Henrico Times

Colonial Athletic Association issued the following announcement on Sept. 16

There is only one CAA clash on Saturday's busy 11-game schedule, but it's a big one as #21/18 Richmond visits #12/9 Villanova. It's the conference opener for both teams, which have gotten off to 2-0 starts in dominating fashion. The Spiders have outscored their two opponents 69-17 and the Wildcats have beaten their foes by a combined score of 102-6.

Along with the Richmond/Villanova game, there are several big non-conference contests on Saturday. #3/2 James Madison travels to #8/9 Weber State, Towson welcomes #5/4 North Dakota State to Unitas Stadium and unbeaten Rhode Island faces Brown for the Governor's Cup. Four CAA teams - Stony Brook (#4 Oregon), Delaware (Rutgers), UAlbany (Syracuse) and Elon (Appalachian State) - hit the road against FBS opponents.

Here's a preview of the Week 3 schedule.

SIX CAA TEAMS OFF TO 2-0 STARTS: Six of the CAA's 12 teams - Delaware, JMU, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Richmond and Villanova - are off to 2-0 starts this season. No other FCS league has more than three squads (Big Sky) that are 2-0.

CAA TEAMS GO 6-0 IN NON-CONFERENCE PLAY LAST WEEK: CAA Football teams went 6-0 against non-conference foes in Week 2. For the season, the CAA is 11-2 vs. FCS non-conference competition and 11-3 overall. The 11 wins against FCS opponents are the most of any conference.

SEASON-HIGH FIVE TEAMS RANKED IN FCS TOP 25 POLLS: A season-high five CAA Football teams are ranked in this week's Stats Perform and AFCA Coaches FCS Top 25 polls. James Madison is #2 in the AFCA poll and #3 in the Stats rankings while Delaware is ranked #6 by Stats and #7 by the AFCA. Villanova moved up to #9 in the AFCA poll and is #12 in the Stats poll, Richmond is #18 in the AFCA poll and #21 in the Stats rankings and New Hampshire is #23 in both polls. Rhode Island was among others receiving votes in both polls.

RATKE SETS FCS CAREER POINTS RECORD, TIES FIELD GOAL MARK: JMU's Ethan Ratke broke the FCS record for points by a kicker (417) and tied the FCS mark for career field goals (75) last Saturday. Montana's Dan Carpenter previously held both marks (413 points and 75 FG's). Ratke set the CAA record for FG's in a season with 27 in 2019, and broke the league's career mark of 64 set by Towson's Aidan O'Neill last spring. Ratke, who was 14-for-14 on field goals last spring and is 3-for-3 in 2021, has hit a field goal in 23 straight games. He was honored as the FCS National Special Teams Player of the Week by Stats Perform.

EFFICIENT QUARTERBACKS: Five CAA Football quarterbacks are ranked among the top 18 in FCS in passing efficiency after the second week of the season. JMU's Cole Johnson (225.1) is second, followed by Villanova's Dan Smith (5th), UNH's Bret Edwards (9th), Delaware's Nolan Henderson (15th) and Richmond's Joe Mancuso (18th).

DOMINATING DEFENSES: Eight CAA teams are ranked among the top 27 in FCS in scoring defense. Six CAA teams are among the top 30 in rushing defense and total defense, and five squads are in the top 24 in pass defense.

UAlbany

•    Edged 16-14 by Rhode Island in their home opener last week.

•    All-America RB Karl Mofor ran for a team-high 78 yards and a TD on 26 carries and also made 3 catches for 15 yards vs. URI.

•    Jeff Undercuffler was 20-of-36 passing for 217 yards and a TD vs. URI. He's thrown for 400 yards with 2 TD's and 0 int. this season.

•    Freshman WR Roy Alexander leads UA in receptions (8) and receiving yards (167).

•    Mofor and Undercuffler were both named to the CFPA National Performer of the Year Watch List for 2021.

•    Jackson Ambush leads UA with 18 tackles over the first two games.

•    DE Jared Verse, the 2020 CAA Defensive Rookie of the Year, has recorded 10 tackles, a sack and three QB hurries in two games.

•    Tyler Carswell intercepted his first pass of the season vs. URI.

Delaware

•    Defeated Saint Francis (Pa.) 27-10 last week. Have won 9 of their last 10 games.

•    Nolan Henderson was 18-of-23 passing for 259 yards and a TD vs. SFU. He ranks 15th in FCS in passing efficiency and 23rd in passing yards (260.5 ypg) for the season.

•    UD had two receivers with 100+ yards in the same game for the first time since 2009 when Gene Coleman II made 5 catches for 120 yards and a TD and Thyrick Pitts had 5 catches for 116 yards and a TD at Maine.

•    Dejoun Lee is averaging 112.5 all-purpose yards per game this season and leads the Blue Hens in rushing with 117 yards.

•    Delaware is giving up just 91.5 ypg on the ground, which ranks 20th in FCS.

