See who shined on the gridiron this week.

Offensive Player of the Week

Bronson Yoder | RB | William & Mary

Yoder rushed for a team-high 114 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries, as No. 16 William & Mary defeated No. 6 Delaware, 27-21. 

The senior topped the 100-yard mark for the third time in five games and averaged 5.7 yards per carry against a Blue Hens’ team that was ranked No. 3 in the FCS in scoring defense and No. 4 in total defense and hadn’t allowed an opposing back to run for more than 65 yards this season.

Defensive Player of the Week

Mike Reid | DB | Monmouth

Reid contributed nine tackles, a fumble recovery and a career-high three pass breakups, as Monmouth edged UAlbany, 38-31, to push its winning streak to four. 

The junior tied his season-high for tackles and helped secure the victory when he broke up a pass on the final play of the game, as UA was driving for the tying score. 

Reid’s fumble recovery also ended a drive in Hawks’ territory.

Special Teams Player of the Week

Skyler Davis | PK | Elon

Davis broke Elon’s career field goal record with 61 by converting kicks of 48 and 51 yards, as the Phoenix beat Towson, 27-10, for its fifth straight win. 

Along with making both of his FG attempts, he was 3-for-3 on PATs and had touchbacks on 5-of-6 kickoffs. 

Davis ranks third on the CAA’s all-time field goal list and is just three shy of second place.

Rookie of the Week

Reese Poffenbarger | QB | UAlbany

Poffenbarger accounted for 333 yards of total offense and two touchdowns in UAlbany’s 38-31 setback at Monmouth. 

The freshman quarterback was 22-of-39 passing for 263 yards and a TD and ran for a career-high 70 yards and a TD on 11 carries. 

It was Poffenbarger’s fourth straight game with 250+ passing yards.

Let's see who put on a show in week 6 😤 #CAAFB Top Plays presented by @jerseymikes @WMTribeFootball @UNH_Football @Towson_FB @HUAthletics1868 @MUHawksFB@Delaware_FB @StonyBrookFB @ElonFootball @BlackBearsFB pic.twitter.com/K6y7xrkR9s

— CAA Football (@CAAFootball) October 12, 2022

CONFERENCE NOTES

TWO TOP 25 MATCHUPS HIGHLIGHT WEEK 7 SLATE: There are three matchups nationally in FCS football featuring a pair of Top 25 teams, and two of them are in the CAA. 

No. 14 Elon takes a five-game winning streak into its contest at No. 25 Rhode Island, while No. 17 Villanova visits No. 21 Richmond. 

There are two other conference games on the slate, as Monmouth, which has won four in a row, travels to Maine and UAlbany hosts Hampton. 

A pair of local rivalries round out the schedule as New Hampshire heads to Dartmouth and Stony Brook meets No. 22 Fordham.

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 18-4 (.818) against FCS opponents. 

The 18 wins and the .818 win percentage are the best of any FCS conference.

QUALITY QUARTERBACKS: CAA Football has featured some of the best quarterback play in the FCS this season. 

The league has seven of the top 20 QB's in FCS in pass efficiency (VU's Connor Watkins, EU's Matthew McKay, UR's Reece Udinski, MU's Tony Muskett, UD's Nolan Henderson, UA's Reese Poffenbarger and W&M's Darius Wilson) and six of the top 30 in passing yards (Udinski, McKay, Henderson, Poffenbarger, Muskett and URI's Kasim Hill). 

Udinski tops the FCS in completion percentage (77%), Watkins leads the nation in yards per pass attempt (12.64) and Henderson is third in TD passes (18).

GETTING IT DONE ON THE GROUND: Five of the top 20 rushers in the FCS play in the CAA. 

MU's Jaden Shirden leads the nation at 155.3 ypg, UA's Todd Sibley is seventh (115.8 ypg), W&M's Bronson Yoder is 11th (106.0 ypg), UNH's Dylan Laube is 18th (96.2 ypg) and EU's Jalen Hampton is 20th (93.8 ypg). 

Seventeen different CAA players have run for at least 100 yards in a game this season, with Shirden (two) and Laube (one) having topped 200 yards.

RECORD-SETTING KICKERS: Elon's Skylar Davis broke the Elon record for career field goals with 61 last Saturday when he made kicks of 48 and 51 yards. Davis now is third on the CAA's career list. 

W&M's Ethan Chang booted a 57-yard FG at Stony Brook on Oct. 1, which set a new W&M record and tied a CAA mark that had stood for 20 years.

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

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. 

In Week 4, UR's Tyreke Funderburk had a 30-yard pick six, and UAlbany's Joseph Greaney scored on a 77-yard fumble return. 

In Week 5, Towson's Robert Javier (97 yards) and VU's Jalen Goodman (23 yards) had a pick six.

