CAA Football Three Things To Watch - Dec. 7
Rob Washburn
CAA Football Weekly Release
CAA Football Schedule/Results/Broadcast Info
CAA Football Coaches Media Conference
Rhode Island and Villanova head into the second round of the NCAA FCS playoffs on Saturday after exciting wins last week. The Rams visit 7th-seeded Mercer and the Wildcats travel to 6th-seeded Incarnate Word, with both games kicking off at 2 p.m. on ESPN+.
URI (11-2) got a career-high 223 rushing yards from Malik Grant and its defense picked off three passes, including a 42-yard pick six by Emmanuel Gomes, to defeat Central Connecticut State, 21-17, and record its first playoff win since 1985. VU (10-3) rallied from an early 14-0 deficit as Connor Watkins threw two TD passes and the Wildcats' defense pitched a second-half shutout to defeat Eastern Kentucky, 22-17, for its school-record 16th straight home win.
CAA teams are 16-15 all-time in second-round action against non-conference opponents. The CAA has had at least one team advance to the quarterfinals every year since 1995.
Get ready for both games with the latest edition of Three Things To Watch.