CAA Today: Momentum

As we’ve concluded the first quarter of the season, the in-game momentum and the in-season momentum has swung rampantly from side to side. There have been dramatic come-from-behind victories from the teams least expected, and some teams have come from nowhere to stake a claim to the CAA race while others find themselves in free fall after coming into the season with high expectations. The CAA is a regular roller-coaster ride, and you’d better hang on because the finish promises to be something exciting for all.
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THE STANDINGS:


GAME RECAPS

At Robert Kraft field in New York, 2,643 watched the Columbia Lions defeat the Towson Tigers 24 – 10. Towson opened the scoring with a 28-yard FG by Sr. PK, Nick Wallace (Fredricksburg, Va.) to take a 3 – 0 lead in the second quarter. The Lions responded with a 19-yard TD pass from So, QB, Sean Brackett (Brooklyn, Conn.) to Sr., RB, Zack Kourouma (Wilbraham, Mass.) to give the Lions a 7 – 3 halftime lead. In the third quarter, Sr., RB, Leon Ivery (Mountain View, Calif.) scored on a 5-yard TD run to extend the Lions lead to 14 – 3. The Tigers responded when Jr. QB, Chris Hart (Bradenton, Fla.) hit Sr., WR, Hakeem Moore (Fredricksburg, Va.) for a 62-yard TD pass to close the gap to 14 – 10 Lions. In the fourth quarter, the Lions scored two more times on a 13-yard TD run by So, RB, Nick Gerst (Little Falls, N.J.) and a 37-yard FG by Fr., PK, Luke Eddy (Shirley, Mass.) to make the final score 24 – 10. Up next for the Tigers is the Massachusetts Minutemen.
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At Cowell Stadium, 8,144 came out to see the New Hampshire Wildcats host the Lehigh Mountain Hawks. The Cats raced out to a 24 – 10 halftime lead and stretched that margin to 31 – 10 by the end of the game. The Cats turned the ball over three times which might have prevented further Wildcat scores.
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Leading the way for the Wildcats was Sr., QB, R.J. Toman (Mission Viejo, Calif.) who was 26-37-2, 348 yds, 4 TDs. This performance got Toman selected as CAA Offensive Player of the Week. So., RB, Dontra Peters (Annapolis, Md.) had 19 carries for 93 yds. So., WR, Joey Orlando (Bethelehem, Pa.) led all receivers with 10 receptions, 81 yds, and 2 TDs, and Sr. WR, Terrance Fox (Piscataway, N.J.) chipped in with 9 receptions, 134 yds and one TD. Defensively, the Cats were led by So.., LB, Alan Buzbee (Chester, N.J.) with 13 tackles, and .5 tackle for loss and 1 forced fumble.
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Wildcat coach, Sean MacDonnell stated in his post-game news conference that he was pleased with the way his team practiced leading up to the game and played the game. The Cats protected the QB, allowing Toman to have a good game, and the Cats played defense against the run better. Up next for the Wildcats is a trip to Alfond Stadium to take on the Maine Black Bears.


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At LaValle Stadium in Stony Brook, N.Y., 5,309 came out to see the Massachusetts Minutemen play the Stony Brook Sea Wolves. Talk about a game of momentum swings, UMass took the ball 74 yards in 10 plays on its first possession and scored on a 4-yard TD run by Rs, Jr., RB, Jonathan Hernandez (Leonminster, Mass.), to take the lead 7 – 0. The UMass defense held the SeaWolves to a three-and-out, forcing a punt. However, UMass gave the ball right back two plays later on an interception.
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It was now Stony Brook’s turn as the Sea Wolves marched 72 yards in seven plays scoring on an 8-yd TD run by Jr. RB, Edwin Goins (Bellport, N.Y.) to tie the game at 7 – 7. Still in the first quarter, UMass would drive 50 yards in eight plays on its next possession before throwing a second interception. The opportunistic Wolves went right to work marching 80 yards in seven plays scoring on a 2-yard TD run by So, RB, Miguel Maysonet (Riverhead, N.Y.) to give the Wolves a 14 – 7 lead to begin the second quarter.
