 tackles moving over to MLB in place of injured captain Erik Johnson.
-- Maine limited UD to 10 points in a home loss -- first time since Sept. 16, 2006.
HOFSTRA (3-3, 1-1 CAA)
This Week: at Maine (3-3, 1-2)
Next Week: hosts Delaware (2-4, 0-2)
-- Brock Jackolski earned CAA Football Rookie of the Week honors after accounting for 295 all-purpose yards in Hofstra’s win on the road over Bucknell. Jackolski paced the Pride on the ground with a career-best 170 yards and three rushing touchdowns, including a 78-yard scamper which ranks as the longest rush this season in CAA Football. By halftime, the Shirley, N.Y., native, had 150 yards on the ground and three of the Pride’s four touchdowns.
-- Hofstra posted 467 yards of offense including 319 on the ground against Bucknell. It was the Pride’s first 300-yard rushing game since garnering 370 yards against Liberty in 2002. The 467 yards was also the second-best total of the season (URI-476) and was the third time Hofstra posted 400-yards of offense this season.
-- Nick Altomare picked off his third pass of the season against Bucknell. He also had five tackles including four solos in the contest. Hofstra now leads the league with a +8 turnover margin thanks to 16 forced turnovers and just eight turnovers of its own.
#1/1 JAMES MADISON (6-1, 4-0 CAA)
This Week: Bye Week
Next Week: at #7/10 Villanova (4-1, 2-0)
-- Scotty McGee provided the game-winning touchdown in JMU’s win at Richmond. McGee broke JMU’s career kick return touchdown mark with the fifth of his career in the game at Richmond. With less than 30 seconds remaining in a tied ballgame, the Spiders were forced to punt from their own 34-yardline. McGee caught the punt at the Madison 31-yardline and raced down the JMU sideline for the game-winning TD with the clock showing just one second remaining.
-- James Madison is 6-1 through seven games for the third-straight year and for the fourth time in five seasons.
-- Senior Jason Pritchard had a 51-yard field goal against Richmond, after missing the last four games with a hip flexor injury. It was only the second field goal try of his career ? the other was a 50-yarder last season at Rhode Island. The make matched the third-longest field goal in JMU history and was the Dukes’ longest since Mike Glover’s 52-yarder in 1999 -- 13-3 win over South Florida.
MAINE (3-3, 1-2 CAA)
This Week: hosts Hofstra (3-3, 1-1)
Next Week: hosts Northeastern (2-4, 1-1)
-- Junior quarterback Michael Brusko came on in relief of injured quarterback Adam Farkes in the second quarter against Delaware and led Maine to a 27-10 victory. Brusko rushed nine times for 40 yards and the eventual game-winning touchdown early in the fourth quarter. Prior to Farkes’ injury in Saturday’s game, Brusko had already caught two passes for 13 yards and recorded a tackle on special teams against the Blue Hens. Brusko finished his all-around day with a pooch punt which went 32 yards and was downed inside the five-yard line in the third quarter.
-- The CAA Football Defensive Player of the Week, Jovan Belcher recorded seven tackles, two sacks and two forced fumbles in the win at Delaware. Belcher’s second forced fumble turned into immediate points for Maine when Jordan Stevens picked up the loose ball and returned it for a touchdown.
-- Maine’s defense forced five turnovers Saturday and limited Delaware to 14 yards rushing on 26 attempts for the entire game.
#10/7 MASSACHUSETTS (4-2, 2-1 CAA)
This Week: hosts #9/9 Richmond (4-3, 2-2)
Next Week: hosts Bryant (3-3)
-- Fullback Chris Zardas had his first-career rushing touchdowns and his first-career multi-score game Saturday at Northeastern. He scored on rushes of one and two yards in Brookline.
-- Tony Nelson scored his seventh touchdown of the season on a one-yard rush in the first quarter against Northeastern. It was his sixth rushing TD of the season. Nelson also recorded a career-high with 37 rushes on the day, which led to his fifth-career 100-yard rushing game -- his fourth of the season with 175 yards. UMass is 4-0 when Nelson gains 100 yards this season.
