As the Coastal Athletic Association kicks off its 2025 football season, the league is under construction. CAA football officially said farewell to Richmond, while Villanova and William & Mary take a final tour through the conference. 

Meanwhile, recent additions Bryant, Campbell, Hampton, Monmouth, and North Carolina A&T all continue to settle in, looking to break through as championship contenders for the first time in their brief CAA tenures. 

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The CAA championship race begins immediately with a league showdown highlighting the Week 1 slate. Preseason favorite Rhode Island is under the Friday night lights at Meade Stadium against Campbell, while the rest of the conference embarks on non-conference action. 

Check out some of the highlights of the season-opening slate. 

Towson at Norfolk State Football

There should be no shortage of national attention focused on William "Dick" Price Stadium, where former Virginia Tech star and NFL quarterback Michael Vick debuts as Norfolk State head coach. 

However, Towson comes in with a prime opportunity to steal the spotlight. The Tigers finished strong to close their second season under coach Pete Shinnick, winning the final three games. At 7-5 overall and 5-3 in the CAA, Towson was just outside of the FCS Playoffs race. 

The Tigers have the foundation of a playoff qualifier in 2025. Central to Towson's wins last season was its defense, which held three of its final five opponents to 14 points or fewer — including the explosive Monmouth offense that ranked nationally in points per game. 

Building from those showings, the Tigers return a solid corps of key contributors to guide promising newcomers. Linebacker Rodney Roane Jr. emerged as one of the team's top pass-rushers with four sacks and five quarterback hurries, while All-CAA cornerback Myles Brodie locked down opposing passing games to the tune of nine break-ups with two interceptions. 

Lineman Wyatt Draeger, a transfer from San Diego State, could be one to watch up front for the Towson defense. 

PREDICTION: Towson 24, Norfolk State 13 

Campbell at Rhode Island Football

With Rhode Island's long playoff drought finally ended in 2024, the next major milestone for the Rams is another conference championship — if not a national championship. 

"Everyone sets out to win their last football game. At this level of football, in order to do that, you have to win the national championship. Is that a reasonable expectation? We'll have to find out." - URI coach Jim Fleming

The discovery process begins in Week 1 when the Rams embark on that pursuit right out of the gate with a league matchup against Campbell on Friday night. 

Rhode Island's defense denied the Camels scoring opportunities when these teams met last September, forcing a turnover and four punts in Campbell's first five possessions. Will this season bring a repeat? 

Considering Rhode Island returns All-American linebacker A.J. Pena, it's possible. Pena is the preseason CAA Defensive Player of the Year and an all-around dynamo who last year racked up an incredible 12.5 sacks and 22.5 tackles for loss. 

Preseason #1, but AJ Pena knows it’s not about the polls—it’s about taking every game seriously.

The reigning conference champions are ready for the 2025 season!#CAAfb | @RhodyFootball | @CAAFootball pic.twitter.com/zNTEma9kVU

— FloCollege | Football (@FloCollegeFB) August 15, 2025

Rhody's defense also welcomes back cornerback Ayinde Johnson, who broke up seven passes in 2024, and lineman Case Mankins, who delivered four tackles for loss. 

However, there are plenty of unknowns on both sides — and, as Fleming put it: "It's the unknowns, not knowing what you're going to get: What changes they've made, what adjustments we're going to have to make on gameday." 

Campbell will hit the field in its second season under coach Braxton Harris, sure to have made a variety of offseason adjustments after last year's slide to 3-9. 

Harris said the focus was "building a roster that could win in the fourth quarter.

"Being able to pinpoint guys [who] wanted to be at Campbell was more important than anything in the recruiting process," Harris added. "When you're like-minded, you connect a lot quicker." 

Running back Mark Biggins and quarterback Mike Chandler are returning pillars for the Camels' offense, which has the potential to break out. Last year, Campbell improved in the back half of the schedule to average 24.2 points per game. 

Maintaining that pace against Rhode Island in Week 1 may be a tall order, however. 

PREDICTION: Rhode Island 24, Campbell 10 

Monmouth at Colgate Football

The high-flying Monmouth offense finished second nationally in points per game a season, posting 39 an outing. Look for All-American quarterback Derek Robertson to dive right back into a similar rhythm in the Hawks' season opener. 

Monmouth begins a 2025 campaign with lofty expectations, which is evident in their No. 21 national ranking and being tabbed second in the preseason CAA poll. Robertson, a leading contender for the Walter Payton Award and the conference's reigning Offensive Player of the Year, is a big reason why. 

It doesn't hurt that Robertson is throwing to one of the best groups of pass-catchers in the nation. The group includes wide receivers Josh Derry and TJ Speight, along with tight end Jack Neri, all of whom are preseason 1st Team All-CAA selections. 

Last year, Derry caught 60 passes for 917 yards and five touchdowns; Speight hauled in 61 catches for 896 yards and six touchdowns; and Neri's seven touchdown receptions were tied for the most among all FCS tight ends. 

The prolific Monmouth aerial attack opens against a Colgate team that ranked No. 116 against the pass in 2024. The Raiders surrendered 268.1 yards through the air per game a season ago, and the 32 passing touchdowns they gave up were the third-most in FCS. 

Barring a dramatic offseason turnaround from Colgate on that side of the ball, Monmouth should be able to tee off to start 2025. 

