The first week of Coastal Athletic Association football for the 2025 season included Towson spoiling the highly anticipated coaching debut of a former quarterback star, Monmouth setting the standard for comebacks across the sport, and preseason favorite Rhode Island rallying in the fourth quarter to take the inside track with a win over Campbell.

• Subscribe To FloCollege To Watch College Sports Live And On-Demand
• D2 Football Rankings - Week 1
• FloCollege Staff Week 1 Picks: Lock It In, Here's Who's Winning In Week 1

Rhode Island is again in CAA Football competition during Week 2, hitting the road to face one of last season's leading contenders down the stretch, Stony Brook. 

The Seawolves traveled across the continent for a tough loss last Thursday at San Diego State. While the shutout defeat was not the start to Year 2 under Billy Cosh, Stony Brook would have liked, looking to build to a playoff run in 2025, a win over a top 10-ranked foe to kick off conference play would right the ship in a hurry. 

Stony Brook's home opener at Lavelle Stadium is 1-of-2 CAA clashes on the Week 2 docket. Maine is back in the commonwealth of Virginia after it gave Liberty all it could handle last week in Lynchburg, taking on William & Mary. 

The Tribe are playing their last first CAA game, opening Coastal action in their farewell season as league members. The Black Bears would like nothing better than to spoil William & Mary's last go-around in the conference and 2025 home opener. 

Rhode Island at Stony Brook Football

Two of last season's standout stories in CAA football, Rhode Island and Stony Brook, did not cross paths in 2024. Rhody dominated the Seawolves in both 2022 and 2023, though neither side looks much at all like it did in those seasons. 

That isn't to say there aren't some holdovers. 

Rams standout receiver Marquis Buchanan hauled in a 70-yard touchdown reception in the 2023 encounter at Meade Stadium, while FCS All-American linebacker and 2025 CAA Preseason Defensive Player of the Year AJ Pena posted a sack and forced a fumble. 

Both made impacts in Rhode Island's Week 1 rally against Campbell. Buchanan caught six passes for 167 yards with a touchdown, while Pena had seven tackles and a pass break-up. 

Plenty of players who will be new to Stony Brook also balled out in Week 1, including Rohan Davy delivering a sack vs. Campbell and Temple transfer running back Antwain Littleton Jr. carrying for two touchdowns.

Littleton's rushing provided a nice complement to veteran quarterback Devin Ferrell and the passing game, and while not on the pace that Malik Grant set last season with nearly 102 yards per contest, provided Rhody with the balance that offensive coordinator Mike Flanagan prefers. 

The Stony Brook offense, meanwhile, looks for a much better showing after it struggled to get off the blocks at San Diego State. The Aztecs held the Seawolves to just 96 yards of offense and only six first-down conversions. 

"It wasn't a winning performance on offense by any stretch of the imagination," Cosh said. "We've got to get better on that side of the ball, and we're excited for this week." 

Both Hampton transfer Chris Zellous and veteran Casey Case played about equal snaps at quarterbacks vs. SDSU, but neither found much success. All-America caliber running back Roland Dempster gained 49 yards on 14 carries, and in a more competitive should return to his triple-digit-yard form. 

Doing so against the Rhode Island defense is a tall challenge. 

While the Rams had hiccups initially vs. Campbell, URI locked down in the fourth quarter with three sacks down the stretch. The feisty finish set the tone for what Rhode Island can be all season. 

Saturday's marquee matchup could follow a similar trajectory; the Stony Brook defense is among the CAA's most talented across all three levels, and will keep the Seawolves in striking distance. Being able to keep pace with the Rams for 60 minutes if the Stony Brook offense cannot maintain possession is the big question for the home team. 

PREDICTION: Rhode Island 24, Stony Brook 14 

Maine at William & Mary Football

Maine has seen steady growth under the direction of alum Jordan Stevens. The Black Bears finished 5-7 a year ago, surpassing their win total from the previous two years combined. 

