CAA FOOTBALL WEEKLY RELEASE -- SEPT. 13
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 Players of the Week -- Sept. 14
Offensive Player of the Week - Eric Ward, QB, Richmond
Ward, the CAA Football Offensive Player of the Week, accounted for 296 total yards (247 pass, 46 rush), threw for a touchdown and rushed for another as the top-ranked Spiders came from behind to beat Delaware, 16-15, Saturday on the road. The Atlanta, Ga., native was 22-for-32 passing and completed balls to eight different receivers. He also rushed 10 times, with five of his attempts resulting in first downs. Ward’s 247 yards passing stand as the third-best single-game total in his career. He also became the Spiders’ career leader in total offense in the contest, now with 8,081 yards to overtake Bob Bleier’s 7,991. Ward was six-for-eight passing in the final quarter and accounted for 69 yards of total offense as the Spiders scored nine unanswered points in the fourth quarter for the win.
Defensive Player of the Week - Devon Jackson, LB, New Hampshire
Jackson, the CAA Football Defensive Player of the Week, recorded eight total tackles (five solo, three assisted), garnered a sack for five yards and had 2.5 tackles for loss (11 yards) in No. 9 New Hampshire’s 23-16 win at Ball State. Jackson led a Wildcat defense which limited the Cardinals to just 127 yards of total offense, and helped UNH earn its fifth-straight win over an FBS foe. The Williamstown, N.J., native, forced a key Ball State fumble in the fourth quarter which gave New Hampshire the ball for the final drive, and allowed it to run out the clock.
Special Teams Player of the Week - B.W. Webb, PR, William and Mary
Webb, the CAA Football Special Teams Player of the Week, helped No. 7 William and Mary topple Central Connecticut State, 33-14, Saturday at Zable Stadium. The redshirt-freshman, who earned numerous defensive player of the week honors last week, logged three punt returns for a total of 89 yards and had a long return of 42 in the win. The Newport News, Va., native also recorded four tackles for the Tribe which gave up just 78 rushing yards on the night.
Rookie of the Week - Darryl Hamilton, DB, Richmond
Hamilton earned the Rookie of the Week honor after recording his first collegiate interception, marking a key play in No. 1 Richmond’s come-from-behind win on the road at Delaware, 16-15. The Centreville, Va., native’s pick and subsequent 33-yard return gave the Spiders the ball at the Blue Hen 10-yardline with 7:25 left in the game. On the ensuing drive, Richmond kicker Andrew Howard connected on a 23-yard field goal which proved to the be the game-winner. Hamilton, a redshirt-freshman, also made three tackles in the game and forced a fumble.
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
CAA Football shows seven ranked teams for the second-straight week in 2009. Richmond’s No. 1 ranking helps place the league atop the poll for the second-straight week in 2009. CAA Football held the No. 1 ranking for 11-straight weeks in 2008. The Spiders and Villanova, which are 1-2 in the poll this week, mark the second time in as many years CAA Football has held the Top-2 spots in the poll -- Richmond and James Madison were 1-2 in the poll last season on Sept. 22. Prior to 2008, only the Big Sky had placed two teams in the Top-2 spots of The Sports Network poll in 1991 (Nevada and Idaho, respectively).
CAA Football’s strength in this week’s poll is shown by making up five of the Top-10 spots. Even more impressive is that four of the six CAA Football South Division squads are part of the national Top-10.
CAA Football has now had at least six teams ranked in 17 of the last 18 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 58-straight weeks and 84 of the last 88 editions.
FCS Coaches Top-25
For the second-straight week seven CAA Football squads are in the FCS Coaches’ Top-25. Richmond’s No. 1 ranking gives the league now two-straight weeks atop the rankings, after it owned No. 1 for 11-straight weeks in 2008. Villanova’s No. 2 ranking gives CAA Football ownership of the No. 1 and No. 2 spots at least one week in each of the last two seasons. James Madison and Richmond garnered the Top-2 spots last season on Sept. 22, marking the first time since 1998 one conference held No. 1 and No. 2 in the same Coaches’ poll (The Southern’s Georgia Southern and Appalachian State, respectively).
The league holds five of the Top-10 spots in this weeks poll, while four of the league’s six CAA Football South Division teams appear in the Top-6.
Since the FCS Coaches Poll debuted in 2007 CAA Football has had at least four squads ranked in every edition (31 weeks).
