CAA FOOTBALL WEEKLY RELEASE -- AUG. 30
Richmond and Villanova Picked As League Favorites
Richmond, which returns 18 starters off last year’s NCAA National Championship team, and Villanova, which returns 16 starters from 2008, are picked to share the overall CAA Football Championship in 2009. New Hampshire, last season’s North Division winner, was also picked to repeat in the North according to a vote of the league’s 12 head coaches and selected media.
Richmond junior linebacker Eric McBride, William and Mary senior defensive end Adrian Tracy and New Hampshire junior quarterback R.J. Toman headlined the 2009 CAA Football Preseason All-Conference squad as all three were selected as Preseason Players of the Year. McBride, who earned All-America honors as a sophomore in 2008, and Tracy, the league’s leader in sacks per game last season, shared Defensive honors while Toman picked up Offensive honors thanks to a 2008 campaign which saw him rack up 3,000 yards passing and 28 touchdowns.
OVERALL CHAMPIONS -- Richmond & Villanova
North Division (First Place votes)
1. New Hampshire (12)
2. Massachusetts (7)
3. Maine
4. Hofstra
5. Northeastern
6. Rhode Island
South Division (First Place votes)
1. Richmond (9)
1. Villanova (9)
3. James Madison (1)
4. Delaware
5. William and Mary
6. Towson
CAA Football Launches Another Landmark TV Package
CAA Football, which captured its fourth National Championship in a decade last season, will feature the nation’s largest Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) television package in the upcoming 2009 season.
CAA Football Commissioner Tom Yeager announced a 23-game television schedule as part of the league’s Media Day Celebration at the ESPNZone in Baltimore, Md. The schedule is highlighted by a conference-only package of 19 games airing on the Comcast Sports Group family of networks.
“We are proud to again have the largest FCS television package in the country,” Yeager said. “Thanks to our partnerships with Comcast Sports Group, ESPN and a number of other carriers we are able to create a television package which showcases the best FCS conference in the country.”
The 19-game conference-only package covered by Comcast Sports Group features the most competitive games airing on regional networks spanning the East Coast. Comcast SportsNet networks including Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic and Comcast SportsNet New England will cover eight games throughout the 12-week season, with additional distribution possible on Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia and CSS, schedule permitting. The Comcast Network will air the remaining 11 match-ups throughout its footprint.
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 23 of the weekly release. Below are highlights and notes about CAA Football in this week’s rankings.
The Sports Network Top-25
The league’s seven ranked teams mark the most-ever CAA Football teams ranked in the Sports Network’s Preseason poll.
CAA Football has now had at least six teams ranked in 15 of the last 16 editions of the Sports Network poll. The league has also had at least three teams ranked every week since the poll’s inception, and two teams among the poll’s Top-10 in 56-straight weeks and 82 of the last 86 editions.
FCS Coaches Top-25
A record-eight of CAA Football’s 12 squads were among the 2009 Preseason FCS Coaches Poll, released Aug. 25.
Since the FCS Coaches Poll debuted in 2007 CAA Football has had at least four squads ranked in every edition (29 weeks). The league’s eight total teams among this edition’s Top-25 marks the most-ever from a single conference to appear in a weekly edition of the FCS Coaches Poll.
Bring On The BCS/FBS
In 2009 all 12 CAA Football squads will face a program from the FBS/BCS level. Most programs view these games as opportunities to play in front of crowds bigger than those at their home venues, while other programs match up with institutions which fit academic profiles. CAA Football squads also like to leave those matchups with wins -- a regular occurence dating back to the 1998 season.
CAA Football has won 16 games versus BCS/FBS opponents in the last 11 years, and has garnered at least one win over a BCS/FBS opponent in six of the last eight years.
League teams combined for at least two BCS/FBS wins each year from 2002-04 and again from 2006-07.
Connecticut, Duke, Navy, Northwestern and Temple are all among the 2009 list of CAA Football BCS/FBS opponents beaten by CAA Football squads in games as recent as 2000.
For a complete list of CAA Football’s wins over BCS/FBS opponents check out page 22 of the weekly release.
Walter Payton & Buck Buchanan Watch Lists Include Seven CAA Football Athletes
The Sports Network released its 2009 Preseason Watch lists for both the Walter Payton and Buck Buchanan awards. CAA Football had a total of seven honorees including two on the Payton Watch List and five on the Buck Buchanan Watch List. 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.
