Offensive Player of the Week

Nolan Henderson | QB | Delaware

Henderson completed 29-of-34 passes for a career-high 379 yards and a career-best four touchdowns to lead ninth-ranked Delaware to a 42-21 victory at #17 Rhode Island. 

The Blue Hens’ quarterback threw for 315 yards and four TDs in the first half, which was the second-most yards in a half in school history. He also ran for 27 yards as UD piled up 610 yards of total offense, which was its highest total since 2013.

Defensive Player of the Week

John Pius | LB | William & Mary

Pius recorded a team-best eight tackles, 4.0 tackles-for-loss and a career-high 3.5 sacks in William & Mary's 34-7 win at Lafayette. 

The sophomore linebacker led a Tribe defense that held the Leopards to 240 total yards, including just 48 in the second half, recorded six sacks and didn’t allow a point over the final 54 minutes. Pius leads FCS with 7.0 sacks and tops the CAA with 10.5 TFL’s.

Special Teams Player of the Week

D'Ago Hunter | KR | Towson

Hunter returned a kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown in Towson’s game at Big 12 foe West Virginia. 

It was the first kickoff return for a TD for him and the Tigers since 2019 and tied the contest at 7-7. It was the sixth-longest return by a FCS player this season. Hunter averaged 28.4 yards on eight returns at WVU.

Rookie of the Week

Reese Poffenbarger | QB | UAlbany

Poffenbarger completed 25-of-40 passes for a school-record 412 yards and three touchdowns in UAlbany’s narrow 48-45 setback at Fordham. The 412 yards is the 5th-most by a FCS quarterback this season and broke the previous UA mark of 398 yards. 

The freshman had scoring passes of 45 and 25 yards before firing a 7-yard TD strike that put the Great Danes ahead with 6:18 to play.

CONFERENCE NOTES

FIVE CONFERENCE MATCHUPS ON WEEK 4 SCHEDULE: For the first time this season, conference play dominates the Week 4 schedule with five league matchups on the seven-game slate. 

In a battle of unbeatens, Hampton makes its CAA debut at eighth-ranked Delaware, while Elon takes a two-game winning streak to 14th-ranked and undefeated William & Mary in the CAA opener for both squads. 

Defending champion Villanova opens CAA play against Monmouth, first-place New Hampshire heads to Towson and Richmond hosts Stony Brook.

DOMINANT IN NON-CONFERENCE PLAY: CAA teams have been dominant against FCS non-conference opponents over the past five years, winning a remarkable 76% of those games. 

The success has continued in 2022 as CAA teams are 15-4 (.789) against FCS opponents. The 15 wins are the most of any FCS conference, while the .789 win percentage trails only the Ivy League, which went 7-1 last week.

EFFICIENT QUARTERBACKS: Five of the top 16 FCS quarterbacks in pass efficiency play in the CAA. Elon's Matthew McKay ranks fourth, and Villanova's Connor Watkins is right behind in fifth. William & Mary's Darius Wilson (11th), Delaware's Nolan Henderson (12th) and UAlbany's Reese Poffenbarger (16th) are also among FCS leaders. 

The CAA has five of the top 20 QB's in passing yards, as well, topped by Monmouth's Tony Muskett.

ON TARGET: Richmond quarterback Reece Udinski completed his first 17 pass attempts in the Spiders' win at Lehigh last Saturday and finished 37-of-44 for a career-high 351 yards. 

Udinski leads FCS in completion percentage (76.7%) for the season.

GETTING IT DONE ON THE GROUND: CAA Football featuares three of the top 10 rushers in FCS. Monmouth's Jaden Shirden ranks 2nd at 151.0 ypg, William & Mary's Bronson Yoder is 8th (116.3 ypg) and New Hampshire's Dylan Laube is 10th (103.0 ypg).

DEFENSES CREATING OFFENSE: While offenses around the CAA are putting plenty of points on the board, several teams have gotten help from their defense. 

Through three weeks, four teams have scored on a pick six. In Week 1, Rhode Island's Jordan Jones (42 yards) and New Hampshire's Randall Harris (25 yards) returned interceptions for TDs. W&M's Jalen Jones (33 yards) and Richmond's Aaron Banks (35 yards) scored on pickoffs in Week 2.

DELAWARE, W&M CONTINUE CAA SUCCESS AGAINST THE FBS: CAA Football continued its success against FBS opponents as William & Mary beat Charlotte, 41-24, and Delaware downed Navy, 14-7, in Week 1. It was the Blue Hens' first FBS win since 2007 and the Tribe's first FBS victory since 2009. 

The CAA 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 15 years. 

