The first week is in the books and coaches are making the necessary adjustments to either keep the momentum going or correct the mistakes so they are not repeated in week two.

Week 2 Capsules

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

When: September 7th, 7:00 PM

All-Time Series: Assumption leads the series, 8-5-0

My thoughts: These are two teams that need this game to bounce back from a tough week one.

St. Anselm traveled south to face the 12th ranked team in the country and struggled in all aspects of the game. They were not able to contain the high-powered offense of Kutztown and found themselves down by 35 points after one quarter. Coach Patrick Murphy was hoping for a better defensive effort but big plays and missed tackles were the downfall for the Hawks. They will need to make more plays this weekend if they are going to grab their first win of the season.

Assumption was on the verge of a hard fought road victory when they gave up a touchdown in the final seconds. That made the difference on a good ten-hour bus ride home and a bad one. The Hounds were able to score with 33 seconds to go to take a short-lived lead. Bobby Jordan started at quarterback and was effective in spreading the ball around. If they are going to win this week, they will need to slow down the St. Anselm offense and score when they get the ball into the red zone.

Assumption has the ability to run the ball and keep the St. Anselm defense on the field for long periods of time. That will be the difference in the game, as the Hounds will pick up their first win of the season.

Prediction: Assumption 31 St. Anselm 10

AIC (0-0, 0-0 NE-10) at Shepherd (0-1, 0-0 WVIAC)

When: September 8th, 12:00 PM

All-Time Series: AIC leads the series, 4-0-0

My thoughts: One team worked out the kinks last weekend while another continued their preparation for the 2012 season.

AIC had the opening weekend off as they prepared to make the long trip to West Virginia to open the season. The Yellow Jackets appear ready for a breakout season as they return a lot of skills players across the field. Kevin Arduino will run the offense after a great freshmen campaign at quarterback. Terrell Williams will be the feature back and Arduino will spread the ball around to Cal Brownridge and Matt Brown at the receiver position. The AIC defense is always the backbone of the team and will play fast and physical. Justin Tervo and Jaquawne Simpkins will anchor a defense that allowed 26 points per game last year.

Shepherd opened the season with a 38-28 setback at Shippensburg. The Rams led by 11 points at the half but were not able to find the end zone in the second half. The usually strong running attack was limited to 48 yards in the game. Bobby Cooper threw a pair of touchdown passes and A.J. Parrish was all over the field on defense with 13 tackles. The Rams will look to bounce back in their home opener and will need to play better on both sides of the ball to grab their first victory of the year.

Shepherd has had a week to work out the kinks while AIC is taking the field for the first time this year. That will be a difference down the stretch, as the Rams will pull out a close one.

Prediction: Shepherd 24 AIC 17

Bentley (1-0, 1-0 NE-10) at West Virginia Wesleyan (0-1 0-0 WVIAC)

When: September 8th, 12:00 PM

All-Time Series: West Virginia Wesleyan leads the series 1-0-0

My thoughts: The teams played a very close game last year and you can expect more of the same this year.

Bentley opened the season with a 42-0 victory over Pace last Friday night. Danny Guadagnoli was effective as the starting quarterback for the Falcons. He threw for 203 yards and two scores in his first collegiate start. He spread the ball around to a couple of different receivers as well as getting some of the backups some work in the big victory over Pace. The Bentley defense was able to make plays when called upon and keep the Pace offense out of the end zone.

West Virginia Wesleyan fell on the road in their season opener to Millersville by the score of 41-17. After leading 10-7 at the half, the Bobcats allowed 34 points in the second half including a pick-six by Millersville that started the comeback early in the third quarter. Nate Montana will look to bounce back from a shaky game and spread the ball around to his play-makers. The West Virginia Wesleyan defense will also need to play a full 60 minutes if they are going to grab their first win of the season.

It is tough to predict how a new quarterback will handle his first start on the road. That is the big unknown for Bentley this weekend as they make the long trek south to West Virginia. I think that Guadagnoli will struggle early but find his stride later in the game to help Bentley pull out a tough road victory.

Prediction: Bentley 24 West Virginia Wesleyan 21

Rowan (1-0, 0-0 NJAC D3) at Merrimack (0-1, 0-1 NE-10)

When: September 8th, 1:00 PM

All-Time Series: First Meeting

My thoughts: What a difference in opponents for Merrimack this week. They faced a Division II powerhouse last weekend and now take on a Division III school.

