The road to the NE-10 title starts this Friday night. If you are going to win the league title, you need to limit mistakes and take advantage when your opponent makes a miscue. Let the chase begin.

Week 3 Capsules

Bentley (1-1, 0-0 NE-10) at Stonehill (1-1, 0-0 NE-10)

When: September 16th, 7:00 PM

All-Time Series: Bentley leads the series, 31-9-1

My thoughts: For the past couple of years, these rivals have matched up at the end of the season. Now the intensity must be ramped up for week 3.

Bentley enters the NE-10 portion of their schedule off of a tough loss to WV Wesleyan. They fell behind early against the Bobcats and played catch up all game long. Bryant Johnson has been solid leading the offense to 73 points in the first two games of the season. He has limited turnovers and has spread the ball around to his receivers. The run defense was good against Wesleyan but the pass defense allowed 340 yards and four scores. For Bentley to be successful in the league, they will need their defense to shut down the opposing offense and allow their offense to chew up the clock.

Stonehill rallied late on the road against Pace but ultimately fell in overtime to the Setters. Logan Meyer returned as the signal caller but struggled with three interceptions on the day. He did get the tying touchdown run with less than three minutes to go in regulation. The Skyhawks struggled to establish their running game as well as struggling on converting third down opportunities. The defense kept Stonehill within striking distance as they allowed just one big play for a score in the game. Stonehill will need to find a way to move the ball against the Bentley defense consistently and also stop the big play ability of the Falcons if they are going to grab their first league victory of the season.

Bentley has more experience on both sides of the ball and should be able to establish the line of scrimmage from the first play of the game. If Stonehill is going to pull the upset, they will need to make big plays on both sides of the ball.

Prediction: Bentley 35 Stonehill 17

Assumption (1-1, 0-0 NE-10) at AIC (1-1, 0-0 NE-10)

When: September 17th, 12:00 PM

All-Time Series: AIC leads the series, 12-2-0

My thoughts: Both teams have surprised in non-conference action in the first two weeks.

Assumption had a huge confidence build with their overtime victory over Seton Hill last weekend. Uly Gibson punched the ball into the end zone in the extra session to seal the first win of the season for the Greyhounds. Matt Pedone has emerged as the go-to back and has been solid the first two games. Assumption will now face one of the better defenses in the league and need to find a way to score on them. If they are able to continue to establish the running game and limit big plays from AIC, Assumption will be in position to win their second in a row on the road.

AIC nearly pulled off a big upset when they traveled to former NE-10 foe Bryant on Saturday. They led late into the fourth quarter before Bryant scored twice in the final four minutes to escape with the win. Kevin Arduino was again a two-way threat for the Yellow Jackets as he ran for 80 yards on the ground and tossed 140 through the air. The defense was solid, limiting Bryant to just 269 yards on the day. AIC will need to stop the Assumption running game and find a way for Arduino to create space in the open field if they are going to get their first league victory.

Both teams are early surprises as both were supposed to be in a bit of a rebuilding mode. This game will come down to defense and AIC has the better defense.

Prediction: AIC 20 Assumption 13

Southern Connecticut (1-1, 0-0 NE-10) at St. Anselm (0-1, 0-0 NE-10)

When: September 17th, 1:00 PM

All-Time Series: Southern Connecticut leads the series, 9-2-0

My thoughts: It could be a long day for both defenses if the offenses start clicking early.

Southern Connecticut grabbed a big non-conference win at West Liberty last Saturday. They forced the Hilltoppers into eight turnovers and scored points when they needed to. Kevin Lynch and Rashaad Slowley were the offensive leaders as they combined for three of the four scores for the Owls. The defense was also solid as they held the powerful West Liberty out of the end zone most of the day. If Southern Connecticut is able to limit the big play capability of St. Anselm and control the clock, it will be a very successful day for the Owls.

St. Anselm had last weekend off after opening the season with a loss to Kutztown. The Hawks will need to shake off the rust early against Southern Connecticut. Michael Pierce will need to get an early rhythm with his receivers and keep the Owl defense on their heels. St. Anselm will also need to limit the big players of Southern Connecticut. The defense will need prevent long drives and be successful on third down.

Southern Connecticut will finish their three game road trip to open season in style as they have more playmakers and size than St. Anselm.

Prediction: Southern Connecticut 45 St. Anselm 28

Pace (1-1, 0-0 NE-10) at Merrimack (1-1, 0-0 NE-10)

When: September 17th, 1:00 PM

All-Time Series: Merrimack leads the series, 10-0-0

My thoughts: Is there an upset in the brewing this weekend?

Pace won their first game since 2009 last week against Stonehill. The Setters needed extra time to chalk one up in the victory column. Jordan Raynor continued to pace the offense as he threw for 275 yards and a touchdown. He spread the ball around to many receivers and will need to find a way to exploit the Merrimack defense.

Merrimack had a long ride home after a 30-point loss at Edinboro. The Warriors jumped on the scoreboard first but had no answer for the Edinboro offense. They allowed too many big plays for touchdowns and were not able to answer with many of their own. Merrimack will need to play better defense and limit the big play capability of their opponents. They will also need to let James Suozzo do his thing on offense and help move Merrimack down the field.

Merrimack should be able to bounce back with a solid performance on both sides of the ball and grab their first league victory of the season.

Prediction: Merrimack 42 Pace 10

New Haven (2-0, 0-0 NE-10) at William & Mary (1-1, 0-0 CAA)

When: September 17th, 7:00 PM

All-Time Series: First Meeting

My thoughts: This is a good test to see if New Haven is ready for prime time.

New Haven opened the season in style with a thrilling win over West Chester and a thumping of St. Augustines. The Chargers have played well and will now face a pretty good challenge with William & Mary. Ryan Osiecki has led the offense with ease at times in the first two games. The Charger defense has come up with the necessary stops. They will need to come up with even bigger plays if they are going to pull off a road upset with one of the powers of D1 FCS.

William & Mary is ranked in the top five of D1 FCS teams and was favored to win the CAA this season. They returned 13 starters from last year but had a tough start to the season with a 40-3 loss to ACC member Virginia. They rebounded last weekend with a 24-7 victory over VMI. They are paced on offense by senior running back Jonathan Grimes. He scored twice last weekend, once on the ground and once through the air. The Tribe also has a number of experienced players on the defensive side of the ball.

It is the home opener for William & Mary and they will be ready to play. New Haven will show glimpses of being able to compete with a good FCS team but does not have the depth to sustain it for four quarters.

Prediction: William & Mary 35 New Haven 13