HARRISONBURG – The Colonial Athletic Association continued its season with a strong second weekend.
The league went 7-3 in its non-conference games and Stony Brook knocked off Rhode Island in the lone CAA 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 2:
1. James Madison
Record: 2-0
Last Week: Won 52-10 vs. East Tennessee State
This Week: Saturday vs. Norfolk State
One week after JMU amassed over 400 yards rushing at FBS East Carolina, it was Dukes senior quarterback Bryan Schor who picked apart East Tennessee State’s defense through the air. Schor completed 25-of-33 throws for 304 yards and five touchdowns. JMU wraps up non-conference play against Norfolk State.
2. Villanova
Record: 1-1
Last Week: Loss, 16-13 at Temple
This Week: Saturday vs. Lafayette
In a defensive battle, Villanova came up three points short against FBS Temple. The Wildcats’ 3-3-5 unit looked the part though, holding Temple to just 16 points while forcing the Owls off the field on third down. Temple’s offense succeeded on only five of 14 third-down conversion attempts.
3. New Hampshire
Record: 2-0
Last Week: Won 22-12 vs. Georgia Southern at Birmingham, Ala.
This Week: Saturday at Holy Cross
New Hampshire completed just 13 passes in its upset win over FBS Georgia Southern, but wide receiver Neil O’Connor hauled in 11 of them for 118 receiving yards and two touchdowns proving too much for the Eagles’ defense. New Hampshire hits the road again this weekend for a game at Holy Cross.
4. Richmond
Record: 1-1
Last Week: Won 20-17 at Colgate
This Week: Saturday vs. Howard
The Spiders played from behind for three quarters at Colgate, but outscored the Raiders 13-3 in the fourth quarter to win. First-year Richmond coach Russ Huesman picked up his first win at the school. The Spiders have another tough one Saturday at home against Howard, which knocked off FBS UNLV in Week 1 and nearly took down FBS Kent State in Week 2.
5. Maine
Record: 1-1
Last Week: Won 60-12 vs. Bryant
This Week: Bye
Maine running back Josh Mack became the first Black Bears rusher to eclipse the 200-yard mark in a game since 2003. Mack ran for 255 yards and three touchdowns as Maine rolled over Bryant. On its bye week, Maine has had extra time to prepare for its trip to top-ranked JMU next week.
6. Albany
Record: 1-1
Last Week: Won 26-0 at Morgan State
This Week: Saturday vs. Monmouth
In its second game without standout running back Elijah Ibitokun-Hanks, who sat out with an injury again, Albany got good production from backup Karl Mofor. Mofor rushed for 98 yards and two touchdowns in Albany’s 26-0 blanking of Morgan State.
7. Stony Brook
Record: 1-1
Last Week: Won 35-18 at Rhode Island
This Week: Saturday vs. Sacred Heart
Stony Brook jumped out to a 21-0 lead and cruised to a 35-18 win over Rhode Island to open up league play at 1-0. The SeaWolves forced three turnovers and scored 14 points off those turnovers.
8. Delaware
Record: 1-1
Last Week: Lost 27-0 at Virginia Tech
This Week: Saturday vs. Cornell
Virginia Tech limited Delaware to 223 yards of total offense in an easy 27-0 win over the Blue Hens. Delaware turned the ball over twice and only had 12 first downs.
9. William & Mary
Record: 1-1
Last Week: Win, 20-6 at Norfolk State
This Week: Saturday vs. Bucknell
Tribe quarterback Tommy McKee threw for three touchdowns and rushed 114 yards in William & Mary’s first win of the season. William & Mary coach Jimmye Laycock tied Columbia coach Al Bagnoli as the winningest active coach in Division I with 244 career victories. The Tribe hosts Patriot League member Bucknell this week.
10. Elon
Record: 1-1
Last Week: Won 34-31 at Furman
This Week: Saturday vs. Charleston Southern
In the final three minutes, Elon scored a touchdown and kicked a field goal to tie and rally past Furman for the first win of the Curt Cignetti era at the school. Elon quarterback Davis Cheek threw for 301 yards and three touchdowns in the Phoenix’s victory. Elon faces another tough non-league game Saturday when it hosts Charleston Southern.
11. Rhode Island
Record: 0-2
Last Week: Lost 35-18 vs. Stony Brook
This Week: Saturday vs. Harvard
After showing major signs of improvement in Week 1 by taking Central Michigan to triple overtime, Rhode Island fell behind too quickly and lost to Stony Brook this past week.
12. Towson
Record: 1-1
Last Week: Lost 63-17 at Maryland
This Week: Saturday at Saint Francis
Maryland had too much speed for Towson, scoring touchdowns on plays of 20 yards or more seven times.