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The Minutemen responded with a 63-yard, 13-play drive, culminating with a 14-yard TD run by Hernandez to knot the score at 14 each. The Minutemen scored again just before halftime as So, PK, Caleb Violette (Blacksburg, Va.) kicked a 30-yard FG to give UMass a 17 – 14 lead.
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The Minutemen would score first in the third quarter as Violette kicked a 25-yard FG after a 59-yard, 11-play drive to put UMass up 20 – 14.
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On their ensuing possession, the Sea Wolves marched 75 yards in six plays, scoring on a 4-yard TD pass from Jr., QB, Michael Coulter (Yorba Linda, Calif.) to So, WR, Jordan Gush (Richardson, Texas) to give Stony Brook a 21 – 20 lead.
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On the Minutemen’s next possession, they drove the ball 28 yards in six plays and turned it over on downs at the Sea Wolves 33. UMass forced the Wolves to punt, then put together an 80-yard, 12-play drive, concluding with a 1-yard TD run by Sr., RB, John Griffin (Westminster, Mass.) that put the Minutemen up for good 27 – 21. The SeaWolves’ final three drives ended in a punt, turnover on downs and an interception.
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UMass coach Kevin Morris stated in his post-game news conference that it was a “team win” and it was good to get a win on the road. UMass had a seven-game road losing streak, and did not win on the road at all in ‘09. The road show continues for the Minutemen as they travel to Johnny Unitas Stadium next weekend to take on the Towson Tigers.
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At Alfond Stadium in Orono, Maine, 5,990 came out to see the Maine Black Bears host the William & Mary Tribe. This was another game that featured back-and-forth momentum swings. The Tribe received the ball first, but the Black Bear defense limited them to a three and out, forcing a punt.
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The Black Bears started on their 21 and marched 74 yards in 14 plays to the Tribe 3, but they were stopped on fourth-and-1. With 7:41 remaining in the first quarter neither side knew how big this stop was. The Tribe had another three and out and punted back to Maine.
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This time Maine would not be denied as the offense drove 46 yards in eight plays, ending with a 1-yard TD run by Jr., RB, Pushaun Brown (No. Brunswick, N.J.) to give the Black Bears a 7 – 0 lead.
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The Tribe suffered their third three-and-out on its next possession, but was able to stop Maine in like fashion. On its fourth possession, the Tribe offense finally got untracked as it moved 72 yards in 11 plays culminating in a 22-yard FG by Sr., PK, David Miller (Centreville, Va.) to narrow the score to 7 – 3 Maine. Both teams exchanged three-and-out series on their next possessions respectively.
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With 5:05 remaining in the first half, Maine’s offense got rolling again and put together a 55-yard, seven-play drive that finished with an 8-yard TD run by Brown to extend the Maine lead to 14 – 3, which would be the halftime score.
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At halftime, the Tribe had 37 net rushing yards on 16 attempts, whereas Maine had 73 net rushing yards on 17 carries. In the third quarter, Maine was its own worst enemy. Three times Maine would get the ball on the Tribe side of the 50, but penalties would keep Maine from getting within field goal reach. The Tribe could not get anything going offensively.
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Due to an injured shoulder to starting Rs., Sr., QB, Mike Callahan (Mountville, Pa.), Jr. QB, Mike Paulus (Syracuse, N.Y.) came in the game in the fourth quarter and led the Tribe on a 76-yard, 10-play drive, which ended in a 10-yard TD run by Sr., RB, Courtland Marriner (Chesapeake, Va.) to narrow the score to 14 – 10 Maine. On Maine’s ensuing drive, Tribe So, LB, Dante Cook (Fredricksburg, Va.) intercepted a pass and returned it 50 yards for the TD to give the Tribe a 17 – 14 lead.
