CAC Week 4: Mainiacs Take Control, Owls Break Through Against Virginia

By Grant Ashworth, CAC Network

Week 4 delivered statement wins throughout the Continental Athletic Conference.

Acadia State seized control of the early conference race by surviving Carolina State. Keweenaw Tech earned the CAC’s biggest victory over a ranked opponent yet. Coronado Maritime and Daytona Beach Tech combined for 83 points, while Blue Ridge State used timely defense and a 61-yard field goal to put away York Tech.

Week 4 Scoreboard

• Acadia State 34, Carolina State 28
• Territorial State 28, Western Kentucky 21
• Lake Charles State 34, Lake Superior State 21
• Keweenaw Tech 38, Virginia 28
• Coronado Maritime 45, Daytona Beach Tech 38
• Blue Ridge State 37, York Tech 27

Mainiacs Win Conference Showdown

Acadia State 34, Carolina State 28

Carolina State produced more offense in their special "Copper Still edition Uniforms" but Acadia State produced the plays that mattered most.

The Mainiacs defeated the Shiners 34–28 to improve to 3–1 overall and 2–0 in conference play. Carolina State dropped to 1–4 overall and 0–2 in the CAC.

Acadia led 14–7 after the opening quarter before Carolina State pulled even by halftime. The Mainiacs responded with 20 second-half points to secure the victory despite being outgained 503–430.

John McCourt completed 19 of 36 attempts for 281 yards and three touchdowns. Johnny Kuberski added 118 rushing yards, while three different Acadia receivers caught touchdown passes. No Mainiacs receiver finished with more than four catches, illustrating how effectively McCourt distributed the football.

Damon Kacyvenski delivered the game’s defining defensive play. The cornerback recorded 10 tackles and intercepted Brian Best for Carolina State’s only turnover. Scott Hirschberger and Levi Ricketts each finished with 11 tackles and helped disrupt the Shiners’ passing attack with multiple breakups.

Best threw for 385 yards and a touchdown on 28-of-58 passing, but his interception proved costly. Colin Farwell scored two more rushing touchdowns and finished with 78 yards on the ground. Matt Holiday led the receivers with 122 yards and a touchdown.

Mike Schumacher paced the Carolina State defense with seven tackles, including one tackle for loss.

The Shiners moved the football all afternoon. Acadia simply made more winning plays.

Dealers Survive Western Kentucky Rally

Territorial State 28, Western Kentucky 21

Territorial State built a 21–7 halftime advantage, watched Western Kentucky erase it, and then responded when the game demanded one final drive.

With the score tied and fewer than two minutes remaining, the Dealers scored the decisive touchdown to earn a 28–21 victory. Territorial State improved to 3–2 overall and remained 1–1 in the CAC.

Western Kentucky outgained the Dealers 416–269, but three turnovers prevented the Hilltoppers from completing their comeback.

Erik Stevens completed 8 of 17 passes for 89 yards and one touchdown. Territorial leaned heavily on its backfield, with Taylor Schuening gaining 95 yards and scoring once on 13 carries. Pat Presley carried 20 times for 77 yards and two touchdowns.

Kyle Orlovsky was the difference on defense. He collected two interceptions and six tackles, helping Territorial State overcome the substantial yardage deficit and escape with its third victory.

Trawlers Win the Battle of the Lakes

Lake Charles State 34, Lake Superior State 21

Lake Charles State protected the football and finished its drives in a 34–21 victory over Lake Superior State.

Only seven yards separated the offenses, with the Trawlers holding a narrow 342–335 advantage. The larger difference appeared in the turnover column. Lake Charles State committed none, while Lake Superior lost the ball once.

Mike Walter completed 22 of 33 attempts for 224 yards and two touchdowns. Jordan Keenoy added 72 rushing yards and scored twice. Nathan O’Grady became Walter’s leading target, catching 10 passes for 91 yards and a touchdown.

Strong safety Dorian Boone led the Trawlers with eight total tackles.

Bryson Cantrell threw for 300 yards and a touchdown on 26-of-43 passing for Lake Superior. However, the Berserkers never established their rushing attack. Cantrell led the team with only 19 yards on the ground.