-- Victor Cruz had his second-career 100-yard receiving game with 139 yards through the air at Northeastern. His other 100-yard receiving game came at James Madison, when he hauled in a UMass school record of 262 yards, Sept. 13.
-- Liam Coen ran for his third-career rushing touchdown Saturday. The scamper proved to be the game-winning score, and marked his second of the season.
#11/11 NEW HAMPSHIRE (4-1, 1-1 CAA)
This Week: at Northeastern (2-4, 1-1)
Next Week: hosts Towson (3-4, 1-2)
-- Senior wide receiver Mike Boyle led New Hampshire in receiving with seven catches for 114 yards and one touchdown against William and Mary. Boyle now has two 100-yard receiving games this season.
-- New Hampshire is still two wins away from reaching the all-time 500 win milestone as a program.
-- Sophomore quarterback R.J. Toman led New Hampshire in passing and rushing with 305 passing yards and two touchdowns against William and Mary. He completed 27-of-36 passes on the afternoon. The Mission Viejo, Calif., native also led the Wildcats with 14 carries for 55 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
-- New Hampshire recorded two interceptions in Saturday’s game against the Tribe. One by sophomore corner Dino Vasso and the other by senior free safety John Clements.
NORTHEASTERN (2-4, 1-1 CAA)
This Week: hosts #11/11 New Hampshire (4-1, 1-1)
Next Week: at Maine (3-3, 1-2)
-- Northeastern suffered its first home loss and conference loss of the season Saturday, dropping a 28-24 decision to Massachusetts despite 423 total yards of offense.
-- Alex Broomfield had a career-high 169 rushing yards against the Minutemen, earning his sixth career 100-yard rushing game. He also surpassed his career-high in rushing touchdowns for a season with his sixth.
-- Nate Thellen picked off a Liam Coen pass in the third quarter for his fifth interception in the last three games, and now leads the league in interceptions.
-- Quarterback Anthony Orio connected with Rob Theoudele on an 80-yard touchdown pass Saturday marking the longest completion of his career.
-- Theoudele’s 80-yard TD catch from Orio marked the second catch of his career, as both have resulted in touchdowns.
RHODE ISLAND (2-5, 0-3 CAA)
This Week: hosts #7/10 Villanova (4-1, 2-0)
Next Week: at William and Mary (3-2, 1-1)
-- This season, Derek Cassidy has thrown for 200-or-more yards in six of seven games. The URI senior has also thrown for 250-or-more-yards in back-to-back games and has a total of 1,893 yards through the air in 2008.
-- Brandon Johnson-Farrell finished the day with 221 all-purpose yards against Towson. The freshman hauled in a team-best seven passes for 40 yards. He also tallied a total of 181 kickoff return yards including his first career kickoff return for a touchdown -- 72 yards.
-- Junior wide receiver Shawn Leonard caught six passes for 111 yards and two touchdowns against Towson. Leonard now has two 100-yard receiving games this season.
-- The Rams scored nine points in less than two and a half minutes without running a single offensive play against Towson.
#9/9 RICHMOND (4-3, 2-2 CAA)
This Week: at #10/7 Massachusetts (4-2, 2-1)
Next Week: hosts Georgetown (1-4)
-- James Madison rallied for 15 points in the final 59 seconds of the game Saturday, after Richmond had taken a 31-23 lead on Josh Vaughan’s TD run with 3:21 left. The teams combined for 32 points (JMU, 18-14) in the final quarter, which is the most combined fourth-quarter points in a Richmond game since the Oct. 4, 1986 when the Spiders out-scored Boston University 28-7 in the final quarter in a 56-15 win.
-- Richmond’s eight-game home-winning streak was snapped with Saturday’s loss to JMU, a season after the Spiders’ broke James Madison’s 12-game win streak at Bridgeforth Stadium. Entering Saturday, the Spiders’ eight-game win streak at home was seventh-longest active streak in the FCS.
