CAA FOOTBALL WEEKLY RELEASE - SEPT. 21
CAA Football Players of the Week -- Sept. 22
Following three wins by CAA Football squads ranked among the Top-10, the league announced its Player of the Week honorees, Monday, Sept. 22. Four individuals earned honors after helping their squads to wins Saturday, including James Madison’s Rodney Landers, William and Mary’s Adrian Tracy, James Madison’s Scotty McGee and Hofstra’s Brock Jackolski.
Landers, the CAA Football Offensive Player of the Week, helped the fifth-ranked Dukes beat No. 1 Appalachian State in come-from-behind fashion, 35-32, Saturday night. The Virginia Beach, Va., native, ran 20 times for 113 yards and two touchdowns during JMU’s second-half surge. The two-time CAA Football Player of the Week winner also completed 7-of-13 passes for 96 yards and one touchdown. Landers’ first TD-run, a 62-yarder, came with 12:43 left in the third quarter, and cut the Appalachian State lead to 21-14. His second scamper, a one-yarder with 2:31 left in the game, proved to be the game-winner which lifted the Dukes to a 35-24 advantage. The senior’s touchdown pass was a 35-yard completion to Griff Yancey also in the third quarter. Landers helped the Dukes avenge their first-round playoff loss to the Mountaineers in 2007 and beat a top-ranked team for the third time in school history.
Tracy grabbed CAA Football Defensive Player of the Week honors after helping William and Mary topple Norfolk State, 42-12, in Williamsburg, Va. The Sterling, Va., native garnered a team-best six tackles in the win for the Tribe. Four of the six stops came behind the line of scrimmage for a total of 11 yards lost. Tracy also tallied 1.5 sacks for a total of eight yards, one of which came on the game’s first offensive snap. Tracy also contributed to special teams late in the second quarter by blocking Norfolk State’s 50-yard field goal try with 25 seconds to play before halftime. The Tribe’s David Caldwell scooped up the ball Tracy batted down and returned in 66 yards for a score. The honor marks Tracy’s first-ever CAA Football weekly award.
McGee, the CAA Football Special Teams Player of the Week, recorded what might be the biggest kickoff return of his career in Madison’s win over No. 1 Appalachian State. The Virginia Beach, Va., native got the Dukes on the scoreboard when he returned the opening kickoff in the second half 99 yards for a touchdown. Prior to the return, JMU trailed 21-0 and had only picked up two first downs on offense. The touchdown return marks the second of the season for McGee and the third of his career. The junior totalled 135 yards in kick returns and 26 yards in punt returns against the Mountaineers. McGee, along with Landers, helped the Dukes avenge their first-round playoff loss to the Mountaineers in 2007 and top a No. 1 ranked team for the third time in school history.
Jackolski earned CAA Football Rookie of the Week honors after helping Hofstra earn its first win of the season, 23-20, over conference foe Rhode Island in Hempstead, N.Y. Jackolski, a Shirley, N.Y., native who was playing in only his second collegiate game, carried the ball 13 times for 144 yards. The former New York State HIgh School Player of the Year also returned four kicks for 73 yards in the Pride win.
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 40-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 19 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 one on the Big Ten Network. WABI-TV in Maine will provide coverage for five of the Black Bears’ six home games this season. Madison Square Garden Network (MSG) has plans to broadcast one contest, Towson will play a non-conference match-up on CSTV and WMUR-TV in New Hampshire will provide coverage of New Hampshire’s contest at Dartmouth.
Television listings for every game are listed throughout this release.
CAA Football In The Polls
For a complete rundown of both the Sports Network Top-25 and the FCS Coaches Poll visit page 18 of the weekly release. Below are highlights and notes about CAA Football in this week’s rankings.
The Sports Network Top-25
No. 1 Richmond and No. 2 James Madison mark a first-ever for CAA Football (also the Atlantic 10 and Yankee) in this week’s Sports Network rankings. In the league’s 62-year history it has never held the Top-2 spots in any National Top-25. The Big Sky is the most recent league to hold the Top-2 spots in The Sports Network poll when Nevada was No. 1 and Idaho was No. 2, Sept. 23, 1991.
The last time a CAA Football school was ranked No. 1 was Oct. 9, 2006 -- New Hampshire held on to No. 1 from Sept. 11-Oct. 9 that season.
CAA Football’s six ranked squads in the Sports Network’s Top-25 mark the second-straight season the league has had six teams ranked following the fourth week of the season.
Only the Southern Conference equals the number of CAA Football teams (6) in the poll, but CAA Football’s three among the Top-10 is more than the Missouri Valley (2) and SoCon (2) can boast. 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 45-straight weeks. The league can now boast having at least two teams in the Sports Network Top-10 in 71 of the last 75 weeks. The last time CAA Football placed six among the Top-25 in five consecutive weeks was between Sept. 24-Oct. 22, 2007 which included Delaware, Hofstra, James Madison, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Richmond.