Walter Payton Award Watch List Honorees
-- Tony Nelson, RB, Massachusetts
-- R.J. Toman, QB, New Hampshire
Buck Buchanan Award Watch List Honorees
-- Charles Graves, DB, Delaware
-- Jeromy Miles, DB, Massachusetts
-- Osayi Osunde, LB, Villanova
-- Justin Rogers, DB, Richmond
-- Adrian Tracy, DL, William and Mary
CAA Football Garners Preseason Publicity
Throughout the summer months leading up to the 2009 season CAA Football was garnering all sorts of attention. In various polls and preseason magazine rankings, the league boasts as many as eight teams earning honors. CAA Football also saw several rankings include as many as four teams in its Top-10. Below are CAA Football’s list of preseason publicity.
AnyGivenSaturday.com Top-25 Poll
1. Richmond
4. Villanova
6. James Madison
8. New Hampshire
13. William and Mary
15. Maine
18. Massachusetts
20. Delaware
Sporting News Preseason Rankings
1. Richmond
3. Villanova
8. New Hampshire
10. James Madison
12. William and Mary
14. Maine
16. Massachusetts
Lindy’s Preseason Rankings
2. Richmond
5. Villanova
7. James Madison
10. New Hampshire
16. William and Mary
25. Delaware
Athlon Sports Preseason Rankings
2. Richmond
4. Villanova
5. James Madison
9. New Hampshire
11. William and Mary
15. Massachusetts
17. Maine
Phil Steele College Football Preview Rankings
2. Villanova
5. Richmond
7. Hofstra
9. James Madison
12. William and Mary
19. Massachusetts
22. New Hampshire
USA Today Sports Weekly Preseason Rankings
1. Richmond
4. Villanova
6. New Hampshire
8. James Madison
14. William and Mary
15. Massachusetts
19. Maine
2009 CAA Football -- Did You Know...
-- CAA Football had a record eight teams ranked among the FCS Coaches Preseason Top-25.
-- CAA Football was a combined 34-20 in non-conference games in 2008.
-- CAA Football was a combined 32-8 against non-conference FCS opponents in 2008. The league finished .500-or-better against FCS Conferences including the Big Sky, Big South, Great West, Ivy League, MEAC, Missouri Valley, Northeast, Ohio Valley, Patriot and Southern.
-- CAA Football has advanced a record five programs to the NCAA Division I National Championships each of the last two years. No league had ever advanced more than four teams prior to the 2007 season.
-- CAA Football has been represented in the NCAA Division I National Championship game in five of the last six years.
-- Richmond won the 2008 NCAA Division I National Championship after finishing third in the CAA Football South Division. The Spiders lost regular season conference games to both Villanova and James Madison.
-- 19 First Team All-CAA Football honorees from 2008 return in 2009.
-- CAA Football returns seven All-Americans from the 2008 season.
DELAWARE (0-0, 0-0 CAA)
This Week: West Chester (1-0)
Next Week: #2/2 Richmond (0-0, 0-0)
-- Delaware is receiving votes in both national polls after fnishing last season with a mark of 4-8.
-- The Blue Hens return 11 starters from last year’s squad, including All-American defensive back Charles Graves and Preseason All-CAA Football selection defensive end/linebacker Matt Marcorelle.
-- The Blue Hens welcome Penn State transfer quarterback Pat Devlin to an offense which finished 2008 last in the league in total offense. Delaware also welcomes a new offensive coordinator to the staff in former University of Buffalo head coach Jim Hofher. Hofher spent the 2007 season working as an analyst on ESPN Regional Television broadcasts and was the quarterbacks coach at Bowling Green in 2008.
#RV/24 HOFSTRA (0-0, 0-0 CAA)
This Week: Stony Brook (0-0)
Next Week: at Bryant (0-0)
-- Hofstra is one of the record eight CAA Football squads in the Preseason FCS Coaches Top-25. The Pride is also receiving votes in the Preseason Sports Network Top-25.
-- Hofstra returns 20 starters to its 2009 squad, including quarterback Cory Christopher, First Team All-CAA Football linebacker Luke Bonus and Second Team All-CAA Football wide receiver Aaron Weaver.
-- Hofstra faces Stony Brook in its season-opener. The Pride is an impressive 12-0 against its Long Island rivals. Saturday’s meeting will mark the sixth-straight season Hofstra has faced the Seawolves.
#6/6 JAMES MADISON (0-0, 0-0 CAA)
This Week: Bye Week
Next Week: at Maryland (0-0)
-- James Madison is ranked No. 6 in both the Preseason FCS Coaches Poll and the Preseason Sports Network Top-25.
-- The Dukes are off this weekend and will travel to Maryland to face the Terrapins Sept. 12 at 6 p.m. (ESPN360).
