CAA Football Recap: Towson partakes in historic weekend for FCS football

It was a weekend for the record books for FCS football programs, as they handed FBS programs more losses than ever before (8 in total). The national media are harping on the fact that it isn't worthwhile for FBS programs to play FCS programs - and to an extent they are correct. There really isn't a ton of upside to scheduling a good FCS team (the upper echelon can easily compete at an FBS level). You either win as expected, or you suffer national ridicule.

Villanova fell just short of knocking off Boston College and joining in the fun, but Towson was able to get it done vs. Connecticut - something I thought could happen in my conference preview earlier this week. Here's how the CAA fared on opening weekend:

Towson 33 - UConn 18: An Unmitigated Disaster | The UConn Blog
It was shocking when UConn hired Paul Pasqualoni. It was shocking when they brought him back this season. This result was not shocking. Terrance West was a workhorse in the win, going for 156 yards and 2 TDs on 36 carries, while new QB Peter Athens was just efficient enough to secure the W.

Nebrich leads Fordham over Rhode Island 51-26 | CBS Sports
Villanova's next opponent used and abused one of their conference foe. Fordham QB Michael Nebrich threw for four touchdowns, completing 17 of 25 pass attempts for 267 yards, to lead the Fordham Rams to a 51-26 victory over the Rhode Island Rams Thursday night. After seeing with Alex Amidon did to the 'Nova defense, I bet they'll be working on the pass defense this week.

Pierce, Delaware run past Jacksonville 51-35 | ESPN
Oh, what could have been. Jacksonville jumped out to a 14-0 lead before the Hens finally woke up. RB Andrew Pierce led a rushing attack that piled up 373 yards, while Jacksonville did the exact opposite tallying -37 yards. They should withhold meals from the offensive line for a week. Wait, that wouldn't help.

West Virginia 24, William & Mary 17: A Win Is A Win | The Smoking Musket
I thought William & Mary had no shot at pulling off their seemingly annual FBS upset bid. Little did I know that Paul Millard would be channeling Mark Sanchez.

Buechel leads Duquesne over Albany (NY) 35-24 | ESPN
Another year, another shootout for these two. Albany was down by 8 late in the game but Will Fiacchi was picked off and Duquesne held on for the win. A lot of passing yardage by both teams, not much running of the football.

James Madison pulls away in 38-14 win over CCSU | ESPN
Michael Birdsong and JMU cruised over Steve Addazio's alma mater. At least they held up their end of the bargain. Birdsong and RB Dae'Quan Scott look like they might be a nice 1-2 punch as the Dukes look to get back to the top of the conference.

Strauss throws 3 TDs, Richmond beats VMI, 34-0 | ESPN
Not. Even. Close. Only a 70-minute delay due to lightning in the area could temporarily stop this beatdown.

Wasilewski helps Maine defeat Norfolk State 23-6 | ESPN
A penalty ridden affair made this one closer than it needed to be. QB Marcus Wasilewski totaled 264 yards of total offense and hit Zedric Joseph for an 85-yard score.