-- Eric Ward was 17-of-25 passing for 224 yards and no interceptions against JMU. Ward has now gone five-consecutive games without an interception. For Ward, Saturday marked his eighth-career 200-yard passing game and fifth-consecutive game with a passing-efficiency rating of 143 or better.
TOWSON (3-4, 1-2 CAA)
This Week: Bye Week
Next Week: at #11/11 New Hampshire (4-1, 1-1)
-- Sean Schaefer passed for a season-high 373 yards in the Tigers’ win over Rhode Island Saturday, and became the 20th NCAA FCS quarterback to pass for 10,000 yards in his career. Schaefer also completed a season-best four touchdown passes.
-- The Tigers used a 21-point fourth quarter against Rhode Island Saturday to record their highest point total since a 49-35 win over Delaware on Oct. 28, 2006.
-- Senior Tommy Breaux caught a career-high five passes for 90 yards, including his first career TD reception. He hauled in a 60-yard TD pass from Sean Schaefer in the fourth quarter.
-- Senior Marcus Lee has now caught at least one pass in all 40 games during his career. The Preseason All-Conference selection had four receptions for 19 yards against the Rams.
#7/10 VILLANOVA (4-1, 2-0 CAA)
This Week: at Rhode Island (2-5, 0-3)
Next Week: hosts #1/1 James Madison (6-1, 4-0)
-- With its win last Saturday in Williamsburg, Villanova has now beaten William and Mary four-straight times. The Wildcats have tallied 101 points in the last two games against the Tribe. The win at William and Mary also was Villanova’s third win all-time at Zable Stadium. The Wildcats are now 3-9-1 all-time at William and Mary.
-- In starting the last two games, quarterback Chris Whitney has completed 34-of-49 passes (69.4%) for 362 yards to go with three touchdowns and one interception.
-- Running back Aaron Ball tallied his second consecutive 100-yard rushing game with 137 yards on 22 carries in the win over William and Mary.
-- Dating back to last year, Villanova has won six-straight games against FCS opponents. The Wildcats are also 14-4 in their last 18 games versus FCS opponents.
WILLIAM AND MARY (3-2, 1-1 CAA)
This Week: at Delaware (2-4, 0-2)
Next Week: hosts Rhode Island (2-5, 0-3)
-- The Tribe has now scored at least 24 points in each of its five games and has scored 34-or-more three times. The squad is averaging 36.8 points a contest. Helping the Tribe’s scoring surge is the fact that the squad has converted 13 of its 15 red zone opportunities into points (including 12 TDs). The Tribe was a perfect 5-for-5 in red zone opportunities against UNH (four TDs, FG).
-- William and Mary controlled the time of possession Saturday against UNH for the first time this season -- 33:06-26:54. Additionally, W&M controlled the clock in the second half 20:44-8:16 (11:44-3:16 in the third quarter).
-- Of the team’s six scoring drives against New Hampshire, each was longer than 65 yards, with four of the six being more than 70 yards. After the 31-point second half against UNH, W&M is averaging 25 points per game in the second half this season.
WILLIAM AND MARY AT DELAWARE
Saturday, Oct. 18 - 12:00 pm
Delaware Stadium (22,000), Newark, Del.
Series: Delaware leads 20-12
Last Meeting: Aug. 30, 2007, Delaware 49-31 in Williamsburg, Va.