Maine had preseason Conference USA favorite Liberty deadlocked in the fourth quarter of Week 1, but could not overcome late turnovers. William & Mary's 23-21 loss at Furman followed a similar course, with the Tribe offense sputtering in the fourth quarter. 

William & Mary was forced to punt and turned the ball over on downs in the team's final three possessions. 

"It's doesn't help that the first possession we have, we throw an interception for a touchdown," Tribe coach William & Mary said. "But [quarterback Tyler Hughes] came back and played fairly decent...His ability to use his legs, his arms, was evident." 

Hughes finished with 208 yards passing and 57 rushing, scoring touchdowns both ways. Saturday's contest at Zable Stadium will be defined by dual-threat quarterbacking, as Carter Peevy leads Maine in looking for a breakout on that side of the ball. 

Peevy was limited in both phases at Liberty, finishing on the negative side of the rushing ledger while facing consistently heavy pressure. An always aggressive William & Mary defense is unlikely to provide any breathing room, but Peevy's ability to connect with his receivers will be crucial. 

He finished just 13-of-31 at Liberty, well off the 67 percent completion rate he hit throughout 2024. Producing closer to that rate, while Maine continues to build off of running back Sincere Gaines' 118-yard debut, will be critical. 

And, easier said than done. William & Mary produced three sacks at Furman and rendered the Paladins' run game a non-factor at 46 total yards. Cornell transfer linebacker Luke Banbury was all over the field for the Tribe, looking poised to be the program's latest breakout defensive star. 

Maine's Christian Thomas was equally as effective in Week 1 with 15 tackles. Shades of the Black Hole Defense were evident as Maine only yielded to Liberty when giving up short fields. That puts a huge onus on the offense to step up, for both teams, in Week 2. 

PREDICTION: William & Mary 14, Maine 13 

Holy Cross at New Hampshire Football

The New Hampshire defense stepped up for the final nine minutes-plus last season to preserve a 21-20 win at Holy Cross. The two teams renew their regional affair on Saturday in Durham, with the host Wildcats looking for their second marquee non-conference win in as many contests. 

New Hampshire showed impressive flashes on both sides of the ball at North Carolina Central in Week 1, particularly defensively. Despite losing a host of standouts on that side of the ball, the Wildcats limited NCCU to 3-of-13 on third downs and just 4.4 yards per play. 

Justice Akinmoladun, Zach Garron, and Darren Burton all produced sacks, and Raleigh Collins III picked off a pass. The collection of Wildcats stepping up into more prominent roles bodes well for UNH contending for a CAA championship — especially if quarterback Matt Vezza builds off of his strong start. 

UNH coach Rick Santos played his Week 1 starting decision close to the vest, with both returning reserve Vezza and the Wingate transfer, Brooks Bentley, vying for the job. Vezza won it and validated the decision with 186 yards and two touchdowns on just 10 completions. 

Denin Limouris was on the receiving end of one of those scores, pointing to UNH's recent tradition of outstanding pass-catching tight end play continuing into 2025. 

The Wildcats look to keep rolling against a Holy Cross team playing its second road game in as many weeks. The Crusaders dropped a wild Week 1 decision at Northern Illinois, 19-17, in which 27 of the 36 total points scored came in the fourth quarter. 

Holy Cross' defense came to play in Rockford, holding NIU to 3.7 yards per rush and only 109 passing yards. The key question is if the Crusaders' offense was simply stymied by a better defense or facing more exploitable question marks. 

In its first year after Bob Chesney's departure for James Madison, Holy Cross regrouped nicely offensively to average 27.6 points per game. In three games against CAA competition — including in a one-point loss to New Hampshire — the Crusaders hit right at their average. Scoring 43 points in the lone win, a defeat of Bryant, helped. 

Saturday is a big spot for the Illinois transfer Cal Swanson to step up for Holy Cross. Another performance from the UNH defense akin to last Saturday, however, will leave the Crusaders in a tough spot. 

