The 13-game Week 4 schedule includes a pair of conference matchups. Bryant visits UNH for its first-ever CAA contest, while Campbell plays its first home game of the season against Stony Brook. Eight teams opened conference action last Saturday with Rhode Island and Villanova earning narrow wins at home, and Delaware and Monmouth picking up convincing road victories.
Several tough non-conference tests highlight Saturday’s slate. Towson travels to #2 North Dakota State, while Elon (ETSU), Richmond (Delaware State) and William & Mary (Furman) take on teams receiving Top 25 votes. Hampton faces Howard at Audi Field in Washington, D.C. in the Battle of the Real HU, and North Carolina A&T heads to North Carolina Central for the Aggie-Eagle Classic, which will air nationally on ESPNU. Monmouth (FIU) and Villanova (Maryland) challenge FBS foes.
Get ready for all of the action with the latest edition of Three Things To Watch
WEEK 4 SCHEDULE
Saturday, September 21
5/5 Villanova (3-0, 1-0 CAA) vs Maryland (2-1, 0-1 Big Ten)
12 p.m.
at SECU Stadium (51,802)
College Park, Md.
TV: Big Ten Network
Rhode Island (2-1, 1-0 CAA) vs LIU (0-3, 0-0 NEC)
12 p.m.
at Bethpage Fed. Credit St. (6,000)
Brooklyn, N.Y.
TV: NEC Front Row
Maine (1-2, 0-1 CAA) vs Merrimack (1-2)
1 p.m.
at Duane Stadium (3,500)
North Andover, Mass.
TV: NESN+
Towson (1-2, 0-1 CAA) vs 2/2 North Dakota State (2-1, 0-0 MVFC)
2 p.m.
at Fargodome (18,700)
Fargo, N.D.
TV: ESPN+
Bryant (1-2, 0-0 CAA) vs UNH (2-1, 0-0 CAA)
3 p.m.
at Wildcat Stadium (11,015)
Durham, N.H.
TV: FloFootball.com
Hampton (2-1, 0-0 CAA) vs Howard (2-1, 0-0 MEAC)
4 p.m.
vs. Audi Field (20,000)
Washington, D.C.
TV: Monumental Sports
Stony Brook (2-1, 0-0 CAA) vs Campbell (1-2, 0-1 CAA)
5 p.m.
at Barker-Lane Stadium (5,500)
Buies Creek, N.C.
TV: FloFootball.com
Richmond (1-2, 0-0 CAA) vs Delaware State (1-2, 0-0 MEAC)
6 p.m.
at Alumni Stadium (7,193)
Dover, Del
TV: ESPN+
Penn (0-0, 0-0 Ivy) vs Delaware (2-0, 0-0 CAA)
6 p.m.
at Delaware Stadium (16,730)
Newark, Del.
TV: FloFootball.com
Furman (1-2, 0-0 SoCon) vs 12/13 William & Mary (2-1, 0-0 CAA)
6 p.m.
at Zable Stadium (11,646)
Williamsburg, Va.
TV: FloFootball.com
ETSU (1-2, 0-0 SoCon) vs Elon (1-2, 0-0 CAA)
6 p.m.
at Rhodes Stadium (11,250)
Elon, N.C.
TV: FloFootball.com / My48
Monmouth (1-2, 1-0 CAA) vs FIU (1-2, 0-0 CUSA)
6 p.m.
at Pitbull Stadium (20,000)
Miami, Fla.
TV: ESPN+
North Carolina A&T (1-2, 0-1 CAA) vs North Carolina Central (1-2, 0-0 MEAC)
7 p.m.
at O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium (10,000)
Durham, N.C.
TV: ESPN+
CAA FOOTBALL WEEK 3 AWARDS
Josh Derry | WR | Monmouth
Derry set career-highs with seven catches for 227 yards and 2 TD’s in Monmouth’s 51-22 win at Maine. The 227 receiving yards are the 2nd-most by an FCS player in 2024 and 4th-most in Hawks’ history. Derry set a program record with a 94-yard TD catch in the 4th quarter and had a 56-yard scoring grab in the 3rd quarter
Co-Offensive Player of the Week
Seth Morgan | QB | New Hampshire
Morgan was 22-of-30 passing (73.3%) for 387 yards and Ɵ ed a 20-year-old school record with 6 TD passes in UNH’s 45-6 victory over Stonehill. The senior, who didn’t play in the 4th quarter, had three scoring throws of 50+ yards. The 6 TD passes are Ɵ ed for the most by an FCS player in 2024 and Ɵ ed the mark set by his head coach, Rick Santos, in 2004.