Bring On The BCS/FBS
CAA Football has logged a record-breaking four wins over BCS/FBS opponents in 2009. New Hampshire (Ball State), Richmond (Duke), Villanova (Temple) and William and Mary (Virginia) all have added BCS/FBS wins to the league’s current total of 12 non-conference wins.
The league has an all-time mark of 27-108 (.200) against BCS/FBS opponents dating back to the 1978 split by the NCAA. Prior to 2009, the league had not beat more than three BCS/FBS squads in a single season.
In 2009, CAA Football is 2-0 against the Mid-American Conference and has outscored the FBS league 50-40. The league also guaranteed itself a .500 mark against the Atlantic Coast Conference of the BCS ranks with two victories (2-2) in the early portion of 2009. The only wins for FCS squads over BCS/FBS teams this season have come from CAA Football (4-48).
CAA Football has now won 18 games versus BCS/FBS opponents in the last 10 years. The league has garnered at least one win over BCS/FBS foes in seven of the last eight years, and multiple wins over BCS/FBS teams in six of the last eight years.
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
2009 CAA Football -- Did You Know...
-- Four CAA Football teams have earned wins over BCS/FBS foes in 2009 including New Hampshire (Ball State), Richmond (Duke), Villanova (Temple) and William and Mary (Virginia).
-- CAA Football teams make up seven of the Top-10 in each of the two National polls. Four of the six CAA Football South Division squads are part of the Top-10 in each poll.
-- CAA Football squads own the nation’s four wins in BCS/FBS contests. FCS teams are a combined 4-48 this season against the BCS/FBS level.
-- CAA Football is 12-4 in its non-conference contests this season, and is 7-0 against non-conference FCS foes.
-- 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.
DELAWARE (1-1, 0-1 CAA)
This Week: Delaware State (0-1)
Next Week: at #5/5 William and Mary (2-0, 0-0)
-- Wide receiver Mark Mackey had a big day for Delaware against Richmond by catching six passes for 81 yards. Receiver Mark Duncan also saw his first action of the season catching two passes. Duncan extended his streak to 27-straight games with a reception.
-- Richmond’s late first-half score ended a streak of 108-straight scoreless minutes by the Delaware defense which dated back to the third quarter against Villanova in the 2008 season finale.
-- Delaware is now 3-5 when facing the reigning National Champion following its loss to Richmond Saturday. The Blue Hens have earned wins over Youngstown State in 1995 and 1998 as well as James Madison in 2005.
-- Delaware will host its third-straight home game this Saturday when it welcomes in-state rival Delaware State. The game will be only the second all-time meeting between the two schools and the first-ever in the regular season.
HOFSTRA (2-0, 0-0 CAA)
This Week: at #1/1 Richmond (2-0, 1-0)
Next Week: at Western Michigan (0-2)
-- Hofstra’s win over Bryant Saturday marked its 400th victory in the history of the football program.
-- Hofstra enters its game at Richmond 2-0 for the first time since 2007 and the 33rd time in school history. The Pride was also 3-0 in 2007 and has been undefeated after three games 21 times in program history.
-- The Pride opened Saturday’s game at Bryant with an 86-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Christian Dennis. It was Dennis’ second career touchdown. It was also Hofstra’s first kickoff return for a touchdown since Kareem Huggins returned one 92 yards against Maine in 2007.
-- Linebacker Basim Hudeen recorded a career-high 10 tackles including a personal-best eight solo stops in the Pride’s 40-24 win at Bryant. His previous best was eight tackles set in 2008 at James Madison and Bucknell. He also forced a fumble in the Bryant contest.
#7/6 JAMES MADISON (0-1, 0-0 CAA)
This Week: VMI (1-0)
Next Week: at #RV/24 Liberty (1-1)
-- James Madison’s 35 points scored against Maryland marked the most-ever scored on an FBS opponent by the Dukes.
-- James Madison and Maryland went to overtime Saturday night, marking the first overtime game for the Dukes since beating William and Mary, 34-31, at home in 2002.
-- Jon Williams’ 62-yard interception return against Maryland matched the eighth-longest interception return in team history. The interception was also JMU’s longest INT-return since Tony LeZotte’s 100-yarder against Towson in 2005. The pick was Williams’ first career interception.
-- Quarterback Drew Dudzik compiled 253 yards of total offense in the loss to Maryland. The junior completed 9-of-15 passes for 141 yards and a career-best two touchdowns. He also carried the ball 14 times for a career-high 112 yards and a score in his first career start.
