By Rich Adragna

James Madison (4-0, 6-1)—The Dukes didn’t play this week, but moved into a tie for first place in the CAA with Massachusetts.  JMU, ranked sixth in the FCS Coaches Poll, returns to action this week to host Richmond.

Massachusetts (4-0, 6-1)—The fourth-ranked Minutemen scored all of its points in the first half and its defense stood firm in the second as they marched to a 24-7 victory over Northeastern.  Liam Coen was 13-for-17 with 191 yards and two touchdown strikes, and Matt Lawrence rushed for 111 yards and a touchdown.  After the offensive onslaught in the first half, the defense for UMass stalled Northeastern in the second half.  David Burris registered three sacks, and Michael Meggett and Courtney Robinson each had an interception.  Next week, the Minutemen  travel to William & Mary for a showdown with the Tribe.

Delaware (4-1, 6-1)—Inactive last week, the eighth-ranked Blue Hens travel to Annapolis on Saturday to take on FBS Independents, the Navy Midshipmen.

New Hampshire (2-2, 5-2)—The Wildcats moved up to number 9 in the FCS Poll thanks to their 40-3 drubbing of Hofstra last Saturday.  CAA Player of the Week Ricky Santos single-handedly picked apart the Pride defense, throwing for 262 yards and four touchdowns, and had a rushing touchdown as well.  J.T. Wright caught two of Santos’ TD strikes and Keith LeVan and Scott Sicko had one each.  The defense gave Bryan Savage and Hofstra’s talented offense tremendous agita, intercepting three of his passes and keeping the Pride out of the end zone.  One interception was returned by safety Jeff Pammer for a 66 yard score.  UNH will look to keep that momentum going as they return home to take on an underachieving Rhode Island team on Saturday.

Richmond (3-1, 5-2)—Eric Ward threw for 131 yards and a touchdown strike to Tim Hightower, and Jonathan Mayfield returned a blocked punt to the end zone in the fourth quarter to rout Rhode Island 38-6.  Ward also rushed for a score along with Josh Vaughn and Justin Forte.  Hightower rushed for 101 yards on 19 carries.  The Spiders defense racked up six sacks and held off multiple scoring threats by the Rams, limiting them to two field goals all day.  Fifteenth-ranked Richmond has its work cut out for them when they travel to James Madison for a battle with the first place Dukes. 

Rhode Island (0-4, 1-6)—The Rams failed to get a touchdown as they were routed by Richmond 38-6.  The only scoring they got all day was on two Bryan Giannecchini field goals.  This game was a nightmare for Derek Cassidy, who threw for only 77 yards and was sacked six times.  URI’s passing offense was nonexistent, racking up only 85 yards.  The Rams, still looking for their first conference win, take on New Hampshire this week.

Villanova (2-2, 4-3)—The Wildcats were idle last week.  On Saturday, they will host fifteenth-ranked Hofstra, who is reeling from last week’s humiliating beating at the hands of New Hampshire.

Maine (0-4, 1-6)—Talk about coming up empty.  Last week the Black Bears made their second trip to Long Island in the season for a showdown with Stony Brook.  While they managed to make the game close this time around (they were trounced by Hofstra 38-13 on Oct. 6 in Hempstead), they lost to the Seawolves 30-23 in double overtime, leaving them 0-for-2 against their Long Island opponents.  Adam Farkes threw for 154 yards and two touchdowns, but had two interceptions as well.  Bobby Donnelly kicked three field goals, including one in overtime.  Farkes threw an interception in the second overtime to end the game.  The Black Bears head to Boston to take on Northeastern.

William & Mary (2-2, 4-3)—After having last week off, the Tribe face a daunting task this Saturday as they host first place Massachusetts.

Northeastern (0-4, 1-6)—The Huskies scored only one touchdown in the first half and did nothing else afterwards as they fell to UMass 24-7.  QB Anthony Orio rushed for Northeastern’s only score.  He was also sacked twice and threw a pick.  His backup, John Sperrazza, didn’t fare well either as he was sacked and picked off once.  The Huskies return to Boston this week as they host an equally struggling Maine squad.

Towson (1-4, 3-5)—The Tigers fell hard on Saturday to Colgate by a score of 27-17.  With the fourth quarter just underway, Nick Williams scored on an eight-yard dash, giving Towson the lead.  However, Jordan Scott of Colgate scored two rushing touchdowns deep in the red zone to give the Raiders the win.  Williams was the only productive man on the Tiger offense as he rushed for 97 yards and two touchdowns.  Sean Schaefer had another bad Saturday, throwing for 183 yards and three interceptions.  Towson have this week off to get it together before taking on Maine on Nov. 3.

Sports Network’s FCS College Football Poll
1.    Northern Iowa
2.     North Dakota State
3.     Montana
4.    Massachusetts
5.     McNeese State
6.    James Madison
7.    Southern Illinois
8.    New Hampshire
9.    Delaware
10.     Appalachian State
11.    Wofford
12.    Delaware State
13.    Yale
14.    Richmond
15.    Pride
16.    Elon
17.    Eastern Kentucky
18.    Nicholls Sate
19.    Montana State
20.    Youngstown State
21.    Grambling State
22.    Georgia Southern
23.    Norfolk State
24.    Western Illinois
25.    The Citadel

CCA and AFCA’s FCS Coaches Top-25 Poll
1.    North Dakota State
2.    Northern Iowa
3.    Montana
4.    Massachusetts
5.    McNeese State
6.    James Madison
7.     Southern Illinois
8.    Delaware
9.     New Hampshire
10.     Appalachian State
11.    Wofford
12.    Delaware State
13.    Yale
14.    Richmond
15.    Pride
16.    Montana State
17.    Elon
18.    Eastern Kentucky
19.    Nicholls State
20.     Youngstown State
21.    Grambling State
22.    Georgia Southern
23.    Norfolk State
24.    San Diego
25.    Eastern Illinois