FCS Coaches Top-25
No. 1 James Madison and No. 2 Richmond mark a first-ever for CAA Football in this week’s FCS Coaches’ Poll. Since the poll debuted in 2007 no league has held the Top-2 spots in the same week. The Southern Conference is the most recent league to hold the Top-2 spots in a National Coaches Poll -- Georgia Southern was No. 1 and Appalachian State was No. 2 in the Nov. 16, 1998 edition of the ESPN/USA Today Coaches’ Top-25.
James Madison’s No. 1 ranking in the poll also marks a first for CAA Football, as no team from the league has ever been ranked No. 1 by the Coaches since the poll’s debut in 2007.
Since the FCS Coaches Poll debut, CAA Football has had at least four squads ranked every week (19 weeks). The league’s total of six in this week’s poll mark the fifth-consecutive edition with as many CAA Football squads listed, and the 12th week overall.
CAA Football’s four teams among the poll’s Top-10 mark the third-straight week the league has had four-or-more squads among the Top-10 -- something only accomplished by CAA Football. The league has actually had four-or-more teams among the Coaches’ Top-10 on seven occasions -- two weeks in 2007 and the first five weeks of the 2008 season.
This week’s CAA Football squads in the Top-10 include James Madison (No. 1), Richmond (No. 2), New Hampshire (No. 8) and Massachusetts (No. 10).
CAA Football -- The SEC of FCS
CAA Football is widely regarded as the toughest conference, top-to-bottom, in the landscape of FCS football. One can point to the SEC as a viable comparison for CAA Football on the FBS/BCS level.
In the Sept. 14 edition of the Associated Press Top-25, the SEC put a record five teams in the Top-10 including No. 3 Georgia, No. 4 Florida, No. 6 LSU, No. 9 Alabama and No. 10 Auburn. In the Sept. 15 edition of the Sports Network poll, CAA Football was going on its second-straight week of five teams in the Top-10 including No. 2 Richmond, No. 5 James Madison, No. 6 Delaware, No. 9 Massachusetts and No. 10 New Hampshire.
This week (Sept. 21) the SEC has four teams among the Top-10 in the USA Today Coaches’ Poll including No. 3 Georgia, No. 4 Florida, No. 6 LSU and No. 10 Alabama. In this week’s FCS Coaches’ Poll CAA Football also has four teams among the Top-10 including No. 1 James Madison, No. 2 Richmond, No. 8 New Hampshire and No. 10 Massachusetts.
Non-conference winning percentages for CAA Football and the SEC are very comparable. CAA Football is 14-5 (.737) against non-conference FCS opponents, while the rest of the country’s FCS squads are a combined 65-73 (.471) against its non-conference FCS foes. The SEC has dominated its FBS non-conference opponents, holding a mark of 17-4 (.810) in those games. The rest of the country’s FBS teams are a combined 118-131 (.474) in non-conference FBS action.
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 make up the Top-2 in four major passing categories. Below is a breakdown of where each ranks in those four statistical groups:
Pass Attempts
1. Sean Schaefer, Towson - 1,302
2. Liam Coen, Massachusetts - 1,084
3. Ryan Alexander, Davidson - 1,046
Pass Completions
1. Sean Schaefer, Towson - 829
2. Liam Coen, Massachusetts - 698
3. Ryan Alexander, Davidson - 586
Passing Yards
1. Sean Schaefer, Towson - 9,287
2. Liam Coen, Massachusetts - 9,253
3. Ryan Alexander, Davidson - 7,276
Passing Touchdowns
1. Liam Coen, Massachusetts - 75
2. Sean Schaefer, Towson - 58
3. Nathan Brown, Central Arkansas - 55
Bring On The BCS/FBS
With New Hampshire’s 28-10 win at Army, Sept. 6, 2008, CAA Football has now won 16 games versus BCS/FBS opponents in the last 11 years (12 different opponents).
The league also boasts at least one win over the BCS/FBS level in six of the last seven seasons, and nine of the last 11 seasons.
CAA Football sports an 11-year record of 16-67 (.193) against BCS/FBS level opponents dating back to 1997.
All 12 CAA Football squads are slated to play an BCS/FBS foe in 2008, while Northeastern will face two this season including Ball State and Syracuse.
For a complete list of CAA Football’s wins over BCS/FBS opponents check out page 17 of the weekly release.
JMU’s McGee Garners CAA Football’s Sixth National Honor In Four Weeks
James Madison’s Scotty McGee garnered recognition as The Sports Network’s National Special Teams Player of the Week, after logging CAA Football’s Special Teams Player of the Week honor. 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 just four weeks of play CAA Football has already garnered recognition six times (at least one honor in each of the four weeks) -- a total that is three more than any other FCS conference has won.
CAA Football athletes were honored nine of the 12 weeks in 2007, and boasted a total of 15 national winners. CAA Football’s total trailed only the Southern Conference’s 16 National Player of the Week honorees last season.
Check out page 16 of the weekly release for a complete rundown of CAA Football’s National Players of the Week.
Payton/Buchanan Watch
The Sports Network released its 2008 Preseason Watch lists for both the Walter Payton and Buck Buchanan awards. CAA Football had two on the Payton Watch List -- UMass’ Liam Coen and James Madison’s Rodney Landers -- and one on the Buck Buchanan Watch List -- Maine’s Jovan Belcher. The Walter Payton Award is given to the most outstanding offensive player in the Football Championship Subdivision, while the Buck Buchanan Award is awarded to the most outstanding defensive player in FCS.
