CAA FOOTBALL WEEKLY RELEASE - OCT. 19
CAA Football Players of the Week -- Oct. 20
CAA Football announced its Player of the Week honorees, Monday, Oct. 20. Four individuals earned honors after helping each of their squads to wins on the field Saturday, including Richmond’s Josh Vaughan and Justin Rogers, William and Mary’s Josh Rutter and Maine’s Jared Turcotte.
Vaughan, the CAA Football Offensive Player of the Week, led Richmond to a 30-15 win on the road over Massachusetts. Vaughan finished the day with a career-high 156 rushing yards and two touchdowns. The Richmond, Va., native helped the Spiders snap what was a 16-game home winning streak for the Minutemen on a day celebrated as UMass’ Homecoming. For Vaughan, his 100+ yard effort was the eighth of his career, while his two touchdowns now give him 23 in four seasons. Vaughan averaged 7.4 yards per rush over his 21 carries, and has now amassed 373 rushing yards and six touchdowns over the last three games for Richmond.
Rutter grabbed CAA Football Defensive Player of the Week honors after helping William and Mary to a 27-3 victory at Delaware. The Union Bridge, Md., native, recorded eight tackles for a defense which kept the Blue Hens’ offense out of the endzone for the first time in 116 Delaware home games. Rutter, who also garnered three tackles for loss in the contest, also helped the Tribe defense in limiting Delaware to just 145 yards of total offense. The senior finished his day by hauling in an interception late in the third quarter, aiding a William and Mary pass defense which allowed just 45 yards in the air for Delaware.
Rogers, the CAA Football Special Teams Player of the Week, helped Richmond win the field-position battle on the road at Massachusetts. The sophomore kick returner totalled five returns on the day, including two punt returns for 55 yards and three kick returns for 63 yards. The Baton Rouge, La., native logged a career-best 45-yard punt return late in the third quarter. Richmond, which snapped UMass’ 16-game home win streak, held an average starting field position of their own 48 on the day, due in large part to Rogers’ returns. Rogers also logged two tackles and a pair of pass break-ups in the win.
Turcotte earned CAA Football Rookie of the Week honors after accounting for 189 all-purpose yards in Maine’s, 41-40, double-overtime win over Hofstra. Turcotte rushed for 120 yards and a touchdown, marking his first-career 100-yard rushing game, and caught five passes for 69 yards and the game-tying touchdown. The Lewiston, Maine, native snapped a 20-20 tie with just 34 seconds left in the third quarter when he broke free for a 71-yard touchdown run. The redshirt freshman later caught a 25-yard screen pass and ran it in for a touchdown, setting up the game-winning PAT on the Black Bear’s first offensive play in the second overtime.
Check out page 17 of the weekly release for a complete rundown of CAA Football’s weekly honorees.
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 19 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 five-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 fourth-straight week they have been in the poll’s top spot -- 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 six ranked squads in the Sports Network’s Top-25 marks the eighth time in the last nine weeks the league has had at least six in the poll. From the 2008 Preseason poll until Oct. 6, Delaware, James Madison, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Richmond and Villanova represented the CAA -- this week William and Mary replaces Delaware in that same group of six.
CAA Football’s six ranked squads in the Sports Network’s Top-25 are two more than any other conference can boast this week -- the Southern Conference has four, while two other leagues show just three total. The CAA alone has four of its six among the Top-10 which is also more than any other conference represented in this week’s poll.
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 49-straight weeks. The league can now boast having at least two teams in the Sports Network Top-10 in 75 of the last 79 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 five-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 what is now 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 debuted, CAA Football has had at least four squads ranked every week (23 weeks). The league’s total of six in this week’s poll mark the 21st-straight edition CAA Football has had five-or-more squads listed. It is also the eighth time in the last nine weeks the league has registered six ranked squads.