Gabe Huey continued his strong season with five receptions for 107 yards, while Joshua Doss caught Lake Superior’s lone passing touchdown.

Owls Earn Statement Win Over Ranked Virginia

Keweenaw Tech 38, Virginia 28

Keweenaw Tech has its national statement.

The Owls defeated ranked Virginia 38–28 to improve to 3–1, building a 17–7 halftime lead before holding off the Cavaliers in the second half.

Keweenaw Tech outgained Virginia 467–429 despite committing the game’s only turnover.

Vince Parker was the engine of the Owls’ offense. He completed 26 of 40 passes for 311 yards and two touchdowns, then led the team with 88 rushing yards and another score. His afternoon included a 69-yard touchdown run that displayed a different dimension of his game.

Colin Radovich produced one of the conference’s best receiving performances of the season. The junior caught 10 passes for 167 yards and both of Parker’s passing touchdowns.

Keweenaw’s defense generated pressure throughout the game, with Jeremiah Cruz and Dylan Carney among several Owls to record a sack.

The CAC has been searching for signature victories during its inaugural season. Keweenaw Tech just delivered one.

Admirals Win 83-Point Shootout

Coronado Maritime 45, Daytona Beach Tech 38

Coronado Maritime and Daytona Beach Tech traded scores throughout the afternoon, but the Admirals found the final separation in a 45–38 victory.

Coronado led 24–21 at halftime and outscored Daytona Beach Tech 14–10 in the fourth quarter. The Admirals finished with 559 yards of offense against 461 for the Daredevils and did not commit a turnover. Daytona Beach turned the ball over once.

Alex McQiston threw for 362 yards and two touchdowns. James McMichael powered the rushing attack with 166 yards and two scores, while Addison Westbrook added another two touchdowns.

Scott Glennon dominated on the outside, catching 10 passes for 180 yards and a touchdown.

TJ DeMarco led the Admirals with 10 tackles, including one tackle for loss. Ross MacArthur added two tackles for loss.

Justice Nesbitt kept Daytona Beach Tech within striking distance, completing 24 of 34 passes for 332 yards and two touchdowns while adding a rushing score. Bruce Isaac ran 18 times for 99 yards and a touchdown.

Aiden Spielman continued his outstanding season with eight catches for 141 yards and a touchdown. David Thompson recorded 12 tackles and a pass breakup for the Daredevils.

Wayfinders Pull Away From Oystermen

Blue Ridge State 37, York Tech 27

Blue Ridge State fell behind early, controlled the middle quarters and used two interceptions to finish a 37–27 victory over York Tech.

The Oystermen led 14–13 after the first quarter, but the Wayfinders carried a 24–14 advantage into halftime. York Tech was held scoreless throughout the second and third quarters as Blue Ridge State gradually took command.

The Wayfinders outgained the Oystermen 391–365 and won the turnover battle 2–0.

Terry Fowler earned Player of the Game honors after throwing for 182 yards and a touchdown on 15-of-25 passing. He also rushed for 50 yards.

Trent Weinstein gained 63 yards and scored twice on the ground. Jones Camp added 62 rushing yards and another touchdown. Tight end Troy Schmidt led the Wayfinders with four receptions for 58 yards and a score.

Kevin O’Connor recorded five tackles, an interception and a pass breakup. Ben Sweat delivered four tackles, three tackles for loss and an interception.

Kicker John Feeney provided one of the afternoon’s biggest moments. The freshman finished 3-for-3 on field goals, including a 61-yard kick that extended Blue Ridge State’s lead to 10 points in the third quarter.

For York Tech, Spencer Klemente completed 13 of 22 passes for 213 yards and two touchdowns, but his two interceptions proved costly. Devin Hicks rushed for 114 yards and a touchdown, including a 51-yard scoring run. Jeremiah Greason caught four passes for 92 yards and a touchdown.

Tommy Sampson led the Oystermen with eight tackles and one tackle for loss. Glenn Byrne added seven tackles and two tackles for loss.