-- Returning this season for the Dukes is 2008 CAA Football Special Teams Player of the Year Scotty McGee. McGee, an electrifying returnman for JMU, had a knack for turning the tables in games with his punt and kick return ability, including a kickoff return for a touchdown against Appalachian State and a last-second punt return for a touchdown at Richmond.
-- When the Dukes face Maryland next weekend they will be facing a familiar foe in Maryland’s new defensive coordinator Don Brown. Brown left Massachusetts (CAA Football conference member) after the 2008 season, and had compiled a mark of 42-19 in his five years leading the Minutemen.
#19/19 MAINE (0-0, 0-0 CAA)
This Week: St. Cloud State (0-1)
Next Week: at Northeastern (0-0, 0-0)
-- Maine is entering its 118th season of intercollegiate football in 2009, and has an all-time record of 476-452-38 for a winning percentage of 51.2 percent.
-- Maine and St. Cloud State are meeting for the first time in the series’ history. SCSU marks the 91st different opponent the Black Bears will have played in program history. St. Cloud State is the first school from the state of Minnesota that Maine is facing in its history.
-- St. Cloud State has already played a game in the 2009 season. The Huskies opened the new campaign last Thursday with a 38-16 setback to Augustana College.
-- Miscellaneous records for Maine: 11-6 in last 17 games dating back to final four contests of the 2007 season; 6-2 in last eight home games dating back to 2007 season. Maine was 4-2 in Alfond Stadium last season.
#17/18 MASSACHUSETTS (0-0, 0-0 CAA)
This Week: at Kansas State (0-0)
Next Week: Albany (0-0)
-- Saturday’s game marks the 10th time in 11 years UMass has taken on a BCS/FBS team. In three of the last four years, UMass played narrow games with FBS teams, not losing by more than 10 points in those games. This will be the first time in three years UMass is not playing a ranked FBS team, having played then-No. 10 Texas Tech last year and then-No. 12 Boston College in 2007.
-- Two seasons ago, UMass battled No. 12 Boston College to the end in a 24-14 loss at Chestnut Hill on Sept. 29, 2007. UMass trailed by just three points late in the third quarter at 17-14.
-- Massachusetts is under the direction of new head coach Kevin Morris in 2009. Morris is no stranger to UMass Football and CAA Football after spending the last five seasons as the Minuteman offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach. Former UMass head coach Don Brown (2004-08) also had Morris on his staff at Northeastern from 2000-03. Morris also has six season’s of head coaching experience going 24-32 at Worcester Polytechnic Institute from 1993-98.
#8/8 NEW HAMPSHIRE (0-0, 0-0 CAA)
This Week: St. Francis (Pa.) (0-0)
Next Week: at Ball State (0-0)
-- New Hampshire enters the 2009 season ranked No. 8 in both the Preseason FCS Coaches Poll and Preseason Sports Network Top-25.
-- The Wildcats will be led by Preseason CAA Football Offensive Player of the Year quarterback R.J. Toman. The junior put up impressive numbers in his first season as a full-time starter in 2008, registering over 3,000 yards passing on 231 completions. The Mission Viejo, Calif., native also tossed 28 passing touchdowns in 2008.
-- Toman is no stranger to quarterback success. The junior has followed in the footsteps of big names at the high school and collegiate level. Prior to arriving in Durham, N.H., Toman was the successor to former USC signal-caller and current New York Jet rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez at Mission Viejo High School. Prior to taking snaps full-time at New Hampshire in 2008, Toman learned from Ricky Santos, who ranks second all-time on the NCAA FCS career total offense yards list with 14,615 yards from 2004-07. First on that NCAA list is the late Steve McNair.
NORTHEASTERN (0-0, 0-0 CAA)
This Week: at Boston College (0-0)
Next Week: #19/19 Maine (0-0, 0-0)
-- Saturday’s game will mark the the fifth all-time meeting between two schools that are separated by just four miles. The first three games were played in the 1930s at the original Alumni Stadium. The Eagles won all three by scores of 26-6, 35-2 and 13-0. The 1938 game played on Sept. 30 was the first-ever night game played on Boston College’s campus. The two teams did not meet again until 1999, this time at new Alumni Stadium.
-- Northeastern has made some changes to its coaching staff in 2009. Sixth-year offensive line coach Brian Surace has now assumed offensive coordinator duties.
Joining the team as defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach is Frank Forcucci, who came from Fordham. Eddie Davis, in his sixth year with NU, is now the special teams coordinator and defensive line coach. Rapheal Dowdye switches from defensive backs coach to running backs coach, which he served as back in 2004. Chris Ostrowsky moves from running backs to quarterbacks. Michael Lichten moves from defense to wide receivers. Corey Hetherman joins NU as outside linebackers coach after a stint at Springfield. Pete Collins will serve as the assistant defensive line coach coming from Delaware Valley College.