CAA Football has had four-or-more teams among the Coaches Top-15 each of the last 22 weeks of the Top-25 -- the poll has been released a total of 23 weeks dating back to the 2007 Preseason 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 - 1,197
3. Liam Coen, Massachusetts - 1,176
Pass Completions
1. Sean Schaefer, Towson - 905
2. Liam Coen, Massachusetts - 754
3. Dominic Randolph, Holy Cross - 676
Passing Yards
1. Sean Schaefer, Towson - 10,211
2. Liam Coen, Massachusetts - 9,911
3. Ryan Alexander, Davidson - 8,265
Passing Touchdowns
1. Liam Coen, Massachusetts - 77
2. Dominic Randolph, Holy Cross - 65
3. Sean Schaefer, Towson - 64
3. Ryan Alexander, Davidson - 64
CAA Football’s National Honors Streak Ends At Seven-Straight Weeks
CAA Football failed to earn any national honors this week, halting its streak at seven-straight weeks of national recognitions.
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 eight weeks of play CAA Football has already garnered recognition 13 times -- a total that is eight more than any other FCS conference has won this season and just two fewer than the league’s overall total in 2007.
CAA Football athletes were honored nine of the 12 weeks in 2007, and boasted a total of 15 national winners. CAA Football’s total in 2007 trailed only the Southern Conference’s 16 National Player of the Week honorees.
Check out page 17 of the weekly release for a complete rundown of CAA Football’s National Players of the Week.
Payton/Buchanan Watch
The Sports Network recently updated its Watch lists for both the Walter Payton and Buck Buchanan awards. CAA Football now has two on the updated Payton Watch List -- UMass’ Liam Coen and James Madison’s Rodney Landers -- and three on the updated Buck Buchanan Watch List -- Maine’s Jovan Belcher, James Madison’s Marcus Haywood and Villanova’s Greg Miller.
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) - 130-207-6-1629 pass yds, 62.8%, 11 TD, 232.7 pass yds/game, (-7)-1629-1622 total yds, 231.7 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) - 7 G, 25 solo, 43 assisted, 68 total, 8.0-36 TFL, 4.0-22 sacks, 2 FF, 1 FR, 1 PBU
-- Marcus Haywood, DB (James Madison) - 7 G, 27 solo, 28 assisted, 55 total, 2.5-8 TFL, 4-48 INT, 1 FF, 4 PBU
-- Sherman Logan, DL (Richmond) - 8 G, 8 solo, 21 assisted, 29 total, 7.0-42 TFL, 2.5-28 sacks, 1 FF, 1 PBU
-- Greg Miller, DL (Villanova) - 6 G, 23 solo, 9 assisted, 32 total, 11.5-55 TFL, 5.5-42 sacks, 2 FF
-- Lawrence Sidbury, DL (Richmond) - 8 G, 14 solo, 18 assisted, 32 total, 9.0-32 TFL, 3.0-16 sacks, 1 FR, 2 FF, 2 PBU
Turn Me Over
Hofstra (No. 9) and Richmond (No. 14) rank among the Top-15 in the country in turnover margin after eight weeks of play.
The Pride has forced a total of 18 turnovers while committing only nine, for a margin of +9 (1.29/game). The Spiders have forced 16 turnovers and committed just eight for a margin of +8 (1.00/game).
For a league-wide rundown on turnover margin visit page 37 of the weekly release.
Coach Speak...
Several CAA Football coaches comment weekly about playing in the toughest conference in FCS Football. Below are comments from this week’s Media Teleconference.
Mike London, Richmond -- “This league is tremendous when you look at the type of talent you have to play week-in-and-week-out. We are very fortunate and happy to come out of (Massachusetts) with a win.”
Sean McDonnell, New Hampshire -- “There are five or six teams in this league that deserve the right to go to the playoffs because they are that good. Unfortunately, as the season moves along those teams beat each other up. On the national level there is not a better league in the country. (The selection committee) has to keep their eye on who our teams play so the correct 16 teams are picked for the playoffs.”
Andy Talley, Villanova -- “We have worn the statement out that we are the toughest conference in the country. Trying to play in this league every week is so rough.”