Several other league players may be added to the watch lists over the course of the season -- below are some of those names (including their to-date stats) along with those already on the lists.
Walter Payton Award
-- Liam Coen, QB (Massachusetts) - 74-115-2-971 pass yds, 64.3%, 9 TD, 242.8 pass yds/game, (-10)-971-961 total yds, 240.2 total yds/game
-- Rodney Landers, QB (James Madison) - 28-45-3-396 pass yds, 62.2%, 3 TD, 99.0 pass yds/game, 65-446 rush yds, 6 TD, 111.5 rush yds/game, 446-396-842 total yds, 210.5 total yds/game
-- Kevin Grayson, WR (Richmond) - 20-322 rec. yds, 1 TD, 80.5 rec. yds/game, 80.5 all-purpose yds/game
-- Eugene Holloman, RB (James Madison) - 36-216 rush yds, 2 TD, 72.0 rush yds/game
-- Sean Schaefer, QB (Towson) - 88-140-6-929 pass yds, 62.9%, 7 TD, 232.2 pass yds/game, 0-929-929 total yds, 232.2 total yds/game
-- Antwon Young, QB (Villanova) - 54-94-7-621 pass yds, 57.4%, 2 TD, 207.0 pass yds/game, 38-621-659 total yds, 219.7 total yds/game
Buck Buchanan Award
-- Jovan Belcher, DL (Maine) - 4 G, 12 solo, 20 assisted, 32 total, 4.5-14 TFL, 2.0-7 sacks, 1 FR, 1 PBU
-- Tim Kukucka, DL (Villanova) - 3 G, 2 solo, 5 assisted, 7 total, 1.0-1 TFL, 1 FF, 1 PBU
-- Matt Marcorelle, DL (Delaware) - 3 G, 4 solo, 3 assisted, 7 total, 2.0-6 TFL, 0.5-4 sacks, 2 PBU, 1 BLK
-- Lawrence Sidbury, DL (Richmond) - 4 G, 9 solo, 7 assisted, 16 total, 4.5-10 TFL, 1.0-4 sacks, 1 FR, 1 FF, 2 PBU
-- Sean Smalls, DB (Massachusetts) - 4 G, 8 solo, 4 assisted, 12 total, 2 PBU
CAA Football In The NFL
As of Sept. 23 a total of 34 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
-- 4 tackles, 1 interception, 1 pass deflection vs BAL (L 10-28) --
- Stephen Bowen - Hofstra - Dallas Cowboys - Active Roster
-- 1 tackle vs GB (W 27-16) --
- Jermon Bushrod - Towson - New Orleans Saints - Active Roster
-- saw action vs DEN (L 32-34) --
- Willie Colon - Hofstra - Pittsburgh Steelers - Active Roster
-- started on Offensive Line vs PHI (L 6-15) --
- Marques Colston - Hofstra - New Orleans Saints - Active Roster
-- not active vs DEN (L 32-34) --
- Mike DeVito - Maine - New York Jets - Active Roster
-- 3 tackles vs SD (L 29-48) --
- Brian Finneran - Villanova - Atlanta Falcons - Active Roster
-- 1 tackle vs KC (W 38-14) --
- Joe Flacco - Delaware - Baltimore Ravens - Active Roster
-- 13-of-19 for 129 passing yards, 2 interceptions, 6-(-2) rushing yards --
- Corey Graham - New Hampshire - Chicago Bears - Active Roster
-- 7 tackles vs TB (L 24-27) --
- Tim Hightower - Richmond - Arizona Cardinals - Active Roster
-- 5-23 rushing yards, 3-38 receiving yards vs WAS (L 17-24) --
- Akeem Jordan - James Madison - Philadelphia Eagles - Active Roster
-- saw action vs PIT (W 15-6) --
- Dan Kreider - New Hampshire - St. Louis Rams - Active Roster
-- started at Fullback vs SEA (L 13-37) --
- Mike Leach - William and Mary - Denver Broncos - Active Roster
-- saw action vs NO (W 34-32) --
- Paris Lenon - Richmond - Detroit Lions - Active Roster
-- 7 tackles, 1 tackle for loss vs SF (L 13-31) --
- Brandon London - Massachusetts - Miami Dolphins - Active Roster
-- not active vs NE (W 38-13) --
- Montell Owens - Maine - Jacksonville Jaguars - Active Roster
-- 1-10 rushing yards, 1 tackle vs IND (W 23-21) --
- Ben Patrick - Delaware - Arizona Cardinals - Active Roster
-- 1-19 receiving yards vs WAS (L 17-24) --
- Darren Sharper - William and Mary - Minnesota Vikings - Active Roster
-- 5 tackles vs CAR (W 20-10) --
- Mike Tomlin - William and Mary - Pittsburgh Steelers - Head Coach
-- 6-15 losers to PHI --
- Raymond Ventrone - Villanova - New England Patriots - Active Roster
-- saw action vs MIA (L 13-38) --
- Brian Westbrook - Villanova - Philadelphia Eagles - Active Roster
-- 5-12 rushing yards vs PIT (W 15-6) --
- Kyle Arrington - Hofstra - Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Practice Squad
- Drew Atchison - William and Mary - Miami Dolphins - Practice Squad
- Stephen Cooper - Maine - San Diego Chargers - Reserve Suspended
- 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
- Brad Listorti - Massachusetts - New York Jets - Practice Squad
- Brandon McGowan - Maine - Chicago Bears - Injured Reserve
- Kevin McMahan - Maine - Kansas City Chiefs - Practice Squad
- Matt Mulligan - Maine - Miami Dolphins - Practice Squad
- Matt Sherry - Villanova - Cincinnati Bengals - Injured Reserve
- Arman Shields - Richmond - Oakland Raiders - Injured Reserve
#17/12 DELAWARE (1-2, 0-0 CAA)
This Week: hosts Albany (1-2)
Next Week: at #18/10 Massachusetts (2-2, 0-1)
-- The Blue Hens were hurt by five turnovers as they lost one fumble and Robby Schoenhoft threw a school-record tying four interceptions in the loss at Furman. Delaware’s five turnovers were the most by UD squad since committing five in a 35-7 loss to Massachusetts in 2005.
