The 2024 CAA Football season kicks off on Thursday night with 15 games spread over three days. Highlighting the slate is #6 Villanova hosting #25 Youngstown State on Thursday in a rematch of last year’s second-round FCS playoff game won by the Wildcats, 45-28. League newcomer Bryant visits Delaware in a non-conference contest on Thursday. William & Mary (VMI), Maine (Colgate), Hampton (Morgan State), Rhode Island (Holy Cross) and UAlbany (LIU) face FCS opponents at home, while Monmouth makes its farthest trip in program history at Eastern Washington.
There are also seven games against FBS opponents in Week 1 as CAA schools face three foes from the ACC (North Carolina A&T/Wake Forest, Elon/Duke and Richmond/Virginia), two from the Big XII (UNH/UCF and Towson/Cincinnati), Conference USA (Campbell/Liberty) and the Sun Belt (Stony Brook/Marshall). CAA Football has posted 42 wins over FBS foes in its history and has won at least one game against an FBS team in 12 of the past 16 years.
To get ready for all of the Week 1 action, check out the latest edition of Three Things To Watch.
WEEK 1 SCHEDULE
Thursday, August 29
25/23 Youngstown St. (0-0, 0-0 MVFC) vs 6/6 Villanova (0-0, 0-0 CAA)
6 p.m.
at Villanova Stadium (10,500)
Villanova, Pa.
TV: FloFootball.com
UNH (0-0, 0-0 CAA) vs UCF (0-0, 0-0 Big XII)
7 p.m.
at FBC Mortgage Stadium (44,206)
Orlando, Fla.
TV: ESPN+
VMI (0-0, 0-0 SoCon) vs 15/16 William & Mary (0-0, 0-0 CAA)
7 p.m.
at Zable Stadium (11,646)
Williamsburg, Va.
TV: FloFootball.com
Bryant (0-0, 0-0 CAA) vs Delaware (0-0, 0-0 CAA)
7 p.m.
at Delaware Stadium (31,500)
Newark, Del.
TV: FloFootball.com
North Carolina A&T (0-0, 0-0 CAA) vs Wake Forest (0-0, 0-0 ACC)
7 p.m.
at Allegacy Stadium (31,500)
Winston-Salem, N.C.
TV: ACCNX
Monmouth (0-0, 0-0 CAA) vs Eastern Washington (0-0, 0-0 Big Sky)
9 p.m.
at Roos Field (8,500)
Cheney, Wash.
TV: ESPN+
Friday, August 30
Colgate (0-0, 0-0 Patriot) vs Maine (0-0, 0-0 CAA)
7 p.m.
at Alfond Stadium (10,000)
Orono, Maine
TV: FloFootball.com / FOX 22
Elon (0-0, 0-0 CAA) vs Duke (0-0, 0-0 ACC)
7:30 p.m.
at Wallace Wade Stadium (40,004)
Durham, N.C.
TV: ACC Network
Saturday, September 2
Towson (0-0, 0-0 CAA) vs Cincinnati (0-0, 0-0 Big XII)
2:30 p.m.
at Nippert Stadium (38,088)
Cincinnati, Ohio
TV: ESPN+
Stony Brook (0-0, 0-0 CAA) vs Marshall (0-0, 0-0 Sun Belt)
5 p.m.
at Edwards Stadium (30,475)
Huntington, W.Va.
TV: ESPN+
Campbell (0-0, 0-0 CAA) vs Liberty (0-0, 0-0 CAA)
6 p.m.
At Williams Stadium (25,000)
Lynchburg, Va.
TV: ESPN+
13/12 Richmond (0-0, 0-0 CAA) vs Virginia (0-0, 0-0 ACC)
6 p.m.
at Scott Stadium (61,500)
Charlottesville, Va.
TV: ACCNX
Morgan State (0-0, 0-0 MEAC) vs Hampton (0-0, 0-0 CAA)
6 p.m.
at Armstrong Stadium (12,000)
Hampton, Va.
TV: FloFootball.com
Holy Cross (0-0, 0-0 Patriot) vs Rhode Island (0-0, 0-0 CAA)
7 p.m.
at Meade Stadium (6,555)
Kingston, R.I.
TV: ESPN+ / MeTV 6.3
LIU (0-0, 0-0 NEC) vs 16/14 UAlbany (0-0, 0-0 CAA)
7 p.m.
at Casey Stadium (8,500)
Albany, N.Y.