CAA Football In The NFL
As of Oct. 21 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
-- not active vs WAS (L 11-14) --
- Stephen Bowen - Hofstra - Dallas Cowboys - Active Roster
-- saw action vs STL (L 14-34) --
- Jermon Bushrod - Towson - New Orleans Saints - Active Roster
-- not active vs CAR (L 7-30) --
- Willie Colon - Hofstra - Pittsburgh Steelers - Active Roster
-- started on the Offensive Line vs CIN (W 38-10) --
- Marques Colston - Hofstra - New Orleans Saints - Active Roster
-- started at Wide Reciever vs CAR (L 7-30) --
- Stephen Cooper - Maine - San Diego Chargers - Active Roster
-- 11 tackles vs BUF (L 14-23) --
- Mike DeVito - Maine - New York Jets - Active Roster
-- saw action vs OAK (L 13-16) --
- Brian Finneran - Villanova - Atlanta Falcons - Active Roster
-- BYE WEEK --
- Joe Flacco - Delaware - Baltimore Ravens - Active Roster
-- 17-of-23 for 232 passing yards, 1 passing touchdown, 2-3 rushing yards vs MIA (W 27-13) --
- Corey Graham - New Hampshire - Chicago Bears - Active Roster
-- 8 tackles, 1-6 yard interception, 2 passes defended vs MIN (W 48-41) --
- Tim Hightower - Richmond - Arizona Cardinals - Active Roster
-- BYE WEEK --
- Akeem Jordan - James Madison - Philadelphia Eagles - Active Roster
-- BYE WEEK --
- Dan Kreider - New Hampshire - St. Louis Rams - Active Roster
-- started at Fullback vs DAL (W 34-14) --
- Mike Leach - William and Mary - Denver Broncos - Active Roster
-- 1 tackle vs NE (L 7-41) --
- Paris Lenon - Richmond - Detroit Lions - Active Roster
-- 5 tackles vs HOU (L 21-28) --
- Brandon London - Massachusetts - Miami Dolphins - Active Roster
-- saw action vs BAL (L 13-27) --
- Montell Owens - Maine - Jacksonville Jaguars - Active Roster
-- BYE WEEK --
- Ben Patrick - Delaware - Arizona Cardinals - Active Roster
-- BYE WEEK --
- Darren Sharper - William and Mary - Minnesota Vikings - Active Roster
-- 4 tackles vs CHI (L 41-48) --
- Mike Tomlin - William and Mary - Pittsburgh Steelers - Head Coach
-- 38-10 winners over Cincinnati on the road --
- Raymond Ventrone - Villanova - New England Patriots - Active Roster
-- 1 tackle vs DEN (W 41-7) --
- Brian Westbrook - Villanova - Philadelphia Eagles - Active Roster
-- BYE WEEK --
- 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 (2-5, 0-3 CAA)
This Week: at Hofstra (3-4, 1-2)
Next Week: at #1/1 James Madison (6-1, 4-0)
-- Andrew Harrison, a walk-on who started his third game of the season at outside linebacker vs. William and Mary, posted a career-high and team-high 12 tackles, including a team-high seven solo stops last Saturday. The Richmond, Va., native also had a pass breakup and currently ranks No. 4 on the team with 32 tackles.
-- Delaware is 0-3 to start league play for the first time since 2005 and for only the second time since 1988. The Blue Hens have not lost four-straight games since 1967 and have never started league play 0-4 since joining the Yankee Conference in 1986.
-- Delaware had a touchdown scoring streak of 116-straight home games snapped vs. William and Mary Saturday, but still set a school record for consecutive games scoring a point, (155, mark of 154 set from 1983-86) and extended their home-game scoring streak to 166-straight.
HOFSTRA (3-4, 1-2 CAA)
This Week: hosts Delaware (2-5, 0-3)
Next Week: at #10/10 New Hampshire (5-1, 2-1)
-- Steve Probst, a true-freshman, came into last Saturday’s game at Maine for the injured Cory Christopher and completed 14-of-20 passes for 135 yards and tossed three touchdowns, including two in overtime. He also rushed for 63 yards on 16 carries and accounted for 198 yards of total offense in his first career action.
-- After a sluggish first half at Maine, in which Hofstra accumulated 186 yards and Maine posted 95 yards of offense, both offenses exploded in the second half and OTs. The Pride finished with 411 yards (217 rushing) and Maine finished with 441 yards (286 rushing).