RHODE ISLAND (0-0, 0-0 CAA)
This Week: Fordham (0-0)
Next Week: Bye Week
-- Last year Rhode Island was under the direction of first-year head coach Darren Rizzi, a graduate of Rhode Island and former All-Yankee conference tight end. Rizzi left the program in early 2009 to coach at the NFL level with the Miami Dolphins, giving way to current head coach Joe Trainer. Trainer, who served as the Rams’ defensive coordinator in 2008, had left the program in late 2008 for an assistant head coach job at Bowling Green before returning to Kingston.
-- Rhody returns All-CAA Football performers in Brandon Johnson-Farrell at wide receiver and returnman, as well as linebacker Matt Hansen. Johnson-Farrell set a league record last season by returning a total of 42 kickoffs in 12 games. Hansen ranked second in the league averaging 9.2 tackles a game.
#2/2 RICHMOND (0-0, 0-0 CAA)
This Week: at Duke (0-0)
Next Week: at Delaware (0-0, 0-0)
-- After a 9-3 overall mark and a third-place finish in the CAA Football South Division, Richmond marched through the 2008 NCAA Division I National Championships to capture the school’s first-ever NCAA crown.
-- The Spiders’ route to the 2008 NCAA Division I National Championship went through 2008 Ohio Valley Conference Champion Eastern Kentucky, three-time defending National Champion and 2008 Southern Conference Champion Appalachian State, 2008 Missouri Valley Football Conference Champion Northern Iowa and 2008 Big Sky Conference Champion Montana.
-- Richmond enters the 2009 season ranked No. 2 in both the Preseason FCS Coaches Top-25 and the Preseason Sports Network Poll.
-- Spider quarterback Eric Ward will be making his return to Wallace Wade Stadium Saturday, the site of his first collegiate football win. In the previous meeting between Richmond and Duke, Ward was the Spiders’ starting quarterback as a redshirt freshman and led his team to a 13-0 win over the Blue Devils in 2006.
TOWSON (0-0, 0-0 CAA)
This Week: at Northwestern (0-0)
Next Week: Bye Week
-- Towson is under the direction of new head coach and Tiger alum Rob Ambrose. Ambrose spent the last seven years as an assistant at Connecticut. Ambrose began his coaching career at Towson as a student assistant during his senior year, and remained on the Tiger staff until after the 2000 season. He served as a wide receivers coach for the Tigers from 1992-96, the offensive coordinator from 1997-99 and held the Associate Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator position at Towson in 2000.
-- Ambrose is faced with the task of replacing arguably one of greatest all-time Towson and CAA Football quarterbacks in Sean Schaefer. Schaefer’s name appears among the Top-3 in league history on the pass completion’s list (1,044) and passing yards list (11,644). Brian Potts, Tommy Chroniger and Peter Athens are among those vying to fill the void left at Towson by Schaefer’s graduation.
#5/5 VILLANOVA (0-0, 0-0 CAA)
This Week: at Temple (0-0)
Next Week: Lehigh (0-0)
-- Villanova enters the 2009 season ranked No. 5 in both the Preseason FCS Coaches Poll and the Preseason Sports Network Top-25.
-- Villanova returns 2008 First Team All-CAA Football selections Ben Ijalana (offensive lineman) and Osayi Osunde (linebacker). The Wildcats also welcome back Preseason All-CAA Football honorees Matt Szczur (wide receiver) and Tim Kukucka (defensive line).
-- The strength of Villanova’s team lies in the hands of its quarterback. Junior quarterback Chris Whitney was inserted as the Wildcats’ starter early in the 2008 season and went on to lead the squad to wins in eight of the last 10 games.
-- Matt Szczur is arguably one of the most athletic players in CAA Football. Szczur, often times used in the “Wildcat” formation for Villanova, rushed for 449 yards and three touchdowns in 2008. He also hauled in 32 catches for 511 yards and four touchdowns last year.
#14/14 WILLIAM AND MARY (0-0, 0-0 CAA)
This Week: at Virginia (0-0)
Next Week: Central Connecticut State (0-0)
-- William and Mary is ranked No. 14 in the both the Preseason FCS Coaches Poll and the Preseason Sports Network Top-25 entering 2009.