TV: FloFootball.com
CONFERENCE NOTES:
CAA FOOTBALL KICKS OFF WITH 15 GAMES OVER THREE DAYS:
The 2024 CAA Football season kicks off with 15 games spread over three days. Highlighting the slate is #6 Villanova hosting #25 Youngstown State on Thursday in a rematch of last year’s second-round FCS playoff game won by the Wildcats, 45-28. League newcomer Bryant visits Delaware in a non-conference contest on Thursday. William & Mary (VMI), Maine (Colgate), Hampton (Morgan State), Rhode Island (Holy Cross) and UAlbany (LIU) face FCS opponents at home, while Monmouth makes its farthest trip in program history at Eastern Washington.
SEVEN FBS MATCHUPS ON WEEK 1 NON-CONFERENCE SCHEDULE:
There are seven games against FBS opponents in Week 1 as CAA schools face three foes from the ACC (North Carolina A&T/Wake Forest, Elon/Duke and Richmond/Virginia), two from the Big XII (UNH/UCF and Towson/Cincinnati), Conference USA (Campbell/Liberty) and the Sun Belt (Stony Brook/Marshall).
SUCCESS AGAINST THE FBS:
CAA Football has posted 42 wins over FBS foes in its history and has won at least one game against an FBS team in 12 of the past 16 years. Since 2013, 10 different teams have recorded at least one FBS victory and the CAA has had multiple wins over FBS opponents five times since 2016, including two of the past three seasons.
WELCOME TO THE CAA:
CAA Football will again be the largest FCS conference in the nation as the addition of Bryant gives the league 16 members for the first time in history. The Bulldogs are coming off a 6-5 campaign in 2023 and a third-place finish in the Big South/OVC with a 4-2 mark. Chris Merritt is in his sixth season as head coach at Bryant.
NON-CONFERENCE SUCCESS:
CAA teams have been dominant against FCS non-conference opponents in recent years. In 2023, the league was a combined 20-10 against FCS foes during the regular season after posting a 21-5 mark in 2022.
FOUR TEAMS RANKED IN PRESEASON TOP 25:
Four CAA teams are ranked in both the Stats Perform and AFCA Coaches preseason Top 25 polls. Villanova leads the way at #6 in both polls, while Richmond is #12 in the AFCA poll and #13 in the Stats poll. UAlbany is ranked #14 by the AFCA and #16 by Stats, and William & Mary is ranked #15 by Stats and #16 by the AFCA. Elon was among others receiving votes in both polls and North Carolina A&T picked up votes in the AFCA poll. The CAA’s four ranked teams trail only the Missouri Valley (7) and Big Sky (6).
EIGHT PLAYERS ON WATCH LISTS FOR NATIONAL AWARDS:
CAA Football had eight players named to a pair of Stats Perform national Player of the Year Watch Lists. Richmond wide receiver Nick DeGennaro, William & Mary offensive lineman Charles Grant, Villanova quarterback Connor Watkins, Delaware running back Marcus Yarns and William & Mary running back Bronson Yoder are on the watch list for the Payton Award, which is given to the top offensive player in FCS. Elon safety Caleb Curtain, UNH defensive end Josiah Silver and Villanova cornerback Isas Waxter are on the watch list for the Buchanan Award, presented to the top defensive player in FCS.
A&T’S PRUNTY, HAMPTON’S BURRIS RECEIVE PRESEASON HONORS:
North Carolina A&T cornerback Karon Prunty and Hampton running back Elijah Burris were recognized on the Black College Football Player of the Year Watch List by the Black College Football Hall of Fame as well as the Urban Edge Network HBCU + FCS National Player of the Year Watch List. Prunty was also chosen to the HBCU College Football Preseason All-America team presented by BOXTOROW, while Burris received honorable mention.
TEN CAA PLAYERS ON REESE’S SENIOR BOWL WATCH LIST:
Ten CAA players have been selected to the Watch List for the Reese’s Senior Bowl, one of the premier all-star games for NFL Draft prospects. Making the list were Elon wide receiver Chandler Brayboy, Richmond wide receiver Nick DeGennaro, William & Mary offensive lineman Charles Grant, Campbell defensive back Isaiah Greene, UAlbany offensive lineman Ozzie Hutchinson, Monmouth defensive lineman Miles Mitchell, New Hampshire defensive back Wande Owens, Towson eight end Carter Runyon, Villanova cornerback Isas Waxter and Delaware running back Marcus Yarns.
VILLANOVA PICKED TO WIN CAA TITLE:
Villanova, which is coming off a 10-3 season that included winning a share of the CAA title and reaching the quarterfinals of the FCS playoffs, has been picked to claim the title again in 2024 by a vote of the league’s head coaches. The Wildcats got nine first-place votes and 217 total points, topping second-place Richmond, which received one first-place vote and 189 points. UAlbany, which got three first-place votes, was picked third, followed by William & Mary and Delaware, which also received three first-place votes. Elon was chosen sixth, followed by New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Towson, Monmouth, Campbell, Hampton, Maine, North Carolina A&T, Bryant and Stony Brook.