-- Linebacker Chris Edmond posted a career-best 13 tackles while strong safety Greg Melendez posted a season-best 10 tackles. Linebacker Luke Bonus added eight tackles while fellow linebacker Basim Hudeen notched seven stops against Maine.
#1/1 JAMES MADISON (6-1, 4-0 CAA)
This Week: at #7/9 Villanova (5-1, 3-0)
Next Week: at Northeastern (2-5, 1-2)
-- 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 (4-3, 2-2 CAA)
This Week: hosts Northeastern (2-5, 1-2)
Next Week: hosts Iona (3-4)
-- Freshman Jared Turcotte earned CAA Football Rookie of the Week honors after accounting for 189 all-purpose yards in Maine’s, 41-40, double-overtime win over Hofstra. Turcotte rushed for 120 yards and a touchdown, marking his first-career 100-yard rushing game, and caught five passes for 69 yards and the game-tying touchdown.
-- Maine totalled a season-high 441 yards of offense, 286 coming on the ground. The Black Bears also posted a season-best in points with 41. Maine’s previous best single-game offensive output of 2008 came Sept. 6 when the Black Bears ran up 338 yards of offense at Monmouth.
-- Linebacker Andrew Downey recorded a game and career-high 19 tackles, including one for loss against Hofstra. In addition to Downey’s career-high in tackles, Jovan Belcher also recorded a career-high 16 stops, while junior linebacker Mark Masterson recorded 11 tackles.
#17/16 MASSACHUSETTS (4-3, 2-2 CAA)
This Week: hosts Bryant (4-3)
Next Week: at Rhode Island (2-6, 0-4)
-- Saturday’s crowd of 15,953 for the game against Richmond was the 21st-largest in McGuirk Stadium history. It was also the third crowd of 15,000 this season at Massachusetts.
-- Armando Cuko kicked a career-high three field goals in Saturday’s game against Richmond from 22, 44 and 38 yards. His career-long 44-yard field goal in the third quarter broke a previous best of 42 against Holy Cross earlier this season. He now has four career field goals of 40-or-more yards.
-- Courtney Robinson moved to third in career kickoff return yardage with 41 in the Richmond game. He now has 1,206, passing Dennis Dent’s career total of 1,178.
-- Richmond’s Josh Vaughan had his eighth career 100-yard rushing game with 156 on the ground Saturday, marking the fifth 100-yard rusher against UMass this season. In 2007 only three players gained 100-or-more yards on the ground against the Minutemen.
#10/10 NEW HAMPSHIRE (5-1, 2-1 CAA)
This Week: hosts Towson (3-4, 1-2)
Next Week: hosts Hofstra (3-4, 1-2)
-- Quarterback R.J. Toman completed 25-of-36 passes for 277 yards and three touchdowns in Saturday’s come-from-behind win at Northeastern. His TD tosses of 31, 14 and 16 yards all came in the second half which saw the Wildcats scored 27-unanswered points against the Huskies, who at one point held a 21-3 lead prior to halftime.
-- Linebacker Matt Parent, part of a New Hampshire defense which held Northeastern scoreless in the second half last Saturday, tied for the team lead in tackles with seven. Parent also had an interception, a tackle for a loss and a pass breakup in the contest.
-- Wide receiver Terrance Fox recorded a career-best eight catches against Northeastern, marking his first-career game over 100 receiving yards (103). Fox finished the day with one TD catch, set up by his own 49-yard kickoff return. The sophomore ended the day with 174 all-purpose yards in receiving and returns.
NORTHEASTERN (2-5, 1-2 CAA)
This Week: at Maine (4-3, 2-2)
Next Week: hosts #7/9 Villanova (5-1, 3-0)
-- Quarterback Anthony Orio set career highs in completions (28) and pass attempts (41) Saturday against New Hampshire. In the same game he surpassed Allen Deary for third place all-time in NU passing yards history.
-- Orio is currently Northeastern’s all-time leader in completion percentage, holding steady at 57.7 percent. Orio is also NU’s single-game completion percentage leader, after throwing at a 91.7 percent clip at New Hampshire last season, and the single-season completion percentage leader, throwing for 61 percent in 2006.