-- Schoenhoft set career highs by completing 22-of-39 passes for 246 yards against Furman. Johnathon Smith ran for 94 yards and scored two touchdowns, Aaron Love caught nine passes for 90 yards and a touchdown and Ronald Talley and Erik Johnson each had 10 tackles at Furman.
-- Love upped his career reception total to 168 to move into No. 3 all-time in UD history by hauling in nine against Furman. Kervin Michaud upped his streak of catching at least one pass to 26-straight games -- logging four catches.
-- LB Brian Void and CB Tyrone Grant each started his first career game against Furman and Anthony Walters started at safety due to other defensive injuries.
HOFSTRA (1-2, 1-0 CAA)
This Week: at Stony Brook (1-3)
Next Week: at #2/1 James Madison (3-1, 1-0)
-- Cory Christopher posted his second-straight 250-yard passing game and 70 percent completion contest, while accumulating 314 yards in total offense in the Pride’s 23-20 victory over Rhode Island.
-- Red-shirt freshman walk-on Roger Williams, who handled kickoff duties in the first two games for the Pride, came off the bench in the second half to kick two field goals including the game-winner with three seconds to play against Rhode Island.
-- Brock Jackolski earned CAA Football Rookie of the Week honors after helping Hofstra earn its first win of the season. The Shirley, N.Y., native, who was playing in only his second collegiate game, carried the ball 13 times for 144 yards. The former New York State HIgh School Player of the Year also returned four kicks for 73 yards in the Pride win.
#2/1 JAMES MADISON (3-1, 1-0 CAA)
This Week: at Maine (2-2, 0-1)
Next Week: hosts Hofstra (1-2, 1-0)
-- Rodney Landers ran 20 times for 113 yards and two touchdowns during JMU’s second-half surge to beat Appalachian State. The two-time CAA Football Player of the Week winner also completed 7-of-13 passes for 96 yards and one touchdown. Landers’ first TD-run, a 62-yarder, came with 12:43 left in the third quarter, and cut the Appalachian State lead to 21-14. His second scamper, a one-yarder with 2:31 left in the game, proved to be the game-winner which at the time lifted the Dukes to a 35-24 advantage.
-- Junior kick/punt returner Scotty McGee, the CAA Football Special Teams Player of the Week, got the Dukes on the scoreboard against Appalachian State last weekend when he returned the opening kickoff in the second half 99 yards for a touchdown. The touchdown return marked the second of the season for McGee and the third of his career.
-- JMU beat a No. 1 team for the third time in school history last Saturday, and are 3-3 vs. No. 1 teams overall.
MAINE (2-2, 0-1 CAA)
This Week: hosts #2/1 James Madison (3-1, 1-0)
Next Week: Bye Week
-- Adam Farkes threw for a career-high 229 yards and two scores, but was intercepted once in the third quarter Saturday against Richmond. That interception was Maine’s first turnover in 11 quarters. Farkes has thrown nine TDs and just one pick in the last three games combined.
-- Kenneth Fersner and Tyrell Jones each caught a scoring pass in the loss at Richmond.
-- The touchdown catch against Richmond was the first in Fersner’s career, as he is a senior. Jones’ TD catch was his second in the last two games.
-- Linebacker Andrew Downey recorded a game-high 11 tackles, including 2.0 tackles for loss and one sack at Richmond.
-- Brian Harvey booted a 39-yard field goal and was 2-of-2 on extra points in last weekend’s loss at Richmond.
#18/10 MASSACHUSETTS (2-2, 0-1 CAA)
This Week: Bye Week
Next Week: hosts #17/12 Delaware (1-2, 0-0)
-- The crowd of 53,190 UMass played in front of Saturday at Texas Tech marked the largest crowd in UMass school history in any sport. The former record was 51,221 when the Minutemen football squad lost at NC State in 2002.