#20/19 MAINE (2-0, 1-0 CAA)
This Week: at Albany (0-2)
Next Week: at Syracuse (0-2)
-- Maine used a two-quarterback system in its win over Northeastern Saturday. Senior Mike Brusko rushed 12 times for 39 yards and completed five passes for 11 yards. Iona College transfer Warren Smith completed 10-of-13 passes for 145 yards and touchdown.
-- Tailback Derek Session topped the 100-yard rushing mark for the second-straight game. The sophomore carried the ball 20 times and logged 114 yards and a touchdown against Northeastern. Session now has 238 rushing yards on 42 carries this season, which is tops in the league with a 119 yards/game average.
-- Defensive back Trevor Coston picked off two passes and returned them for a total of 20 yards in the win over Northeastern. The sophomore also has logged a total of 10 tackles thus far in 2009.
#17/17 MASSACHUSETTS (1-1, 0-0 CAA)
This Week: Rhode Island (1-0, 0-0)
Next Week: Stony Brook (0-2)
-- Victor Cruz had a 67-yard touchdown reception from Kyle Havens in the second quarter against Albany. It was the second-longest reception of his career. Last season, he had a 69-yarder from Liam Coen at James Madison as he set the school record for receiving yards in a game with 262. Cruz went over the 100-yard receiving yards mark for the fourth time in his career, finishing with 121 on six catches.
-- The Minutemen scored their most points in a home opener since Sept. 6, 2003, when they beat Central Connecticut State, 51-7. UMass posted 44 points in the win over Albany.
-- Tyler Holmes had an interception against Albany marking his third-straight game with an interception. Perry McIntyre also had an interception in his second career game, marking the second-straight year a true freshman had an interception - last season it was Holmes.
#6/7 NEW HAMPSHIRE (2-0, 0-0 CAA)
This Week: Bye Week
Next Week: Dartmouth (0-0)
-- New Hampshire’s win over Ball State marked its fifth-straight over an FBS opponent as the Wildcats defeated Army in 2008, Marshall in 2007, Northwestern in 2006 and Rutgers in 2004. The Cardinals finished the 2008 regular season a perfect 12-0 and played in the GMAC Bowl.
-- The Wildcat defense allowed just 127 yards of total offense and held Ball State running back MiQuale Lewis to just 24 yards on 14 carries. New Hampshire’s defense limited the Cardinals to 27 yards of offense on 24 plays and no touchdowns in the first half. It also held the Ball State running back to 21 rushing yards on nine carries. Ball State was just 1-of-7 on third down conversions in the first half.
-- Prior to arriving in Durham, N.H., R.J. 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 UNH, 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.
NORTHEASTERN (0-2, 0-1 CAA)
This Week: Youngstown State (1-1)
Next Week: at #2/2 Villanova (2-0, 0-0)
-- Linebacker Jason Vega made an impact on special teams against Maine by blocking a field goal and deflecting a punt. The senior swatted down a 40-yard FG attempt just before halftime. Then in the fourth quarter, Vega got a hand on a punt causing it to only go 16 yards. In addition to his special teams work, Vega recorded five tackles and recovered a fumble in the loss.
-- The Huskies scored their first points of the season in the first quarter against Maine. Mike Lukenda stripped Maine’s Derek Session, Darryl Jones recovered the fumble, and on the next play Greg Abelli rushed 33 yards for a touchdown.
-- The defense recorded four takeaways against Maine including three fumbles and an interception. The Huskies’ defense also garnered three sacks in the contest.
-- Each of Northeastern’s previous two field goal blocks have come against Maine. Erik Lichter blocked a Brian Harvey field goal attempt at Maine last season.
RHODE ISLAND (1-0, 0-0 CAA)
This Week: at #17/17 Massachusetts (1-1, 0-0)
Next Week: at Connecticut (1-1)
-- Rhode Island’s 41-28 win against Fordham was Rhody’s secondstraight win in its home-opener. Dating back to 2000, Rhody holds a 7-3 mark in home-openers.
-- Quarterback Chris Paul-Etienne totalled 245 yards of total offense (164 passing and 81 rushing) in his Rhode Island debut against Fordham.
-- Defensive end Victor Adesanya led the Rams defensively against Fordham, forcing two fumbles while recording two tackles for loss and two sacks. Adesanya’s two sacks marked career highs.
