By Grant Ashworth, CAC Network
Week 3 delivered the deepest slate of the CAC season so far.
Keweenaw Tech earned the conference’s biggest nonconference victory with a dominant 45–20 performance against TCU. Inside the CAC, Coronado Maritime survived a 35-point challenge from Blue Ridge State, Philadelphia Tech rallied past Carolina State, Daytona Beach Tech escaped York, and Territorial State stunned Lake Superior with a 53-yard field goal.
Six of the conference’s teams will meet in three CAC matchups next week, including a showdown between 3–1 Daytona Beach Tech and 3–1 Coronado Maritime in Grant’s Game of the Week.
| Away | Score | Home | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Territorial State | 23 | Lake Superior State | 20 |
| FCS Southeast | 10 | Lake Charles State | 44 |
| York Tech | 28 | Daytona Beach Tech | 32 |
| Carolina State | 24 | Philadelphia Tech | 27 |
| TCU | 20 | Keweenaw Tech | 45 |
| Blue Ridge State | 35 | Coronado Maritime | 42 |
| High Plains Tech | 17 | No. 21 Missouri | 35 |
Blue Ridge State entered halftime with a 14–13 advantage and appeared ready to take control when Andy Pope returned the opening kickoff of the second half 99 yards for a touchdown.
Instead, Coronado Maritime responded with a series of game-changing plays and escaped with a 42–35 conference victory.
The comeback began with Addison Westbrook. The Coronado running back broke a 75-yard touchdown run that shifted the momentum and pulled the Admirals back into the game. Westbrook finished with 179 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 16 carries, earning official CAC Offensive Player of the Week honors.
Blue Ridge quarterback Terry Fowler completed 19 of 27 passes for 216 yards and two touchdowns. He also scored on the ground, but an interception and a lost fumble proved costly.
Alex Loiseau returned Fowler’s interception 56 yards to set up a one-yard Coronado touchdown. On Blue Ridge’s next possession, Christian Largent recovered a fumble and returned it 29 yards for another Admirals score.
Coronado quarterback Alex McMichael completed 12 of 21 passes for 171 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.
The Wayfinders continued fighting behind a productive receiving performance. Madison Page caught six passes for 88 yards, while Sam Osgood recorded three catches for 60 yards and two touchdowns.
Dom Wayne led the Blue Ridge defense with 10 tackles and four tackles for loss. George Hopper added eight tackles and an interception.
Pope finished with 207 yards and a touchdown on seven kickoff returns, but Coronado’s two defensive takeaways ultimately decided the game.
Daytona Beach Tech jumped to a 14–0 lead after the first quarter and carried a 21–14 advantage into halftime.
York Tech fought back and took the lead in the fourth quarter, but the Daredevils answered with the winning touchdown to secure a 32–28 victory.
The Oystermen outgained Daytona Beach 432–405, but York committed the game’s only turnover.
Justice Nesbitt completed 14 of 21 passes for 202 yards and a touchdown for the Daredevils. Seth Littlejohn led the ground game with 117 rushing yards and a touchdown.
Chuck O’Shaughnessy recorded 11 tackles for Daytona Beach. Defensive tackle Troy Harris added two tackles for loss, while Gabe McAdam intercepted a pass and returned it 20 yards.
York quarterback Spencer Kelemete completed 12 of 22 passes for 219 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. His lone touchdown was a 75-yard connection with Jeremiah Greason.
Greason finished with five catches for 125 yards and a touchdown. Three different York running backs also scored on the ground.
Tommy Sampson led the Oystermen defense with 10 tackles and three tackles for loss.
The win moves Daytona Beach to 3–1 overall and 1–0 in conference play ahead of next week’s trip to Coronado.
Lake Superior State controlled the first half against Territorial State, building a 14–7 lead after the first quarter and taking a 17–14 advantage into halftime.
The Dealers stayed within striking distance before Brady Wheat delivered the biggest kick of the CAC season.
Wheat made three of his four field-goal attempts, including a 53-yard game-winner in the fourth quarter, to give Territorial State a 23–20 road victory.
Territorial State outgained Lake Superior 430–276 despite both teams committing two turnovers.
Taylor Schuening powered the Dealers with 135 rushing yards. Quarterback Erik Stevens completed 17 of 25 passes for 163 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.
Randy Wozniak continued his disruptive start to the season with another sack.