-- The Tribe welcomes back 2008 CAA Football Offensive Rookie of the Year Jonathan Grimes to its backfield this season. Grimes ranked fourth in CAA Football in 2008 averaging 84.5 yards a game and totalling 929 yards over 11 games as a true freshman. Grimes also set a freshman record in CAA Football annals by averaging 162.0 all-purpose yards a game.
-- William and Mary will be looking to R.J. Archer to replace mainstay quarterback Jake Phillips following Phillips’ graduation. Archer enters the 2009 season with just one quarterback start in his career (2008 vs. Villanova), but did start 16 games at wide receiver for the Tribe during the 2006 and 2007 seasons.
-- Defensively the Tribe is anchored by Preseason CAA Football Co-Defensive Player of the Year Adrian Tracy. Tracy, a defensive end, ranked third in the league with a total of 10.0 quarterback sacks.
ST. CLOUD STATE AT #19/19 MAINE
Thursday, Sept. 3 - 7:00 pm
Alfond Stadium (12,000), Orono, Maine
Series: First Meeting
St. Cloud State (0-1)
Coach: Scott Underwood
Career: 7-5 (2 years)
School: 7-5 (2 years)
Offense
Rushing: Jake Machacek (1 G, 16-63 yards, 0 TD)
Passing: Mitch Watkins (1 G, 19-37-1-165 yards, 1 TD)
Receiving: Tyler Allery (1 G, 5-53 yards, 1 TD)
Defense
Tackles: Brian Kampa (1 G, 3 solo, 4 assisted, 7 total)
Sacks: Josh Popanda (1 G, 1.0-2 yards)
Interceptions: None
Maine (0-0, 0-0 CAA)
Coach: Jack Cosgrove
Career: 88-95 (16 years)
School: 88-95 (16 years)
Offense (category leader who returns in 2009)
Rushing: Jared Turcotte (13 G, 105-625 yards, 7 TD)
Passing: Mike Brusko (13 G, 67-104-7-936 yards, 8 TD)
Receiving: Tyrell Jones (13 G, 23-356 yards, 4 TD)
Defense (category leader who returns in 2009)
Tackles: Mark Masterson (13 G, 38 solo, 30 assisted, 68 total)
Sacks: Jordan Stevens(13 G, 4.0-18 yards)
Interceptions: Mark Masterson (13 G, 1-79 yards)
#5/5 VILLANOVA AT TEMPLE
Thursday, Sept. 3 - 7:00 pm
Lincold Financial Field (68,532), Philadelphia, Pa.
Series: Villanova leads 14-12
Villanova (0-0, 0-0 CAA)
Coach: Andy Talley
Career: 193-119-2 (29 years)
School: 165-101-1 (24 years)
Offense (category leader who returns in 2009)
Rushing: Aaron Ball (13 G, 214-1073 yards, 13 TD)
Passing: Chris Whitney (13 G, 120-174-5-1448 yards, 10 TD)
Receiving: Brandyn Harvey (13 G, 43-552 yards, 3 TD)
Defense (category leader who returns in 2009)
Tackles: Osayi Osunde (13 G, 44 solo, 33 assisted, 77 total)
Sacks: Tim Kukucka (13 G, 7.5-52 yards)
Interceptions: Ross Ventrone (13 G, 4-47 yards)
Temple (0-0)
Coach: Al Golden
Career: 10-26 (3 years)
School: 10-26 (3 years)
Offense (category leader who returns in 2009)
Rushing: Kee-ayre Griffin (12 G, 96-394 yards, 5 TD)
Passing: Chester Stewart (11 G, 53-106-7-524 yards, 4 TD)
Receiving: Jason Harper (12 G, 33-571 yards, 3 TD)
Defense (category leader who returns in 2009)
Tackles: Jaiquawn Jarrett (12 G, 53 solo, 35 assisted, 88 total)
Sacks: John Haley (12 G, 3.0-22 yards)
Interceptions: Jaiquawn Jarrett (12 G, 3-57 yards)
WEST CHESTER AT DELAWARE
Friday, Sept. 4 - 7:00 pm
Delaware Stadium (22,000), Newark, Del.