-- Rhode Island totalled 455 yards of total offense against Fordham, which was the most its offense has gained since its 2008 matchup against New Hampshire. The Rams’ 229 rushing yards against Fordham was more than any single game in 2008.
#1/1 RICHMOND (2-0, 1-0 CAA)
This Week: Hofstra (2-0, 0-0)
Next Week: VMI (1-0)
-- Richmond won for the first time as the nation’s No. 1-ranked team since the 1985 season. The Spiders were ranked first for just a week last season, falling on the road at Villanova, 26-20. That No. 1-ranking was the first for Richmond since spending five weeks at the top spot in 1985.
-- Saturday’s win extended Richmond’s winning streak to 11-straight games and established a new school record. It also stretched the team’s current school-record road-win streak to eight-straight. Richmond’s last loss was Oct. 11, 2008 to James Madison 38-31 on a last-second punt return. The team’s last road loss was Sept. 27, 2008 to Villanova 26-20.
-- With 293 yards of total offense in the Delaware game (247 pass, 46 run), quarterback Eric Ward became the Spiders’ career leader in total offense. Now with 8,081 in his career, he overtook Bob Bleier (7,991 yards) for the record.
TOWSON (0-1, 0-0 CAA)
This Week: Coastal Carolina (1-1)
Next Week: at Morgan State (0-1)
-- Rob Ambrose made his debut as the fourth head coach in Towson football history when the Tigers visited Northwestern. However, the Tigers weren’t able to provide the new coach with a win in his debut, dropping a 47-14 decision.
-- Quarterback Peter Athens became the first true freshman to start his first college game at quarterback since Dan Dullea, ’76 started the season opener in 1973. In his first college appearance he completed 15-of-25 passes for 140 yards. He threw his first career TD pass to David Newsom in the third quarter, a 33-yard play on fourth down.
-- Safety Ray White intercepted a pass in the second quarter, marking Towson’s fourth interception in the last 16 games. The Tigers recorded only three interceptions in 12 games last season. It was the third interception of White’s career.
-- The Tigers’ loss to Northwestern was their second game against an FBS program. Towson opened its season at Navy in 2008 and dropped a 41-13 decision.
#2/2 VILLANOVA (2-0, 0-0 CAA)
This Week: at Penn (0-0)
Next Week: Northeastern (0-2, 0-1)
-- Villanova improved to 22-3 all-time versus Patriot League opponents with its 38-17 win over Lehigh Saturday.
-- Running back/wide receiver Matt Szczur tallied his first career 100-yard rushing game against Lehigh with 103 yards on five carries including a long rush of 75 yards.
-- For the second-straight week, Villanova returned a fumble for a touchdown when Marlon Johnson returned a fumble 19 yards for a score against Lehigh. Ross Ventrone logged a 59-yard fumble recovery return for touchdown against Temple in the season opener.
-- Villanova outgained Lehigh 310-55 in the rushing department. The Wildcats were paced by quarterback Chris Whitney’s 130 yards on 14 carries and Matt Szczur’s 103 yards on five carries.
#5/5 WILLIAM AND MARY (2-0, 0-0 CAA)
This Week: at Norfolk State (1-1)
Next Week: Delaware (1-1, 0-1)
-- After wins over Virginia (26-14) and Central Connecticut State (33-14), William and Mary is 2-0 to begin the season for the first time since 2001.
-- Saturday’s game (and win) over Central Connecticut State marked the first for William and Mary against a squad from the Northeast Conference.
-- The Tribe has now won 14-straight games over non-conference FCS opponents.
-- Running back Jonathan Grimes made history in the win over Central Connecticut State, as he became the fastest player in school history to total 1,000 career rushing yards – doing so in just 13 games. Among the College’s top 10 career rushers, Derek Fitzgerald and Jon Smith were the quickest to accomplish the feat (15 games) prior to Grimes.
HOFSTRA AT #1/1 RICHMOND
Saturday, Sept. 19 - 3:30 pm
UR Stadium (21,319), Richmond, Va.