FOUR NATIONAL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK IN 2022: Richmond's Reece Udinski was chosen as the FCS National Player of the Week by NCAA.com on Sept. 26 after throwing for 357 yards and five TDs in a win over Stony Brook last week. He was the fourth CAA player in four weeks to be honored nationally. 

Delaware's Johnny Buchanan was the FedEx Ground National 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. 

Delaware's Nolan Henderson was the FedEx Ground Offensive Player of the Week on Sept. 19 after passing for 379 yards and four TDs, as the Hens beat Rhode Island.

SIX TEAMS RANKED IN TOP 25 POLLS: CAA Football led all conferences with six teams ranked in the Stats Perform and AFCA Coaches polls last week. 

William & Mary vaulted to No. 11 in the Stats poll and No. 13 in AFCA poll, while Delaware is No. 12 in the AFCA poll and No. 13 in the Stats poll. Elon is ranked No. 14 by Stats and No. 18 by the AFCA, Villanova is No. 16 in the AFCA poll and No. 17 in the Stats poll, Richmond is ranked No. 21 by Stats and No. 25 by the AFCA, while Rhode Island is No. 22 in the AFCA rankings and No. 25 in the Stats poll. Monmouth and New Hampshire received votes in both polls.

𝙇𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙒𝙖𝙮#CAAFB topped all conferences with six ranked teams in the latest @FCS_STATS and @WeAreAFCA FCS Top 25 polls@WMTribeFootball, @Delaware_FB, @ElonFootball, @NovaFootball, @Spiders_FB, @RhodyFootball are ranked with @MUHawksFB & @UNH_Football RV pic.twitter.com/xxEdeOihgi

— CAA Football (@CAAFootball) October 10, 2022

UAlbany

•  Fell 38-31 at Monmouth last week. It was UAlbany's third loss by seven points or less.

•  Reese Poffenbarger accounted for 333 yards of offense (263 pass/70 rush) and two TDs at MU. He ranks 13th in FCS in passing yards and 18th in pass efficiency and has thrown for 250+ yards in four straight games.

•  Todd Sibley ran for a team-best 144 yards and two TDs at MU. It was his fourth straight 100-yard outing. He's seventh in the FCS in rushing.

•  Thomas Greaney has made at least three catches in all five games. He leads all tight ends in the CAA in receptions (25), receiving yards (331) and TDs (four).

•  UAlbany has generated over 500 yards of total offense in two of the last three games.

•  LB Jackson Ambush recorded a team-high 10 tackles at Monmouth and has 36 stops over the past three games.

•  Isaac Duffy picked off a pass on Monmouth's first drive of the game. It was UA's first interception of the season.

Delaware

•  Dropped its first game of the season, 27-21, at nationally ranked William & Mary.

•  Nolan Henderson threw for 203 yards and two TDs and ran for 42 yards at W&M. He ranks third in FCS with 18 TD passes, 10th in pass yards (276.7) and 16th in pass efficiency.

•  Jourdan Townsend made eight catches for 91 yards and a TD at W&M. He has 25 grabs for 337 yards and four TDs in the past four games.

•  Kyron Cumby had a 65-yard TD run at Towson and a 38-yard scoring run at W&M.

•  Johnny Buchanan made a team-best 19 tackles at W&M and leads the CAA with 78 stops. He was the FCS National Defensive Player of Week after 23 tackles vs. Navy.

•  Delaware has held four opponents to 10 points or less. The Hens are third in the FCS in pass defense, seventh in total defense and seventh in scoring defense.

•  Justis Henley blocked two FGs at W&M, becoming the first UD with two blocks in a game since 2005.

Elon

•  On a five-game winning streak for the first time since 2017 after beating Towson, 27-10.

•  Matthew McKay threw for 312 yards and two TDs vs. TU, which was his third 300+-yard passing effort. He's fifth in FCS in total offense, eighth in the FCS in pass efficiency and ninth in passing yards. He's been responsible for at least three TDs in five of Elon's six games.

•  Jackson Parham made seven catches for a career-high 152 yards vs. TU and moved into ninth on EU's career receiving yards list.

•  Bryson Daughtry added six catches for 96 yards and a TD. It was his fourth straight game with a touchdown.

•  Skyler Davis became EU's career FG leader (61) after hitting from 48 and 51 yards vs. TU. It was his third FG from 51+ yards.

•  Elon's defense has allowed just three FGs (nine points) in the second half vs. its five FCS foes.

•  Marcus Hillman contributed five tackles, a sack, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in the win over Towson.

Hampton

•  Fell 31-24 to Maine last week. Led 24-17 going into the fourth quarter.