Lake Superior quarterback Bryson Cantrell struggled against the Dealers, completing 17 of 38 passes for 199 yards with two interceptions. Colin Meinerz rushed for 75 yards and a touchdown.
The Berserkers still produced the official CAC Defensive Player of the Week. Strong safety Dylan Nielsen recorded three tackles and returned an interception for a touchdown.
Middle linebacker Nick Ricci added 12 tackles, including one tackle for loss.
Carolina State held a 24–20 lead after three quarters, but Philadelphia Tech scored the decisive touchdown in the fourth to claim a 27–24 conference victory.
The Shiners outgained the Iron Horses 541–465 but committed two turnovers compared with one by Philadelphia Tech.
Both starting quarterbacks threw for exactly 322 yards.
Carolina State quarterback Brian Best completed 24 of 44 passes for 322 yards and a touchdown. Colin Farwell continued his strong start with 136 rushing yards and another touchdown.
Sam Mixon caught 10 passes for 117 yards and a score.
Zach Reeves recorded 10 tackles for the Shiners, while Michael Schumacher contributed five tackles and an interception.
Philadelphia Tech quarterback Kevin Wells completed 25 of 44 passes for 322 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. Martin Fisher caught six passes for 81 yards and scored both Philadelphia touchdowns through the air.
Bobby Wooleyhand delivered the defining defensive performance for the Iron Horses. He finished with four tackles, two pass breakups, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery.
Jeff Daniels added eight tackles and three pass breakups.
Philadelphia Tech’s defense surrendered 541 yards, but its ability to create one additional turnover gave the Iron Horses the opportunity they needed to complete the comeback.
Keweenaw Tech delivered one of the biggest nonconference victories in CAC history, defeating TCU 45–20 behind 549 yards of offense.
The Owls outgained the Horned Frogs 549–434 and committed only one turnover while forcing two.
Vince Parker completed 26 of 34 passes for 278 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed seven times for 70 yards, including a 62-yard touchdown run.
Emmett LeCounte added 117 rushing yards and two touchdowns, including two runs of at least 28 yards.
JT Selvestroke caught 11 passes for 113 yards. Corbin Thomas added 52 receiving yards and a touchdown.
Defensive tackle Charlie Geisinger recorded six tackles, three tackles for loss, and half a sack. Johnny Nole finished with eight tackles, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery.
The victory moves Keweenaw Tech to 2–1 as the Owls prepare to welcome unbeaten No. 23 Virginia in Week 4.
Lake Charles State produced 514 yards of offense without committing a turnover in a 44–10 victory over FCS Southeast.
The Trawlers led 17–3 at halftime before their reserves scored 20 points in the fourth quarter to extend the final margin.
Quarterback Mike Walter threw for 137 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for 66 yards and another score.
Jordan Kenoy led the ground attack with 134 yards and a touchdown. Two additional Lake Charles running backs exceeded 80 rushing yards as the Trawlers overwhelmed FCS Southeast on the ground.
Drew Cobbs recorded two tackles for loss and a sack for the Lake Charles defense. Clifton Parker added an interception.
Lake Charles enters Week 4 at 1–1 and will play its first CAC game against Lake Superior State.
High Plains Tech protected the football and generated 369 yards of offense, but No. 21 Missouri accumulated 503 yards in a 35–17 victory over the Storm.
High Plains quarterback Howie Mundy completed 21 of 38 passes for 304 yards and two touchdowns.
Brendan Durant caught six passes for 127 yards. Connor Emory added six receptions for 74 yards and a touchdown.
Kerry McGinnis led the Storm defense with seven tackles, one tackle for loss, an interception, and a pass breakup.
16 carries, 179 rushing yards, 3 touchdowns
Westbrook’s 75-yard touchdown run changed the momentum against Blue Ridge State. His three-touchdown performance earned him official CAC Offensive Player of the Week honors.
26-of-34 passing, 278 yards, 2 passing touchdowns; 7 carries, 70 yards, 1 rushing touchdown
Parker accounted for 348 total yards and three touchdowns in Keweenaw Tech’s 45–20 statement victory over TCU. His 62-yard touchdown run helped the Owls turn a competitive game into a rout.
25-of-44 passing, 322 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception
Wells threw both of his touchdown passes to Martin Fisher and led Philadelphia Tech’s fourth-quarter comeback against Carolina State.