Series: Tied 3-3
Hofstra (2-0, 0-0 CAA)
Coach: Dave Cohen
Career: 15-21 (4 years)
School: 15-21 (4 years)
Offense
Rushing: Kwabena Asante (2 G, 14-75 yards, 0 TD)
Passing: Cory Christopher (2 G, 40-68-2-470 yards, 3 TD)
Receiving: Aaron Weaver (2 G, 10-106 yards, 0 TD)
Defense
Tackles: Luke Bonus (2 G, 11 solo, 5 assisted, 16 total)
Sacks: Johnny Hartsfield (2 G, 1.0-11 yards)
Interceptions: Leslie Jackman (2 G, 1-0 yards)
Richmond (2-0, 1-0 CAA)
Coach: Mike London
Career: 15-3 (2 years)
School: 15-3 (2 years)
Offense
Rushing: Justin Forte (2 G, 31-90 yards, 1 TD)
Passing: Eric Ward (2 G, 34-55-1-390 yards, 1 TD)
Receiving: Tre Gray (2 G, 11-119 yards, 1 TD)
Defense
Tackles: Patrick Weldon (2 G, 15 solo, 3 assisted, 18 total)
Sacks: Martin Parker (2 G, 2.0-14 yards)
Interceptions: Darryl Hamilton (2 G, 1-33 yards)
RHODE ISLAND AT #17/17 MASSACHUSETTS
Saturday, Sept. 19 - 3:30 pm
McGuirk Alumni Stadium (17,000), Amherst, Mass.
Television: Comcast SportsNet - Mid-Atlantic/Comcast SportsNet - New England/Comcast SportsNet - Philadelphia
Series: Massachusetts leads 46-35-2
Rhode Island (1-0, 0-0 CAA)
Coach: Joe Trainer
Career: 14-20 (4 years)
School: 1-0 (First year)
Offense
Rushing: Chris Paul-Etienne (1 G, 11-81 yards, 1 TD)
Passing: Chris Paul-Etienne (1 G, 13-19-0-164 yards, 2 TD)
Receiving: Tyquan Bynum (1 G, 4-99 yards, 0 TD)
Defense
Tackles: Rob Damon (1 G, 9 solo, 2 assisted, 11 total)
Sacks: Victor Adesanya (1 G, 2.0-8 yards)
Interceptions: Rodney Mitchell (1 G, 1-20 yards)
Massachusetts (1-1, 0-0 CAA)
Coach: Kevin Morris
Career: 25-33 (7 years)
School: 1-1 (First year)
Offense
Rushing: Tony Nelson (2 G, 40-184 yards, 1 TD)
Passing: Kyle Havens (2 G, 30-66-3-386 yards, 3 TD)
Receiving: Victor Cruz (2 G, 8-165 yards, 2 TD)
Defense
Tackles: Tyler Holmes (2 G, 9 solo, 11 assisted, 20 total)
Sacks: Michael Hanson (2 G, 1.5-15 yards)
Interceptions: Tyler Holmes (2 G, 2-12 yards)
DELAWARE STATE AT DELAWARE
Saturday, Sept. 19 - 12:00 pm
Delaware Stadium (22,000), Newark, Del.
Television: SPORTSfever Television Network (Newark, Del.)
Series: Delaware leads 1-0
Delaware State (0-1)
Coach: Al Lavan
Career: 36-24 (7 years)
School: 34-23 (6 years)
Offense
Rushing: Jason Randall (1 G, 16-54 yards, 1 TD)
Passing: Anthony Glaud (1 G, 17-32-0-188 yards, 1 TD)
Receiving: Darius Jackson (1 G, 7-67 yards, 0 TD)
Defense
Tackles: Mike Gable (1 G, 6 solo, 5 assisted, 11 total)
Sacks: Mike Gable (1 G, 1.0-7 yards)
Interceptions: None
Delaware (1-1, 0-1 CAA)
Coach: K.C. Keeler
Career: 145-56-1 (16 years)
School: 57-35 (8 years)
Offense
Rushing: David Hayes (2 G, 25-88 yards, 1 TD)
Passing: Pat Devlin (2 G, 27-46-1-394 yards, 2 TD)
Receiving: Mark Mackey (2 G, 11-164 yards, 0 TD)
Defense
Tackles: Benard Makumbi (2 G, 6 solo, 5 assisted, 11 total)
Sacks: Brandon Gilbeaux (2 G, 1.0-5 yards)
Interceptions: Charles Graves (2 G, 2-33 yards)
YOUNGSTOWN STATE AT NORTHEASTERN
Saturday, Sept. 19 - 1:00 pm
Parsons Field (7,000), Brookline, Mass.