Since 2013, 10 different CAA teams have recorded at least one FBS victory and the CAA has earned multiple victories over FBS opponents five times since 2016.

HENDERSON NAMED NATIONAL PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Delaware's Nolan Henderson was chosen as the FedEx Ground FCS National Offensive Player of the Week by Stats Perform after throwing for a career-high 379 yards and four TDs in the Blue Hens' victory at Rhode Island. 

It was the third straight week a CAA player received a national honor. 

Delaware's Johnny Buchanan was the Defensive Player of the Week on Sept. 5 after making a school-record 23 tackles in a win over Navy. William & Mary's Jalen Jones was the Defensive Player of the Week on Sept. 12 after intercepting three passes in a win vs. Campbell.

FIVE TEAMS RANKED IN TOP 25 POLLS: Five CAA teams are ranked in the latest Stats Perform and AFCA Coaches Top 25 polls. Delaware moved up to #8 in both polls, while Villanova is #9 in the Stats poll and #10 in the AFCA poll. William & Mary is ranked #14 in both polls, Rhode Island slipped to #20 in the Stats poll and #21 in the AFCA poll and Richmond is ranked #22 by Stats and #24 by the AFCA.  Elon and New Hampshire were among others receiving votes in both polls and Hampton got votes in the AFCA poll. The CAA's five ranked teams is tied with the Big Sky and the MVFC for the most of any conference.

UAlbany

•  Edged 48-45 at Fordham last Saturday. Led by 11 in the fourth quarter.

•  Reese Poffenbarger was 25-of-40 passing for a school-record 412 yards and three TDs at Fordham. He ranks 15th in FCS in passing yards (275.3 ypg) and 16th in pass efficiency for the season.

•  Todd Sibley ran for a season-high 122 yards and three TDs at Fordham and also had a 45-yard TD catch to end the first half. It was his second straight 100-yard rushing performance.

•  Thomas Greaney made a career-high seven catches for 105 yards and two TDs vs. UNH and had four catches for 56 yards at Fordham. He leads all tight ends in the CAA in receptions (14) and receiving yards (218).

•  Roy Alexander made a season-high six receptions for 127 yards at Fordham.

•  AJ Mistler and Jackson Ambush made 12 tackles apiece at Fordham.

•  Tyler Pastula ranks 11th in FCS in punting (44.9 avg) and has five kicks of 50+ yards.

Delaware

•  Opened CAA play with a 42-21 victory at nationally ranked Rhode Island last week.

•  Nolan Henderson was 29-of-34 passing and set career-highs with 379 yards and four TDs at URI. He tops the CAA with nine TD passes and ranks 16th in FCS in pass yards (269.3).

•  Jourdan Townsend made a career-high seven receptions for 109 yards and two TDs vs. URI, including a 65-yard scoring catch.

•  Thyrick Pitts added 5 catches for 65 yards and a TD at URI. He's tied for fifth in the CAA with 15 receptions for the season.

•  Johnny Buchanan leads the CAA with 42 stops. He was the FCS National Defensive Player of Week after 23 tackles vs. Navy.

•  Delaware had 611 yards of total offense at URI, which was its most since 2013.

•  Delaware leads the CAA and ranks 7th in FCS in scoring defense (12.3 ppg).

•  Kedrick Whitehead intercepted a pass in the end zone at URI and added four tackles.

Elon

•  Rallied past Gardner-Webb 30-24 in their home opener last week.

•  Matthew McKay was 17-of-25 passing for 279 yards and 3 TD's vs. GWU. He leads the CAA and is ninth in FCS in total offense (319.0 ypg) and ranks fourth in FCS in pass efficiency and 14th in passing yards. He's been responsible for at least three TDs in each game.

•  Jalen Hampton ran for a season-high 159 yards on 34 carries vs. GWU. It was the most carries by a EU back since 2017.

•  Tre'Von Jones had a 48-yard punt return vs. GSU. His 17.6 avg. ranks third in FCS.

•  Skyler Davis booted three FGs vs. GWU and tied his school-record for the third time with a 52-yarder. He tops the CAA with six FGs.

•  Elon leads the CAA and ranks 12th in FCS in total defense (279.0 ypg).

•  Elon recorded 5.0 sacks vs. GWU, which was its second straight game with at least four. Josh Johnson led the way with 2.0 sacks and Torrence Williams added 1.5.

Hampton

•  Beat rival Norfolk State 17-7 in the Battle of the Bay. Improved to 3-0 for the first time since 2007.

•  Jadakis Bonds had 3 catches for 58 yards and a TD at NSU. He's second in the CAA in receiving yards (271) and has at least one TD catch in all three games. Bonds tallied a school-record 15 TD receptions in 2019 and is HU's career leader in TD grabs.