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The Tribe forced Maine to punt on its next possession, but the Tribe fumbled giving the ball back to the Black Bears at the Tribe 20. Maine wasted little time as it scored in four plays on a 3-yard TD pass from Jr. QB, Warren Smith (Forked River, N.J.) to Sr. WR, Desmond Randall (West Seneca, N.Y.) to put the Black Bears back in the lead 21 – 17.
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With 2:46 to go in the game, Paulus engineered a 70-yard, 11-play drive, ending in a 21-yard TD pass to Sr. WR, Chase Hill (Virginia Beach, Va.) to give the Tribe the come from behind 24 – 21 victory.
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William & Mary coach Jimmye Laycock liked the way his team battled through and back from adversity. He also stated in his Monday morning teleconference call that Callahan’s injury will keep him out of this Saturday’s action, and Paulus will get the start.
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Maine coach Jack Cosgrove was pleased with his defensive effort, but was unhappy with the penalties. He reflected on that goal line stand in the beginning of the game, and he felt that if the Black Bears had converted on that fourth-and-one, they could have gotten the victory. Up next for the Black Bears is a home matchup with the New Hampshire Wildcats. Up next for the Tribe also is a home game against the Villanova Wildcats.
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At Robins Stadium before a sold-out crowd, the No. 7 Delaware Blue Hens took on the home team, No. 5 Richmond Spiders. From the beginning, it appeared as the game would be a defensive chess match. The Spiders picked off Delaware on its first play from scrimmage on its opening drive, and forced the Blue Hens into a three-and-out on its second drive. Likewise, the Blue Hens forced the Spider offense into two three-and-outs on its first two possessions.
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In the first two drives, the Spiders appeared to have the Blue Hen offense in check. However, on UD’s third offensive series, you could see and feel a different momentum in the Blue Hen offense beginning with their offensive line. UD was able to put together a 13-play, 94-yard drive mixing the pass and run, and culminating with a 7-yard TD run by Rs., Fr. QB, Trevor Sasek (Limerick, Pa.). The point after was missed, but the Blue Hens led 6 – 0.
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Unfortunately, the Spiders did not share the same success. The Blue Hen defense continued to deny the Spiders and was stingy in allowing the Spiders to score. In the Spiders’ first six possessions, they punted five times and fumbled once through most of the second quarter.
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After the UD score, the Spiders had another three-and-out. The Blue Hens engineered another scoring drive consisting of eight plays, covering 55 yards. This time Fr., RB, Andrew Pierce (Bridgeton, N.J.) ran it in from two yards out to give the Hens a 13 – 0 lead in the beginning of the second quarter. It’s worth noting that the Hens brought in Sasek both times they got within the Spider 10-yard line. I wasn’t at the game, I watched the two Hen scores on TV, and I didn’t have the opportunity to follow up with anyone from the Hens staff, so I can only guess that they were trying to protect starter, Sr. QB, Pat Devlin’s (Downington, Pa.) left wrist.
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After the Spider fumble, UD was in position to try a 40-yard field goal, but it hit the upright and the score remained 13 – 0 Delaware.
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With 3:14 remaining in the half, the Spiders put together a drive that covered 64 yards in seven plays, resulting in an 11-yard TD pass from Rs., Jr. Aaron Corp (Villa Park, Calif.) to Rs., So. TE, Kevin Finney (Lake Bluff, Ill.), bringing the score to 13 – 6 Hens just before halftime. The Spiders missed the PAT.
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To begin the third quarter, UD moved the ball 51 yards in 10 plays to the Spider 34. However, the Spider defense stiffened forcing a UD punt. Starting on their own 26 after an 8-yard punt, the Spiders moved 74 yards in nine plays, scoring on a 3-yard TD run by Rs, Sr. RB, Tyler Kirchoff (Ridgefield, Conn.) to tie the score at 13 each.
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From that point on, the momentum swung in the direction of the Blue Hens as they scored on three of their next four possessions with TD runs of 13 and 18 yards by Pierce, and a 40-yard TD run by So, RB, David Hayes (Howell, N.J.). The final score was Delaware 34 – Richmond 13.