-- Running back Alex Broomfield broke his career high in touchdowns scored with three last Saturday against New Hampshire, and it only took him the first half to do it. He scored two rushing TDs and caught a TD pass all before halftime.
-- Linebacker Phil Higgins led the Huskies in tackles with seven against New Hampshire -- the sixth time in seven games he’s been the team leader in tackles.
RHODE ISLAND (2-6, 0-4 CAA)
This Week: at #23/23 William and Mary (4-2, 2-1)
Next Week: hosts #17/16 Massachusetts (4-3, 2-2)
-- The Rams entered Saturday’s game against Villanova averaging 35.7 points-per-game and over 400 yards in three home games this season. The Wildcats held the Rams to just seven points and 220 yards.
-- Villanova’s 44 points Saturday were the most the Rams have allowed this season.
-- Saturday’s game against Villanova marked the 80th Homecoming game for Rhody. The loss dropped the Rams to 37-42-1 in homecoming games.
-- Linebacker Matt Hansen continued his strong defensive play forcing a fumble and registering a game-high 11 tackles against Villanova. The sophomore has now tallied 10-or-more tackles in five games this season.
-- Running back Jimmy Hughes and wide receiver Shawn Leonard each caught six passes against Villanova. Leonard led the way with 72 receiving yards.
#9/8 RICHMOND (5-3, 3-2 CAA)
This Week: hosts Georgetown (1-5)
Next Week: Bye Week
-- In the last two seasons, Richmond has stopped James Madison’s 12-game home winning streak (2008) and halted UMass’ 16-game home win streak (last Saturday).
-- Running back Josh Vaughan surpassed his previous career-high in rushing with his 156 yards on 21 carries against Massachusetts. His previous career-best was 132 yards vs. William and Mary last season.
-- Saturday’s win over Massachusetts was the Spiders fourth over a Top-10 team since the start of last season. Richmond led the nation with a 6-1 record against Top-25 teams last season and are now 4-2 against the Top-10 over the last two years.
-- Richmond’s defense limited UMass’ Tony Nelson to just 61 yards on 23 carries. Nelson entered the game as the nation’s ninth-leading rusher with 123.5 yards/game.
TOWSON (3-4, 1-2 CAA)
This Week: at #10/10 New Hampshire (5-1, 2-1)
Next Week: hosts #23/23 William and Mary (4-2, 2-1)
-- Sean Schaefer passed for a season-high 373 yards in the Tigers’ win over Rhode Island two weeks ago, 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 against the Rams.
-- The Tigers used a 21-point fourth quarter against Rhode Island two weeks ago 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 -- a 60-yard TD pass from Sean Schaefer in the fourth quarter against Rhode Island two weeks ago.
-- Senior Marcus Lee has caught at least one pass in all 40 games during his career. The Preseason All-CAA Football selection had four receptions for 19 yards against the Rams two weeks ago.
#7/9 VILLANOVA (5-1, 3-0 CAA)
This Week: hosts #1/1 James Madison (6-1, 4-0)
Next Week: at Northeastern (2-5, 1-2)
-- Villanova will play host to a No. 1-ranked team for the second-straight home game when James Madison comes to town Saturday. The Wildcats defeated No. 1-ranked Richmond, 26-20, Sept. 27.
-- Villanova has won nine-straight home games dating back to a 31-21 win over Richmond, Nov. 4, 2006.
-- After Saturday’s win, the Wildcats have now defeated Rhode Island in 13 of the 15 meetings all-time.
-- Villanova has won seven-straight games against FCS opponents and is 15-4 in its last 19 games versus FCS opponents.
-- Quarterback Chris Whitney suffered a shoulder injury in the second quarter against Rhody. Antwon Young replaced Whitney and completed 5-of-8 passes for 98 yards and two scores.
#23/23 WILLIAM AND MARY (4-2, 2-1 CAA)
This Week: hosts Rhode Island (2-6, 0-4)
Next Week: at Towson (3-4, 1-2)
-- Saturday’s win over Delaware stood as William and Mary’s first win in Newark since the 2001 season. The Tribe had lost its last three ventures into Delaware Stadium. The win also snapped William and Mary’s three-game skid against the Blue Hens.