Rowan opened the season with an impressive win over nationally ranked Delaware Valley last Saturday 27-13. Running back Matt Dortch led the offensive attack with 158 yards on the ground and a touchdown. The defense allowed over 360 total yards but just two touchdowns to Delaware Valley. For Rowan to pull the upset on the road, they will need to find a way to slow down the explosive Merrimack offensive attack as well as controlling the ball against a bigger and deeper team.

Merrimack opened the season with one of the toughest opponents they have on their schedule this year. They played well early in the game as they took the early lead at New Haven. But then had trouble containing the big play capability of the Chargers in the second quarter and were not able to recover. Joe Clancy was effective at times at quarterback but was victimized by two tough throws for interceptions. He will need to play mistake free in order for the Warriors to be successful the rest of the way.

Merrimack will rebound nicely in their home opener and be able to build some momentum before they jump back into the NE-10 portion of the schedule.

Prediction: Merrimack 49 Rowan 7

Southern Connecticut (0-1, 0-0 NE-10) at Stonehill (0-1, 0-0 NE-10)

When: September 8th, 1:00 PM

All-Time Series: Southern Connecticut leads the series, 15-0-0

My thoughts: Both teams fell to PSAC schools last weekend and hope to right the ship this weekend.

Southern Connecticut struggled on the road against IUP. They were not able to move the ball like they were used to in the past. Jacob Jablonski will need to spread the ball around to all of his skill players and limit mistakes when the offense is on the field. The defense will also need to find a way to slow down the Stonehill offense. They will need to limit the big play and keep them off of the field.

Stonehill started the season with a bang as they returned the opening kickoff of the season for a touchdown. The final 29 minutes of the first half were tough as Bloomsburg scored 31 straight points. The Skyhawks played better in the second half and were able to move the ball more effectively. Logan Meyer threw for a school record 370 yards but was picked off five times. He will need to limit turnovers in order for Stonehill to be successful.

Southern Connecticut has owned Stonehill over the years but this year, it will be a much closer game. The Owls will rebound to win on the road but the game will be very close.

Prediction: Southern Connecticut 27 Stonehill 24

Pace (0-1, 0-0 NE-10) at Stony Brook (1-0, 0-0 Big South D1)

When: September 8th, 6:00 PM

All-Time Series: Stony Brook leads the series, 10-2-0

My thoughts: Pace faces a big challenge as they step up to play a nationally ranked Division I FCS team.

Pace struggled in their opening game at Bentley. Jordan Raynor was under pressure most of the evening and was not able to get the Setters into the end zone. The defense was able to keep Bentley in check for the first 15 minutes but then allowed a couple of big plays sealing their fate for the rest of the night. They will need to step up in order to pull the upset against a team with a full roster of scholarship players.

Stony Brook opened the season with a 49-17 victory at home over Central Connecticut. Running back Miguel Maysonet ran for 196 yards on the ground including a 84-yard touchdown run. He also caught a 25-yard touchdown pass from Kyle Essington as part of a three touchdown day for the senior quarterback. The Seawolves defense held Central Connecticut to just 216 yards of total offense including just four of 13 on third down conversations.

Pace has such a young team that they were going to struggle against weaker Division II opponents. So to play a team nationally ranked and loaded with Division I scholarship players, it is going to take a memorable performance to pull off the road victory.

Prediction: Stony Brook 56 Pace 7

# 13 New Haven (1-0, 1-0 NE-10) at St. Augustine's (1-0, 0-0 CIAA)

When: September 8th, 7:00 PM

All-Time Series: New Haven leads the series, 1-0-0

My thoughts: Both teams opened the season with a bang last weekend and look to continue their winning ways.

New Haven was very solid in their opening victory over Merrimack. They moved the ball with ease at times and the experience of the team showed after a slow start. Ryan Osiecki spread the ball around to all of his weapons and the defense was solid after allowing an early drive for a touchdown. The Chargers will need to continue their steady play on the road under the lights. They are focused on one game at a time while understanding their goal of the bigger picture.

St. Augustine's opened the season with a home victory over Wingate 24-10. They had a very balanced offensive attack. Teddy Bacote threw three touchdown passes while Phillip English and Roder Davenport accounted for the majority of the yards on the ground. Chaz Robinson was the defensive leader with 14 tackles while Brian Jones had eight tackles, two passes broken up and two passes defended. For the Falcons to be successful, they will need to continue the balanced offense and not allow the New Haven offense to make big plays down the field.

New Haven has more skill players on both sides of the ball. They will establish the line of scrimmage early in the game and take their only non-conference game of the season.

Prediction: New Haven 35 St. Augustine's 13