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In preseason, I had picked Delaware to win this game, but based on Richmond’s recent success, I reversed my opinion and went with the Spiders. I’m going to have to learn to stop picking against the Blue Hens.
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For Delaware, Devlin played brilliantly, going 14-21-1 for 240 yards. Pierce rushed 26 times for 114 yards and 3 TDs. UD had 476 total yards of offense while limiting the Spiders to 234 total yards. Defensively, the Blue Hens were led by Sr. DB, Anthony Walters (Philadelphia, Pa.), and Sr. DB, Anthony Bratton (Manassas, Va.) with 10 tackles each. Walters also had an interception.
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For Richmond, Corp was 18-30-1 for 116 yards and 1 TD, Rs. Fr., RB, Jovan Smith (Springfield, Va.) had 10 carries for 102 yards and led the Spiders in receptions with four receptions for 11 yards. Defensively, Rs., Sr., DL, Martin Parker (New Haven, Conn.) led the Spiders with 13 tackles.
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Up next for the Blue Hens is a trip to Harrisonburg to take on the James Madison Dukes. The Spiders will host Big South opponent Coastal Carolina Saturday. [See Mark Campbell's superb gallery of photos here.]
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In Harrisonburg, Va., 16,385 came out to Bridgeforth Stadium to see the James Madison Dukes host the Liberty Flames. This was a low-scoring affair with JMU winning 10 – 3. In the Monday morning teleconference call, JMU coach Mickey Matthews stated his team did not play offense well at any one position, and that there was no excuse. Matthews stated the Flames are a good team, and played defense well, but his Dukes did not come to play last Saturday.
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The Flames scored first in the second quarter on a 19-yard FG by Jr. PK, Matt Bevins (Newport News, Va.) giving the Flames a 3 – 0 lead. However, with 1:35 remaining in the half, it was the expert play of Rs., Sr. QB, Drew Dudzik (Clifton, Va.) that swung the momentum in JMU’s favor. After a 6-yard pass completion, Dudzik dropped back again, escaped the pocket, and scampered around the right end for a 39-yard run putting the Dukes on the Flames 25. On the next play, Dudzik hit Rs., Sr. RB, Griff Yancey (Glen Allen, Va.) with a TD pass to give JMU the 7 – 3 lead. In the third quarter, Rs., Jr. PK, Dixon Wright (Crossnore, N.C.) added a 22-yard FG to give the Dukes its final margin of victory at 10 – 3.
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JMU had 205 net yards rushing to LU’s 61. JMU had 78 net yards passing to LU’s 203. JMU led in total yardage gained 283 to 264, JMU committed seven penalties for 73 yards. Matthews voiced his displeasure about same. JMU was 3-of-13 on third and fourth down conversions whereas LU was 4 of 16. Defensively, Rs., Fr. LB, Stephon Robertson (Alexandria, Va.) led the Dukes in tackles with 13 and was named CAA Rookie of the Week.
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Hopefully, the Dukes offense will return Saturday, as the Delaware Blue Hens are coming to town.
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On the Main Line outside of Philadelphia, the Villanova Wildcats hosted the Pennsylvania Quakers of the Ivy League. Nova was riding a 12-game home winning streak and was 20 – 1 in its last 21 games. Nova also has 11 straight wins over FCS opponents. Penn is the dDefending Ivy League Champ and is 1 – 0 coming into this rivalry game.
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The Quakers got on the board first by putting together a 16-play, 80-yard drive, capping it with a 2-yard TD run by So., RB, Brandon Colavita (Sewell, N.J.) to give the Quakers a 7 – 0 lead. Penn had scored on its second offensive series. On its third offensive series, the snap from the center went over the QB’s head into the end zone for a safety giving Nova its first points, and making the score 7 – 2 Penn. Nova’s first three offensive series ended in punts. However, after the safety and the short kickoff, Nova drove 42 yards in seven plays and scored on a 1-yard TD run by Rs. Sr. RB, Angelo Babbaro (Canfield, Ohio), who was running the “Wildcat” in place of the injured Sr. WR, Matt Szczur (Erma, N.J.). Szczur was out with a left ankle sprain. Babbaro’s TD gave Nova a 9 – 7 lead that stood until the fourth quarter.