TEAM NOTES
UALBANY 0-0 Overall/0-0 CAAFB
• Posted the best season in program history in 2023, going 11-4 overall, winning a share of their first CAA title and reaching the semifinals of the FCS playoffs for the first time. • UAlbany’s Greg Gattuso was chosen as the AFCA FCS Coach of the Year in 2023. • RB Griffin Woodell was the CAA Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2023 after rushing for a team-high 892 yards and 8 TD’s and adding 32 catches for 255 yards and 4 TD’s. • The Great Danes led FCS in rush defense (87.7 ypg) last year and recorded 50 sacks.
BRYANT 0-0 Overall/0-0 CAAFB
• Entering their first season as a member of CAA Football. The Bulldogs were 6-5 in 2023 and went 4-2 in the Big South/OVC. • Bryant’s offense averaged 31.2 points per game last season, which ranked 24th in FCS. • The Bulldogs return DL Michael OƩ y, who earned second team all-conference honors after tallying 43 tackles, 12.0 TFL’s and 7.0 sacks last year. He had at least one sack or TFL in each game. • RB Fabrice Mukendi returns after rushing for a team-high 393 yards in 8 games.
CAMPBELL 0-0 Overall/0-0 CAAFB
• Went 4-4 in CAA play in 2023, becoming the first new CAA member to win four or more games in their opening year since 2011. • LB CJ Tillman has earned all-conference honors for the past two seasons after tallying a team-high 98 stops last year and 82 stops and 7.5 TFL’s in 2022. • WR VJ Wilkins led CU with 52 catches for 546 yards and 4 TD’s last season and averaged 21.0 ypr on kickoff returns. • New head coach Braxton Harris was an assistant at CU during 2021 and 2022.
DELAWARE 0-0 Overall/0-0 CAAFB
• UD reached the 2nd round of the FCS playoffs for the past two years but is ineligible in 2024 as they transition to the FBS level. • RB Marcus Yarns rushed for 939 yards and 15 TD’s and added 24 catches for 3 TD’s last year. He was tied for 5th in FCS in rushing TD’s and 4th in rush yards per carry (6.9). • The Blue Hens return LB’s Dillon Trainer and Ty Davis, who combined for 114 tackles and 10 TFL’s last season. • Ryan O’Connor passed for 300+ yards four times a year ago.
ELON 0-0 Overall/0-0 CAAFB
• Elon has won 17 CAA games over the past three years and is the only team to finish above .500 in league play in all three of those seasons. • QB Matthew Downing averaged 294.0 passing yards over Elon’s final four games last year. He threw 12 TD’s with no interceptions over that four-game stretch. • Preseason All-America S Caleb Curtain led EU with 80 tackles and 4 int. last season. • Versatile WR Chandler Brayboy averaged 19.6 yards per reception, 8.4 yards per rush and 26.9 ypr on kickoff s in 2023.
HAMPTON 0-0 Overall/0-0 CAAFB
• RB Elijah Burris rushed for a team-high 803 yards and 6 TD’s in just seven games last season. He topped the 100-yard mark five times and averaged 8.3 ypc. • Burris is on the preseason Player of the Year watch lists from the Black College Hall of Fame and Urban Edge Network HBCU + FCS. • QB Chris Zellous passed for 1,497 yards and 13 TD’s and added 559 yards and a team-best 9 TD’s rushing last season. • Hampton is 5-1 vs. non-conference competition over the past two seasons.
MAINE 0-0 Overall/0-0 CAAFB
• Maine features four receivers who made 28 or more catches for over 290 yards a year ago, including Joe Gillette (36/570/5 TD’s) and Jamie Lamson (49/552/6 TD’s). • The Black Bears return three of their top four tacklers from last year – Tyshawn Stewart, Xavier Holmes and Izaiah Henderson. • Mercer transfer Carter Peevy will start at QB for Maine. He threw for 2,284 yards and 11 TD’s and ran for 12 TD’s last season. • Maine is opening the season at home for the first time since 2021.
MONMOUTH 0-0 Overall/0-0 CAAFB
• Opens the season at Eastern Washington, which is the further west that the program has ever competed. • Maine transfer Derek Robertson will start at QB on Thursday. He passed for 2,933 yards and 25 TD’s last season. • Sone Ntoh rushed for 411 yards and a team-best 11 TD’s last season. He averaged 7.3 yards per carry. • DL Miles Mitchell was named to the Reese’s Senior Bowl Watch List.