-- Brian Ellis scored his first-career TD on a fumble return of 53 yards in the first quarter at Texas Tech. That score was the first first-quarter of the season, opponents had outscored UMass 44-0 to that point. It was UMass’ first fumble recovery this season.
-- Courtney Robinson had 44 kickoff return yards against the Red Raiders to move into fourth place on UMass’ career kickoff return yards list with 1,130. He passed Adrian Zullo (1,123).
-- Josh Jennings had double-figures in tackles for the fourth time in his career with 11 against the Texas Tech Red Raiders.
#7/8 NEW HAMPSHIRE (3-0, 1-0 CAA)
This Week: at Dartmouth (0-1)
Next Week: Bye Week
-- Quarterback R.J. Toman Toman passed for four touchdowns in the win over Albany, recorded his second-straight game with four or more TDs and more than 250 yards passing.
-- New Hampshire’s has now opened three of the last four seasons with a 3-0 mark.
-- Tight end Scott Sicko topped the 100-yard recieving mark with five catches for 104 yards and two TDs Saturday against Albany.
-- Chad Kackert racked up 258 all-purpose yards in the Albany game with 106 rushing yards, 53 receiving yards and 99 kick return yards.
-- New Hampshire gained over 400 yards of offense against Albany, marking the second-straight game to go over the 400-yard mark. UNH had 509 yards of offense two weeks ago at Rhode Island.
NORTHEASTERN (0-3, 0-0 CAA)
This Week: hosts UC Davis (1-3)
Next Week: at Towson (1-3, 0-1)
-- Quarterback Anthony Orio set a career-high in passing yards for the second-straight week, throwing for 293 yards and two touchdowns at Syracuse. With 729 passing yards through three games, Orio is already halfway to his 2007 total of 1,558 yards. Orio passed Ralph Barone (1991-92) in career passing yards and is now fourth all-time at 4,211 yards.
-- Ron Conway continued his strong start to the season by averaging 47.0 yards over three punts at Syracuse. He connected on a 59-yarder and a 43-yarder which both landed inside the Syracuse 10. For the season, he is averaging 42.5 yards a punt.
-- Orio led the Huskies in rushing with 49 yards against the Orange. Brian Mandeville led NU with 83 yards receiving last Saturday in Syracuse.
-- The Northeastern offense had no trouble moving the ball downfield with 293 passing yards, while going 10-for-14 on third downs, against Syracuse.
RHODE ISLAND (1-3, 0-2 CAA)
This Week: at Boston College (2-1)
Next Week: hosts Brown (1-0)
-- Quarterback Derek Cassidy threw for 248 yards and surpassed his career-best single-season passing total of 1,060 (2006) in the game against Hofstra. The Rhode Island signal caller has thrown for 200-or-more yards in every game this season.
-- Matt Hansen tallied a career-high 12 tackles and posted double-digits in tackles for the second-straight week in the loss to Hofstra. The Rhody senior also registered a pair of sacks and forced a fumble against the Pride. Hansen leads Rhode Island in tackles (39) and sacks (3.0) thus far in 2008.
-- Freshman Brandon Johnson-Farrell caught a team-high seven passes for 67 yards and also had three kickoff returns for 109, including a 51-yard return against the Pride.
-- In last Saturday’s game at Hofstra, Rhode Island scored on its opening drive for the first time this season.
#1/2 RICHMOND (3-1, 2-0 CAA)
This Week: at #19/19 Villanova (2-1, 0-0)
Next Week: at VMI (2-1)
-- The Maine game was Richmond’s first-ever playing as a No. 2-ranked team in the Sports Network poll and marks the highest spot for the Spiders since being No. 1 for five-straight weeks in 1985.
-- The Spiders have now won eight-consecutive home games dating back to last season, which ties for the second-longest such streak in school history. Richmond won eight games at UR Stadium from 1972-74. The school record is nine-straight home wins from 1968-70.
-- The interception (returned 37 yards for a touchdown) by Justin Rogers against Maine marked Richmond’s NCAA FCS-leading ninth of the season. As a team, the Spiders had 10 interceptions in 14 games last season.
-- The Richmond defense has held all four opponents in 2008 season to less than 92 yards rushing, less than 234 yards passing and less than 18 points. Maine had 44 yards on the ground and 229 through the air.
TOWSON (1-3, 0-1 CAA)
This Week: hosts Columbia (0-1)
Next Week: hosts Northeastern (0-3, 0-0)
-- The Tigers visited Coastal Carolina without four offensive standouts and one defensive starter -- offensive tackle Dan Bridges missed the first game of his college career, ending a streak of 25-consecutive games started. Junior tailback Matt Castor, senior wide receicer Tommy Breaux, junior wide receiver Casey Cegles and senior safety Drew Mack also sit out the game at Coastal.
-- In the loss at Coastal, Sean Schaefer completed 20-of-36 passes for 142 yards. With his 142 passing yards, he increased his career passing total to 9,287 yards, sixth on CAA Football’s career list.
-- Senior Marcus Lee was the Tigers’ top receiver with 7 catches for 54 yards against Coastal Carolina. While catching a pass in his 37th consecutive game, he moved into third place on Towson’s all-time pass receiving list with 180 receptions for 2,043 yards.