Series: Delaware leads 43-6-1
West Chester (1-0)
Coach: Bill Swaan
Career: 109-35 (13 years)
School: 55-21 (7 years)
Offense
Rushing: D’Andre Webb (1 G, 9-77 yards, 0 TD)
Passing: Joe Wright (1 G, 13-19-0-186 yards, 1 TD)
Receiving: Dan DePalma (1 G, 3-50 yards, 1 TD)
Defense
Tackles: Mike Holland (1 G, 5 solo, 4 assisted, 9 total)
Sacks: Mike Dell (1 G, 2.0-0 yards)
Interceptions: Dordero Newkirk (1 G, 1-61 yards)
Delaware (0-0, 0-0 CAA)
Coach: K.C. Keeler
Career: 144-55-1 (15 years)
School: 56-34 (7 years)
Offense (category leader who returns in 2008)
Rushing: Phillip Thaxton (9 G, 44-181 yards, 0 TD)
Passing: Sean Hakes (1 G, 0-1-0-0 yards, 0 TD)
Receiving: Mark Duncan (12 G, 39-352 yards, 0 TD)
Defense (category leader who returns in 2008)
Tackles: Charles Graves (12 G, 43 solo, 35 assisted, 78 total)
Sacks: John Higginson (10 G, 5.0-36 yards)
Interceptions: Charles Graves (12 G, 5-67 yards)
ST. FRANCIS (PA.) AT #8/8 NEW HAMPSHIRE
Saturday, Sept. 5 - 12:00 pm
Cowell Stadium (6,500), Durham, N.H.
Series: First Meeting
St. Francis (Pa.) (0-0)
Coach: Dave Opfar
Career: 15-59 (6 years)
School: 15-59 (6 years)
Offense (category leader who returns in 2009)
Rushing: Jude Yearwood (11 G, 111-355 yards, 0 TD)
Passing: George Little (10 G, 151-292-12-1734 yards, 9 TD)
Receiving: Omar Winston (11 G, 55-554 yards, 2 TD)
Defense (category leader who returns in 2009)
Tackles: Scott Lewis (11 G, 53 solo, 89 assisted, 142 total)
Sacks: Scott Lewis (11 G, 5-37 yards)
Interceptions: Scott Lewis (11 G, 2-20 yards)
New Hampshire (0-0, 0-0 CAA)
Coach: Sean McDonnell
Career: 70-50 (10 years)
School: 70-50 (10 years)
Offense (category leader who returns in 2009)
Rushing: Chad Kackert (9 G, 99-630 yards, 6 TD)
Passing: R.J. Toman (13 G, 231-355-15-3110 yards, 28 TD)
Receiving: Scott Sicko (13 G, 50-660 yards, 7 TD)
Defense (category leader who returns in 2009)
Tackles: Dino Vasso (13 G, 66 solo, 33 assisted, 99 total)
Sacks: Brian McNally (13 G, 2.5-16 yards)
Interceptions: Ryan Hinds (13 G, 5-218 yards)
TOWSON AT NORTHWESTERN
Saturday, Sept. 5 - 12:00 pm
Ryan Field (47,130), Evanston, Ill.
Television: Big Ten Network
Series: First Meeting
Towson (0-0, 0-0 CAA)
Coach: Rob Ambrose
Career: 3-7 (1 year)
School: 0-0 (First year)
Offense (category leader who returns in 2009)
Rushing: Jas Lee Rouson (11 G, 71-119 yards, 0 TD)
Passing: Blair Peterson (6 G, 4-7-1-27 yards, 0 TD)
Receiving: Hakeem Moore (12 G, 45-527 yards, 1 TD)
Defense (category leader who returns in 2009)
Tackles: Alex Butt (12 G, 24 solo, 38 assisted, 62 total)
Sacks: Paul Stefanik (12 G, 2.5-20 yards)
Interceptions: Alex Butt (12 G, 1-0 yards) & Ollie Thomas (12 G, 1-0 yards)
Northwestern (0-0)
Coach: Pat Fitzgerald
Career: 19-18 (3 years)
School: 19-18 (3 years)
Offense (category leader who returns in 2009)
Rushing: Mike Kafka (8 G, 68-321 yards, 1 TD)
Passing: Mike Kafka (8 G, 32-46-3-330 yards, 2 TD)
Receiving: Andrew Brewer (12 G, 18-145 yards, 0 TD)
Defense (category leader who returns in 2009)
Tackles: Brad Phillips (13 G, 56 solo, 53 assisted, 109 total)
Sacks: Corey Wootton (13 G, 10.0-64 yards)
Interceptions: Jordan Mabin (13 G, 3-38 yards)
FORDHAM AT RHODE ISLAND
Saturday, Sept. 5 - 1:00 pm
Meade Stadium (6,555), Kingston, R.I.