Defensive Player of the Week
A.J. Pena | LB | Rhode Island
Pena contributed eight tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks and a fumble recovery as Rhode Island beat Campbell, 21-9, in its CAA opener. The junior’s fumble recovery in the fi rst quarter set up the Rams’ fi rst TD and both of his sacks came in the fourth quarter to help URI seal the victory. Four of Pena’s eight stops went for no gain or a loss.
Special Teams Player of the Week
Trevin Ewing | WR | Maine
Ewing averaged 49.0 yards on three kickoff returns, including a 98-yarder for a touchdown, in Maine’s setback to Monmouth. The 98-yard return is Ɵ ed for the longest in the FCS this season and is fi rst KOR for a TD by a Maine player since Ewing’s 96-yard return in 2021. He ranks 2nd in FCS with a 38.2 KOR average.
Rookie of the Week
Isaiah Ragland | RB | Villanova
Ragland rushed for a career-high 141 yards on 17 carries (8.3 ypc) in Villanova’s 14-13 win over Towson. The freshman broke loose for a 65-yard run that set up the Wildcats’ go-ahead touchdown in the third quarter. It was the second career 100+-yard outing for Ragland.
CONFERENCE NOTES:
WEEK 4 SCHEDULE FEATURES TWO CAA GAMES:
The 13-game Week 4 schedule includes a pair of conference matchups. Bryant visits UNH for its first-ever CAA contest, while Campbell plays its first home game of the season against Stony Brook. Eight teams opened conference action last Saturday with Rhode Island and Villanova earning narrow wins at home, and Delaware and Monmouth picking up convincing road victories.
RANKED FOES, RIVALS HIGHLIGHT NON-CONFERENCE SLATE:
Several tough non-conference tests highlight Saturday’s slate. Towson travels to #2 North Dakota State, while Elon (ETSU), Richmond (Delaware State) and William & Mary (Furman) take on teams receiving Top 25 votes. Hampton faces Howard at Audi Field in Washington, D.C. in the Battle of the Real HU, and North Carolina A&T heads to North Carolina Central for the Aggie-Eagle Classic, which will air nationally on ESPNU. Monmouth (FIU) and Villanova (Maryland) challenge FBS foes.
NON-CONFERENCE SUCCESS:
CAA teams are 16-8 (.667) this season against FCS opponents. In 2023, the league was a combined 20-10 against FCS foes during the regular season after posting a 21-5 mark in 2022.
CAA HAS 11 TEAMS RANKED OR GETTING VOTES IN TOP 25:
An incredible 11 CAA teams are either ranked or receiving votes in the latest Stats Perform and AFCA Coaches Top 25 polls. Villanova leads the way at #5 in both polls. William & Mary is ranked #12 by Stats and #13 by the AFCA and UAlbany is ranked #20 by Stats and #22 by the AFCA. Elon, UNH, Rhode Island and Richmond received votes in both polls. Campbell and Towson picked up votes in the Stats poll, and Monmouth and Stony Brook got votes in the AFCA poll.
STRONG ON BOTH SIDES OF THE BALL:
Five CAA teams are ranked in the top 26 in FCS in total offense, led by #2 Monmouth (500.0 ypg) and #4 Delaware (477.0 ypg). Four CAA squads are in the top 25 in total defense, with Hampton (235.0 ypg) at #4.
TEAM NOTES
UALBANY 1-2 Overall/0-0 CAAFB
• Myles Burkett passed for 290 yards and a TD at #4 Idaho last week and threw 306 yards and a TD at Big 12 foe West Virginia. He ranks 10th in FCS in passing (253.7 ypg). • Levi Wentz made five catches for a season-high 114 yards at Idaho. He had a 58-yard reception and a 19-yard TD grab. • LB Dontae Lunan leads the CAA with 34 tackles. He has recorded double-digit stops in all three games, • John Opalko is 4-5 on fi eld goals this season, including 2-for-2 from 40+ yards.
