Acadia State and Daytona Beach Tech rallied for statement victories, High Plains Tech overwhelmed South Alabama, and the CAC nearly took down a nationally ranked opponent.

By Grant Ashworth | CAC Network

The Continental Athletic Conference didn’t need long to announce itself.

Five CAC programs opened their seasons with victories in Week 0, led by comeback wins over Illinois and Baylor, a 40–14 Coronado Maritime rout and a staggering offensive performance from High Plains Tech. Even in defeat, Carolina State, Territorial State and Lake Superior State carried legitimate chances to win into the closing stages.

It was competitive, unpredictable and occasionally heartbreaking.

In other words, it was exactly the opening weekend the CAC promised.

Week 0 results

• James Madison 38, Carolina State 35
• Daytona Beach Tech 31, Baylor 28
• Acadia State 31, Illinois 28
• Coronado Maritime 40, FIU 14
• York Tech 31, UNLV 26
• Appalachian State 17, Philadelphia Tech 14
• High Plains Tech 48, South Alabama 9
• North Dakota State 27, Territorial State 24 — OT
• No. 21 Houston 35, Lake Superior State 28

Byes: Blue Ridge State, Keweenaw Tech and Lake Charles State

Acadia earns the summit against Illinois

Acadia State entered the fourth quarter trailing Illinois 28–24. The Mainiacs left it with the first major victory of their CAC era.

John McCord completed 21 of 30 passes for 323 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions, leading Acadia to a 31–28 comeback victory. The Mainiacs finished with a narrow 391–385 advantage in total offense.

Gage Lehan provided 120 receiving yards, while Collins Scoli caught six passes for 85 yards and two touchdowns. Defensively, Jordan Arnault led Acadia with 10 tackles. Hayden Bickley, Jeremy Vernon and Nick Hoffman each recorded two tackles for loss.

Acadia’s reward is an immediate step into the conference spotlight. The Mainiacs will face 1–0 Coronado Maritime in the CAC Network Game of the Week.

#5 Gabe McCadam was huge for the DareDevils, delivering 7 total tackles and an INT return for a touchdown in the win

Daytona Beach delivers a furious finish

Daytona Beach Tech and Baylor entered halftime tied 7–7. By the fourth quarter, the Daredevils’ offense was ready to explode.

Daytona Beach scored 17 points in the final period to complete a 31–28 comeback victory. Baylor narrowly won the yardage battle, but the Daredevils produced the decisive plays when the game tightened.

Quarterback Justice Nesbitt completed 20 of 29 passes for 310 yards and three touchdowns. Dane Jordan emerged as his primary big-play target, catching five passes for 134 yards and two scores.

Tucker McCrae, David Thompson and Gabe McAdam each recorded seven tackles for the Daytona Beach defense.

The Daredevils face an FCS opponent in Week 1 with an opportunity to start 2–0.

High Plains unleashes the Storm

No CAC team was more dominant in Week 0 than High Plains Tech.

The Storm outgained South Alabama 516–270 and rolled to a 48–9 victory behind an exceptionally efficient performance from Howie Mundy. The High Plains quarterback completed 19 of 22 passes for 313 yards and three touchdowns.

Derek Peters added 119 rushing yards and a touchdown. Brendan Durant recorded 110 receiving yards and a score, while Connor Emory turned 80 receiving yards into two touchdowns.

The defense didn’t require a collection of sacks or negative plays to control the game. High Plains finished without a sack and recorded only two tackles for loss, yet still held South Alabama to nine points.

The Storm will try to carry that complete performance into Week 1 against Sam Houston.

Coronado turns takeaways into a rout

FIU outgained Coronado Maritime by approximately 50 yards. It made little difference on the scoreboard.

The Admirals never trailed in a 40–14 victory, combining 188 rushing yards with five touchdown passes from their quarterback. James McMichael led the ground game with 120 yards, while Scott Glennon and Nick Stick each caught two touchdown passes.

Defensively, Barry Calcaterra recovered two fumbles while recording eight tackles, one tackle for loss, one pass breakup and a forced fumble. That performance earned him the official Defensive Player of the Week award.

Max Thurber added two interceptions, while Evan Husman and Ross McCarthur each finished with two tackles for loss.

Coronado now turns toward Acadia State and one of Week 1’s most intriguing matchups: the Admirals’ opportunistic defense against a Mainiacs offense coming off a four-touchdown performance from McCord.

Five touchdowns aren’t enough for Carolina State

Colin Farwell delivered the most remarkable individual performance of the weekend. Unfortunately for Carolina State, it came in a loss.

Farwell carried 18 times for 87 yards and scored all five Shiners touchdowns, earning official Offensive Player of the Week honors. But James Madison never trailed and outgained Carolina State 554–373 on the way to a 38–35 victory.

Brian Best completed 17 of 33 passes for 235 yards, while Matt Holiday recorded 102 receiving yards.

The Carolina State defense spent much of the game under pressure, but Zach Reevis produced a tremendous individual effort with 15 tackles and an interception. Michael Schumacher added 12 tackles.

The Shiners leave Week 0 at 0–1, but Farwell’s five-touchdown performance provides plenty of evidence that this offense can be dangerous. Carolina State faces an FCS opponent in Week 1.

