2017 FCS vs. FBS: CAA Football

By AP
Published

(STATS) - Coming off a 2016 season in which their 10 wins over FBS programs tied for the fourth-most in a campaign, FCS teams hope to make a mark again in 2017.

CAA Football teams are involved in 12 of the nearly 100 matchups, including Maine playing in two of them. Since 1998, CAA teams have beaten at least one FBS opponent in all but four seasons.

Here's a look at this year's matchups involving CAA teams:

The Matchups (12) - Albany: Old Dominion (Sept. 2); Delaware: Virginia Tech (Sept. 9); Elon: Toledo (Sept. 2); James Madison: East Carolina (Sept. 2); Maine: UCF (Sept. 30) and Massachusetts (Nov. 11); New Hampshire: Georgia Southern (Sept. 9); Rhode Island: Central Michigan (Aug. 31); Stony Brook: South Florida (Sept. 2); Towson: Maryland (Sept. 2); Villanova: Temple (Sept. 9); William & Mary: Virginia (Sept. 2)

Glamour Game - Maine vs. Massachusetts at Fenway Park (Nov. 11). The historic venue makes Maine's second FBS matchup of the season stand out, but second-year coach Joe Harasymiak and his veteran team (17 starters) must be eyeing an upset against old rival UMass. Their last meeting in 2013 netted the Black Bears' second-ever win over an FBS opponent, 24-14.

Upset Alert - James Madison at East Carolina (Sept. 2). Upset? OK, the reigning FCS national champion Dukes might be the favorite when they begin their title defense. Coach Mike Houston returns 12 starters, including quarterback and 2016 CAA offensive player of the year Bryan Schor. East Carolina finished a mere 2-9 last season.

Notable - Four CAA programs have new coaches, but only Elon's Curt Cignetti is making his debut against an FBS opponent (Toledo). … Richmond, which knocked off Virginia to open last season, is not playing an FBS opponent for the first time since 2003. … New Hampshire's run of 13 straight FCS playoff appearances began in 2004 with a 27-23 win at Georgia Southern. It's their only previous meeting. … Delaware's high-profile game at Virginia Tech, which went 10-4 last season, is a first-ever meeting, as is Rhode Island's trip to Central Michigan. … The Mayor's Cup in Philadelphia will be on the line when Villanova and Temple meet at Lincoln Financial Field. Their series is tied 15-15-2, although Temple has won the last three matchups. … Albany is playing an FBS opponent for just a third time, having split two games with Buffalo over the last two seasons. Albany's only game against Old Dominion - a 66-10 loss in 2013 - occurred when the Monarchs were transitioning out of the FCS. … Stony Brook kicks off its season at South Florida in new coach Charlie Strong's first home game with the Bulls. The Seawolves' 59-14 loss to USF at Raymond James Stadium in 2010 came before an announced attendance of 40,210 which is the largest to witness a Stony Brook game. … William & Mary's trip to Virginia will mark the start of coach Jimmye Laycock's 38th season with the Tribe. No FCS coach has been with his program longer. … Towson running back Terrance West was early in his freshman season in 2011 when the Tigers lost at Maryland 28-3 in their only previous meeting. He went on to win the Jerry Rice Award as the FCS freshman of the year and led Towson to the national championship game as a junior in 2013.