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In the fourth, Penn regained momentum by driving 88 yards in 14 plays, consuming nine minutes of clock, and scoring on a 19-yard FG by Sr. PK, Andrew Samson (West Bloomfield, Mich.) to give the Quakers a 10 – 9 lead.
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Nova is a senior-laden team, and returning starters QB, Chris Whitney (Warminster, Pa.), RB, Aaron Ball (Los Angeles, Calif.) and Babbaro led the offense on a 74-yard, 10-play drive ending it with a 21-yard TD pass from Whitney to Jr. WR, Norman White (Hammonton, N.J.) to put the Cats out in front 15 – 10.
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The Quakers had 4:23 left to try and regain the momentum and win, but Jr. CB, James Pitts (Montclair, N.J.) stepped in front of a Penn receiver intercepting a pass and raced 56 yards for a TD giving Nova its final margin of victory, 22 – 10.
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Nova had 157 net yards rushing to Penn’s 100 net yards rushing. Penn coach Al Bagnoli stated afterwards that Nova had been averaging 250 net yards rushing and his team kept it to 157, which he thought was a good job. Nova had 312 total net yards on offense where Penn had 270. For Nova, Ball had 16 carries for 81 yards, Whitney had 12 carries for 52 yards and was 10-for-12 passing with 155 yards and the 1 TD pass. White had 4 receptions for 61 yards and one TD.
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After the game, the Cats had 14 players unable to practice on Monday. Villanova will have to lick its wounds quickly as it must travel Saturday to Zable Stadium to take on the William & Mary Tribe.
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GAME PREVIEWS
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Last week I was 4 – 3 in predictions. Congrats to William & Mary and Delaware for the victories, the Tribe coming from behind in the fourth quarter, and the Blue Hens dominating and showing the world they are for real. For the season, I’m 22 – 10, with an accuracy rate of 68 percent. This has clearly been the toughest year in the last four to pick games.
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Brown (1 – 0, 2 – 0) @ Rhode Island (1 – 0, 1 – 2) @ 1 p.m.
TV: None
Series: Brown leads 67-25-2
This is the 29th annual Governor’s Cup game. The Bears won in 2009, 28 – 20, at Brown. URI last won in 2008, 37 – 13, when the Bears were ranked No. 25 in FCS. In the era of the Governor’s Cup, URI has a 15 – 13 lead. URI is in the midst of its 81st season at Meade Stadium. Since the stadium opened in 1928, URI is 173-159-5.
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On offense, URI is averaging 17.7 ppg, where Brown is averaging 31 ppg. URI is allowing 27.7 ppg, Brown is allowing 22 ppg. URI is averaging 290 total net ypg, Brown is averaging 352.5 net ypg. URI is allowing 400 ypg, Brown is allowing 247 ypg. Brown defeated Stony Brook 33 – 30 in double overtime and it also defeated Harvard 29 – 14. URI has played FBS Buffalo, Fordham and beaten No. 14/No. 15 UNH. The Rams had a bye week to prepare for this rivalry game and is riding the momentum of a victory over UNH its last time out.
Upset Meter [-----8--] Rams 27, Bears 24.
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No. 14/No. 15 New Hampshire (0 – 1, 2 – 2) @ Maine (0 – 1, 1 – 3) @ 6 p.m.
TV: WABI/CW
Series: New Hampshire leads 48 – 43 – 8.
UNH won the last time out in this series at Cowell Stadium 27 – 24 in 2009. Maine last won in 2002, 31 – 14, in Maine. Historically, this was the end-of-the-season game being played for the Brice-Cowell Musket. While the Musket will still be the prize at the end of the day, the game is being played much earlier than years past.