William and Mary (3-2, 1-1 CAA)
Coach: Jimmye Laycock (William and Mary, 1970)
Career: 185-136-2 (29 years)
School: 185-136-2 (29 years)
Offense
Rushing: Jonathan Grimes (5 G, 56-400 yards, 4 TD)
Passing: Jake Phillips (4 G, 72-114-8-825 yards, 12 TD)
Receiving: Jonathan Grimes (5 G, 22-192 yards, 1 TD)
Defense
Tackles: Josh Rutter (5 G, 23 solo, 18 assisted, 41 total)
Sacks: Adrian Tracy (5 G, 5.5-36 yards)
Interceptions: Derek Cox (5 G, 2-79 yards)
Delaware (2-4, 0-2 CAA)
Coach: K.C. Keeler (Delaware, 1981)
Career: 142-51-1 (15 years)
School: 54-30 (7 years)
Offense
Rushing: Johnathon Smith (6 G, 95-366 yards, 8 TD)
Passing: Robby Shoenhoft (6 G, 94-166-11-1118 yards, 6 TD)
Receiving: Aaron Love (6 G, 25-329 yards, 1 TD)
Defense
Tackles: Charles Graves (6 G, 16 solo, 17 assisted, 33 total)
Sacks: John Higginson (6 G, 2.0-15 yards)
Interceptions: Anthony Walters (6 G, 3-31 yards)
#11/11 NEW HAMPSHIRE AT NORTHEASTERN
Saturday, Oct. 18 - 12:00 pm
Parsons Field (7,000), Brookline, Mass.
Television: CSN - Gary Tanguay (pbp), Andy Gresh (analyst), Jim Burgoyne (producer), Tom Todisco (director)
Series: New Hampshire leads 39-14-1
Last Meeting: Nov. 3, 2007, Northeastern 31-13 in Durham, N.H.
New Hampshire (4-1, 1-1 CAA)
Coach: Sean McDonnell (New Hampshire, 1978)
Career: 64-48 (10 years)
School: 64-48 (10 years)
Offense
Rushing: Chad Kackert (4 G, 41-355 yards, 2 TD)
Passing: R.J. Toman (5 G, 106-149-6-1215 yards, 12 TD)
Receiving: Mike Boyle (5 G, 32-414 yards, 4 TD)
Defense
Tackles: Dino Vasso (5 G, 27 solo, 14 assisted, 41 total)
Sacks: Devon Jackson (5 G, 1.0-8 yards)
Interceptions: Dino Vasso (5 G, 2-47 yards)
Northeastern (2-4, 1-1 CAA)
Coach: Rocky Hager (Minot State, 1974)
Career: 108-58-1 (15 years)
School: 17-33 (5 years)
Offense
Rushing: Alex Broomfield (6 G, 139-642 yards, 6 TD)
Passing: Anthony Orio (6 G, 93-160-3-1211 yards, 7 TD)
Receiving: Tony Lott (5 G, 18-225 yards, 0 TD)
Defense
Tackles: Phil Higgins (6 G, 34 solo, 23 assisted, 57 total)
Sacks: David Akinniyi (6 G, 4.0-40 yards)
Interceptions: Nate Thellen (6 G, 5-113 yards)
#7/10 VILLANOVA AT RHODE ISLAND
Saturday, Oct. 18 - 12:00 pm
Meade Stadium (6,555), Kingston, R.I.
Series: Villanova leads 12-2
Last Meeting: Oct. 22, 2005, Rhode Island 48-30 in Villanova, Pa.
Villanova (4-1, 2-0 CAA)
Coach: Andy Talley (Southern Connecticut, 1967)
Career: 187-117-2 (29 years)
School: 159-99-1 (24 years)
Offense
Rushing: Aaron Ball (5 G, 82-418 yards, 5 TD)
Passing: Antwon Young (3 G, 54-94-7-621 yards, 2 TD)
Receiving: Phil Atkinson (5 G, 22-221 yards, 1 TD)
Defense
Tackles: Greg Miller (5 G, 21 solo, 9 assisted, 30 total)
Sacks: Greg Miller (5 G, 4.5-35 yards)
Interceptions: Ross Ventrone (5 G, 2-31 yards)
Rhode Island (2-5, 0-3 CAA)
Coach: Darren Rizzi (Rhode Island, 1992)
Career: 17-19 (3 years)
School: 2-5 (First year)
Offense
Rushing: Jimmy Hughes (7 G, 66-175 yards, 2 TD)
Passing: Derek Cassidy (7 G, 168-288-7-1893 yards, 13 TD)
Receiving: Brandon Johnson-Farrell (7 G, 41-349 yards, 1 TD)
Defense
Tackles: Matt Hansen (7 G, 39 solo, 24 assisted, 63 total)
Sacks: Matt Hansen (7 G, 3.0-19 yards)
Interceptions: Chris Mancuso (3 G, 1-27 yards)
HOFSTRA AT MAINE
Saturday, Oct. 18 - 3:00 pm
Alfond Stadium (10,000), Orono, Maine
Television: WABI - George Hale (pbp), Walt Abbott (analyst), Tim Throckmorton (sideline)
Series: Hofstra leads 10-6
Last Meeting: Oct. 6, 2007, Hofstra 38-13 in Hempstead, N.Y.