BRYANT 1-2 Overall/0-0 CAAFB
• Landon Ruggieri had five catches for 83 yards and a TD vs. Holy Cross. He’s Ɵ ed for the CAA lead in receptions (18) and receiving TD’s (4) and is 4th in receiving yards. • Jarrett Guest threw for 259 yards and 2 TD’s and ran for a team-high 67 yards against Holy Cross. He ranks 20th in FCS in passing (227.7 ypg). • Lonnie Rice tallied a career-high nine tackles against Holy Cross. • Chris Yates, who tops BU with 20 tackles, recovered a blocked punt for a TD vs. HC.
CAMPBELL 1-2 Overall/0-1 CAAFB
• Sincere Brown had a team-high seven catches for 61 yards and a TD at URI. He’s 2nd in the CAA and 13th in FCS in receiving yards (295) with two 100+ yard outings. • Chad Mascoe, Jr. ranks 23rd in FCS in pass efficiency. He threw for 306 yards and 2 TD’s in a win at #17 Western Carolina. • CJ Tillman tallied 9 tackles and a sack at URI and leads the Camels with 27 stops. • After starting the season with three straight road games, Campbell begins a three-game homestand this week vs. Stony Brook.
DELAWARE 2-0 Overall/1-0 CAAFB
• Piled up 526 yards at N.C. A&T last week. UD ranks 4th in FCS in total offense (477.0 ypg) and #1 in scoring (45.0 ppg). • Ryan O’Connor threw for 325 yards and a TD at A&T. He ranks 5th in FCS in passing yards (285.0 ypg) and has 5 TD passes in 2 games. • The Blue Hens scored five rushing TD’s at A&T, which were the most since 2016. Four different players reached the end zone. • UD held A&T to 74 rushing yards and 264 overall. They rank #3 in FCS in rush defense and #17 overall.
ELON 1-2 Overall/0-0 CAAFB
• TJ Thomas ran for 101 yards and a TD vs. WCU last week, which was his 2nd straight 100+-yard eff ort. He leads all FCS true freshmen in rushing with 294 yards. • DL Kahmari Brown had 5 tackles, 2.5 TFL’s, 2.0 sacks and a forced fumble vs. WCU. He tops all FCS freshmen with 3.0 sacks. • Chandler Brayboy returned to action vs. WCU and had 3 catches for 79 yards and a TD and added 51 rushing yards. • Jeff Yurk averaged 52.8 yards on 6 punts vs. WCU and leads FCS with a 51.7 avg.
HAMPTON 2-1 Overall/0-0 CAAFB
• Chris Zellous was 20-of-25 passing for 185 yards and ran for 60 yards and 2 TD’s at NSU. He’s averaging 229.5 yards of total offense over the past two games. • Elijah Burris ranks 3rd in the CAA in rushing with 265 yards. He ran for a team-best 145 yards and 2 TD’s in a win over Va. Union. • Hampton’s defense held NSU to 9 first downs and 104 total yards last week. They are #4 in FCS in total defense (235.0 ypg) • The Pirates recorded three sacks at NSU and are Ɵ ed for 2nd in the CAA with 8.0 sacks.
MAINE 1-2 Overall/0-1 CAAFB
• Shakur Smalls, who made a game-high 10 tackles vs. Monmouth last week, had 7 stops and a forced fumble when Maine beat Merrimack, 31-26, in 2021. • Carter Peevy threw for 159 yards and ran for 34 yards vs. Monmouth. He’s averaging 188.3 passing yards and has only 1 int. • Montigo Moss had 7 catches for 53 yards vs. MU and is 3rd in the CAA with 17 catches. • Trevin Ewing ranks 2nd in FCS in kickoff returns (38.2 avg) after a 98-yard return for a TD against Monmouth.
MONMOUTH 1-2 Overall/1-0 CAAFB
• Derek Robertson ranks 2nd in FCS in passing yards (378.3 ypg) and 1st in passing TD’s (11). He has thrown for at least 355 yards and 3 TD’s in all three games. • Josh Derry made 7 catches for 227 yards at Maine, including TD’s of 94 and 56 yards. The 227 yards are the 4th-most ever at MU. • Sone Ntoh has 18 rushing TD’s in 14 games at MU, including 2 at Maine. He has found the end zone in all but two career games. • MU held Maine to 286 total yards after allowing 536.5 ypg in the first 2 games.