Besides it being a rivalry game and a conference game, the loser might see itself in the role of spoiler for the remainder of the season. While it would still be mathematically alive, two conference losses and three or four overall losses this early in the season might prove too tough to recover from.
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Offensively, UNH averages 26.2 ppg (6th in the CAA), Maine averages 16.5 ppg (10th in the CAA). Total Offense, UNH averages 392.5 ypg (3rd in the CAA), Maine averages 309.8 (9th in the CAA). Defensively, UNH allows 19.8 ppg (5th in the CAA), Maine allows 22 ppg (6th in the CAA). Total Defense, UNH allows 274.5 ypg (4th in the CAA), Maine allows 300.5 ypg (5th in the CAA).
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UNH wants and needs it more, and might have more experienced playmakers on its side. Maine continues to self destruct in the late stages of games with penalties and/or turnovers. Maine will need to improve in this area if it wants to turn the momentum of its season around.
Upset Meter [---5---] Wildcats 27, Black Bears 20.
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Coastal Carolina (0 – 0, 1 – 3) @ #11/#12 Richmond (0 – 1, 1 – 2) @ 1 p.m.
TV: None
Series: First meeting
The Spiders are 42-40-5 against Big South opponents, having won the last nine. The Chanticleers are 2 – 3 against the CAA having split with JMU (winning in 2005 and losing in 2007), and is 1 – 2 against Towson, each team winning on its home field. This year, the Chanticleers and Tigers battled it out through five OTs before Towson finally prevailed.
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The Spiders are averaging 17.7 ppg (tied for 8th in the CAA), the Chanticleers are averaging 26.2 ppg (2nd in the BSC). UR has allowed 29.7 ppg (9th in the CAA), CCU is allowing 33.75 ppg (5th in the BSC). UR is averaging 316 total net ypg (8th in the CAA), CCU is averaging 332.25 (5th in the BSC). UR is allowing 452 ypg (10th in the CAA), CCU is allowing 337.25 ypg (3rd in the BSC).
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The Spiders were staggered by the Blue Hens last week, but should be able to regain their momentum and prevail at home against the Chanticleers.
Upset Meter [---3---] Spiders 24, Chanticleers 17.
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No. 8/No. 8 Massachusetts (1 – 0, 3 – 1) @ Towson (0 – 1, 1 – 3) @ 7 p.m.
TV: None
Series: Massachusetts leads 2 – 0.
UMass has won the previous two meetings with Towson, in 2006 at Towson, 35 – 0, and 2007 in Amherst, 36 – 13. UMass was ranked No. 8 in 2006 and No. 3 in 2007. This will be the first time either head coach has faced the other in the same capacity. UMass is averaging 30.2 ppg (tied for 2nd in the CAA with UD). TU is averaging 20.2 ppg (7th in the CAA). UMass is averaging 461 ypg in total offense (1st in the CAA), TU is averaging 318.2 ypg in total offense (7th in the CAA). UMass is allowing 23.2 ppg (7th in the CAA), TU is allowing 40.8 ppg (10th in the CAA). UMass is allowing 352.8 ypg (7th in the CAA), TU is allowing 377.2 ypg (8th in the CAA).
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UMass has a potent running attack with John Griffin (95 net rushing ypg) and Jonathan Hernandez (93 net rushing ypg). Towson has had a tough time stopping its opponents. UMass has struggled on the road, but should be able to bully its way to a win out of this matchup.
Upset Meter [-2---] Minutemen 35, Tigers 7.
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No. 5/No. 5 Delaware (1 – 0, 4 – 0) @ No. 3/No. 3 James Madison (0 – 0, 3 – 0) @ Noon
TV: TCN/CSN-NE
Series: Delaware leads 11 – 8
Two undefeated teams riding a wave of momentum, the Dukes defeated No. 13 FBS-ranked Virginia Tech and looked unstoppable. Last week against Liberty, they looked like they were stuck in quicksand. Nonetheless, champions win ugly or pretty and sometimes both.