•  Jadakis Bonds made seven catches for a season-high 141 yards and two TDs vs. Maine. He ranks second in the CAA in receiving yards (91.2 ypg) and has at least one TD catch in 4-of-5 games. 

Bonds made a school-record 15 TD catches in 2019 and is HU's career leader in TD grabs.

•  Tyler Thompson had a 40-yard TD catch vs. Maine, which was his first of the season.

•  Malcolm Mays threw for 230 yards and a season-best three TDs vs. Maine. He has thrown a TD pass in four of HU's first five games

•  Hampton is third in the CAA and 30th in the FCS in rushing defense (119.4 ypg).

•  Qwahsin Townsel made a team-high 12 tackles against Maine. He leads the Pirates and ranks second in the CAA with 10.0 tackles per game and also has 4.0 TFLs.

•  KeShaun Moore contributed five tackles, 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble against Maine.

Maine

•  Rallied past Hampton, 31-24, to pick up its first victory of the season last week.

•  Joe Fagnano was 19-of-24 passing for 213 yards and a TD at HU. He has thrown for over 200 yards in six of his past nine games and has over 4,000 career passing yards.

•  Elijah Barnwell ran for a season-high 90 yards on 11 carries at HU as UM set season-bests for total (449) and rush (226) yards.

•  WR Zavier Scott caught three passes for 31 yards and ran for 45 yards on five carries at Hampton, including a 27-yard TD run.

•  Freddie Brock scored both Maine TDs in the fourth quarter - one on a 7-yard run and the game-winner on a 25-yard reception.

•  The Black Bears intercepted three passes at Hampton, including one in the end zone by Austin Ambush that sealed the victory.

•  Adrian Otero tallied six tackles and picked off a pass at Hampton.

•  Maine was 6-of-12 on third down and 3-for-3 in the red zone at Hampton.

Monmouth

•  Outlasted UAlbany, 38-31, last week to extend their winning streak to four.

•  Jaden Shirden ran for a team-best 160 yards and two TDs vs. UA. It was his fifth straight 100+-yard effort, which includes two games with 200+ yds. He tops FCS with 155.3 ypg.

•  Tony Muskett threw for 187 yards and a TD vs. UA. It was his 21st straight game with at least one TD pass. He has thrown for 200+ yards in nine of his last 11 games and ranks 24th in FCS in passing (242.7 ypg).

•  Owen Wright tied a CAA record with a 99-yard TD run vs. UA and finished with a season-high 114 yards and two TDs. He ranks second in FCS in scoring (13.0 ppg).

•  Dymere Miller topped the 100-yard receiving mark (6 rec., 116 yards) for the second straight game vs. UA.

•  Mike Reid made nine tackles, recovered a fumble and broke up three passes vs. UA. He has 34 tackles and a CAA-best nine PBUs.

•  MU ranks sixth in FCS in rushing and total offense and seventh in scoring offense.

New Hampshire

•  Off to a 4-0 start in CAA play for the first time since 2014 after getting past Stony Brook, 24-14, last week.

•  Dylan Laube ran for 77 yards and a TD vs. SBU. He leads FCS in punt returns, ranks second in all-purpose yards and 18th in rushing.

•  Max Brosmer passed for 291 yards and two TDs vs. SBU, which was his third game with 250+ pass yards. He has thrown 10 TD passes in the past four games.

•  Joey Corcoran had seven catches for a season-high 96 yards vs. SBU. He leads UNH in receptions (27) and receiving yds. (300).

•  All three of D.J. Linkins' receptions this season have been for touchdowns.

•  Dylan Ruiz recorded a pair of sacks against SBU and ranks second in the CAA with 6.5.

•   All-America DE Josiah Silver, who ranked sixth in the FCS with 12.5 sacks last year, had 3.0 TFLs and a sack vs. SBU. He has 5.5 sacks and 9.0 TFLs for the season.

Rhode Island

•  Off last week. Returns to action on Saturday against nationally ranked Elon.

•  Kasim Hill has thrown for 200+ yards in 4-of-5 games and has had at least two TD passes in eight of his last nine contests. He's 29th in the FCS in passing yards.

•  Marques DeShields ran for a season-high 109 yards and two TDs vs. Brown. It was his second 100-yard outing of the season.

•  Kahtero Summers set season-highs with six catches for 112 yards vs. Brown. He ranks fifth in the CAA in receiving yards (359).

•  Jake Fire contributed a team-best 10 tackles, 1.5 TFLs and an interception vs. Brown. He ranks third in the CAA with 49 stops.

•  Jordan Jones is second in the CAA in passes defended (6/1.2 pg). His 24 career passes defended is two shy of the URI record.

•  TE Caleb Warren made TD catches of 28 and 26 yards in a span of 19 seconds late in the first half vs. Brown. He's third on the team with 203 receiving yards.