#19/19 VILLANOVA (2-1, 0-0 CAA)
This Week: hosts #1/2 Richmond (3-1, 2-0)
Next Week: at William and Mary (2-1, 0-0)
-- With the 20-14 win in overtime at Penn Saturday, Villanova is now 28-5 in the month of September against FCS opponents dating back to the 1997 season.
-- Villanova’s overtime win now makes the Wildcats 9-4 all-time in overtime games. Villanova has won seven of its last nine overtime games.
-- Senior defensive tackle Greg Miller led Villanova in tackles for the second-straight game. He has 16 tackles combined in the last two games.
-- After forcing three turnovers at Penn, Villanova has now forced eight in the first three games of the season (six interceptions/two fumble recoveries).
-- The four interceptions thrown by junior quarterback Antwon Young against Penn were the most by a Wildcat signal caller since Brett Gordon threw five interceptions in a 45-44 overtime win against JMU in 2001.
WILLIAM AND MARY (2-1, 0-0 CAA)
This Week: Bye Week
Next Week: hosts #19/19 Villanova (2-1, 0-0)
-- Quarterback Jake Phillips tied his career-high with four touchdown passes in the Tribe’s 42-12 win over Norfolk State Saturday. The last time Phillips threw for four TDs in a single game came during his redshirt freshman season (2005). He tossed four scoring strikes in just over a quarter’s worth of action in the team’s thrilling 44-41 double overtime win at Northeastern.
-- David Caldwell’s 66-yard touchdown return after the blocked field goal was the College’s first special teams score after a blocked kick since former Tribe safety Seam McDermott scooped and scored from 12-yards out after a blocked punt at Rhode Island in 1996 .
-- With two TDs on the evening, D.J. McAulay now has five scores on the season, which surpasses his career total (3) entering this season. All of McAulay’s five scoring grabs have come from greater than 22-yards.
HOFSTRA AT STONY BROOK
Friday, Sept. 26 - 7:00 pm
LaValle Stadium (8,136), Stony Brook, N.Y.
Television: MSG - Carl Reuter (pbp), Marty Lyons (analyst), Eric Singer (producer), Mitch Levites (director)
Series: Hofstra leads 11-0
Last Meeting: Sept. 29, 2007, Hofstra 33-28 in Hempstead, N.Y.
Hofstra (1-2, 1-0 CAA)
Coach: Dave Cohen (C.W. Post, 1988)
Career: 10-15 (3 years)
School: 10-15 (3 years)
Offense
Rushing: Brock Jackolski (2 G, 21-163 yards, 1 TD)
Passing: Cory Christopher (3 G, 69-99-2-667 yards, 1 TD)
Receiving: Anthony Nelson (3 G, 21-195 yards, 0 TD)
Defense
Tackles: Chris Edmond (3 G, 12 solo, 7 assisted, 19 total)
Sacks: Luke Bonus (3 G, 1.5-6 yards)
Interceptions: Nick Altomare (3 G, 2-5 yards)
Stony Brook (1-3)
Coach: Chuck Priore (Albany, 1982)
Career: 51-23 (9 years)
School: 12-14 (3 years)
Offense
Rushing: Edwin Gowins (4 G, 47-335 yards, 3 TD)
Passing: Dayne Hoffman (4 G, 42-97-4-551 yards, 4 TD)
Receiving: Dwayne Eley (3 G, 14-144 yards, 0 TD)
Defense
Tackles: Tyler Santucci (4 G, 18 solo, 17 assisted, 35 total)
Sacks: James Harris (4 G, 3.0-23 yards)
Interceptions: Cory Giddings (3 G, 2-21 yards)
#1/2 RICHMOND AT #19/19 VILLANOVA
Saturday, Sept. 27 - 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: Villanova leads 18-9
Last Meeting: Nov. 3, 2007, Richmond 35-27 in Richmond, Va.
Richmond (3-1, 2-0 CAA)
Coach: Mike London (Richmond, 1983)
Career: 3-1 (First year)
School: 3-1 (First year)
Offense
Rushing: Josh Vaughan (4 G, 64-309 yards, 2 TD)
Passing: Eric Ward (4 G, 60-96-2-832 yards, 7 TD)
Receiving: Kevin Grayson (4 G, 20-322 yards, 1 TD)
Defense
Tackles: Eric McBride (4 G, 12 solo, 14 assisted, 26 total)
Sacks: Pierre Turner (4 G, 2.0-22 yards)
Interceptions: Justin Rogers (4 G, 3-105 yards)
Villanova (2-1, 0-0 CAA)
Coach: Andy Talley (Southern Connecticut, 1967)
Career: 185-117-2 (29 years)
School: 157-99-1 (24 years)
Offense
Rushing: Aaron Ball (3 G, 42-158 yards, 2 TD)
Passing: Antwon Young (3 G, 54-94-7-621 yards, 2 TD)
Receiving: Phil Atkinson (3 G, 13-151 yards, 0 TD)
Defense
Tackles: Greg Miller (3 G, 12 solo, 7 assisted, 19 total)
Sacks: Greg Miller (3 G, 1,0-9 yards)
Interceptions: Frederick Maldonado (3 G, 2-8 yards)
#2/1 JAMES MADISON AT MAINE
Saturday, Sept. 27 - 6:00 pm
Alfond Stadium (10,000), Orono, Maine
Television: WABI, VALY - George Hale (pbp), Walt Abbott (analyst), Tim Throckmorton (sideline)
Series: James Madison leads 7-4
Last Meeting: Oct. 8, 2005, James Madison 38-2 in Harrisonburg, Va.