PREDICTION: Monmouth 48, Colgate 20 

Hampton at Jackson State Football

The national media hysteria that followed Jackson State during Deion Sanders' tenure as head coach may have followed him to Colorado, but the Tigers have remained on top of the SWAC in the post-Prime era. 

The Tigers are coming off of a 12-2 finish in 2024, culminating in a Celebration Bowl win — a milestone that eluded Jackson State during the Sanders era. Jackson State is again poised as the team to beat in the SWAC, starting with an offense that features the conference's preseason 1st Team quarterback Jacobian Morgan; wide receivers Nate Rembert and Joanes Fortilien; tight end Marvin Landy; and offensive lineman D'Andre Townes-Blue. 

Hampton heads south to Mississippi, looking to make a statement against the talented Tigers. The Pirates are in their second season under coach Trenton Boykin, coming off a 2024 that started promising. Hampton went 5-3 before a four-game losing skid to close out. 

The Pirates turn the page in 2025 with some new, key contributors stepping into prominent roles, including at quarterback. With Chris Zellous transferring to Stony Brook, Hampton had a lengthy offseason competition for the job, and there was no public declaration of the starter until Saturday. 

No matter who emerges with the first string, he'll join last year's leading ball-carrier, Ja'Quan Snipes, to form the Pirates' backfield. On defense, Hampton is leaning on a lot of new faces who pose a tough challenge for their first opponent. 

PREDICTION: Jackson State 35, Hampton 28 

New Hampshire at North Carolina Central 

For a pair of programs that have been fixtures in the FCS polls and atop their conferences in recent years, New Hampshire's Week 1 visit to North Carolina Central has potentially significant implications for much later in the season. 

The Eagles have won at least eight games every season since 2022, and started 2025 on the right foot with a 31-14 defeat of Southern University in Week 0. NCCU running back Chris Mosley erupted for 182 yards and a touchdown on just 17 carries against SU, while lineman Thomas Johnson had two tackles for a loss, a sack, and a forced fumble. 

"They're fast, they're physical, they're extremely well-coached," UNH coach Rick Santos said of NCCU. "It's going to be the most athletic offensive line that we face all year at this level."

With the Wildcats seeing some significant changes on defense, losing Flex Ruiz, Wande Owens, and Josiah Silver, the athleticism and speed of the NCCU offense might turn this Week 1 contest into a shootout. 

Fortunately for UNH, it should have the firepower to keep pace. 

Running back Myles Thomason's return after an injury-shortened 2024 bolsters the Wildcats' ground game. Meanwhile, Santos said that Brooks Bentley and Matt Vezza will both see snaps at quarterback after a hard-fought competition to replace Seth Morgan. 

Quarterback has been a strength for the Wildcats in recent years; both the Wingate transfer Bentley and Vezza, a reserve who showed flashes of brilliance in limited appearances last season, have the tools to continue UNH's run of great play from the position. 

PREDICTION: New Hampshire 30, North Carolina Central 27

How To Watch Campbell vs Rhode Island

Campbell vs Rhode Island can be streamed exclusively on FloCollege. Subscribe here to watch.

Coverage of the game will begin promptly at 6:00 p.m. ET on Aug 29. 

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

How To Watch Campbell Football In 2025

FloCollege is the home of CAA Football, and all Campbell Fighting Camels home games and conference games* will be aired on FloCollege. All times are in Eastern Time. 

• Aug 29 at Rhode Island* - 6:00 PM - FloCollege
• Sept 6 at East Carolina - 6:00PM
• Sept 13 vs Furman - 3:30 PM - FloCollege
• Spet 20 vs Bryant* - 6:00 PM - FloCollege
• Sept 27 vs Western Carolina - 3:30 PM - FloCollege
• Oct 4 at NC State 
• Oct 11 at Hampton* - 2:00 PM - FloCollege
• Oct 18 vs New Hampshire* - 3:30 PM - FloCollege
• Oct 25 at North Carolina A&T* - 1:00 PM - FloCollege
• Nov 8 vs William & Mary* - 2:00 PM - FloCollege
• Nov 15 vs Elon* - 2:00 PM - FloCollege
• Nov 22 at Towson* - 1:00 PM - 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

FloCollege D2 Football Rankings 2025: Preseason

1. Ferris State
2. Harding
3. Grand Valley State
4. Slippery Rock
5. Valdosta State
6. Central Oklahoma
7. West Florida
8. Kutztown
9. Virginia Union
10. Minnesota State
11. Angelo State
12. Charleston (WV)
13. CSU Pueblo
14. Western Colorado
15. Indianapolis
16. Bemidji State
17. Pittsburg State
18. Lenoir–Rhyne
19. Ouachita Baptist
20. Central Missouri
21. West Alabama
22. Truman
23. Miles
24. Southern Arkansas
25. UNC Pembroke

26. Central Washington, 27. California (PA), 28. UT Permian Basin, 29. Ashland, 30. Colorado Mines, 31. Carson–Newman, 32. Wingate, 33. East Stroudsburg

Methodology For 2025-26 Top 25 D2 Rankings

The FloCollege Division 2 football rankings are driven by a mix of objective data and input from voters.

Ranking factors include:

• Voter Points
• Wins
• Margin of Victory
• Away Wins

Archived Footage On FloCollege

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Watch The 2025 College Football Season On FloCollege

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Don't miss the latest college football action by bookmarking the FloFootball schedule page for the latest games. 

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