-- Saturday’s win at New Hampshire helped the Tribe move its conference record to 2-1, which marks the squad’s best start in conference play since the 2005 season -- William and Mary ran out to a 3-1 league mark that season.
-- Combined with the team’s 38-34 win over New Hampshire two weeks ago, the Tribe has now won consecutive road games for the first time since the 2005 season. That season W&M went on to win three-straight in league play -- New Hampshire, Northeastern and Towson.
-- The last time the College won consecutive league road games was in 2002 -- at Hofstra and at New Hampshire.
NORTHEASTERN AT MAINE
Saturday, Oct. 25 - 12:00 pm
Alfond Stadium (10,000), Orono, Maine
Television: WABI - George Hale (pbp), Walt Abbott (analyst), Tim Throckmorton (sideline)
Series: Maine leads 23-16
Last Meeting: Oct. 27, 2007, Maine 20-14 in in Brookline, Mass.
Northeastern (2-5, 1-2 CAA)
Coach: Rocky Hager (Minot State, 1974)
Career: 108-59-1 (15 years)
School: 17-34 (5 years)
Offense
Rushing: Alex Broomfield (7 G, 158-714 yards, 8 TD)
Passing: Anthony Orio (7 G, 121-201-3-1447 yards, 8 TD)
Receiving: Chris Plum (7 G, 22-380 yards, 3 TD)
Defense
Tackles: Phil Higgins (7 G, 37 solo, 27 assisted, 64 total)
Sacks: David Akinniyi (7 G, 4.0-40 yards)
Interceptions: Nate Thellen (7 G, 5-113 yards)
Maine (4-3, 2-2 CAA)
Coach: Jack Cosgrove (Maine, 1978)
Career: 84-93 (16 years)
School: 84-93 (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: Jared Turcotte (7 G, 15-159 yards, 1 TD)
Defense
Tackles: Jovan Belcher (7 G, 25 solo, 43 assisted, 68 total)
Sacks: Jovan Belcher (7 G, 4.0-22 yards)
Interceptions: Sean Wasson (6 G, 2-86 yards)
TOWSON AT #10/10 NEW HAMPSHIRE
Saturday, Oct. 25 - 12:00 pm
Cowell Stadium (6,500), Durham, N.H.
Television: CSN, CSS - Gary Tanguay (pbp), Andy Gresh (analyst), Jim Burgoyne (producer), Tom Todisco (director)
Series: New Hampshire leads 4-0
Last Meeting: Sept. 17, 2005, New Hampshire 62-21 in Towson, Md.
Towson (3-4, 1-2 CAA)
Coach: Gordy Combs (Towson, 1972)
Career: 92-85 (17 years)
School: 92-85 (17 years)
Offense
Rushing: Matt Castor (5 G, 102-378 yards, 4 TD)
Passing: Sean Schaefer (7 G, 164-251-9-1853 yards, 13 TD)
Receiving: Steve Holmes (7 G, 35-384 yards, 1 TD)
Defense
Tackles: Jordan Manning (7 G, 29 solo, 29 assisted, 58 total)
Sacks: Rob Osborne (4 G, 2.0-9 yards)
Interceptions: Ollie Thomas (7 G, 1-0 yards)
New Hampshire (5-1, 2-1 CAA)
Coach: Sean McDonnell (New Hampshire, 1978)
Career: 65-48 (10 years)
School: 65-48 (10 years)
Offense
Rushing: Chad Kackert (5 G, 41-355 yards, 2 TD)
Passing: R.J. Toman (6 G, 131-185-6-1492 yards, 15 TD)
Receiving: Mike Boyle (6 G, 37-490 yards, 5 TD)
Defense
Tackles: Dino Vasso (6 G, 32 solo, 15 assisted, 47 total)
Sacks: Kevin Peters (6 G, 2.0-11 yards)
Interceptions: Dino Vasso (6 G, 2-47 yards)
RHODE ISLAND AT #23/23 WILLIAM AND MARY
Saturday, Oct. 25 - 1:00 pm
Zable Stadium (12,259), Williamsburg, Va.
