Week 7 CAA Game Breakdowns
The Colonial Athletic Association’s marquee matchup also happens to be the last game of the night. Will the Towson football team continue its outstanding season or will it get tripped up by Villanova? There are six games on the CAA docket this week, including two that involve non-league matchups with Ivy League and Patriot League squads. Here is a look at the week’s action:
Albany at Delaware, Saturday, 12:00
Albany may want to watch out because Delaware will be hopping mad following last week’s loss to Maine. In that loss Delaware gave up 62 points, the most points it surrendered since the 1921 season. Albany is off to a 1-5 record following a 40-13 loss to James Madison last week, and the combination of Delaware RB Andrew Pierce and WR Rob Jones will likely be too much for Albany to handle. Look for Delaware to rebound and improve to 2-1 in the CAA.
Projected Score: Delaware 38, Albany 20
Rhode Island at New Hampshire, Saturday, 12:00
Rhode Island returns to CAA play following a two-week hiatus. In its loss to Brown a week ago QB Bob Bentsen became the sixth Ram to throw 20 career touchdown passes. New Hampshire is also coming off a loss last week, although it held a 20-3 lead before a loss to Towson. TE Harold Spears had four receptions, 106 yards and a touchdown in that loss, and S Nick Cefalo had seven tackles, two fumble recoveries and a pass breakup. Like Delaware, New Hampshire is liable to be loaded for bear following a loss in a game it should have won.
Projected Score: New Hampshire 42, Rhode Island 23
Richmond at #25 James Madison, Saturday, 3:30
The CAA’s second-best matchup of the week pits Richmond against the Dukes as Richmond comes off a bye week. The Spiders have 33 interceptions in the last 15 games. In the win over Albany, James Madison WR Daniel Brown scored three receiving touchdowns and tied his team’s single-game scoring record. RB Dae’Quan Scott is also the team’s all-time leading scorer with 240 points. This should be a fairly entertaining contest, and look for the Dukes to prevail in a close one.
Projected Score: James Madison 38, Richmond 30
Penn at William & Mary, Saturday, 3:30
The CAA meets the Ivy League in a storied matchup of two historic teams. William & Mary has won five straight games against Penn, including a 34-28 road victory last year. Ten of the Tribe’s 13 losses have come by one touchdown or less dating back to 2011. As for Penn, the Quakers are coming off a four-overtime 37-31 win over Dartmouth. This is the 36th meeting between teams with 200-win coaches (William & Mary’s Jimmye Laycock and Penn’s Al Bagnoli).
Projected Score: William & Mary 28, Penn 21
Stony Brook at Colgate, Saturday, 6:00
Stony Brook has won two of the three meetings between these schools, and it is coming off a 21-13 win over Bryant. This is the team’s final non-conference game of the season. QB Lyle Negron threw for 260 yards and two touchdowns in the Bryant win. Colgate, a member of the Patriot League, is coming off a 41-20 win over Cornell. That was Colgate’s first win of the season, but Stony Brook should make Colgate 1-5 if Negron and WR Malcolm Eugene have anything to say about it.
Projected Score: Stony Brook 40, Colgate 13
#13 Villanova at #2 Towson, Saturday, 7:00
The CAA’s marquee showdown has Villanova making the short drive down to Towson, Maryland to face a team that continues to surprise a lot of people. For starters, Towson has a 10-game winning streak. It racked up 731 yards of total offense against New Hampshire last week, the most in the team’s history. RB Terrance West leads all of the FCS with 15 touchdowns this season. Villanova QB John Robertson scored his fifth rushing touchdown last week in a 20-13 win over William & Mary. Can Towson improve to 7-0? The odds are yes. Towson won’t rack up anywhere near the number of yards it did a week ago, but a win is in the cards.
Projected Score: Towson 34, Villanova 10
