Nobody predicted that the game Friday night in Waltham was going to be a battle of undefeated league records so bragging rights in the rivalry are definitely on the line.

Week 5 Capsules

Stonehill (3-1, 3-0 NE-10) at Bentley (3-0, 2-0 NE-10)

When: September 28th, 7:00 PM

All-Time Series: Bentley leads the series, 32-9-1

My thoughts: One of these teams will enter the month of October undefeated in league play.

The wild ride of Stonehill continues as they used a 98 yard interception return for a touchdown to win their third straight game. The Skyhawks are the surprise team in the league but not in the football offices at Stonehill. The coaching staff knew that they had some talent on the roster and they are seeing the fruits of it right now. Both sides of the ball have made plays when they needed to and it is showing in their record. If Stonehill is going to win on the road, they are going to have to play mistake free and find a way to slow down the Bentley offense.

Bentley had their bye last weekend and used the extra time to prepare for Stonehill. The Falcons have played well in the opening part of the season. They had a couple of tough road wins at West Virginia Wesleyan and Assumption. They found their quarterback and he has found a favorite target in Jeff Hill. The Bentley defense has allowed just 30 points in the first three games of the season and will be called upon to play big again.

This is going to be a very tight game as both teams have a lot of talent on both sides of the ball. The game will be decided in the final minutes of the game and that usually favors the home team. Bentley will find a way to eke out the victory.

Prediction: Bentley 27 Stonehill 24

St. Anselm (0-4, 0-3 NE-10) at Southern Connecticut (0-4, 0-2 NE-10)

When: September 29th, 1:00 PM

All-Time Series: Southern Connecticut leads the series, 10-2-0

My thoughts: This game is a battle of winless teams.

St. Anselm makes their second trip to the New Haven area in as many weeks as they look to get on the positive side of the final score. The Hawks fought New Haven tough in the opening half last weekend before a fumble sealed the game for the Chargers. St. Anselm will need to play mistake free as they are in the middle of a very tough stretch of opponents right now. The Hawks will need to have their offense punch the ball into the end zone when they have the chance and help to get their defense to stay on the sidelines as much as possible.

Southern Connecticut is still looking for their first win of the season. They looked good in the first half of their loss at Merrimack last weekend. The Owls will need to play like that for the entire 60 minutes this weekend. Jacob Jablonski helped the offense to nearly 250 yards in the opening 30 minutes of the game but was not able to get much going in the second half. Southern Connecticut will also need to pressure the quarterback and hold St. Anselm to three and outs.

Southern Connecticut will finally put together an effort that will earn them a victory.

Prediction: Southern Connecticut 35 St. Anselm 17

Merrimack (2-2, 1-2 NE-10) at Pace (0-4, 0-3 NE-10)

When: September 29th, 1:00 PM

All-Time Series: Merrimack leads the series, 11-0-0

My thoughts: Can a grass field slow down the Merrimack offense?

Merrimack seemed to put everything together in the third quarter in their victory over Southern Connecticut. The offense was unstoppable and the defense was a brick wall. In fact, the defense was outstanding in the second half. They stymied the Southern Connecticut offense and did not allow them to have the same success they had in the first half. The Warriors continued their offensive attack as Jimon Hill helped to establish the running game and take some of the pressure off of Joe Clancy's arm. For Merrimack to win on the road, they are going to need to establish the running game again and not turn the ball over.

Pace struggled again in their 42-0 loss at AIC last Friday night. They were not able to slow down the offense of AIC and not able to move the ball against their defense. The Setters are going to have to find a way to slow down the offensive attack of Merrimack. That is going to put a lot of pressure on the secondary of Pace and they are going to need to account for all of the deep targets. They will also need to move the ball and convert on third down.

Merrimack should be able to establish their offensive attack early in the game and grab their first road victory of the season.

Prediction: Merrimack 45 Pace 10

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

When: September 29th, 1:00 PM

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

My thoughts: This game will feature good line play on both sides of the ball.

AIC has rebounded nicely from their opening weekend defeat at Shepherd. The offense is moving the ball very efficiently up and down the field. Terrell Williams is running through huge holes that his offensive line is opening up. Kevin Arduino is directly the offense to perfection. The Yellow Jacket defense pitched a shutout last week and will look to keep the momentum going. For AIC to win on the road, they will need to continue to establish their running game and the defense will need to play their usual physical play.

Assumption has been their heart broken the past two weeks. They lost in the final minute to Bentley and then led most of the game before a pick-six set them home with a loss at Stonehill. The Greyhounds have struggled the past two years finishing games and will need to bring a full 60 minute effort this weekend to beat the suddenly hot AIC. They played toe to toe last year and nearly pulled off the upset on the road. Assumption will need to establish their offensive attack and limit mistakes if they are going to grab the victory.

Assumption will control the game early but the size and experience from AIC will help them take control of the game in the second half.

Prediction: AIC 35 Assumption 21