Series: Fordham leads 5-3
Fordham (0-0)
Coach: Tom Massella
Career: 33-44 (7 years)
School: 16-18 (3 years)
Offense (category leader who returns in 2009)
Rushing: Xavier Martin (11 G, 274-1237 yards, 7 TD)
Passing: John Skelton (11 G, 228-372-7-2605 yards, 15 TD)
Receiving: Asa Lucas (7 G, 36-449 yards, 3 TD)
Defense (category leader who returns in 2009)
Tackles: Andre Delaire (9 G, 48 solo, 23 assisted, 71 total)
Sacks: Nick Magiera (11 G, 4.5-32 yards)
Interceptions: Kelvin Colbert (11 G, 2-76 yards)
Rhode Island (0-0, 0-0 CAA)
Coach: Joe Trainer
Career: 13-20 (3 years)
School: 0-0 (First year)
Offense (category leader who returns in 2009)
Rushing: Anthony Ferrer (12 G, 45-195 yards, 3 TD)
Passing: D.J. Stefkovich (5 G, 6-15-2-68 yards, 0 TD)
Receiving: Shawn Leonard (12 G, 44-647 yards, 5 TD)
Defense (category leader who returns in 2009)
Tackles: Matt Hansen (12 G, 70 solo, 41 assisted, 111 total)
Sacks: Matt Hansen (12 G, 3.0-19 yards)
Interceptions: Matt Hansen (12 G, 3-32 yards)
NORTHEASTERN AT BOSTON COLLEGE
Saturday, Sept. 5 - 2:00 pm
Alumni Stadium (44,500), Chestnut Hill, Mass.
Television: ESPN360.com
Series: Boston College leads 4-0
Northeastern (0-0, 0-0 CAA)
Coach: Rocky Hager
Career: 108-64-1 (15 years)
School: 17-39 (5 years)
Offense (category leader who returns in 2009)
Rushing: John Griffin (10 G, 45-207 yards, 2 TD)
Passing: Ron Conway (12 G, 1-1-0-14 yards, 0 TD)
Receiving: Tony Lott (11 G, 35-449 yards, 1 TD)
Defense (category leader who returns in 2009)
Tackles: Phil Higgins (12 G, 75 solo, 47 assisted, 122 total)
Sacks: David Akinniyi (12 G, 6.0-47 yards)
Interceptions: Nate Thellen (11 G, 5-113 yards)
Boston College (0-0)
Coach: Frank Spaziani
Career: 0-0 (First year)
School: 0-0 (First year)
Offense (category leader who returns in 2009)
Rushing: Montel Harris (13 G, 179-900 yards, 5 TD)
Passing: Billy Flutie (12 G, 1-2-0-9 yards, 1 TD)
Receiving: Rich Gunnell (14 G, 49-551 yards, 4 TD)
Defense (category leader who returns in 2009)
Tackles: Mike McLaughlin (14 G, 53 solo, 36 assisted, 89 total)
Sacks: Jim Ramella (14 G, 4.0-32 yards)
Interceptions: Marcellus Bowman (11 G, 3-157 yards)
#14/14 WILLIAM AND MARY AT VIRGINIA
Saturday, Sept. 5 - 6:00 pm
Scott Stadium (61,500), Charlottesville, Va.
Television: ESPN360.com
Series: Virginia leads 26-5-1
William and Mary (0-0, 0-0 CAA)
Coach: Jimmye Laycock
Career: 189-138-2 (29 years)
School: 189-138-2 (29 years)
Offense (category leader who returns in 2009)
Rushing: Jonathan Grimes (11 G, 164-929 yards, 7 TD)
Passing: R.J. Archer (10 G, 28-53-1-387 yards, 3 TD)
Receiving: D.J. McAulay (11 G, 40-718 yards, 8 TD)
Defense (category leader who returns in 2009)
Tackles: David Caldwell (11 G, 43 solo, 35 assisted, 78 total)
Sacks: Adrian Tracy (11 G, 10.0-56 yards)
Interceptions: David Caldwell (11 G, 2-67 yards)
Virginia (0-0)
Coach: Al Groh
Career: 82-84 (14 years)
School: 56-44 (8 years)
Offense (category leader who returns in 2009)
Rushing: Mikell Simpson (9 G, 87-262 yards, 3 TD)
Passing: Marc Verica (11 G, 226-354-16-2037 yards, 8 TD)
Receiving: Jared Green (12 G, 12-144 yards, 1 TD)
Defense (category leader who returns in 2009)
Tackles: Vic Hall (12 G, 39 solo, 20 assisted, 59 total)
Sacks: John-Kevin Dolce (12 G, 4.0-24 yards)
Interceptions: Ras-I Dowling (11 G, 3-0 yards)
STONY BROOK AT #RV/24 HOFSTRA
Saturday, Sept. 5 - 7:00 pm
Shuart Stadium (13,000), Hempstead, N.Y.
