Henrico Times

Colonial Athletic Association issued the following announcement on Dec. 2

CAA co-champions Villanova and James Madison open NCAA FCS playoff action this week by hosting second-round games. The 5th-seeded Wildcats face Patriot League champ Holy Cross at 7 p.m. on Friday, while the 3rd-seeded Dukes meet Southland Conference runner-up Southeastern Louisiana at 2 p.m. on Saturday. Both games can be seen on ESPN+.

It's the 31st consecutive year that the CAA has had multiple playoff teams, but it's the first time since 2010 that the league has had two top-5 seeds. CAA teams are 16-15 overall in second-round FCS playoff games since the bracket expanded in 2010. At least one CAA team has advanced to the quarterfinals of the playoffs every season since 1991.

Friday's matchup between Villanova (9-2, 7-1 CAA) and Holy Cross (10-2, 6-0 Patriot) features two of the top defenses in FCS football. The Wildcats are #3 in FCS in total defense (254.9 ypg), #5 in pass defense, #9 in rush defense and #8 in scoring defense, allowing just 15.1 points per game. CAA Defensive Player of the Year Forrest Rhyne leads the unit with 110 tackles, while cornerback Christian Benford ranks second nationally with seven interceptions and has 16 pass breakups. The Crusaders lead FCS in total defense (253.4 ypg) and are giving up just 18.3 points per game. Linebacker Jacob Dobbs, the Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year, has tallied 130 tackles, 17.5 TFL's and 9.5 sacks

Villanova is led offensively by quarterback Daniel Smith, who has passed for 2,163 yards and 22 touchdowns and he has a pair of talented receivers in Rayjoun Pringle (34 rec., 688 yards, 7 TD's) and Jaaron Hayek (37 rec., 606 yards, 8 TD's). The Wildcats have a deep stable of running backs led by Justin Covington (655 yards, 4 TD's) and Jalen Jackson (519 yards, 6 TD's). Holy Cross counters with multi-talented quarterback Matthew Sluka, who has thrown for 1,343 yards and 11 TD's and also leads the team in rushing with 762 yards and 13 TD's.

Saturday's contest between JMU (10-1, 7-1 CAA) and Southeastern Louisiana (9-3, 6-2 Southland) showcases two of the top quarterbacks in FCS. Cole Johnson, the CAA Offensive Player of the Year, has thrown for 2,953 yards and a school-record 32 touchdowns with only two interceptions. The Dukes have the CAA's top two receivers in Kris Thornton (69 rec., 896 yards, 11 TD's) and Antwane Wells, Jr. (67 rec., 994 yards, 11 TD's). Latrele Palmer tops the team in rushing (659 yards, 2 TD's). Southeastern is led by Cole Kelley, the Southland Player of the Year, who has passed 4,727 yards and 42 touchdowns and also leads the team with 480 yards and 16 TD's on the ground.

JMU's defense has been outstanding, ranking #2 in FCS in total defense (252.6 ypg), #5 in rush defense, #10 in pass defense and #9 in scoring defense, giving up 15.5 points per game. The Dukes also lead the nation in turnover margin (+16). Linebacker Diamonte Tucker-Dorsey tops the team with 86 tackles, while the defensive line led by All-CAA standouts Bryce Carter, Mike Greene and Isaac Ukwu has recorded a CAA-high 33 sacks. Southeastern is giving up 425 yards and 30 points per game. Alexis Ramos tops the Lions with 71 tackles and 7.5 TFL's.

Original source can be found here.