Richmond

•  Off last week. Hosts nationally ranked Villanova on Saturday.

•  Reece Udinski passed for a season-high 383 yards and two TDs at Elon. He leads FCS in completion percentage (77%), ranks fifth in pass yards and has 13 TDs with one interception. It was his third straight game with 350+ yards.

•  Jasiah Williams made nine catches for 49 yards at EU. He's second in the FCS with 43 catches and has made nine or more catches in four of his five games.

•  Jakob Herres had 12 catches for a season-high 174 yards and a TD at EU. He's the FCS active leader in career receptions (255) and is second in career receiving yards (3,352).

•  Aaron Dykes ran for a season-best 102 yards at Elon and leads UR with 283 yards.

•  Tristan Wheeler, who made 19 tackles at UVA, had six stops and 2.5 TFL at EU. He's second in the CAA with 49 tackles and has made 305 career stops in just 29 games.

•  Aaron Banks (35 yds) and Tyrek Funderburk (30 yds) each have a pick six this season.

Stony Brook

•  Edged 24-14 at New Hampshire last week. Trailed by three points with five minutes left.

•  RB Ross Tallarico ran for a team-best 75 yards, had a 10-yard TD reception and threw a 55-yard TD pass against UNH. He has run for 151 yards in the past two games.

•  Freshman Charlie McKee took over at QB in the second half at UNH and was 18-of-26 passing for 190 yards and a TD. The 190 pass yards were the most by a SBU QB in 2022.

•  Carthell Flowers-Lloyd ranks second in the CAA with 10.0 TFLs and has 39 total stops.

•  Reidgee Dimanche had a team-high eight tackles, 1.5 TFL and a forced fumble at UNH. He leads the Seawolves with 44 tackles.

•  Tyler Devera made four receptions for a career-high 99 yards at UNH, including a 55-yard TD catch.

•  OL Kyle Nunez, a four-time All-CAA performer, was named a semifinalist for the prestigious Campbell Trophy.

Towson

•  Dropped a 27-10 decision at Elon last week. Trailed by seven points midway through the fourth quarter.

•  Towson's defense held Elon to a season-low 77 rushing yards on 43 attempts and recorded a season-high three sacks.

•  Tyrrell Pigrome threw for 108 yards and a TD and ran for 36 yards at EU before a third-quarter injury. He was the first Towson QB since 2019 to have over 100 yards passing and rushing in the same game vs. Morgan.

•  Da'Kendall James had a team-best five receptions for 35 yards at EU, including a 26-yard TD catch. He has at least three catches in five of the Tigers' six games.

•  LB Ryan Kearney contributed eight tackles and an interception at Elon. He tops the team with 50 stops for the season.

• LB Mason Woods made a team-high 10 tackles at Elon, which was his second straight game with double-digit stops.

Villanova

•  Off last week. Travels to nationally ranked Richmond on Saturday.

•  Jaaron Hayek made five catches for a career-high 159 yards and four TDs at Maine. He tops the CAA and is second in FCS in receiving yards (114.3 ypg). The four receiving TDs are tied for the most in FCS this season.

•  Connor Watkins passed for 255 yards and four TDs at Maine and completed 13 straight throws at one point. He ranks third in FCS in pass efficiency and has thrown at least one TD in each game. Watkins has completed 10 passes of 40 or more yards this season.

•  Three different VU backs have run for over 100 yards in the past three games - Jalen Jackson (187), DeeWil Barlee (177) and TD Ayo-Durojaiye (109).

•  Jalen Goodman returned an interception 23 yards for a TD at Maine.

• VU ranks 10th in FCS in rushing, 11th in total offense and 16th in scoring offense. The Wildcats have eclipsed 450 total yards in four of their five games.

William & Mary

•  Moved to 5-1 for the first time since 2010 after beating No. 6 Delaware, 27-21, last week.

•  Bronson Yoder ran for 114 yards and TD vs. UD, which was his third 100-yard effort in five games. He ranks 11th in FCS in rushing.

•  Darius Wilson threw for 139 yards and ran for 57 yards and a TD vs. UD. He has tallied 190+ yards of total offense in 5-of-6 games.

•  W&M ranks seventh in FCS in rushing (245.2 ypg). The Tribe is also 16th nationally in total offense and 24th in scoring offense.

•  TE Lachlan Pitts had four catches for 68 yards and a TD vs. UD. It was his third game with four receptions this season.

•  John Pius had two sacks vs. UD and leads FCS in both sacks (9.5) and TFLs (14.5).

•  W&M has recorded 19 sacks, which ranks second in the CAA. W&M also ranks 21st in FCS in total defense and 23rd in scoring defense.

•  Ethan Chang tied a CAA record and set a new W&M mark by booting a 57-yard FG at Stony Brook.