Hofstra (3-3, 1-1 CAA)
Coach: Dave Cohen (C.W. Post, 1988)
Career: 12-16 (3 years)
School: 12-16 (3 years)
Offense
Rushing: Brock Jackolski (5 G, 46-374 yards, 5 TD)
Passing: Cory Christopher (6 G, 120-179-5-1104 yards, 3 TD)
Receiving: Aaron Weaver (6 G, 33-257 yards, 1 TD)
Defense
Tackles: Luke Bonus (6 G, 20 solo, 23 assisted, 43 total)
Sacks: Luke Bonus (6 G, 2.5-20 yards)
Interceptions: Nick Altomare (6 G, 3-8 yards)
Maine (3-3, 1-2 CAA)
Coach: Jack Cosgrove (Maine, 1978)
Career: 83-93 (16 years)
School: 83-93 (16 years)
Offense
Rushing: Jhamal Fluellen (4 G, 72-341 yards, 0 TD)
Passing: Adam Farkes (6 G, 79-147-6-870 yards, 9 TD)
Receiving: Tyrell Jones (6 G, 13-199 yards, 3 TD)
Defense
Tackles: Jovan Belcher (6 G, 20 solo, 32 assisted, 52 total)
Sacks: Jovan Belcher (6 G, 4.0-22 yards)
Interceptions: Lionel Nixon, Jr. (6 G, 1-56 yards)
#9/9 RICHMOND AT #10/7 MASSACHUSETTS
Saturday, Oct. 18 - 3:30 pm
McGuirk Alumni Stadium (17,000), Amherst, Mass.
Television: CN8 - Scott Graham (pbp), Jon Ritchie (analyst), Gregg Murphy (sideline), Bob Johnson (producer), Bob Allen (director)
Series: Massachusetts leads 13-9
Last Meeting: Sept. 1, 2005, Massachusetts 19-6 in Richmond, Va.
Richmond (4-3, 2-2 CAA)
Coach: Mike London (Richmond, 1983)
Career: 4-3 (First year)
School: 4-3 (First year)
Offense
Rushing: Josh Vaughan (7 G, 119-570 yards, 7 TD)
Passing: Eric Ward (7 G, 110-166-2-1422 yards, 9 TD)
Receiving: Kevin Grayson (6 G, 31-436 yards, 1 TD)
Defense
Tackles: Michael Ireland (7 G, 27 solo, 18 assisted, 45 total)
Sacks: Lawrence Sidbury, Jr. (7 G, 3.0-16 yards)
Interceptions: Justin Rogers (7 G, 4-105 yards)
Massachusetts (4-2, 1-1 CAA)
Coach: Don Brown (Norwich, 1977)
Career: 92-42 (12 years)
School: 40-16 (5 years)
Offense
Rushing: Tony Nelson (6 G, 134-741 yards, 6 TD)
Passing: Liam Coen (6 G, 112-177-6-1464 yards, 10 TD)
Receiving: Victor Cruz (6 G, 38-620 yards, 2 TD)
Defense
Tackles: Josh Jennings (6 G, 23 solo, 33 assisted, 56 total)
Sacks: Josh Jennings (6 G, 1.0-12 yards)
Interceptions: Jeromy Miles (6 G, 2-52 yards)