•  Romon Copeland made three receptions for 111 yards at NSU, including a 75-yard TD catch. He's sixth in the CAA in receiving yards (213).

•  QB Christopher Zellous came off the bench to pass for 153 yards and a TD at NSU and also ran for a team-high 62 yards.

•  Hampton's defense held NSU to 13 first downs and 271 total yards. The Pirates rank 17th in FCS in total defense (292.3 ypg) and 13th in scoring defense (15.0 ppg).

•  Mason King led HU with 11 tackles at NSU and added 2.5 TFLs.

•  Michael Crawford picked off his second pass of the year to stop a red zone drive at NSU.

Maine

•  Fell 38-17 at ACC foe Boston College last week. Led the Eagles 10-7 in the 1st quarter.

•  Joe Fagnano was 21-of-43 passing for a season-high 289 yards and two TDs at BC. He has thrown for over 200 yards in five of his past seven games.

•  Zavier Scott set career-highs with eight receptions for 135 yards at Boston College.

•  TE Shawn Bowman had 3 catches for 34 yards at BC, including a 17-yard TD grab. He's had at least three catches in each game.

•  Montigo Moss caught a TD pass (4 yards) for the second straight game at BC.

•  Punter Brian Cooey averaged 44.3 yards on  six punts at BC and ranks 17th in FCS with a 43.4 avg. He has four punts of 50+ yards.

•  Buggs Brown recorded a career-high 11 tackles at BC.

•  Adrian Otero added 10 stops at BC and reached 200 tackles for his career. He leads Maine with 24 tackles this season.

Monmouth

•  Rolled past Georgetown 45-6 last week to pick up their first win of the season.

•  Jaden Shirden rushed for a team-high 139 yards vs. GU, including a 67-yard TD run. He has five runs of 20+ yards this season and ranks 2nd in FCS in rushing (151.0 ypg).

•  Tony Muskett threw for 243 yards and a TD vs. GU. It was his 8th straight game with 200+ passing yards and 18th consecutive game with at least one TD pass.

•  Owen Wright had two rushing TDs and a 14-yard TD catch vs. GU. He ranks second in FCS in scoring (16.0 ppg) and has scored at least two TDs in all three games this season.

•  Monmouth's defense allowed its fewest points (6) in a game since 2019 vs. GU.

•  The Hawks held GU to 61 rushing yards and recorded a season-high 3.0 sacks and 7.0 TFLs. Jaylen Dotson led Monmouth with nine tackles in the win.

•  Ryan Kost averaged 54.0 yards on four punts vs. GU, including a career-best 67 yarder.

New Hampshire

•  Suffered its first loss of the season, 45-27, to N.C. Central last week.

•  Max Brosmer was 26-of-45 passing for a career-high 296 yards and a career-best 4 TD's vs. N.C. Central.

•  Dylan Laube was held to 44 rushing yards vs. NCCU, but made five catches for 66 yards. He ran for a career-high 202 yards and three TDs at UA and ranks 10th in FCS in rushing.

•  Joey Corcoran set career-highs with seven receptions for 81 yards vs. NCCU. He's made 12 catches over the past two games.

•  Freshman D.J. Linkin's first two career catches were both TDs (15 and 3 yards) against NCCU.

•  LB Bryce Shaw made a team-high 10 tackles vs. NCCU. It was the second time in three games that he's had double-digit stops.

•  All-America DE Josiah Silver, who ranked sixth in FCS with 12.5 sacks last year, has recorded 2.0 sacks and 3.5 TFLs through three games this season.

Rhode Island

•  Dropped a 42-21 decision to nationally ranked Delaware last week.

•  Kasim Hill was 16-of-37 passing for 179 yards and two TDs vs. Delaware. It was his seventh straight game with at least two TD passes.

•  Kahtero Summers made five catches for 78 yards and two TDs vs. UD. He has three TD receptions over the past two games.

•  Gabe Sloat broke loose for a 65-yard TD run vs. UD, which was his first career TD.

•  Evan Stewart recorded a team-high 13 tackles at UD and has 22 stops for the season.

•  Davey Schaum-Bartocci placed five of his seven punts inside the 20 vs. UD with a 44.9 avg.

•  Jordan Jones, who ranked fifth in FCS with six interceptions last year, picked off two passes at SBU. He returned the first one 42 yards for a TD for his second career pick six.

•  Pitt is the first nationally ranked FBS opponent that URI has ever faced. The Panthers are coached by URI alum Pat Narduzzi.

Richmond

•  Picked up a 30-6 win at Lehigh last week for their second consecutive victory.