York Tech controls UNLV

York Tech never trailed in its 31–26 victory over UNLV.

The Oystermen led 24–10 at halftime and finished with a 480–359 advantage in total offense. UNLV scored 13 points in the fourth quarter, but York prevented the comeback from being completed.

Spencer Clementi threw for 289 yards and a touchdown. Devin Hicks added 127 rushing yards and a score, while Dom Mesco recorded two sacks for the York Tech defense.

The Oystermen now host Keweenaw Tech at noon on September 5 in the first conference game in CAC history.

The Shuckhouse gets the first one.

Three losses that will be difficult to forget

Philadelphia Tech, Territorial State and Lake Superior State each left Week 0 knowing the result could have gone differently.

The Iron Horses outgained Appalachian State 437–300 but lost 17–14. Kevin Wells threw for 245 yards but finished without a passing touchdown and was intercepted twice. He added 80 rushing yards and a touchdown. Levi Robinson led the Philadelphia Tech defense with nine tackles, two tackles for loss and one sack.

Philadelphia Tech has a Week 1 bye.

Territorial State’s defeat was even more painful. The Dealers led North Dakota State 24–10 in the fourth quarter before surrendering 14 unanswered points and eventually falling 27–24 in overtime.

Pat Presley rushed for 146 yards and a touchdown while breaking eight tackles. Randy Wozniak repeatedly disrupted the North Dakota State offense, recording three sacks and five tackles for loss. Territorial State outgained the Bison by more than 100 yards but couldn’t close the game.

The Dealers face FCS Southeast in Week 1.

Lake Superior State also watched a fourth-quarter lead disappear. The Berserkers entered the final period leading No. 21 Houston 28–21, only for the Cougars to score the game’s final 14 points and win 35–28.

Bryson Cantrell threw for 374 yards and two touchdowns, but his two interceptions proved costly. Ethan Van Ginkle recorded 117 receiving yards, Gabe Huey had 76 yards and a touchdown, and Austin Holberg added 63 yards and a score.

King Cobb led the defense with nine tackles. Tony Westovic forced and recovered a fumble.

Lake Superior State faces an FCS opponent in Week 1.

Week 0 final word

The CAC finished its first weekend 5–4 in nonconference competition.

Acadia State and Daytona Beach Tech demonstrated that they can finish close games. High Plains Tech looked overwhelming. Coronado Maritime showed how quickly its defense can change a contest. York Tech handled its business before the conference opener.

Four CAC teams remain untouched. Keweenaw Tech, Lake Charles State and Blue Ridge State were idle in Week 0, while Philadelphia Tech steps away for a Week 1 bye.

The first conference game is next. So is the first CAC Network Game of the Week.

Week 0 introduced the teams. Week 1 begins defining them.

Grant’s Games to Watch: Week 1

Acadia State vs. Coronado Maritime

CAC Network Game of the Week

Something has to give.

Acadia State arrives after John McCord threw four touchdowns in a comeback victory over Illinois. Coronado Maritime counters with a defense that forced four takeaways against FIU.

The matchup to watch is clear: Acadia’s aggressive passing attack against an Admirals defense that just proved it can change a game without controlling the yardage.

Keweenaw Tech at York Tech

The first conference game in CAC history

The CAC standings officially begin at the Shuckhouse.

York Tech enters at 1–0 after outgaining UNLV by 121 yards. Keweenaw Tech arrives rested after a Week 0 bye and now gets the opportunity to win the conference’s first-ever league game.

Beyond the history, it’s an immediate clash of identities: York’s polished, physical approach against the Owls’ air raid.

Appalachian State at Blue Ridge State

The Wayfinders make their debut

Appalachian State has already spoiled one CAC opener, beating Philadelphia Tech despite being outgained 437–300. Now the Mountaineers travel to Pisgah to welcome Blue Ridge State to the season.

The Wayfinders finally step onto the field—and they do it against a 1–0 opponent that has already demonstrated its ability to survive an ugly game.

Grant’s Wild Card: Lake Charles State at Mississippi State

There is no gentle introduction waiting for the Trawlers.

Lake Charles State opens its season on the road against Mississippi State, with both programs playing their first game of the year.

Bright colors, run-and-shoot football and one immediate SEC-sized test: welcome to the season, Lake Charles.

— Grant Ashworth, CAC Network

3 Stars: Offensive

• ⭐ Colin Farwell, Carolina State
  18 carries | 87 yards | 5 rushing touchdowns

   

• ⭐ John McCord, Acadia State
  21-of-30 | 323 yards | 4 touchdowns | 0 interceptions

   

• ⭐ Howie Mundy, High Plains Tech
  19-of-22 | 313 yards | 3 touchdowns

3 Stars: Defensive 

• ⭐ Barry Calcaterra, Coronado Maritime
  8 tackles | 1 TFL | 1 PBU | 1 forced fumble | 2 recoveries

   

• ⭐ Max Thurber, Coronado Maritime
  2 interceptions

   

• ⭐ Randy Wozniak, Territorial State
  3 sacks | 5 tackles for loss