UNH 0-0 Overall/0-0 CAAFB
• UNH is 6-13 all-Ɵ me against FBS opponents but is facing a Big XII foe for the first time. • DL Josiah Silver was named to the Buck Buchanan Award Watch List for the third straight year. Last season, he contributed 45 tackles, 9.5 TFL’s and 5.0 sacks. • UNH returns a deep group of receivers with Logan Tomlinson (42 rec., 618 yds., 7 TD’s), Caleb Burke (34 rec., 425 yds., 3 TD’s) and Joey Corcoran (30 rec., 324 yds., 1 TD). • Yale transfer DB Wande Owens was named to the Reese’s Senior Bowl Watch List.
NORTH CAROLINA A&T 0-0Overall/0-0 CAAFB
• CB Karon Prunty is on the preseason Player of the Year watch lists from the Black College Hall of Fame and Urban Edge Network HBCU + FCS and was named a HBCU preseason All-American by BOXTOROW. • A&T returns its top two running backs – Kenji Christian (718 yards, 6 TD’s) and Wesley Graves (397 yards, 1 TD). • LB Joshua Iseah was 3rd on the team with 59 tackles and 4.0 TFL’s last year. • A&T ranked 13th in FCS in pass defense (178.4 ypg) last season.
RHODE ISLAND 0-0Overall/0-0 CAAFB
• URI posted its fourth straight winning season (6-5) in 2023, a feat that had not been achieved since the early 1980s. • WR Marquis Buchanan is coming off an excellent freshman season where he made 42 catches for 638 yards and 4 TD’s. • LB AJ Pena earned 3rd team All-CAA honors in 2023 after tallying 59 tackles and leading URI with 15.5 TFL’s and 9.0 sacks. • The Rams, who host Holy Cross on Saturday, are 12-3 at home over the past 3 seasons.
RICHMOND 0-0Overall/0-0 CAAFB
• UR is coming off back-to-back 9-4 seasons that included reaching the second round of the FCS playoff s. • WR Nick DeGennaro made 71 catches for 904 yards and was Ɵ ed for 4th in FCS with 11 TD’s. He’s on the preseason watch list for the Payton Award. • UR and Virginia are meeting in a season opener for the 10th Ɵ me. The Spiders beat the Cavs, 37-20, to start the 2016 campaign. • UR’s defense recorded 26 takeaways last year, including 16 interceptions.
STONY BROOK 0-0Overall/0-0 CAAFB
• Billy Cosh makes his head coaching debut for SBU after serving as the offensive coordinator at Western Michigan in 2023. • QB Casey Case passed for 1,715 yards and 10 TD’s last season in his first year at SBU. He threw for 200+ yards in four games. • RB Roland Dempster led the Seawolves with 408 rushing yards and 3 TD’s in 8 games. • DL Taylor Bolesta had 20 tackles, 4.0 TFL’s and 2.5 sacks last season and was second on the team with 7.0 TFL’s in 2022.
TOWSON 0-0Overall/0-0 CAAFB
• TE Carter Runyon earned All-America honors in 2023 after making a team-high 43 catches for 549 yards and 4 TD’s. • QB Nathan Kent passed for 2,123 yards and 14 TD’s in his first year as a starter and added 288 rushing yards and 3 TD’s. • DL Dion Crews-Harris contributed 37 tackles, 7.5 TFL’s and 5.0 sacks a year ago. • PK Keegan Vaughan is on the Fred Mitchell Award Watch List as the top kicker at the FCS, D2 and D3 level. He made 15-of-18 fi eld goals last season.
VILLANOVA 0-0Overall/0-0 CAAFB
• VU hosts #23 Youngstown St. to open the season after defeating the Penguins, 45-28, in the 2nd round of the 2023 FCS playoff s. • QB Connor Watkins is the preseason CAA Offensive POY after passing for 2,681 yards and 20 TD’s and running for 378 yards and a team-high 10 TD’s a year ago. • VU returns its top two tacklers in LB’s Shane Hartzell (91 tackles, 6.0 TFL’s) and Brendan Bell (89 tackles, 11.5 TFL’s). • WR Jaylan Sanchez led FCS with 25.6 yards per reception in 2023. He finished with 28 catches for 716 yards and 6 TD’s.
WILLIAM & MARY 0-0Overall/0-0 CAAFB
• W&M is hosting a Thursday night season opener for the first time since 2007. • Bronson Yoder, who ran for 408 yards and 4 TD’s last year before being injured, returns and is on the Payton Award Watch List. He ran for 1,255 yards and 13 TD’s in 2022. • All-America OL Charles Grant has been named to the Reese’s Senior Bowl and Payton Award Watch lists. • S Marcus Barnes, who has made 22 career starts, ranked fourth on the team with 54 tackles in 10 games last season.