Series: William and Mary leads 9-2
Last Meeting: Sept. 17, 2005, Rhode Island 48-29 in Kingston, R.I.
Rhode Island (2-6, 0-4 CAA)
Coach: Darren Rizzi (Rhode Island, 1992)
Career: 17-20 (3 years)
School: 2-6 (First year)
Offense
Rushing: Jimmy Hughes (8 G, 75-219 yards, 2 TD)
Passing: Derek Cassidy (8 G, 190-322-9-2064 yards, 13 TD)
Receiving: Brandon Johnson-Farrell (8 G, 45-368 yards, 1 TD)
Defense
Tackles: Matt Hansen (8 G, 45 solo, 29 assisted, 74 total)
Sacks: Matt Hansen (8 G, 3.0-19 yards)
Interceptions: Chris Mancuso (4 G, 1-27 yards)
William and Mary (4-2, 2-1 CAA)
Coach: Jimmye Laycock (William and Mary, 1970)
Career: 186-136-2 (29 years)
School: 186-136-2 (29 years)
Offense
Rushing: Jonathan Grimes (6 G, 81-492 yards, 5 TD)
Passing: Jake Phillips (5 G, 98-152-9-1163 yards, 13 TD)
Receiving: Jonathan Grimes (6 G, 25-224 yards, 1 TD)
Defense
Tackles: Josh Rutter (6 G, 27 solo, 22 assisted, 49 total)
Sacks: Adrian Tracy (6 G, 6.5-43 yards)
Interceptions: Derek Cox (6 G, 2-79 yards)
DELAWARE AT HOFSTRA
Saturday, Oct. 25 - 3:00 pm
Shuart Stadium (13,000), Hempstead, N.Y.
Series: Delaware leads 11-5-1
Last Meeting: Oct. 14, 2006, Delaware 10-6 in Newark, Del.
Delaware (2-5, 0-3 CAA)
Coach: K.C. Keeler (Delaware, 1981)
Career: 142-52-1 (15 years)
School: 54-31 (7 years)
Offense
Rushing: Johnathon Smith (7 G, 96-366 yards, 8 TD)
Passing: Robby Shoenhoft (7 G, 104-189-12-1163 yards, 6 TD)
Receiving: Mark Duncan (7 G, 29-281 yards, 0 TD)
Defense
Tackles: Charles Graves (7 G, 23 solo, 19 assisted, 42 total)
Sacks: John Higginson (7 G, 2.0-15 yards)
Interceptions: Anthony Walters (7 G, 4-37 yards)
Hofstra (3-4, 1-2 CAA)
Coach: Dave Cohen (C.W. Post, 1988)
Career: 12-17 (3 years)
School: 12-17 (3 years)
Offense
Rushing: Brock Jackolski (6 G, 52-388 yards, 6 TD)
Passing: Cory Christopher (7 G, 127-190-6-1163 yards, 4 TD)
Receiving: Aaron Weaver (7 G, 40-321 yards, 2 TD)
Defense
Tackles: Luke Bonus (7 G, 22 solo, 29 assisted, 51 total)
Sacks: Luke Bonus (7 G, 2.5-20 yards)
Interceptions: Nick Altomare (7 G, 3-8 yards)
#1/1 JAMES MADISON AT #7/9 VILLANOVA
Saturday, Oct. 25 - 3:30 pm
Villanova Stadium (12,000), Villanova, Pa.
Television: CN8 - Scott Graham (pbp), Jon Ritchie (analyst), Gregg Murphy (sideline), Bob Anderson (producer), John Anderson (director)
Series: James Madison leads 9-7
Last Meeting: Sept. 29, 2007, James Madison 35-7 in Harrisonburg, Va.
