CAA Week 2 Power Rankings: Guess Who Stays On Top?

James Madison’s win over FBS East Carolina highlighted what went right for the CAA in non-conference play. New Hampshire flexed its muscle and beat rival Maine in the lone league game.

Each week, the DN-R will put out its CAA power rankings to reflect which squads are trending in the right direction, and which ones aren’t.

Here’s our power rankings following Week 1:

1. James Madison

Record: 1-0

Last Week: Won 34-14 at East Carolina

This Week: Saturday vs. East Tennessee State

JMU outrushed East Carolina 422 yards to 80. The Dukes dominated the line of scrimmage throughout in its 20-point triumph over the FBS Pirates. Madison will be the favorite in its remaining 10 games.

2. Villanova

Record: 1-0

Last Week: Won 38-35 at Lehigh

This Week: Saturday at Temple

Wildcats quarterback Zach Bednarczyk and running back Matt Gudzak combined for 214 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns in Villanova’s win over in-state foe Lehigh. Bednarczyk also threw for two touchdowns. Bednarczyk and Gudzak give Villanova a tough quarterback-running back tandem.

3. Richmond

Record: 0-1

Last Week: Lost 48-34 at Sam Houston State

This Week: Saturday at Colgate

Richmond had issues defensively while yielding 683 total yards of offense in its loss to Sam Houston State. But if the Spiders showed anything it’s that quarterback Kyle Lauletta is healthy. Lauletta threw for 546 yards and five touchdowns in his first game back after returning from ACL injury that knocked him out of the 2016 postseason.

4. New Hampshire

Record: 1-0

Last Week: Won 24-23 vs. Maine

This Week: Saturday at Georgia Southern in Birmingham, Ala.

New Hampshire keeps hold of the Brice-Cowell Musket again after beating rival Maine for an eighth straight time. Quarterback Trevor Knight looked improved from last year, tossing for 158 yards and two scores.

5. Albany

Record: 0-1

Last Week: Lost 31-17 at Old Dominion

This Week: Saturday at Morgan State

Albany couldn’t pull off the upset over an FBS opponent for a second straight year, and trailed Old Dominion by as many as 21 points in the third quarter. But standout junior running back Elijah Ibitokun-Hanks sat out with an injury and did not play.

6. Maine

Record: 0-1

Last Week: Lost 24-23 at New Hampshire

This Week: Saturday vs. Bryant

Like most of its five losses last season, Maine was in the game until the very end. An extra point would’ve tied the game at 24 in the fourth quarter, but Black Bears kicker Kenny Doak missed it.

7. Stony Brook

Record: 0-1

Last Week: Lost 31-17 at South Florida

This Week: Saturday at Rhode Island

Stony Brook gave South Florida everything it could handle, taking a lead into the half against the Bulls and then tying the game at 17 in the fourth quarter. South Florida scored the next 17 points though to outlast the SeaWolves.

8. Delaware

Record: 1-0

Last Week: Won 22-3 vs. Delaware State

This Week: Saturday at Virginia Tech

A nice start to the Danny Rocco era in Newark, Del., as the Blue Hens took down rival Delaware State. Delaware’s Diante Cherry registered a rushing touchdown and a receiving touchdown.

9. William & Mary

Record: 0-1

Last Week: Lost 28-10 at Virginia

This Week: Saturday at Norfolk State

William & Mary managed just 12 first downs at Virginia. The Tribe went with Tommy McKee at quarterback after a five-man competition during August training camp.

10. Rhode Island

Record: 0-1

Last Week: Lost 30-27 (3OT) at Central Michigan

This Week: Saturday vs. Stony Brook

Rhode Island coach Jim Fleming has a lot to be excited about. His team took FBS Central Michigan to three overtimes before the Chippewas won it. Quarterback Tyler Harris threw six interceptions, but also rallied the Rams by throwing for 284 yards and three touchdowns to force overtime.

11. Towson

Record: 1-0

Last Week: Won 10-0 vs. Morgan State

This Week: Saturday at Maryland

Towson pitched its first season-opening shutout since 1983 with a 10-0 blanking of Morgan State. The Tigers’ defense forced four turnovers and that’s the good news for coach Rob Ambrose’s squad. The bad? Towson’s offense tallied just 102 total yards.

12. Elon

Record: 0-1

Last Week: Lost 47-13 at Toledo

This Week: Saturday at Furman

Toledo was too much Elon last week as the Phoenix was limited to 47 yards passing. The Rockets had 25 first downs compared to Elon’s seven.