•    The Blue Hens haven't committed a turnover this season while forcing five. UD was a CAA-best +11 in TO margin last spring.

•    Liam Trainer recorded five tackles, 1.0 TFL and his first career interception vs. SFU.

Elon

•    Earned a 24-23 win at Campbell last week. Overcame a 17-7 deficit in the 3rd quarter.

•    Davis Cheek passed for 269 yards and 2 TD's at Campbell and ranks 12th in FCS in passing (290.5 ypg) in 2021. He's 3rd in career pass yards (6,205) and TD passes (38) at EU

•    Jaylan Thomas ran for a team-high 55 yards at Campbell and leads Elon with 111 yards rushing this season. His 1,594 career rushing yards ranks 6th in Elon history.

•    Elon's top three receivers - Jackson Parham, Chandler Brayboy and Kortez Weeks - all have at least 10 catches for over 120 yards and at least one TD this season.

•    Tre'Von Jones had a team-high 9 tackles, one sack, an interception and a fumble recovery in the victory over Campbell.

•    Omar Rogers intercepted two passes vs. Wofford and added six tackles.

•    Skyler Davis kicked a 47-yard FG with 2:18 left at Campbell and made three FG's vs. Wofford. His 38 career FG's ranks 4th at EU.

James Madison

•    Beat Maine 55-7 last week for their 13th straight CAA win dating back to 2018.

•    Cole Johnson was 25-of-30 for 379 yards and 4 TD's vs. UM. It was his 7th straight game with 200+ passing yards. He's 2nd in FCS in pass efficiency.

•    Antwane Wells, Jr. caught 8 passes for a career-high 179 yards and 2 TD's vs. UM. He's 5th in FCS in receiving yards per game.

•    JMU ranks 2nd in FCS in total offense (599.5 ypg) and scoring offense (61.5 ppg).

•    JMU's defense is allowing just 9.0 ypg on the ground. The Dukes held Morehead State to -57 yards rushing in the opener.

•    Ethan Ratke set the FCS career record for points by a kicker (417) and tied the FCS career mark for FG's (75). He's made a field goal in 23 consecutiv games.

•    JMU ranks 3rd in FCS in total defense (195.0 ypg) and 6th in scoring defense (8.5 ppg).

•    JMU has recorded 22.0 TFL's and 7.0 sacks in two games.

Maine

•    Fell 55-7 at JMU last week. Both Maine losses have been to top 10 opponents.

•    Starting QB Joe Fagnano suffered a leg injury at JMU and is out indefinitely. Reserve Derek Robertson passed for 88 yards and a TD against the Dukes.

•    Andre Miller caught a 22-yard TD pass at JMU and has 6 receptions for 90 yards this season. In 4 games last spring, Miller had 21 catches for 348 yards and 6 TD's.

•    Devin Young has been UM's top receiver in the first 2 games and has 10 catches for 62 yards this season.

•    LB Ray Miller recorded a team-high 12 tackles and 2.5 TFL's vs. Delaware and added 8 tackles at JMU.

•    DB Fofie Bazzie led the Black Bears with a career-high 10 stops at JMU.

•    Michael Monios has 5 catches for 63 yards and a TD this season and he also blocked a punt against Delaware that was returned for a touchdown.

New Hampshire

•    Moved atop the CAA standings at 2-0 after a 26-14 triumph over Towson last week.

•    Bret Edwards was 24-of-32 passing for 261 yards and 2 TD's vs. TU. He ranks 9th in FCS in pass efficiency, has completed 72% of his passes and has 5 TD's with 0 interceptions.

•    Sean Coyne made 9 catches for 113 yards and a TD vs. Towson, including a 54-yard TD reception in the 2nd quarter.

•    Dylan Laube had 135 all-purpose yards vs. TU, including a team-high 77 yards and a TD rushing on 11 carries.

•    Elijah Lewis tallied a team-high 9 tackles and 2.0 sacks vs. Towson, while Evan Horn added 8 tackles and 2 interceptions.

•    Head coach Sean McDonnell earned his 100th regular-season win in conference play vs. Towson, which ranks 3rd all-time.

•    Pop Bush was named FCS National Defensive Player of the Week after recording 10 tackles, 3.0 TFL, 2 forced fumbles, 2 pass breakups and an interception vs. SBU.

Rhode Island

•    Won 16-14 at UAlbany last week to start 2-0 for the third time in the past four years.

•    Kasim Hill passed for 147 yards and ran for 58 at UAlbany. He's averaging 243.5 ypg of total offense for the season.

•    Justice Antrum rushed for a career-best 96 yards and 2 TD's vs. Bryant and added a team-high 84 yards and a TD at UA.

•    Ivory Frimpong made a team-high 8 catches for 84 yards at UA and leads the Rams in receptions (12) and receiving yards (148).

•    URI ranks 23rd in FCS in scoring offense, averaging 30.5 ppg.

•    C.J. Carrick has 216 career points, which is the most by a kicker in school history.

