Welcome to Week 3 of the NE-10 season. As usual, the season is flying by and we have a lot of critical games this week.


Southern Connecticut (0-2, 0-1 NE-10) @ Pace (0-2, 0-1 NE-10)

When: September 20th, 12:00 PM

All-Time Series: Southern Connecticut leads the series, 17-0-0

My Thoughts: Both teams need a win right now.

Southern Connecticut lost a heartbreaker to St. Anselm last Saturday 23-20 in overtime. The Owls dominated the first half but were only able to put 10 points on the board. Freshman quarterback Ray Catapano emerged to play the best of the three signal callers in the game and head coach Tom Godek expects more of the same this weekend. His defense has played well in the first two weeks but he needs his offense to move the ball consistently. For the Owls to win on the road, they will need to get back to their roots and win the battle in the trenches.

Pace struggled like most teams to slow down the Merrimack offense and lost 75-2. The Setters were able to block an extra point and return it 98 yards for their lone points in the game. But the Pace defense was chasing Merrimack receivers all afternoon long and not able to prevent big plays. For the Setters to win their first game, they are going to need to stop the Southern Connecticut running game and not allow the big play.

Southern Connecticut has dominated this match up over the years and this year will be no different. The Owls will establish their running game and control the tempo of the game.

Prediction: Southern Connecticut 38 Pace 7


Stonehill (1-1, 1-0 NE-10) @ American International (1-1, 1-0 NE-10)

When: September 20th, 1:00 PM

All-Time Series: AIC leads the series, 18-0-0

My Thoughts: Here is the rematch of the 2013 NE-10 title game.

Stonehill went on the road last Friday night and defeated rival Bentley 24-17. They had a couple of early touchdowns and that was enough momentum to carry them to victory. The Skyhawks defense bent at times but was solid inside their 20 yard line including a late game stop. Moe Regan started at quarterback and had mixed results. He was aided by Colin Markus who had 120 yards and two touchdowns. For Stonehill to win on the road, they are going to need to play solid defense and not be pushed around up front. They will need to play solid defense again and score when given the chance.

American International lost on the road to D1 FCS member Stony Brook 20-3 last Saturday night. The Yellow Jackets hung tough against a D1 school but yielded 300 yards on the ground. The offense struggled as Shawn Brathwaite started the game but was sacked five times and had a couple of turnovers. AIC had their chances in the game but was not able to score touchdowns when they were in the red zone. For the Yellow Jackets to win this week, they will need to move the ball offensively and not make mistakes. Their defense will need to find a way to limit the running game and keep the Stonehill offense on the sidelines.

This game will be a defensive struggle. Both defenses will limit yardage and frustrate the opposing offense. But it is time for Stonehill to break into the win column over AIC. I thought it was going to be in the title game last year but I was off by one game.

Prediction: Stonehill 17 AIC 13


LIU Post (1-1, 1-0 NE-10) @ Merrimack (1-1, 1-0 NE-10)

When: September 20th, 1:00 PM

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

My Thoughts: Both teams would love to go 2-0 in the league.

LIU Post scored on a last second drive and defeated New Haven 38-33. They were in the same position a week earlier but were not able to get the points against East Stroudsburg. Steve Laurino had another solid game as he had a say in all five of the Pioneers' touchdowns. He ran for three including the game winner with 13 seconds left and tossed another two in the victory. He drove the team down the field after New Haven took the lead with under two minutes to play. For Post to win on the road, they are going to need some more Laurino magic. Plus the Pioneer defense will need to find a way to slow down the Merrimack offense and not allow them to rack up 600 yards of offense with ease.

Merrimack traveled to Pace last Saturday and walked away with a 75-2 victory. The Warriors scored early and often as they were able to display their high powered offense after seeing it struggle in Week 1 against Bryant. Freshman quarterback Joe Capobianco got the start and impressed with 416 passing yards and six scores. Seven different receivers caught passes and four of them found the end zone. The Warrior defense also played well as they limited Pace to just 125 yards of total offense. For Merrimack to win, they will need to contain Laurino and not let him make plays. The offense will also need to continue clicking and get the ball into the end zone.

This is going to be an entertaining game as both offenses can score with the best of them. Merrimack will be able to move the ball and outgun Post in this game.

Prediction: Merrimack 45 LIU Post 35


Bentley (1-1, 0-1 NE-10) @ St. Anselm (2-0, 1-0 NE-10)

When: September 20th, 1:00 PM

All-Time Series: Bentley leads the series, 14-0-0

My Thoughts: This is the home opener for the road warriors at St. Anselm.

Bentley yielded two early touchdowns and fell to Stonehill 24-17 last Friday night. The Falcons had a chance to tie the game late but were not able to get the ball into the end zone. Danny Guadagnoli had a solid night as he tossed for 283 yards and two scores. The Bentley offense held the ball for over 35 minutes but only were able to generate 17 points. Nick McCarthy had a career game as he recovered a fumble and then went to pick off two passes. Plus he was a part of seven tackles. For Bentley to win on the road, they are going to need to cash in on their opportunities. When they are in the red zone, they need to punch the ball into the end zone.

St. Anselm has logged a lot of bus miles in the first two weeks of the season and has a 2-0 record to show for it. Their latest victim was Southern Connecticut and it took overtime to walk away with a 23-20 victory. The Hawks are in unfamiliar territory as they are the lone undefeated team left in the conference. Elad Covaliu scored the winning touchdown in overtime but the story was the St. Anselm defense. They had a number of big stands as Southern Connecticut had a chance to blow the game open early but the defense stood strong. For the Hawks to win the game, they will need the same defensive effort. The offense will also need to limit mistakes and score when they have the opportunity.

St. Anselm will play in front of their home crowd for the first time this year. The Hawks have the chance to beat Bentley for the first time but I think that Bentley will disappoint the home crowd with a late touchdown.

Prediction: Bentley 27 St. Anselm 24


Assumption (0-2, 0-1 NE-10) @ New Haven (0-2, 0-1 NE-10)

When: September 20th, 1:00 PM

All-Time Series: New Haven leads the series, 4-2-0

My Thoughts: This early game is needed for both teams to avoid 0-2 in the league.

Assumption traveled to Sacred Heart last Saturday night and fell 44-14. The Greyhounds pulled with three, 17-14 early in the second quarter but then allowed 27 unanswered points. The highlight of the game was a leaping Sam Blake touchdown in which he came back to jump over the defender to grab the ball and then sprinted to the end zone. The Greyhound defense allowed 467 yards and not able to slow down the bigger D1 FCS opponent. For Assumption to win on the road, they will need to find a way to slow down the New Haven offense and not allow them to move the ball with ease. The offense will also need to move the ball and control the clock.

New Haven lost their second game of the season as they fell at LIU Post 38-33 last Saturday in the rain. The Chargers took the lead with under two minutes to go but they allowed a touchdown with 13 seconds to go that decided the game. New Haven gained over 200 yards on the ground but the Charger defense has not been able to stop the opposition. They have allowed 73 points in the first two games and that is not typical for them. The offense has done enough to win games. For New Haven to win their game, they will need the defense to play much better. They will need to get three and outs and not allow long drives.

New Haven will come out the gates flying and establish their game early to win their first game of the season.

Prediction: New Haven 38 Assumption 17