James Madison (3-1, 1-0 CAA)
Coach: Mickey Matthews (West Texas State, 1976)
Career: 67-45 (10 years)
School: 67-45 (10 years)
Offense
Rushing: Rodney Landers (4 G, 65-446 yards, 6 TD)
Passing: Rodney Landers (4 G, 28-45-3-396 yards, 3 TD)
Receiving: Kerby Long (4 G, 7-98 yards, 1 TD)
Defense
Tackles: Marcus Haywood (4 G, 17 solo, 21 assisted, 38 total)
Sacks: Arthur Moats (4 G, 2.5-15 yards)
Interceptions: Marcus Haywood (4 G, 2-48 yards)
Maine (2-2, 0-1 CAA)
Coach: Jack Cosgrove (Maine, 1978)
Career: 82-92 (16 years)
School: 82-92 (16 years)
Offense
Rushing: Jhamal Fluellen (4 G, 72-341 yards, 0 TD)
Passing: Adam Farkes (4 G, 58-105-3-667 yards, 9 TD)
Receiving: Jhamal Fluellen (4 G, 12-69 yards, 0 TD)
Defense
Tackles: Jovan Belcher (4 G, 12 solo, 20 assisted, 32 total)
Sacks: Jonas Rousseau (4 G, 3.0-28 yards)
Interceptions: Norman Smith (4 G, 1-12 yards)
UC DAVIS AT NORTHEASTERN
Saturday, Sept. 27 - 12:00 pm
Parsons Field (7,000), Brookline, Mass.
Television: CSN - Eric Frede (pbp), Steve DeOssie (analyst), Tom Souza (producer)
Series: UC Davis leads 1-0
Last Meeting: Sept. 22, 2007, UC Davis 28-10 in Davis, Calif.
UC Davis (1-3)
Coach: Bob Biggs (UC Davis, 1973)
Career: 120-57-1 (16 years)
School: 120-57-1 (16 years)
Offense
Rushing: Joe Tombetta (3 G, 56-229 yards, 2 TD)
Passing: Greg Denham (3 G, 87-124-4-908 yards, 5 TD)
Receiving: Chris Carter (4 G, 27-342 yards, 2 TD)
Defense
Tackles: Mike Morales (4 G, 15 solo, 11 assisted, 26 total)
Sacks: John Faletoese (4 G, 2.0-17 yards)
Interceptions: Steven Wulff (4 G, 1-23 yards)
Northeastern (0-3, 0-0 CAA)
Coach: Rocky Hager (Minot State, 1974)
Career: 106-57-1 (15 years)
School: 15-32 (5 years)
Offense
Rushing: Alex Broomfield (3 G, 63-219 yards, 3 TD)
Passing: Anthony Orio (3 G, 61-105-2-729 yards, 3 TD)
Receiving: Tony Lott (3 G, 14-185 yards, 0 TD)
Defense
Tackles: Phil Higgins (3 G, 14 solo, 13 assisted, 27 total)
Sacks: David Akinniyi (3 G, 2.0-23 yards)
Interceptions: None
#7/8 NEW HAMPSHIRE AT DARTMOUTH
Saturday, Sept. 27 - 12:00 pm
Memorial Field (13,000), Hanover, N.H.
Television: WMUR - Jason King (pbp), Tony Johnson (analyst)
Series: Dartmouth leads 17-16-2
Last Meeting: Sept. 22, 2007, New Hampshire 52-31 in Durham, N.H.
New Hampshire (3-0, 1-0 CAA)
Coach: Sean McDonnell (New Hampshire, 1978)
Career: 63-47 (10 years)
School: 63-47 (10 years)
Offense
Rushing: Chad Kackert (3 G, 39-338 yards, 2 TD)
Passing: R.J. Toman (3 G, 62-90-4-702 yards, 9 TD)
Receiving: Mike Boyle (3 G, 20-268 yards, 3 TD)
Defense
Tackles: Dino Vasso (3 G, 16 solo, 9 assisted, 25 total)
Sacks: Devon Jackson (3 G, 1.0-8 yards)
Interceptions: Ryan Hinds (3 G, 1-21 yards)
Dartmouth (0-1)
Coach: Buddy Teevens (Dartmouth, 1979)
Career: 67-123-2 (19 years)
School: 33-45-2 (8 years)
Offense
Rushing: Milan Williams (1 G, 15-65 yards, 1 TD)
Passing: Alex Jenny (1 G, 29-48-0-343 yards, 1 TD)
Receiving: Philip Galligan (1 G, 10-146 yards, 0 TD)
Defense
Tackles: Peter Pidermann (1 G, 8 solo, 4 assisted, 12 total)
Sacks: Marlon Alebiosu (1 G, 1.0-14 yards)
Interceptions: None
RHODE ISLAND AT BOSTON COLLEGE
Saturday, Sept. 27 - 1:00 pm
Alumni Stadium (44,000), Chestnut Hill, Mass.
