CAA Football Weekly Awards - Sept. 14
Rob Washburn
RICHMOND, Va. (September 14, 2026) – CAA Football has announced its weekly award winners for Week 2 of the 2026 season. UNH senior running back Joquez Smith was selected as the Offensive Player of the Week while Rhode Island redshirt junior linebacker Moses Meus earned Defensive Player of the Week honors. UNH sophomore kick returner/wide receiver Ryan Ricketti received Special Teams Player of the Week honors and Bryant redshirt freshman wide receiver Shamar Fowles was named as the Rookie of the Week.
CAA Football Offensive Player of the Week
Joquez Smith, Sr., RB, UNH (Tampa, Fla./Jesuit)
Smith rushed for 122 yards and three touchdowns on 13 carries (9.4 ypc) in UNH’s 42-35 win over Stonehill. The senior had a 26-yard TD run in the second quarter that snapped a 14-14 tie, a 34-yard scoring burst in the third period and a 3-yard TD with 11:06 remaining that proved to be the game-winner. It was the first three rushing TD outing by a UNH player since 2022.
CAA Football Defensive Player of the Week
Moses Meus, R-Jr., LB, Rhode Island (Pawtucket, R.I./St. Raphael Academy)
Meus recorded a team-high seven tackles, 1.5 TFL’s, a half sack and an interception in Rhode Island’s 31-10 triumph over Elon. The junior played a key role in a dominant defensive effort for the Rams, who had four sacks and forced five turnovers, including four interceptions for the first time since 2013. Meus has 16 stops and two picks for the season.
CAA Football Special Teams Player of the Week
Ryan Ricketti, So., KR/WR, UNH (Rocky River, Ohio/Rocky River)
Ricketti averaged 45.0 yards on three kickoff returns, including a 96-yarder for a touchdown to open the game, in UNH’s 42-35 win over Stonehill. It was the Wildcats’ first KOR for a touchdown since 2023. Ricketti finished the game with 182 all-purpose yards, adding three catches for 47 yards to his 135 kickoff return yards.
CAA Football Rookie of the Week
Shamar Fowles, R-Fr., WR, Bryant (Miami, Fla./Miami Carol City)
Fowles made four receptions for a career-high 112 yards and a touchdown in Bryant’s 31-3 victory at Hampton. The redshirt freshman sprinted down the sideline for a 60-yard TD in the second quarter, which was the first score of his career. Fowles is the first Bryant receiver to eclipse 100 yards since the 2024 season.