College football previews: Hampton welcomes Richmond, William & Mary visits Towson in key CAA games
No. 19 Richmond (4-2, 2-1) at Hampton (4-2, 1-2)
When: 2 p.m.
On the air: FloFootball.com
The Spiders: Richmond’s passing game is both efficient and effective. Quarterback Reece Udinski leads the nation with 76.2% passes completed (186-244), is first with 30.5 completions and has thrown for 278.3 yards per game. Linebacker Tristan Wheeler, who is averaging 9.3 tackles, is considered one of the best defensive players in FCS. The Spiders beat CAA preseason favorite Villanova 20-10 a week ago.
The Pirates: It’s homecoming for the Pirates. An interesting element to this game is that new Pirates’ defensive coordinator Chris Cosh will be matching wits with his son Billy Cosh, the Spiders’ offensive coordinator. The elder Cosh’s defense has been solid against the run, allowing 114.5 yards per game, but will look to improve on the opposition’s 253 yards passing per game. Jadakis Bonds, with 29 receptions for 548 yards and eight touchdowns, leads the offense.
- Marty O’Brien
No. 12 William & Mary (5-1, 2-1 CAA) at Towson (2-4, 0-3)
When: 4 p.m.
On the air: FloFootball.com; 92.3FM The Tide
The Tribe: With a win the Tribe can improve to 4-0 on the road for only the second time in school history, and the first since 1976. The rushing attack remains the lynchpin of the offense, averaging 246 yards per game. Donavyn Lester’s return to health with 17 carries for 77 yards and a TD against Delaware makes a good RB group even better. LB John Pius is starring for the defense with national bests of 9½ sacks and 14½ tackles for loss.
The Tigers: Towson has battled injuries throughout the season and struggled of late, losing four consecutive after winning its first two. The Tigers average just 14 points and 262 yards, while the defense is allowing 31.2 points and 420.2 yards per game. QB Tyrrell Pigrome has 723 yards and five touchdowns passing and has run for 245 yards. LB Ryan Kearney has made at least eight tackles in each of the past four games.
— Marty O’Brien
William Paterson (4-3, 1-2 NJAC) at Christopher Newport (4-2, 2-0)
When: 1 p.m.
On the air: WXGM 99.1FM; online at CNUsports.com/watch
The Pioneers: Shaun Williams, a former first-round pick and starting safety for the New York Giants, got off to a 3-1 start in his first season with the Pioneers, but they have lost two of the past three, including a 14-9 defeat at home last week to NJAC foe Rowan. The Pioneers reflect their coach in allowing just 15.71 points per game, but they are averaging only 17.29 despite Nazir Dale’s 108-yard rushing average.
The Captains: CNU beat Kean 24-13 last week for its third consecutive victory. Junior Matt Dzierski was again the star, running for two touchdowns and passing for another. Senior PK Ryan Castle has been one of the stars for the Captains this season. He’s 7-for-8 on field goal attempts and is 17-of-18 on point-after attempts. Seven different Captains have intercepted passes, and Josh Uvodich returned his pick for a TD.
- Marty O’Brien
Central International at Apprentice
When: 1 p.m.
The Cardinals: Central International College is based in Chester, and its founder and president, Willard Bailey, is a Black College Football Hall of Famer and Suffolk native. He was 238-169-7 in a coaching and administrative career that included a 1984-92 stint with his alma mater, Norfolk State, including a CIAA championship, and a pair of stints with Virginia Union that netted six CIAA titles. But the CIC website lists no games or roster this season.
The Builders: Apprentice has had three weeks since its last game, a 22-19 defeat at Division II Bluefield State in West Virginia. Led by dual-threat QB Mason Tatum, the Builders have three wins over D-III teams, including Christopher Newport, and are guaranteed to end a 10-game season Nov. 19 against an ODAC team at the Neptune Bowl at Virginia Beach Sportsplex.
— Sonny Dearth