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UD’s destroying everyone it faces, and after each win, the same sentiment is bandied about “that team was not as good as expected.” By the jump in the polls, it appears UD is finally getting its respect, and just maybe those teams were as good as expected. Only UD was better.
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This weekend, both teams will square off. The winner will have the higher position in the polls and would have put the rest of FCS on notice that they’re back in contention for a crown. The loser will not fall far. There will be plenty of CAA game remaining to regain that positive momentum.
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With JMU, you don’t know which offense you’re going to get, but it better beware, Delaware’s defense is on a mission.
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Delaware’s offense has a potent running attack to go with Devlin’s air game, but it has not faced a defense as fast as JMU. For the Blue Hens, they must feel each week they’re playing an opponent that’s higher ranked than the opponent the week before and a little bit stronger.
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UD’s averaging 30.2 ppg (tied for 2nd in the CAA with UMass). JMU is averaging 26.3 ppg (5TH in the CAA). UD’s averaging 426.2 total net rushing yds (2nd in the CAA). JMU’s averaging 333.7 ypg (6th in the CAA). UD is allowing 5.5 ppg (1st in the CAA). JMU’s allowing 8.7 ppg (2nd in the CAA). UD’s allowing 231.2 total net ypg (1st in the CAA), JMU’s allowing 259.3 ypg (3rd in the CAA).
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In the preseason, I had picked JMU to win this game as I thought JMU had enough defense to slow down the UD offense. I did not think UD’s defense was going to be up to the task. However, UD is slowly making a believer out of me. If it can beat JMU in Harrisonburg in front of a crazed purple crowd with streamers and other theatrics in place, I’m going to have to jump on the Hen-Wagon. As of this writing, I’m going to side with the home team.
Upset Meter [----9] Dukes 24, Blue Hens 23
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No. 1/No. 2 Villanova (1 – 0, 3 – 1) @ No. 7/No. 7 William & Mary (1 – 1, 3 – 1) @ 3:30 p.m.
TV: CSN-MA, CSN-P, CSN-NE, CSS(JIP-4:30)
Series: William & Mary leads 14-13-1
Both teams are riding three-game win streaks. Both teams had to come from behind late in last week’s games. Both teams are far different from the national semifinal teams that faced off last December. Both teams have been hit hard by the injury bug. In Williamsburg, the Tribe has a 10-3-1 advantage. Nova’s riding a six-game win streak over the Tribe. The Tribe last won in 2004, 37 – 29, in Williamsburg. The Tribe has won seven consecutive games at Zable Stadium. Coach Andy Talley has a slim 11-9-1 advantage in head-to-head matchups with Laycock all at Villanova and William & Mary.
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Nova’s averaging 31 ppg (1st in the CAA). The Tribe is averaging 28.2 ppg (4th in the CAA). Nova’s averaging 380.8 total net ypg (4th in the CAA). The Tribe is averaging 356.5 ypg (5th in the CAA). Nova’s allowing 12 ppg (3rd in the CAA). The Tribe’s allowing 16.2 ppg (4th in the CAA). Nova’s allowing 246.8 total net ypg (2nd in the CAA). The Tribe’s allowing 339.2 ypg (6th in the CAA).
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It would have been fun to watch both of these teams at full strength. It’s Family Weekend in Williamsburg, which will make for a sold-out house and a game day atmosphere worthy of a national television audience. Both coaches will try to exploit the other’s weaknesses. Does Talley have another gadget play up his sleeve? Can Laycock pull another miracle out of his hat? One thing is certain, if recent history has taught us anything it’s that the Tribe cannot afford to let Nova get out to an early big lead.
Upset Meter [----5---] Wildcats 31, Tribe 21.

Thanks to Maine Black Bear fan, Lloyd Waxman, for your e-mail and insights and Greg Greene of UNH Photo for game pictures.

As always, you can e-mail your thoughts and comments to CAATODAY@YAHOO.COM

This is the CAA TODAY signing off.