By Grant Ashworth | CAC Network
The Continental Athletic Conference went 4–4 in Week 2, but the record hardly tells the full story.
Coronado Maritime survived a double-overtime classic in Philadelphia, York Tech earned a conference road win, and both Keweenaw Tech and High Plains Tech overwhelmed FCS opponents. Elsewhere, three CAC programs carried halftime leads against established FBS competition, while Lake Superior State pushed Clemson deep into the fourth quarter.
The game of the week delivered.
Philadelphia Tech controlled the opening stages, leading 10–0 after the first quarter and 20–17 at halftime. Coronado eventually fought back, scoring seven points in the fourth quarter to force overtime.
Two overtime periods later, the Admirals converted the decisive two-point attempt and escaped with a 42–40 victory.
The numbers reflected how little separated the teams. Coronado finished with 472 yards of offense to Philadelphia Tech’s 467, while both teams committed two turnovers.
Admirals quarterback Alex McQuiston completed 25 of 39 passes for 304 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. James McMichael powered the ground game with 155 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries, including a 51-yard run.
Scott Glennon caught eight passes for 74 yards and two touchdowns, while Donnie Shelley added five receptions for 90 yards.
Defensively, Brendan Driver recorded two sacks. Dave Byron added an interception and a pass breakup, while strong safety Alex Loiseau forced and recovered a fumble.
Philadelphia Tech quarterback Kevin Wells completed 28 of 43 attempts for 270 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. Scott Wall carried 21 times for 141 yards, and Konrad Van Manen caught 10 passes for 111 yards and two touchdowns.
Jeff Daniels delivered a massive defensive performance for the Iron Horses, finishing with 15 tackles, an interception and a pass breakup. Defensive tackle Mitchell Eagles added two sacks.
Acadia State appeared ready to collect a major road victory after building a 17–7 halftime advantage, but Temple controlled the second half.
The Owls outscored the Mainiacs 20–3 after halftime, including 13 unanswered points in the fourth quarter, to complete the comeback.
Acadia narrowly won the yardage battle, 352–349, and neither team committed a turnover.
John McCourt completed 15 of 34 passes for 255 yards and one touchdown. Johnny Kuberski added 87 rushing yards and a score, while Colin Scioli caught six passes for 113 yards.
Jeremy Vernon recorded two tackles for loss, including one sack, during an otherwise quiet afternoon for the Acadia defense.
Keweenaw Tech left no doubt in Week 2.
The Owls led 10–0 after the first quarter and 34–0 at halftime before completing a 55–7 demolition. Keweenaw accumulated 615 yards of offense without committing a turnover.
Vince Parker threw for 350 yards and three touchdowns, completing 28 of 41 attempts. Emmett LeCounte rushed 16 times for 118 yards.
JT Silvestro produced 111 receiving yards and two touchdowns, while tight end Corbin Thomas caught seven passes for 92 yards and a score.
There was no singular statistical star on defense, but the unit’s collective performance was dominant from beginning to end.
Carolina State’s trip to Auburn unraveled quickly.
The Tigers raced out to a 17–0 first-quarter lead and carried a 27–10 advantage into halftime before finishing off a 44–18 victory.
The Shiners nearly matched Auburn’s offensive production, gaining 435 yards to the Tigers’ 444. The decisive difference was Carolina State’s five turnovers.
Brian Best threw for 299 yards and one touchdown but was intercepted five times. Sam Mixon led the Shiners with eight catches for 95 yards and a touchdown.
Defensive tackle Joey Gooden recorded two sacks for Carolina State.
High Plains Tech produced one of the conference’s most complete performances.
The Storm led 24–7 after the first quarter and 37–10 at halftime on their way to a 50–17 victory. High Plains finished with 519 yards of offense and did not commit a turnover.
Howie Mundy completed 21 of 34 passes for 264 yards and three touchdowns without an interception. He also added a rushing touchdown.
