Wow! What a week of CAA play. We’ve always talked about the parity in the conference, but boy did it show this week. Let’s take a look at a surprising week of CAA Football in our Week 4 Recap.
Rhode Island 14 – #16 New Hampshire 28
The Wildcats took a 15-0 lead into the half, but the Rams came back and brought the game to within one – trailing 15-14 with 12:40 left in the 4th. But a 75 yard TD pass from Trevor Knight to Neil O’Connor put UNH up by 8. The Rams then went 3 and out gave the Wildcats the ball back. UNH only took two plays to go up 28-14 for good. Rhode Island showed they have heart by being in this one late, but New Hampshire held on to win. Trevor Knight was the difference in the game, going 23 for 34 for 420 yards and 3 TDs and it was his favorite target Neil O’Connor who led the Wildcats with 11 receptions for 232 yards. It was a battle through the air, as neither team was able to run the ball for more than 70 yards. Both teams face out of conference foes next week as the Rams face in-state rival Brown in the Governor’s Cup while New Hampshire takes on the Bryant Bears.
VICTORY!!!!! #15 UNH improves to 3-1 and 2-0 in the @CAAFootball in front of a UNH record crowd of 22,135 fans! #GoUNH pic.twitter.com/xAoT3EWKOe
— New Hampshire Football (@UNH_Football) September 23, 2017
Towson 17 – #26 Stony Brook 25
A close battle throughout – Stony Brook held on to win 25-17. Towson’s Ryan Stover went 15 for 30 with 162 while Stony Brook’s Joe Carbone completed 22 passes on 30 attempts for 242 yards and 2 TDs. Seawolves’ Kicker Alex Lucansky made 4 FGs, with his longest being a 42 yarder to put Stony Brook up 19-10 in the third. A CJ Williams’ TD run brought the Tigers’ to within 2, but the third and fourth FG of the day for Lucansky sealed the deal for the Seawolves. Towson hosts Villanova in Week 5 and Stony Brook heads to Williamsburg to face the Griffins of William and Mary.
HIGHLIGHTS: Stony Brook guts out a 25-17 CAA Football victory over Towson #HOWL #CAAFB pic.twitter.com/rHPmRL4uLx
— Stony Brook Football (@StonyBrookFB) September 24, 2017
#32 Elon 36 – #9 Richmond 33
In a thriller in Richmond, the Phoenix proved they belong in the conversation of the top teams in the CAA by defeating #9 Richmond in Richmond. During a back and forth affair – the lead changed 7 times – Malcolm Summers proved to be the difference, taking 40 carries for 294 yards (avg 7.3 ypc). Elon’s Freshman QB Davis Cheek threw for 194 yards and 3 TDs on 13/19 completions. Richmond QB Kyle Lauletta went 27 for 47 for 497 yards and 3 TDs, but two crucial interceptions cost the Spiders dearly. Tied 26-26 at the beginning of the 4th, the Spiders went up 33-26. Elon Answered on the very next drive. Lauletta’s second INT of the day gave Elon the ball at the Richmond 22, and an Owen Johnson 32 yard FG put the Phoenix ahead for good. Richmond will head into the bye week hoping to sort some issues out, while Elon faces Albany in what is the clear CAA game of the week for Week 5.
ICYMI: @ElonFB's Malcolm Summers was named #CAAFB Co-Offensive Player of the Week pic.twitter.com/0vlerzHq8A
— CAA Football (@CAAFootball) September 25, 2017
#7 Villanova 10 – #24 Albany 19 – OT
In a low scoring, defense dominated game in upstate New York, the Great Danes showed that they have what it takes to win at home. A Karl Mofor TD put Albany up late, giving them a 10-3 lead with 2:23 left in the 4th. But Villanova’s Zach Bednarczyk led the Wildcats on a last minute scoring drive, sending the game into overtime. The Villanova defense held the Great Danes to a FG in OT, but the Wildcat offense was unable to match them. A fumble on a QB keeper by Bednarczyk led to a scoop and score 80 yard touchdown for Albany’s Eli Mencer. Albany’s rush defense was stout on the day, only giving up 61 yards to the Wildcats. Villanova head to Baltimore to face Towson in Week 5, while Albany heads to Elon.
Sideline view of the winning play for @UAlbanyFootball #CAAFB pic.twitter.com/i0VvDepMUM
— CAA Football (@CAAFootball) September 24, 2017
#27 Maine 10 – #1 James Madison 28
The defending National Champions were tested by a physical Maine team, but came away with a solid result in a 28-10 victory in Harrisonburg. Both team’s defenses shined in the first half, with the Dukes’ taking a 7-3 lead into the locker room. But the Black Bears came out ready to play in the 3rd, taking the lead on a Josh Mack 60 yard run to put Maine up 10-7. The Champs didn’t panic, however, and senior QB Bryan Schor led them to three unanswered touchdowns to win 28-10. Schor finished the day with 21 completions on 31 attempts for 4 TDs and an INT. Black Bears RB Josh Mack rushed 24 times for 144 yards, the most output of an opponent of the stingy Dukes’ rush defense so far this season. Maine QB Chris Ferguson had less success, however, throwing 3 INTs and no TDs. The Dukes face another strong test in Week 5, facing the Delaware Blue Hens coming off of a bye. Maine heads into it’s second bye with it’s game with UCF scheduled for this week being cancelled due to Hurricane Irma.
WATCH: JMU is 4-0 after a big second half, in which the Dukes scored the final 21 points of the game! pic.twitter.com/dOx5b4K37b
— JMU Football (@JMUFootball) September 24, 2017
Week 4 CAA Power Rankings (previous week)
This week saw too much movement to recap, as there were multiple upsets. Let’s take a look at where we think the teams fall through Week 4:
1. James Madison (1)
2. New Hampshire (5)
3. Elon (7)
4. Albany (8)
5. Stony Brook (6)
6. Villanova (2)
7. Richmond (4)
8. Delaware (11)
9. Maine (3)
10. W&M (10)
11. Rhode Island (9)
12. Towson (12)