•    Westley Neal, Jr. tallied 5.0 TFL's and 2.0 sacks in the win at UA. The 5.0 TFL's is the most by any player in FCS this season.

•    URI ranks 10th in FCS in total defense (238.5 ypg), 13th in rush defense (82.0 ypg) and 27th in scoring defense (17.5 ppg).

Richmond

•    Scored 28 second-quarter points to pull away from Lehigh, 31-3. UR is off to a 2-0 start for the first time since 2016.

•    Joe Mancuso passed for 131 yards and 2 TD's and ran for 30 yards vs. Lehigh. He's completing 65% of his throws and ranks 18th in FCS in passing efficiency.

•    RB Aaron Dykes has rushed for a team-high 125 yards and 3 TD's and also has a TD catch. He's 22nd in FCS in all-purpose yards.

•    UR ranks 16th in FCS in total offense, 17th in rush offense and 20th in scoring offense.

•    Darius Reynolds recorded 1.5 sacks vs. Lehigh and is 2nd in the CAA with 2.5 sacks.

•    All-CAA linebackers Tristan Wheeler (17 tackles) and Tyler Dressler (14 tackles) lead the Spiders in stops.

•    The Spiders have allowed just three points over the past six quarters.

Stony Brook

•    Picked up a 24-3 road win at in-state foe Colgate last week.

•    SBU rushed for 271 yards at Colgate, with Ty Son Lawton tying a career-high with 134 yards and a TD on 16 carries and Seba Nekhet adding 80 yards on 15 attempts.

•    Tyquell Fields passed for 140 yards and a TD and ran for 26 yards and a TD at Colgate. He's averaging 237.5 ypg for the season.

•    Stony Brook ranks 20th in FCS in rushing offense with 205.0 ypg.

•    SBU recorded 4.0 sacks and 9.0 TFL's at Colgate and intercepted two passes.

•    SBU held Colgate to 52 yards rushing and ranks 18th in FCS in rush defense (89.5 ypg) for the season.

•    Reidgee Dimanche made a team-high 10 tackles at Colgate and leads the Seawolves with 17 stops for the season.

•    Carthell Flowers had 2.5 TFL's at Colgate and tops SBU with 4.0 TFL's for the year.

Towson

•    Dropped a 26-14 decision at New Hampshire in their CAA opener last week.

•    Jerry Howard, Jr. ran for a team-high 97 yards on 18 carries at UNH and leads the Tigers with 142 yards for the season.

•    Reserve QB Jeff Miller passed for 147 yards and a TD in the 2nd half at UNH.

•    Towson has four players with at least five catches this season, led by Caleb Smith with 9 receptions for 98 yards and a TD.

•    Towson hosts perennial FCS power North Dakota State on Saturday. It's the first matchup between the two teams since the 2013 FCS national championship game.

•    LB Christian Dixon had 6 tackles, a TFL, a forced fumble and 2 QB hurries at UNH.

•    Towson ranks 15th in FCS in scoring defense and 16th in total defense.

•    Towson's shutout at Morgan State was its first since a 10-0 win over MSU in 2017.

Villanova

•    Beat Bucknell 55-3 last week in their home opener. Have outscored their first two opponents 102-6.

•    Dan Smith has passed for 3 TD's in each of the first two games and also has 1 TD on the ground. He's 5th in FCS in pass efficiency.

•    Justin Covington ran for 156 yards and 2 TD's vs. Lehigh and leads the CAA in rushing (107.5 ypg). It was his second career game with 150+ yards and 7th 100+-yard effort.

•    VU has generated at least 334 yards of total offense in its past 22 games. VU is 15th in FCS in total offense and 4th in scoring.

•    Dez Boykin, Rayjoun Pringle and Jaaron Hayek each have 2 TD catches this season.

•    VU leads FCS in rush defense (4.5 ypg) and ranks 2nd in scoring defense (3.0 ppg) and total defense (114.0 ypg).

•    Christian Benford intercepted 2 passes vs. Bucknell and returned on for a TD. The Wildcats have forced 8 turnovers this season, including 6 interceptions.

William & Mary

•    Topped Lafayette, 24-3, in their home opener last week.

•    Gage Herdman (78 yds.) and Quinn Osborne (18 yds) returned interceptions for TD's vs. Lafayette. It was the first time 2013 that W&M has had two "pick sixes" in a game.

•    W&M held Lafayette to 256 total yards while recording 11.0 TFL's and 6.0 sacks.

•    Will Kiely had 4.0 TFL's and 2.0 sacks vs. Lafayette, while John Pius had a team-high 7 tackles and 2.0 sacks.

•    The 3 points allowed to Lafayette were the fewest for W&M since 2015.

•    Hollis Mathis passed for 96 yards in his first game of the season, including a 38-yard scoring pass to Cole Blackman.

•    Donavyn Lester leads the Tribe in rushing (85 yards) and receptions (6) for the year.

•    W&M has won 36 of its last 38 games against non-conference FCS opponents during the regular season.

Original source can be found here.