Derek Peters carried 18 times for 141 yards, while the receiving production was distributed throughout the offense.
Defensively, Carrie McGinnis recorded an interception and broke up two additional passes.
Lake Superior State refused to disappear after a disastrous opening half at Clemson.
The Berserkers trailed 21–3 after the first quarter and 34–10 at halftime. They responded with 14 third-quarter points to cut the deficit to 10, but Clemson matched Lake Superior’s 10 points in the fourth quarter to preserve a 44–34 victory.
Clemson outgained the Berserkers 542–508, but Lake Superior State played turnover-free football.
Brian Cantrell completed 36 of 53 attempts for 391 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. Austin Holberg caught 11 passes for 148 yards and a touchdown, while Gabe Hooey added nine receptions for 108 yards and two scores.
Dylan Nielsen recorded an interception for the Berserkers.
York Tech earned an important conference victory on the road.
The Oystermen jumped out to a 13–0 first-quarter lead and held a 20–10 advantage at halftime. Territorial State scored 14 points in the fourth quarter, but its comeback attempt ultimately fell short.
York Tech outgained the Dealers 478–386 and played turnover-free football. Territorial State committed the game’s only turnover.
York quarterback Spencer Kelemete completed 16 of 21 passes for 183 yards and a touchdown. Devin Hicks led the offense with 149 rushing yards and a score on 20 carries.
Phil Morton recorded 12 tackles, including one tackle for loss. Defensive tackle Domesco added a sack, and Shane Alexis intercepted a pass.
For Territorial State, Erik Stevens completed 21 of 30 attempts for 271 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Defensive tackle Randy Wozniak recorded two tackles for loss and a sack.
Daytona Beach Tech carried a 17–14 lead into halftime against the nation’s eighth-ranked team, but LSU took control after the break.
The Tigers scored 24 second-half points to secure a 38–24 victory. LSU finished with 509 yards of offense to Daytona Beach Tech’s 374, while the Daredevils committed one turnover.
Justice Nesbit completed 19 of 27 passes for 253 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Aiden Spielman caught five passes for 61 yards and both Daytona Beach touchdowns.
TJ Daniels and Drew Murphy each recorded 10 tackles. Carsten Van Ness added two tackles for loss, including one sack.
Offensive Stars
⭐Brian Cantrell — Quarterback, Lake Superior State
36-of-53 passing, 391 yards, 3 touchdowns, 0 interceptions
21-of-34 passing, 264 yards, 3 passing touchdowns, 1 rushing touchdown, 0 interceptions
⭐⭐⭐James McMichael — Halfback, Coronado Maritime
19 carries, 155 rushing yards, 1 touchdown
Defensive Stars
⭐Jeff Daniels — Linebacker, Philadelphia Tech
15 tackles, 1 interception, 1 pass breakup
⭐⭐Alex Loiseau — Strong Safety, Coronado Maritime
1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery
2 sacks
Carolina State has secured the first three-star verbal commitment in CAC history.
Akeem Adongo, a 5-foot-8, 202-pound halfback from Henderson, South Carolina, has verbally committed to the Shiners. Adongo is classified as a “contact seeker” and received 35 NIL points from Carolina State.
Coronado Maritime and Lake Charles State have also secured one two-star commitment apiece. No other CAC program currently has a commitment.
It remains an extremely early recruiting board, but Carolina State now owns an important piece of conference history.
Conference play takes another step forward in Week 3.
Territorial State travels north to face Lake Superior State, while Blue Ridge State hosts Coronado Maritime. Carolina State visits Philadelphia Tech in another matchup between programs trying to respond after difficult Week 2 results.
Daytona Beach Tech travels to York Tech, and Lake Charles State returns from its open week to host an FCS opponent from the Southeast.
Three CAC programs will test themselves against ranked opposition: High Plains Tech visits No. 23 Missouri, while Keweenaw Tech travels to No. 24 TCU.
Acadia State has the week off.