3 tackles, 1 interception, 1 defensive touchdown
Nielsen returned an interception for a touchdown and earned official CAC Defensive Player of the Week honors despite Lake Superior’s narrow loss.
8 tackles, 1 interception, 56 return yards
Loiseau’s interception and 56-yard return set up a one-yard Coronado touchdown. It was the first of two consecutive Blue Ridge turnovers that swung the game toward the Admirals.
4 tackles, 2 pass breakups, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery
Wooleyhand produced multiple impact plays in Philadelphia Tech’s comeback victory. His forced fumble and recovery helped the Iron Horses overcome Carolina State’s 541-yard offensive performance.
The CAC’s recruiting footprint continued to grow during Week 3.
Lake Charles State added four two-star commitments, while Carolina State secured its second three-star commitment of the cycle.
Lake Superior State landed two three-star prospects, and York Tech added a three-star commitment of its own.
Seven CAC programs now have at least one verbal commitment for next season.
Grant’s Line: Coronado Maritime -2.5
Over/Under: 65.5
Grant’s Guess: Coronado Maritime 38, Daytona Beach Tech 34
There is no bigger conference game in Week 4.
Both programs enter at 3–1. Daytona Beach is 1–0 in the CAC, while Coronado is 2–1 and can strengthen its early position in the conference race with another victory.
The Daredevils have already survived close games against Baylor and York. Coronado has played three consecutive conference games decided by eight points or fewer, including its double-overtime victory over Philadelphia Tech and its 42–35 escape against Blue Ridge.
Both teams have shown they can score late. Neither has shown it can comfortably protect a lead.
Addison Westbrook gives Coronado the most dangerous individual weapon in the matchup, but Daytona Beach’s ability to play clean football could keep the Daredevils within one possession throughout the afternoon.
Grant expects points, momentum swings, and another fourth-quarter finish.
Grant’s Line: Acadia State -3.5
Over/Under: 56.5
Grant’s Guess: Acadia State 31, Carolina State 27
The 2–1 Mainiacs travel to Wilkesboro for a rivalry game against a Carolina State team looking to stop a three-game losing streak.
The Shiners have generated more than 500 yards of offense in two of their losses, but turnovers and defensive inconsistency have continued to undermine strong individual performances.
Acadia has been the more consistent team. Grant expects Brian Best and Colin Farwell to keep Carolina State close, but the Mainiacs leave Wilkesboro with the rivalry win.
Grant’s Line: Western Kentucky -2.5
Over/Under: 51.5
Grant’s Guess: Territorial State 27, Western Kentucky 24
Territorial State enters at 2–2 after stealing a road victory from Lake Superior. Western Kentucky is 1–3.
The Dealers have found a productive rushing option in Taylor Schuening, while Brady Wheat gives them confidence if the game comes down to another late kick.
Grant is calling for Territorial State to earn its second consecutive road victory.
Grant’s Line: Lake Charles State -6.5
Over/Under: 55.5
Grant’s Guess: Lake Charles State 34, Lake Superior State 24
Lake Charles will make its CAC debut after producing 514 yards against FCS Southeast.
The Trawlers have several productive rushing options, including Jordan Kenoy and quarterback Mike Walter. Lake Superior has playmakers on defense, but the Berserkers must find more consistency from an offense that generated only 276 yards against Territorial State.
Grant expects the Lake Charles running game to control the second half.
Grant’s Line: Virginia -3.5
Over/Under: 60.5
Grant’s Guess: Keweenaw Tech 35, Virginia 31
The Owls welcome unbeaten No. 23 Virginia one week after dismantling TCU.
Vince Parker and Emmett LeCounte give Keweenaw Tech enough offensive firepower to challenge another major nonconference opponent. The Owls also forced two turnovers against TCU and will need another disruptive defensive performance to pull off the upset.
Grant believes Keweenaw’s offense is ready for the moment.
Grant’s Line: York Tech -4.5
Over/Under: 58.5
Grant’s Guess: York Tech 31, Blue Ridge State 27
York Tech is 3–1 overall and 2–1 in conference play, but Blue Ridge showed against Coronado that it can create points through its offense, defense, and special teams.
Terry Fowler gives the Wayfinders an efficient passing option, while Andy Pope can change the game whenever he touches the ball on special teams.
Grant expects Blue Ridge to keep the game close at home, but York’s balance and experience in close conference games give the Oystermen the edge.