•  Reece Udinski was 37-of-44 passing for 351 yards and two TDs at Lehigh. He opened the game with 17 straight completions. His 351 yards were the most by a UR QB since 2018.

•  Leroy Henley made a career-high nine catches for 127 yards and a TD at Lehigh. The 129 yards were the most at UR since 2019.

•  Jakob Herres had seven catches for 67 yards vs SFU. He is the FCS active leader in career receptions (242) and receiving yards (3,167).

•  Jasiah Williams leads the CAA and ranks sixth in FCS with 23 receptions.

•  Tristan Wheeler made a career-high 19 tackles at UVA and followed with a team-best 12 vs. SFU and seven at Lehigh. He led the CAA with 114 tackles in 2021 and has made 294 career stops in just 27 games.

•  Aaron Banks made two interceptions vs. SFU, including a 35-yard pick six. He is tied for the CAA lead with three interceptions.

Stony Brook

•  Beaten 20-3 at FBS member UMass last week.

•  Stony Brook's defense held UMass to 264 total yards and 13 points.

•  DB Carthell Flowers-Lloyd contributed seven tackles and 3.5 TFLs at UMass. He's second in the CAA with 5.5 TFLs in only two games.

•  RB Jayden Cook ran for a career-high 73 yards on 14 carries at UMass and also caught a team-best five passes for 30 yards.

•  QB Daron Bryden was 15-of-31 passing for 186 yards in his first collegiate start.

•  CAA Preseason POY Ty Son Lawton suffered an injury at UMass and was limited to 8 rushing yards on 6 carries.

•  LB Reidgee Dimanche led SBU with eight tackles at UMass.

•  Kyle Nunez is back for his fifth season on the SBU offensive line. He's earned All-CAA honors in each of his four previous years.

Towson

•  Lost 65-7 at Big 12 member West Virginia last week to close non-conference play.

•  D'Ago Hunter returned a kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown at WVU, tying the game at 7-7 in the 1st quarter. It was the first KOR for a TD by Hunter and Towson since 2019.

•  Da'Kendall James made a team-high five catches for 44 yards at WVU. He has at least three receptions in all three games this season.

•  Tyrrell Pigrome threw for 157 yards and three TDs and ran for a team-high 124 yards vs. Morgan State, becoming the first Towson QB since 2019 to have at least 100 rushing and 100 passing yards in the same game.

•  Devin Matthews rushed for a career-high 112 yards and two TDs at Bucknell and tops the Tigers with 204 yards for the season.

•  LB Mason Woods has registered 15 tackles and an interception in the past two games.

•  LB Ryan Kearney is tied for the team lead in tackles with 21 after making 8 at WVU.

Villanova

•  Suffered a 49-10 loss at FBS foe Army West Point last week.

•  Connor Watkins passed for 74 yards and a TD and ran for a team-best 60 yards at Army. He ranks fifth in FCS in pass efficiency (178.2).

•  Rayjoun Pringle made a team-high six catches for 54 yards and a TD at Army.

•  Jaaron Hayek tops the CAA with 272 receiving yards this season and has seven career games with 100+ yards.

•  DeeWil Barlee rushed for 177 yards and a TD and TD Ayo-Durojaiye added 109 yards and a TD at LIU. Both were career-highs.

•  Shane Hartzell contributed seven tackles and a sack at Army. He tops the Wildcats with 18 stops and 2.0 sacks.

•  The Wildcats forced five turnovers in the first two games, but was unable to force a turnover against Army.

•  VU ranks 10th in FCS in rushing offense and 23rd in total offense.

William & Mary

•  Off to a 3-0 start for the first time since 2009 after a 34-7 victory at Lafayette. It was W&M's third straight game with 34+ points.

•  W&M ran for 289 yards at Lafayette and ranks third in FCS in rushing (287.7 ypg). The Tribe is also ninth nationally in total offense and 18th in scoring offense.

•  Bronson Yoder ran for a season-high 134 yards and three TDs at Lafayette. He ranks eighth in FCS in rushing (116.3 ypg).

•  Martin Lucas ran for 91 yards at Lafayette. He entered the game with 16 career yards.

•  John Pius had a team-high 8 tackles, 4.0 TFL's and 3.5 sacks at LC. He leads FCS with 7.0 sacks and the CAA with 10.5 TFL's.

•  Jalen Jones made three interceptions vs. Campbell, including a 33-yard pick six.

•  Nate Lynn tallied seven tackles, 2.0 TFLs and three QB hurries at Lafayette.

•  W&M ranks among the top 25 in rush defense, total defense and scoring defense.