James Madison (6-1, 4-0 CAA)
Coach: Mickey Matthews (West Texas State, 1976)
Career: 70-45 (10 years)
School: 70-45 (10 years)
Offense
Rushing: Rodney Landers (7 G, 121-797 yards, 8 TD)
Passing: Rodney Landers (7 G, 52-38-3-692 yards, 8 TD)
Receiving: Kerby Long (6 G, 9-118 yards, 1 TD)
Defense
Tackles: Marcus Haywood (7 G, 27 solo, 28 assisted, 55 total)
Sacks: Arthur Moats (7 G, 3.5-20 yards)
Interceptions: Marcus Haywood (7 G, 4-48 yards)
Villanova (5-1, 3-0 CAA)
Coach: Andy Talley (Southern Connecticut, 1967)
Career: 188-117-2 (29 years)
School: 160-99-1 (24 years)
Offense
Rushing: Aaron Ball (6 G, 92-513 yards, 6 TD)
Passing: Antwon Young (4 G, 59-102-7-719 yards, 4 TD)
Receiving: Phil Atkinson (6 G, 27-329 yards, 3 TD)
Defense
Tackles: Osayi Osunde (6 G, 18 solo, 15 assisted, 33 total)
Sacks: Greg Miller (6 G, 5.5-42 yards)
Interceptions: Ross Ventrone (6 G, 2-31 yards)
BRYANT AT #17/16 MASSACHUSETTS
Saturday, Oct. 25 - 1:00 pm
McGuirk Alumni Stadium (17,000), Amherst, Mass.
Series: First Meeting
Bryant (4-3)
Coach: Marty Fine (Western New Mexico, 1985)
Career: 50-26 (7 years)
School: 31-17 (5 years)
Offense
Rushing: Jerell Smith (7 G, 142-814 yards, 4 TD)
Passing: Jay Graber (7 G, 105-190-8-1151 yards, 10 TD)
Receiving: Ross Giffune (7 G, 19-224 yards, 0 TD)
Defense
Tackles: Paul Polomski (7 G, 22 solo, 23 assisted, 45 total)
Sacks: Paul Polomski (7 G, 3.0-19 yards)
Interceptions: Samad Wagstaff (6 G, 5-51 yards)
Massachusetts (4-3, 1-2 CAA)
Coach: Don Brown (Norwich, 1977)
Career: 92-43 (12 years)
School: 40-17 (5 years)
Offense
Rushing: Tony Nelson (7 G, 157-802 yards, 6 TD)
Passing: Liam Coen (7 G, 130-207-6-1629 yards, 11 TD)
Receiving: Victor Cruz (7 G, 46-701 yards, 3 TD)
Defense
Tackles: Josh Jennings (7 G, 27 solo, 43 assisted, 70 total)
Sacks: Josh Jennings (7 G, 1.0-12 yards)
Interceptions: Jeromy Miles (7 G, 2-52 yards)
GEORGETOWN AT #9/8 RICHMOND
Saturday, Oct. 25 - 3:00 pm
UR Stadium (21,319), Richmond, Va.
Series: Georgetown leads 5-1
Last Meeting: Nov. 2, 1935, Georgetown 7-0 in Richmond, Va.
Georgetown (1-5)
Coach: Kevin Kelly (Springfield College, 1982)
Career: 4-24 (2 years)
School: 4-24 (2 years)
Offense
Rushing: Keerome Lawrence (6 G, 73-310 yards, 3 TD)
Passing: James Brady (6 G, 74-137-5-689 yards, 3 TD)
Receiving: Keion Wade (6 G, 17-102 yards, 0 TD)
Defense
Tackles: Nick Parrish (6 G, 11 solo, 35 assisted, 46 total)
Sacks: Ataefiok Etukeren (6 G, 5.0-26 yards)
Interceptions: Nick Parrish (6 G, 2-12 yards)
Richmond (5-3, 3-2 CAA)
Coach: Mike London (Richmond, 1983)
Career: 5-3 (First year)
School: 5-3 (First year)
Offense
Rushing: Josh Vaughan (8 G, 140-726 yards, 9 TD)
Passing: Eric Ward (8 G, 121-186-2-1519 yards, 10 TD)
Receiving: Kevin Grayson (7 G, 34-459 yards, 1 TD)
Defense
Tackles: Derek Hatcher (8 G, 29 solo, 22 assisted, 51 total)
Sacks: Lawrence Sidbury, Jr. (8 G, 3.0-16 yards)
Interceptions: Justin Rogers (8 G, 4-105 yards)