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The Minutemen, who were unranked in both polls to open the season, jumped six spots to No. 9 in the FCS Coaches Poll and five spots to No. 11 in the Sports Network Media Poll.
"Week to week you're either getting better or you're getting worse. I think we're a better football team coming out of that football game than we were going in," UMass coach Kevin Morris said Monday.
Read the story in the Daily Hampshire Gazette.
UMass football moves into FCS top 10
The University of Massachusetts football team couldn't quite finish off its upset bid at Michigan, but the Minutemen's performance in the 42-37 loss earned them respect from voters in both Championship Subdivision top 25s.
The Minutemen, who were unranked in both polls to open the season, jumped six spots to No. 9 in the FCS Coaches Poll and five spots to No. 11 in the Sports Network Media Poll.
"Week to week you're either getting better or you're getting worse. I think we're a better football team coming out of that football game than we were going in," UMass coach Kevin Morris said Monday.
The Colonial Athletic Association is dominating the top end of both polls.
It has three teams in the top five and seven of the CAA's 10 teams are in the top 20 of both polls.
Villanova remained at No. 1 in the TSN and No. 2 in the coaches, while James Madison is No. 3 in both.
Richmond's win over then No. 7 Elon launched the Spiders from No. 9 to No. 5 in both polls.
Delaware (No. 6 coaches/No. 7 TSN) and William & Mary (No. 8 in both) entered the top 10 as well.
New Hampshire, which peaked at No. 8 in both rankings last week, tumbled after losing to unranked and previously winless Rhode Island.
The Wildcats fell to No. 16 (TSN) and No. 18 (coaches).
RISE OF THE PRESEASON UNHERALDED - There have only been three league games so far this season as CAA teams have played mostly nonconference opponents so far.
But in those three games, two teams picked in the bottom three of the league's preseason poll have upset teams in the top three.
UMass, which was picked eighth, beat William & Mary (picked second), 27-23 in both teams' season opener.
Rhode Island, which was picked ninth in the preseason, became the latest author of an upset as the Rams stunned New Hampshire Saturday, 28-25. UNH was picked No. 3 in the CAA preseason poll.
"To come out and beat a quality team like New Hampshire in the conference opener was a huge win for us," Rhode Island coach Joe Trainer said. "It was a great win for our seniors and the kids in the program. ... We're not a finished product, but every week we've taken steps forward."
New Hampshire led 15-3 before Rhode Island mounted its comeback.
"I knew they were getting better," New Hampshire coach Sean McDonnell said. "I can't give them enough credit. We have to get better. ... We couldn't run the ball and we didn't stop the run. In this league with that combination, you're going to struggle to win games."
Villanova, which was ranked No. 1 in the preseason, was the only high seed to avoid a similar upset as the Wildcats handled Towson easily, 43-7.
GAME OF THE WEEK: Delaware at Richmond, 3:30 p.m. - This is the first of back-to-back road games against top 10 teams for the Blue Hens. It could help determine where they finish in the CAA standings and whether or not they make the playoffs.
After this week's game at Richmond, Delaware returns to Virginia to face No. 3 James Madison.
The Hens may have the league's hardest schedule with road games at William & Mary (Oct. 23) and UMass (Nov. 13) before closing the year with a home game against Villanova.
PLAYERS OF THE WEEK - Delaware freshman running back Andrew Pierce was both the CAA Offensive Player and Rookie of the Week after rushing for 200 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries in the Blue Hens' 30-6 win over Duquesne. Pierce has earned all three rookie of the week awards that have been given out this season.
Rhode Island defensive lineman Victor Adesanya earned the league's defensive player of the week. He had two sacks and forced a fumble that was returned for a 39-yard touchdown.
Richmond defensive lineman Casey Cooley was the special teams weekly honoree after blocking an Elon field goal in overtime that allowed the Spiders to beat the Phoenix, 27-21.
NFL DEBUTS - After being inactive during Week 1, former Minuteman receivers Jeremy Horne and Victor Cruz made their debuts for the New York Giants and Kansas City Chiefs respectively.
Neither made a catch, but Horne registered a special teams tackle.
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