CAA Football Weekly Awards – October 14th

RICHMOND, Va. (October 14, 2024) – CAA Football has announced its weekly award winners for Week 7 of the 2024 season. Delaware wide receiver Phil Lutz was named Offensive Player of the Week, while New Hampshire senior defensive end Josiah Silver earned Defensive Player of the Week honors. Rhode Island senior linebacker Gabe Salomons was named special teams player of the week, and Bryant freshman linebacker Cole Nilles was named rookie of the week.

CAA Football Offensive Player of the Week
Phil Lutz, Gr., WR, Delaware (North Caldwell, NJ/West Essex)

Lutz had five receptions for 133 yards (26.6yrs), including a record-tying 56-yard TD catch, in Delaware’s 44-21 win over Maine. It was the third 100-yard reception of the season for Lutz, who set a UD program record by catching a TD pass for the sixth straight game. He takes second place^nd in the CAA with 547 receiving yards and 8 touchdowns.

CAA Football Defensive Player of the Week

Josiah Silver, Sr., DE, New Hampshire (Hampton, Virginia/Phoebus)


Silver recorded seven tackles, including a career-high 4.0 sacks and 5.0 TFLs, in UNH’s 17-10 road win at Elon. The four sacks are the most this season in the FCS and were part of a nine-sack effort by the Wildcats defense, which held EU to 231 total yards and no points over the final three quarters. He is tied for the FCS lead with 7.5 sacks.

CAA Football Special Teams Player of the Week

Gabe Salomons, Sr., LB, Rhode Island (West Hartford, Conn./Hall)

Salomons blocked a game-winning 37-yard field goal attempt with 8:44 left, securing Rhode Island’s 31-21 victory over Brown. The Rams were able to drive 80 yards for a TD on the ensuing possession. Along with the blocked kick, Salomons recorded six tackles, 2.0 TFLs and a half-sack, including a key stop on a 4th^Th-and-1 play.

CAA Football Rookie of the Week

Cole Nilles, Fr., LB, Bryant (Philadelphia, Pa./St. Joseph’s Prep)

Nilles contributed a career-high 13 tackles, a tackle for loss and a quarterback hurry in Bryant’s 17-10 loss to UAlbany. He led the Bulldogs’ defense, which limited UAlbany to 341 yards and forced two turnovers. Nilles has made 21 stops in the last two games and leads Bryant with 39 tackles and 5.0 TFLs.