Television: E360 - Dave Weekley (pbp), Stan Lewter (analyst), Mike Hadley (producer), Eric Lilly (director)
Series: Boston College leads 4-2
Last Meeting: Nov. 3, 1917, Boston College 48-0 in Chestnut Hill, Mass.
Rhode Island (1-3, 0-2 CAA)
Coach: Darren Rizzi (Rhode Island, 1992)
Career: 16-17 (3 years)
School: 1-3 (First year)
Offense
Rushing: Jimmy Hughes (4 G, 40-130 yards, 1 TD)
Passing: Derek Cassidy (4 G, 95-165-3-1141 yards, 6 TD)
Receiving: Joe Bellini (4 G, 19-247 yards, 0 TD)
Defense
Tackles: Matt Hansen (4 G, 25 solo, 14 assisted, 39 total)
Sacks: Matt Hansen (4 G, 3.0-19 yards)
Interceptions: Matt Hansen (4 G, 1-20 yards)
Boston College (2-1)
Coach: Jeff Jagodzinski (Wisconsin-Whitewater, 1985)
Career: 13-4 (2 years)
School: 13-4 (2 years)
Offense
Rushing: Montel Harris (2 G, 18-133 yards, 0 TD)
Passing: Chris Crane (3 G, 46-87-5-455 yards, 2 TD)
Receiving: Brandon Robinson (3 G, 10-145 yards, 1 TD)
Defense
Tackles: Mark Herzlich (3 G, 18 solo, 9 assisted, 27 total)
Sacks: Kevin Akins (3 G, 1.0-11 yards)
Interceptions: Roderick Rollins (3 G, 1-33 yards)
COLUMBIA AT TOWSON
Saturday, Sept. 27 - 3:00 pm
Unitas Stadium (11,198), Towson, Md.
Series: Columbia leads 2-0
Last Meeting: Sept. 27, 1997, Columbia 28-13 in New York, N.Y.
Columbia (0-1)
Coach: Norries Wilson (Minnesota, 1989)
Career: 6-15 (3 years)
School: 6-15 (3 years)
Offense
Rushing: Ray Rangel (1 G, 8-49 yards, 0 TD)
Passing: Shane Kelly (1 G, 10-20-0-170 yards, 2 TD)
Receiving: Andrew Kennedy (1 G, 4-43 yards, 1 TD)
Defense
Tackles: Drew Quinn (1 G, 3 solo, 13 assisted, 16 total)
Sacks: None
Interceptions: Drew Quinn (1 G, 1-22 yards)
Towson (1-3, 0-1 CAA)
Coach: Gordy Combs (Towson, 1972)
Career: 90-84 (17 years)
School: 90-84 (17 years)
Offense
Rushing: Matt Castor (2 G, 24-96 yards, 0 TD)
Passing: Sean Schaefer (4 G, 88-140-6-929 yards, 7 TD)
Receiving: David Newsom (4 G, 24-241 yards, 0 TD)
Defense
Tackles: Jordan Manning (4 G, 18 solo, 20 assisted, 38 total)
Sacks: Jordan Manning (4 G, 1.5-9 yards)
Interceptions: None
ALBANY AT #17/12 DELAWARE
Saturday, Sept. 27 - 6:00 pm
Delaware Stadium (22,000), Newark, Del.
Series: Albany leads 1-0
Last Meeting: Sept. 16, 1006, Albany 17-10 in Newark, Del.
Albany (1-2)
Coach: Bob Ford (Springfield, 1959)
Career: 226-164-1 (40 years)
School: 217-142 (36 years)
Offense
Rushing: David McCarty (3 G, 90-433 yards, 3 TD)
Passing: Vinny Esposito (3 G, 47-83-2-557 yards, 2 TD)
Receiving: Tim Bush (3 G, 17-188 yards, 0 TD)
Defense
Tackles: Justin Brancaccio (3 G, 11 solo, 19 assisted, 30 total)
Sacks: Dave West (3 G, 1.5-11 yards)
Interceptions: Dave Casale (3 G, 1-9 yards)
Delaware (1-2, 0-0 CAA)
Coach: K.C. Keeler (Delaware, 1981)
Career: 141-49-1 (15 years)
School: 53-28 (7 years)
Offense
Rushing: Johnathon Smith (3 G, 53-252 yards, 6 TD)
Passing: Robby Shoenhoft (3 G, 50-87-6-568 yards, 3 TD)
Receiving: Kervin Michaud (3 G, 14-143 yards, 1 TD)
Defense
Tackles: Anthony Walters (3 G, 18 solo, 6 assisted, 24 total)
Sacks: Ronald Talley (3 G, 1.0-7 yards)
Interceptions: Anthony Walters (3 G, 3-31 yards)