PREDICTION: New Hampshire 28, Holy Cross 17 

How To Watch No. 9 Rhode Island vs Stony Brook Football Free Stream

Check back soon for the free stream on the FloFootball YouTube channel.

How To Watch Rhode Island vs. Stony Brook

Rhode Island vs. Stony Brook can be streamed exclusively on FloCollege. Subscribe here to watch live and on-demand all season long!

Coverage of the game will begin promptly at 6:00 p.m ET on Sept 6. 

How To Watch Rhode Island Rams Football In 2025

FloCollege is the home of CAA Football, and all Rhode Island Rams home games and conference games will be aired on FloCollege. All times are in Eastern Time. 

• August 29 - vs. Campbell - W, 31-20
• September 6 - 6:00 p.m. - at Stony Brook* - FloCollege
• September 13 - TBA - vs. Holy Cross - ESPN+
• September 20 - 6:00 p.m. - vs. LIU - FloCollege
• September 27 - TBA - at Western Michigan - ESPN+
• October 4 - TBA - vs. Brown - ESPN+
• October 11 - 1:00 p.m. - at New Hampshire* - FloCollege
• October 18 - 3:30 p.m. - vs. UAlbany* - FloCollege
• October 25 - 1:00 p.m. - at Bryant*
• November 8 - 2:00 p.m. - at Elon* - FloCollege
• November 15 - 1:00 p.m. - vs. Maine* - FloCollege
• November 22 - 1:00 p.m. - at Hampton* - FloCollege

How To Watch Stony Brook Seawolves Football In 2025

FloCollege is the home of CAA Football, and all Stony Brook Seawolves home games and conference games will be aired on FloCollege. All times are in Eastern Time. 

• August 28 - at San Diego State - L, 0-42
• September 6 - 6:00 p.m. - vs. Rhode Island* - FloCollege
• September 13 - 3:30 p.m. - vs. Fordham - FloCollege
• September 20 - 7:00 p.m. - at Lindenwood - ESPN+
• September 27 - 3:30 p.m. - vs. Merrimack - FloCollege
• October 4 - 3:30 p.m. - at UAlbany* - FloCollege
• October 18 - 1:00 p.m. - at Monmouth* - FloCollege
• October 25 - 3:30 p.m. - vs. Towson* - FloCollege
• November 1 - 1:00 p.m. - at Maine* - FloCollege
• November 8 - 12:00 p.m. - vs. North Carolina A&T* - FloCollege
• November 15 - 1:00 p.m. - at Villanova* - FloCollege
• November 22 - 12:00 p.m. - vs. Bryant* - FloCollege

2025 AFCA Coaches FCS Preseason Poll

1. North Dakota State
2. Montana State
3. South Dakota State
4. UIW
5. South Dakota
6. Illinois State
7. UC Davis
8. Tarleton State
9. Montana
10. Rhode Island
11. Mercer
12. Idaho
13. Villanova
14. Sacramento State
15. Lehigh
16. Abilene Christian
17. Jackson State
18. Northern Arizona
19. Western Carolina
20. Southern Illinois
21. Monmouth
22. Richmond
23. Tennessee Tech
24. Stephen F. Austin
25. Stony Brook

2025 CAA Football Predicted Finish

(Selected by a vote of Head Coaches)

1. Rhode Island (8 first-place votes)                163
2. Monmouth (4 first-place votes)                    142
3. Villanova (2 first-place votes)                       139
4. Stony Brook                                                  125
5. UNH                                                              119
6. Towson                                                          108
7. William & Mary                                              104
8. Elon                                                                  98
9. Maine                                                             71
10. Campbell                                                        53
11. Hampton                                                         50
12. UAlbany                                                          47
13. Bryant                                                             32
14. North Carolina A&T                                         23

Archived Footage On FloCollege

Video footage from all events will be archived and stored in a video library for FloCollege subscribers to watch for the duration of their subscription.

Join The College Football Conversation

• Follow us on Twitter @FloCollegeFB
• Follow us on Instagram @FloCollegeFootball
• Like us on Facebook