SECOND ROUND PLAYOFFS SCHEDULE
Saturday, December 7, 2024
10/12 Rhode Island (11-2, 7-1 CAA) at 8/9 Mercer (10-2, 7-1 SoCon)
Five Star Stadium (10,200) Macon, Ga.
2 p.m. TV: ESPN+ |
12/11 Villanova (10-3, 6-2 CAA) at 6/6 UIW (10-2, 7-0 Southland)
Benson Stadium (6,000) San Antonio, Texas
2 p.m. TV: ESPN+ |
CONFERENCE NOTES:
RHODE ISLAND, VILLANOVA ADVANCE IN FCS PLAYOFFS:
Rhode Island and Villanova advanced to the second round of the FCS playoff s as the Rams defeated Central Connecticut State, 21-17, and the Wildcats got past Eastern Kentucky, 22-17. URI 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 record its first playoff win since 1985. VU rallied from an early 14-0 deficit as Connor Watkins threw two TD passes and the Wildcats’ defense pitched a second-half shutout to post its school-record 16th straight home win. Richmond fell 20-16 to Lehigh and New Hampshire lost 41-10 to UT Martin.
CAA PLAYOFF HISTORY:
Rhode Island visits #7 Mercer and Villanova goes to #6 UIW in second-round action on Saturday. 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.
RICHMOND, RHODE ISLAND SHARE CAA TITLE:
Richmond and Rhode Island shared the 2024 CAA championship. The back-to-back CAA titles are a first for the Spiders and they are currently on a 10-game winning streak after an 0-2 start. Rhode Island earned a share of the CAA title for the first time since 1985. The Rams set a program record for regular-season victories (10).
STRENGTH FROM TOP TO BOTTOM:
The CAA has often been considered the strongest top-to-bottom league in FCS football, and this year is no exception. Eight of the CAA’s 16 teams had winning overall records and 12 teams had at least five victories.
FIVE CAA TEAMS RANKED IN TOP 25: Five CAA teams are ranked in the FCS Top 25, which is tied for the most of any FCS conference. Richmond is ranked #7 in the AFCA poll and #9 in the Stats poll, while Villanova is ranked #11 by the AFCA and #12 by Stats. Rhode Island moved up to #10 in the Stats poll and #12 in the AFCA poll, New Hampshire is ranked #19 by Stats and #24 by the AFCA, and Stony Brook is ranked #24 by Stats and received votes in the AFCA poll.