Blue Ridge State improved to 2–1. York Tech fell to 3–2 overall and 2–2 in conference play.

CAC Three Stars

Offensive Three Stars

⭐ Alex McQuiston, QB, Coronado Maritime
362 passing yards and two touchdowns in a 45–38 victory over Daytona Beach Tech.

⭐⭐ Vince Parker, QB, Keweenaw Tech
311 passing yards, 88 rushing yards and three total touchdowns against ranked Virginia.

⭐⭐⭐ Colin Radovich, WR, Keweenaw Tech
10 receptions, 167 yards and two touchdowns in the Owls’ statement victory.

Defensive Three Stars

⭐ Ben Sweat, DB, Blue Ridge State
Four tackles, three tackles for loss and an interception against York Tech.

⭐⭐ Kyle Orlovsky, DB, Territorial State
Six tackles and two interceptions in a seven-point victory over Western Kentucky.

⭐⭐⭐ Gordon Arnoux, SAM, Acadia State
Eight tackles and four pass breakups in Acadia State’s conference victory over Carolina State.

Recruiting Report: Wayfinders Land First Commitment

Blue Ridge State has entered the recruiting race.

Three-star defensive tackle Frederick Owens of Cleveland, Tennessee, gave his verbal commitment to the Wayfinders. Owens is a pure-power interior defender whose 85 strength rating and workhorse mentality immediately attracted Coach C’s attention.

Owens becomes the first member of Blue Ridge State’s inaugural recruiting class.

Lake Superior State currently leads the CAC with three three-star commitments and 170 NIL points committed. Carolina State has invested 110 NIL points into a class featuring two three-star prospects and one two-star prospect.

It remains early, but the CAC’s first recruiting battle is beginning to take shape.

Grant’s Week 5 Game of the Week

Philadelphia Tech at Territorial State

Two 1–1 conference teams enter. Only one leaves positioned to become a serious factor in the CAC race.

Philadelphia Tech has had extra time to prepare. Territorial State has momentum, a productive backfield and a defense capable of changing games through takeaways.

Under the Monday night lights in New Mexico, Week 5 closes with its most consequential matchup.

Other Week 5 Games to Watch

All lines are Grant Ashworth projections.

Lake Charles State at York Tech

Projected line: York Tech -2.5
Projected total: 55.5

Lake Charles State enters at 2–1 overall and 1–0 in the CAC. York Tech is 3–2 overall and 2–2 in conference play. The Trawlers are coming off a clean, turnover-free performance, while York must regroup after surrendering two interceptions against Blue Ridge State.

Grant’s Guess: Lake Charles State

The Trawlers’ ability to protect the football travels. Lake Charles State wins a close one at the Shuckhouse.

East Carolina at Blue Ridge State

Projected line: Blue Ridge State -3.5
Projected total: 52.5

Blue Ridge State’s defense created two turnovers in Week 4, and John Feeney gives the Wayfinders legitimate scoring range whenever they cross midfield.

Grant’s Guess: Blue Ridge State

The Wayfinders improve to 3–1 behind another balanced performance and a key contribution from special teams.

Coronado Maritime at Carolina State

Projected line: Coronado Maritime -6.5
Projected total: 68.5

Carolina State is still searching for its first conference victory. The Shiners generated 503 yards against Acadia State, but now must contend with a Coronado offense that just produced 559 yards and 45 points.

Grant’s Guess: Coronado Maritime

Expect another high-scoring afternoon. Carolina State moves the football, but the Admirals have too many answers.

Philadelphia Tech at Territorial State

Projected line: Territorial State -2.5
Projected total: 54.5

Philadelphia Tech returns from its bye at 2–2 overall and 1–1 in the CAC. Territorial State enters Monday night at 3–2 overall and 1–1 in conference play after surviving Western Kentucky.

The Dealers’ rushing tandem of Taylor Schuening and Pat Presley meets an Iron Horses team with an opportunity to reenter the center of the conference race.

Grant’s Guess: Territorial State

The Dealers ride their running game and home-field advantage to a narrow Monday night victory.