For a team to win the league title, every week of the season is important. They need to take care of business whether they are playing the best or worst team in the league. Every game matters.

Week 4 Capsules

Pace (0-3, 0-2 NE-10) at AIC (1-1, 1-0 NE-10)

When: September 21st, 7:00 PM

All-Time Series: AIC leads the series, 13-2-0

My thoughts: These teams seem to be headed in opposite directions.

Pace jumped out to an early lead in their home opener against New Haven last Saturday. But reality set in quickly as the Chargers scored 44 straight points to take control of the game. The Setters are young and should have gained some confidence in hanging with one of the top teams in the country. For the Setters to grab their first victory of the season they will need to play mistake free football. Jordan Raynor needs to get the ball into the hands of his play-makers. They will also need to find a way to slow down the two-headed monster known as the AIC offensive attack.

AIC was very impressive last Saturday as they won on the road at Merrimack. The offense was nearly unstoppable as they moved the ball with ease on each play. Kevin Arduino directed the offense to perfection as he either handed the ball to Terrell Williams or connected with one of his receivers. The defense gave up some yards and points but also made big plays when they needed to. For the Yellow Jackets to continue their winning ways, they will need to feature their balanced offensive attack and the defense will need to limit big plays.

AIC is a big and stronger team than Pace and they will establish the line of scrimmage early in the game. They have too many weapons and will win their first home game of the season.

Prediction: AIC 45 Pace 7

St. Anselm (0-3, 0-2 NE-10) at New Haven (3-0, 2-0 NE-10)

When: September 22nd, 1:00 PM

All-Time Series: New Haven leads the series, 2-1-0

My thoughts: The blue turf in New Haven will always be a special place for St. Anselm.

It was the site of one of the biggest wins in school history. But that was two years ago and the Hawks will need to find a way to win on the blue turf again. St. Anselm dropped their home opener last Friday to Stonehill. The Hawks were in the game until they allowed 14 fourth quarter points to drop their third straight game of the season. They will need to put together a full 60 minute performance if they are going to pull off the upset on the road. The defense will also need to find a way to stay off the field as they spent 42 minutes on the field last Friday night.

New Haven allowed Pace an early lead before establishing their dominance on the road. The Chargers did not miss a beat with the absence of Ryan Osiecki. Ronnie Nelson directed the offense up and down the field with ease. Mike DeCaro grinded out the yards on the ground and the special teams helped to lift the rest of the team with their blocked punts. New Haven will need to continue their solid play and play mistake free against St. Anselm. The status of Osiecki will not be known until later in the week but Nelson is more than capable of continuing his solid play.

New Haven is taking the season one game at a time and this is the perfect time to continue the trend. They have more talent than St. Anselm and should be able to establish their game to head to their bye week with a win.

Prediction: New Haven 42 St. Anselm 14

Southern Connecticut (0-3, 0-1 NE-10) at Merrimack (1-2, 0-2 NE-10)

When: September 22nd, 1:00 PM

All-Time Series: Southern Connecticut leads the series, 8-6-0

My thoughts: Two teams that didn't figure to have losing records at this point in the season.

Southern Connecticut looked like they turned the corner early in the game last Saturday. They had a 14-0 lead but how quickly things changed. 30 straight points from Saint Augustine's and the fate of the Owls is changed. They did get good news as Jacob Jablonski returned under center but it was short-lived for Southern Connecticut. The team needs a break and might get it this weekend. They play a defense that is struggling and it might help to jump-start an offense that has scored only 20 points in the first three games. But the defense will also need to find a way to slow down the high powered offense of Merrimack.

Merrimack set a number of records in their game against AIC last Saturday but it none of it mattered as they were on the wrong end of the score. Joe Clancy rewrote the NE-10 record book but would trade any of the records for a victory. He will face a decent Southern Connecticut defense and will look to get the momentum going this week as well as limiting turnovers. The Warrior defense will also look to rebound as they were not able to slow down AIC. They will need to stop the Owl running game and pressure Jablonski into making bad decisions.

Merrimack has had success recently against Southern Connecticut and needs this game to right the ship. They have the better offensive attack and should be able to control the struggling Owl offense.

Prediction: Merrimack 35 Southern Connecticut 17

Assumption (1-2, 1-1 NE-10) at Stonehill (2-1, 2-0 NE-10)

When: September 22nd, 6:00 PM

All-Time Series: Stonehill leads the series, 18-6-0

My thoughts: This game used to be one that didn't matter in the standings. But now both teams are in the mix for the league title.

Assumption was not able to hold the lead last Friday night against Bentley. 21 straight second half points from Bentley including the game-winning score in the final minute gave the Greyhounds their first league loss. They will look to rebound and will need to put together a 60 minute effort on the road. If they are able to control the ball with their running game, Assumption should be able to tire out the Stonehill defense. The defense will also need to find a way to control all of the weapons that Stonehill has and not allow them to move the ball up and down the field with ease.

Stonehill continued their good stretch of football last Friday night at St. Anselm. They pulled away in the fourth quarter and grabbed their second league victory of the season. The Hawks are playing with a ton of confidence and it is showing in every facet of the game. The offense is very balanced and that is helping to keep the opposing defense back on their heels. The defense is the most improved part of the team and has been able to limit big plays and shut down the play-makers on the other side of the ball. For Stonehill to win the game, they will need to continue their balanced offensive attack and establish the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball.

Stonehill is a team that is playing very well right now. They have a lot of confidence in executing their game plan and keeping the opposing team guessing. The game will be close through three quarters but Stonehill will pull away in the fourth quarter to grab the victory.

Prediction: Stonehill 24 Assumption 14