Series: Hofstra leads 12-0
Stony Brook (0-0)
Coach: Chuck Priore
Career: 55-26 (9 years)
School: 16-17 (3 years)
Offense (category leader who returns in 2009)
Rushing: Edwin Gowins (11 G, 140-1310 yards, 11 TD)
Passing: Dayne Hoffman (11 G, 125-259-9-1636 yards, 11 TD)
Receiving: Donald Porter (10 G, 11-137 yards, 0 TD)
Defense (category leader who returns in 2009)
Tackles: Tyler Santucci (11 G, 44 solo, 35 assisted, 79 total)
Sacks: Ryan Haber (8 G, 1.5-16 yards)
Interceptions: Chris Richards (11 G, 3-1 yards)
Hofstra (0-0, 0-0 CAA)
Coach: Dave Cohen
Career: 13-21 (3 years)
School: 13-21 (3 years)
Offense (category leader who returns in 2009)
Rushing: Everette Benjamin (12 G, 135-630 yards, 5 TD)
Passing: Cory Christopher (7 G, 127-190-6-1163 yards, 4 TD)
Receiving: Aaron Weaver (12 G, 70-595 yards, 4 TD)
Defense (category leader who returns in 2009)
Tackles: Luke Bonus (12 G, 42 solo, 54 assisted, 96 total)
Sacks: Luke Bonus (12 G, 2.5-20 yards)
Interceptions: Ray McDonough (12 G, 4-78 yards)
#2/2 RICHMOND AT DUKE
Saturday, Sept. 5 - 7:00 pm
Wallace Wade Stadium (33,941), Durham, N.C.
Series: Duke leads 9-2
Richmond (0-0, 0-0 CAA)
Coach: Mike London
Career: 13-3 (1 year)
School: 13-3 (1 year)
Offense (category leader who returns in 2009)
Rushing: Eric Ward (16 G, 152-440 yards, 8 TD)
Passing: Eric Ward (16 G, 230-359-7-2808 yards, 17 TD)
Receiving: Kevin Grayson (15 G, 61-853 yards, 3 TD)
Defense (category leader who returns in 2009)
Tackles: Eric McBride (16 G, 49 solo, 59 assisted, 108 total)
Sacks: Jordan Shoop (16 G, 3.5-22 yards)
Interceptions: Justin Rogers (16 G, 7-116 yards)
Duke (0-0)
Coach: David Cutcliffe
Career: 48-37 (7 years)
School: 4-8 (1 year)
Offense (category leader who returns in 2009)
Rushing: Jay Hollingsworth (12 G, 108-399 yards, 1 TD)
Passing: Thaddeus Lewis (11 G, 224-361-6-2171 yards, 15 TD)
Receiving: Johnny Williams (11 G, 30-327 yards, 0 TD)
Defense (category leader who returns in 2009)
Tackles: Vincent Rey (12 G, 61 solo, 48 assisted, 109 total)
Sacks: Vince Ohgobaase (12 G, 6.0-33 yards)
Interceptions: Matt Daniels (10 G, 1-9 yards)
#17/18 MASSACHUSETTS AT KANSAS STATE
Saturday, Sept. 5 - 7:10 pm
Snyder Family Stadium (50,000), Manhattan, Kan.
Series: Kansas State leads 1-0
Massachusetts (0-0, 0-0 CAA)
Coach: Kevin Morris
Career: 24-32 (6 years)
School: 0-0 (First year)
Offense (category leader who returns in 2009)
Rushing: Tony Nelson (12 G, 243-1325 yards, 12 TD)
Passing: Scott Woodward (11 G, 9-19-2-97 yards, 0 TD)
Receiving: Victor Cruz (12 G, 71-1064 yards, 6 TD)
Defense (category leader who returns in 2009)
Tackles: Jeromy Miles (12 G, 56 solo, 48 assisted, 104 total)
Sacks: Kyle Harrington (12 G, 2.5-20 yards)
Interceptions: Jeromy Miles (12 G, 3-57 yards)
Kansas State (0-0)
Coach: Bill Snyder
Career: 136-68-1 (17 years)
School: 136-68-1 (17 years)
Offense (category leader who returns in 2009)
Rushing: Lamark Brown (9 G, 118-412 yards, 5 TD)
Passing: Carson Coffman (6 G, 25-41-2-282 yards, 1 TD)
Receiving: Brandon Banks (12 G, 67-1049 yards, 9 TD)
Defense (category leader who returns in 2009)
Tackles: Joshua Moore (12 G, 53 solo, 23 assisted, 76 total)
Sacks: Brandon Harold (12 G, 3.0-21 yards)
Interceptions: Joshua Moore (12 G, 3-5 yards)