Series: Youngstown State leads 6-3
Youngstown State (1-1)
Coach: Jon Heacock
Career: 55-40 (9 years)
School: 55-40 (9 years)
Offense
Rushing: Kevin Smith (2 G, 37-163 yards, 1 TD)
Passing: Brandon Summers (2 G, 28-46-2-345 yards, 4 TD)
Receiving: Donald Jones (2 G, 10-116 yards, 2 TD)
Defense
Tackles: Sir Demarco Bledsoe (2 G, 18 solo, 6 assisted, 24 total)
Sacks: Andre Elliott (2 G, 1.0-9 yards)
Interceptions: Brandian Ross (2 G, 1-24 yards)
Northeastern (0-2, 0-1 CAA)
Coach: Rocky Hager
Career: 108-66-1 (16 years)
School: 17-41 (6 years)
Offense
Rushing: John Griffin (2 G, 28-95 yards, 0 TD)
Passing: Matt Carroll (2 G, 19-32-2-140 yards, 0 TD)
Receiving: Ty Sibert (2 G, 4-38 yards, 0 TD)
Defense
Tackles: Phil Higgins (2 G, 9 solo, 7 assisted, 16 total)
Sacks: Craig Kenney (2 G, 1.0-3 yards)
Interceptions: Emmanuel Matthews (2 G, 1-0 yards)
#20/19 MAINE AT ALBANY
Saturday, Sept. 19 - 4:00 pm
University Field (5,000), Albany, N.Y.
Series: Tied 1-1
Maine (2-0, 1-0 CAA)
Coach: Jack Cosgrove
Career: 90-95 (17 years)
School: 90-95 (17 years)
Offense
Rushing: Derek Session (2 G, 42-238 yards, 2 TD)
Passing: Warren Smith (1 G, 10-13-1-145 yards, 1 TD)
Receiving: Desmond Randall (2 G, 7-107 yards, 0 TD)
Defense
Tackles: Brandon McLaughlin (2 G, 8 solo, 11 assisted, 19 total)
Sacks: Jordan Stevens (2 G, 2.5-14 yards)
Interceptions: Trevor Coston (2 G, 2-20 yards)
Albany (0-2)
Coach: Bob Ford
Career: 234-167-1 (41 years)
School: 225-145 (37 years)
Offense
Rushing: Andrew Smith (2 G, 13-112 yards, 2 TD)
Passing: Vinny Esposito (2 G, 27-54-4-234 yards, 0 TD)
Receiving: Tim Bush (2 G, 11-106 yards, 0 TD)
Defense
Tackles: Justin Brancaccio (2 G, 10 solo, 10 assisted, 20 total)
Sacks: Dave Casale (2 G, 1.0-12 yards)
Interceptions: Dave Casele (2 G, 1-17 yards)
VMI AT #7/6 JAMES MADISON
Saturday, Sept. 19 - 6:00 pm
Bridgeforth Stadium (15,500), Harrisonburg, Va.
Series: James Madison leads 9-3
VMI (1-0)
Coach: Sparky Woods
Career: 68-53-5 (12 years)
School: 5-7 (2 years)
Offense
Rushing: Howard Abegesah (1 G, 17-106 yards, 0 TD)
Passing: Kyle Hughes (1 G, 4-5-1-20 yards, 0 TD)
Receiving: Tim Maypray (1 G, 2-12 yards, 0 TD)
Defense
Tackles: Eric Church (1 G, 9 solo, 4 assisted, 13 total)
Sacks: Eric Church (1 G, 1.0-7 yards)
Interceptions: None
James Madison (0-1, 0-0 CAA)
Coach: Mickey Matthews
Career: 76-47 (11 years)
School: 76-47 (11 years)
Offense
Rushing: Drew Dudzik (1 G, 14-112 yards, 1 TD)
Passing: Drew Dudzik (1 G, 9-15-0-141 yards, 2 TD)
Receiving: Mike Caussin (1 G, 3-52 yards, 2 TD)
Defense
Tackles: Pat Williams (1 G, 7 solo, 3 assisted, 10 total)
Sacks: Pat Williams (1 G, 1.0-9 yards)
Interceptions: Jon Williams (1 G, 1-62 yards)
#5/5 WILLIAM AND MARY AT NORFOLK STATE
Saturday, Sept. 19 - 6:00 pm
Price Stadium (30,000), Norfolk, Va.