UNH 2-1 Overall/0-0 CAAFB
• Seth Morgan passed for 387 yards and Ɵ ed a school record with 6 TD passes in last week’s win over Stonehill. • WR’s Caleb Burke (3 rec., 134 yds., 2 TD’s) and Joey Corcoran (5 rec., 129 yds., 3 TD’s) set career-highs for rec. yards vs. Stonehill. • Josiah Silver, who is on the Buchanan Award Watch List for the third Ɵ me, has 16 tackles, a team-high 3.0 TFL’s and a sack in 2024. • Noah Stansbury contributed three tackles, a TFL, an interception, two pass breakups and a blocked kick against Stonehill.
NORTH CAROLINA A&T 1-2 Overall/0-1 CAAFB
• Aaron Harris had a 70-yard pick six in the first half vs. Delaware. It was his 5th career interception, but first returned for a TD. • Mack David II made a career-high 13 tackles and had 1.5 TFL’s vs. Delaware. He leads the Aggies with 21 stops. • Jayvonne Dillard made five catches for a team-high 71 yards against UD. • Andrew Brown is 6-for-7 on FG’s in 2024. He Ɵ ed a program record with a 52-yard FG vs. WSSU and made a 51-yarder in the opening game at Wake Forest.
RHODE ISLAND 2-1 Overall/1-0 CAAFB
• QB Devin Farrell accounted for 162 yards of total offense and all 3 TD’s (2 pass/1 rush) in the win over Campbell last week. • Marquis Buchanan had 4 catches for 48 yards vs. CU, including a 25-yard TD grab. He has caught a pass in 10 straight games and leads URI with 13 receptions for 200 yards. • AJ Pena had 8 tackles, 2.5 TFL’s, 2.0 sacks and a fumble recovery vs. Campbell. He has all three URI sacks this season. • URI won its opening conference game for the fifth year in a row.
RICHMOND 1-2 Overall/0-0 CAAFB
• UR held Charleston Southern to 131 total yards and posted its first shutout since 2022 in last week’s 38-0 win. • UR scored its first defensive TD of the year on a 76-yard pick six by Jabril Hayes. • Kyle Wickersham was 10-of-12 passing for 128 yards and a TD and added 39 yards and a TD rushing against CSU. • Zach Palmer-Smith rushed for a team-high 80 yards and his first 2 TD’s of the season vs. CSU, while freshman Andrew King added 51 rushing yards in his debut.
STONY BROOK 2-1 Overall/0-0 CAAFB
• Beat Fordham 27-21 last week for their first back-to-back wins since the 2021 season. • Rushawn Lawrence had 5 tackles, 2.5 TFL’s, 2.0 sacks and an interception for a SBU defense that allowed just one offensive touchdown against Fordham. • Freshman Malachi Marshall passed for a career-high 268 yards at Fordham. • Rudy Silvera leads the FCS with eight passes defended. He has recorded two interceptions and has six pass breakups.
TOWSON 1-2 Overall/0-1 CAAFB
• Devin Matthews ran for a season-high 135 yards at Villanova last week. He leads the CAA and is 16th in FCS with 300 rush yards. • QB Sean Brown was 20-of-36 passing for 233 yards and a TD in his first action of the season at Villanova. • Towson’s defense held VU to its lowest point total (14) in a regular-season game since last September. • All-America TE Carter Runyon had 6 catches for 88 yards and a TD at VU and was one of nine Tigers with at least one reception.
VILLANOVA 3-0 Overall/1-0 CAAFB
• Edged Towson 14-13 for its 10th win in a CAA opener in the past 13 seasons. • Isaiah Ragland rushed for a career-high 141 yards vs. Towson. He ranks 4th in the CAA in rushing with 264 yards. • Jaylan Sanchez made four catches for 59 yards vs. Towson, including his first two TD grabs (20 and 6 yds) of the season. • VU leads the CAA and ranks 3rd in the CAA in scoring defense (11.0 ppg). The Wildcats are also 25th nationally in total defense (326.3 ypg).
WILLIAM & MARY 2-1 Overall/0-0 CAAFB
• W&M improved to 43-2 in its last 45 regular-season FCS non-conference games after winning 28-21 at Wofford. • Bronson Yoder rushed for a season-high 142 yards and 2 TD’s at Wofford and moved into 2nd on W&M’s career all-purpose yards list with 4,623 yards. • QB Darius Wilson passed for 185 yards and ran for 41 yards and a TD at Wofford. He’s 16th in FCS in pass efficiency. • Jonathan Hammond had 8 tackles, 2.5 TFL’s, 2.0 sacks and a fumble recovery at Wofford.
