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Editor's Note: Each Wednesday we'll take a look around the CAA to see how our conference rivals fared the previous weekend.
Villanova has some work to do if they want to be competitive this season in their conference and build towards making it back to the playoffs.
Here's your weekly recap of the action that took place around the CAA. Just one loss in the conference to a fellow FCS foe and a near upset of an FBS team means a predictably strong start for the best conference in the FCS ranks.
James Madison Dukes - A typical performance for a top 5 team as they unloaded on tiny St. Francis (PA) 55-7 behind 602 yards of total offense. Perhaps even more impressive, albeit against an overmatched foe, is the 142 yards allowed by the defense. It looks like the Dukes will be a serious title contender in 2012.
Old Dominion Monarchs - ODU almost became the first major upset of the FCS season when they went into the half down 10 points to Duquesne before exploding for 47 2nd half points in a 57-23 rout. What a difference a half can make. ODU registered their 23rd consecutive sellout at home.
Towson Tigers - A preseason top-10 pick in the FCS, Towson fell 6 spots to #13 after an opening day defeat at Kent State, a 41-21 loss in which a slow and sloppy start doomed the Tigers from the outset. The Towson defense will be having nightmares about Dri Archer, who posted 3 touchdowns on the day in a bevy of ways. Grant Enders did post a solid afternoon for Towson, going 26-36 for 246 yards, 1 TD and 2 INT.
New Hampshire Wildcats - A regular offensive juggernaut, UNH showed no signs of slowing down in a 38-17 victory on the road over Holy Cross in the season opener. Back to back touchdown drives of over 90 yards saw New Hampshire pull away from Holy Cross. As always, the UNH offense acted as a well-oiled machine, putting up 531 yards of total offense. Even more impressive though was the balance of 279 yards rushing and 252 yards passing.
Delaware Blue Hens - Who says only FBS heavyweights can fatten up on cupcakes? Bowling Green transfer Trent Hurley became the first Delaware QB to ever top 300 yards passing in their debut en route to a 41-21 victory over Division II West Chester. WR Michael Johnson connected twice with Hurley for touchdowns. The final game of this longtime series saw Delaware finish with a 47-6-1 record.
Maine Black Bears - Not in action
William & Mary Tribe - The CAA's best chance to record a win over an FBS foe came and went as W&M fell 7-6 at Maryland in the season opener. The Tribe held the Terps scoreless into the 4th quarter and allowed just 236 yards of offense, but a late touchdown run did them in. A shame for a program that has been a nightmare matchup for the FBS in recent years.
Richmond Spiders - A career day for QB John Laub wasn't enough for the Spiders as they lost on the road at Virginia 43-19. No shame in losing to an FBS foe for Richmond, who look as they may be going through a rebuilding year with a new QB in Laub. I thought this game would be a lot closer as Virginia isn't very good.
Georgia State Panthers - GSU was unsuccessful in front of a modest crowd of over 18,000 at the Georgia Dome, falling 33-6 to South Carolina State. SCSU QB Michael Cue will be happy with a 300 yard, 3 TD performance after throwing for just 900 yards in 9 games last season. GSU put forth a solid first half, allowing a late touchdown to go down into the half 14-3, but they never threatened after that.
Rhode Island - Not in action
Big East Bonus
For you Big East football fans (and/or those of you who crave for football to move to the Big East), here's a look at 3 articles worth reading from around the network.
Five Thoughts On Temple After Friday's 41-10 Win Over Villanova | Big East Coast Bias
If there is one silver lining from this game, it's that Villanova appears to have a pretty good rushing attack this season. See point #3 on Temple's inability to stop that.
Pitt Vs. Youngstown State: Addressing A Debacle Of Epic Proportions | Cardiac Hill
More silver lining - being an FCS school does not subject us to what happened in Pittsburgh this past weekend.
Tales From the Student Section: Man, That Was Rough | Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician
A great regular feature from Nunes - any students out there interested in such a thing for VU Hoops?
Related Stories: Villanova-Fordham Game Information
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