Series: William and Mary leads 3-0
William and Mary (2-0, 0-0 CAA)
Coach: Jimmye Laycock
Career: 191-138-2 (30 years)
School: 191-138-2 (30 years)
Offense
Rushing: Jonathan Grimes (2 G, 38-126 yards, 0 TD)
Passing: R.J. Archer (2 G, 32-60-2-313 yards, 3 TD)
Receiving: D.J. McAulay (2 G, 8-121 yards, 1 TD)
Defense
Tackles: Jake Trantin (2 G, 9 solo, 12 assisted, 21 total)
Sacks: C.J. Herbert (2 G, 1.0-11 yards)
Interceptions: B.W. Webb (2 G, 3-68 yards)
Norfolk State (1-1)
Coach: Pete Adrian
Career: 58-62-1 (12 years)
School: 22-25 (5 years)
Offense
Rushing: Dennis Brown (2 G, 27-159 yards, 1 TD)
Passing: Dennis Brown (2 G, 25-47-2-254 yards, 2 TD)
Receiving: Chris Bell (2 G, 6-65 yards, 1 TD)
Defense
Tackles: Terrell Whitehead (2 G, 7 solo, 6 assisted, 13 total)
Sacks: Terrence Pugh (2 G, 1.0-5 yards)
Interceptions: Terrell Whitehead (2 G, 1-15 yards)
COASTAL CAROLINA AT TOWSON
Saturday, Sept. 19 - 7:00 pm
Unitas Stadium (11,198), Towson, Md.
Series: Coastal Carolina leads 1-0
Coastal Carolina (1-1)
Coach: David Bennett
Career: 109-41 (14 years)
School: 46-24 (8 years)
Offense
Rushing: Jeremy Height (2 G, 25-100 yards, 0 TD)
Passing: Zach MacDowall (2 G, 26-45-3-310 yards, 1 TD)
Receiving: David Duran (2 G, 4-95 yards, 0 TD)
Defense
Tackles: Dominique Davenport (2 G, 13 solo, 0 assisted, 13 total)
Sacks: Quinton Davis (2 G, 2.0-8 yards)
Interceptions: Josh Norman (2 G, 1-29 yards)
Towson (0-1, 0-0 CAA)
Coach: Rob Ambrose
Career: 3-8 (2 years)
School: 0-1 (First year)
Offense
Rushing: B.J. Greening (1 G, 9-35 yards, 0 TD)
Passing: Peter Athens (1 G, 15-25-2-140 yards, 1 TD)
Receiving: David Newsom (1 G, 6-74 yards, 1 TD)
Defense
Tackles: Brady Smith (1 G, 6 solo, 5 assisted, 11 total)
Sacks: Yaky Ibia (1 G, 1.0-9 yards)
Interceptions: Raymond White (1 G, 1-1 yard)
PENN AT #2/2 VILLANOVA
Saturday, Sept. 19 - 7:00 pm
Franklin Field (52,958), Philadelphia, Pa.
Television: The Comcast Network
Series: Villanova leads 8-5
Villanova (2-0, 0-0 CAA)
Coach: Andy Talley
Career: 195-119-2 (30 years)
School: 167-101-1 (25 years)
Offense
Rushing: Chris Whitney (2 G, 31-163 yards, 1 TD)
Passing: Chris Whitney (2 G, 35-51-0-384 yards, 4 TD)
Receiving: Brandyn Harvey (2 G, 12-154 yards, 1 TD)
Defense
Tackles: Osayi Osunde (2 G, 6 solo, 6 assisted, 12 total)
Sacks: Terence Thomas (2 G, 1.0-8 yards)
Interceptions: John Dempsey (2 G, 1-4 yards)
Penn (0-0)
Coach: Al Bagnoli
Career: 200-73 (27 years)
School: 114-54 (17 years)
Offense (category leader who returns in 2009)
Rushing: Mike DiMaggio (9 G, 133-585 yards, 4 TD)
Passing: Keiffer Garton (7 G, 41-68-5-388 yards, 1 TD)
Receiving: Kyle Derham (10 G, 29-404 yards, 1 TD)
Defense (category leader who returns in 2009)
Tackles: Jake Lewko (10 G, 29 solo, 32 assisted, 61 total)
Sacks: Jake Lewko (10 G, 2.0-17 yards)
Interceptions: Chris Wynn (10 G, 5-0 yards)