September has come and gone in the NE-10. The season is flying by but there are still plenty of solid match ups this weekend to will help to decide who plays in the championship game on November 15th.


LIU Post (2-2, 2-1 NE-10) @ Pace (0-4, 0-3 NE-10)

When: October 4th, 12:00 PM

All-Time Series: Post leads the series, 19-3-0

My Thoughts: The battle of New York in the NE-10.

LIU Post grabbed a close victory as they won on the road at Assumption, 28-27. The Pioneers jumped out to a 14-0 lead before allowing 27 consecutive points. But they rallied for the final 14 minutes to win their second game of the season. Steve Laurino continued his solid season with two TD rushes and two touchdown passes. For LIU Post to win on the road, they will need to move the ball consistently and convert on third downs. The defense will also need to find a way to make some plays and not allow Pace to move the ball easily.

Pace fell on the road to St. Anselm 52-26 last weekend. The Setters fell behind in the first half before scoring some points in the second half. Steven Demeo started the game at quarterback and tossed for over 300 yards and a couple of touchdowns. For Pace to win the game, they will need to make some plays on defense and not allow long scoring drives. The offense will also need to move the ball and make some first downs.

Post is playing better right now and will take control of the game early to win this match up.

Prediction: Post 45 Pace 10


Assumption (1-3, 1-2 NE-10) @ Southern Connecticut (1-3, 1-2 NE-10)

When: October 4th, 12:00 PM

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

My Thoughts: Assumption has dominated this rivalry in the past couple of years.

Assumption dropped a tough game when they fell to LIU Post 28-27. The Greyhounds scored 27 consecutive points in the middle of the game but a blocked PAT cost them a potential tie. Trevor Vasey continues his solid play as he had over 300 yards passing and a couple of touchdowns. For Assumption to win on the road, they will need move the ball on offense and not turn it over. The defense will need to get off the field when given the chance.

Southern Connecticut lost to AIC last weekend by the score of 31-10. The Owls struggled to move the ball offensively and had to rely on their special teams unit for their lone touchdown of the game. The defense held the AIC offense in check most of the day but allowed a couple of big plays that hurt them. For Southern Connecticut to win the game, they will need to grind out yards and control the time of possession. The defense will need to slow down the Assumption offense and not allow them to move the ball consistently.

Assumption will grind out a victory as they have the ability right now to score more points than Southern Connecticut.

Prediction: Assumption 24 Southern Connecticut 13


Bentley (1-3, 0-3 NE-10) @ American International (3-1, 3-0 NE-10)

When: October 4th, 1:00 PM

All-Time Series: AIC leads the series, 10-9-0

My Thoughts: This match up is always one to look forward to on the schedule.

Bentley lost their third straight game as they allowed a touchdown with 1.3 seconds to fall to New Haven 38-35. The Falcons have lost those three games by a combined 14 points and were in position to win each of them. Danny Guadagnoli threw for over 400 yards and five touchdowns to grab Player of the Week honors. Jeff Hill and Alex Farkes were his favorite targets and caught three of those touchdowns. Bryan Hardy was the defensive star with 11 tackles. For Bentley to win on the road, they will need to find the seams in the AIC defense. The defense will also need to contain Kevin Arduino and not allow him to hurt them with his arm and legs.

AIC stayed undefeated in the league with a 31-10 victory at Southern Connecticut. The Yellow Jackets did not allow an offensive touchdown for the second straight game and are playing solid on defense right now. Arduino continues to be the best quarterback in the league as he runs the offense flawlessly with either his arm or his legs. He spreads the ball around to his targets with ease. For AIC to win the game, they will need to slow down the passing game of Bentley and not allow the big play. The offense will need to play balanced and score when they are in the red zone.

This game will be close for three quarters but AIC will use their size and depth to pull away in the fourth quarter for the victory.

Prediction: AIC 31 Bentley 21


St. Anselm (4-0, 3-0 NE-10) @ Merrimack (2-2, 2-1 NE-10)

When: October 4th, 1:00 PM

All-Time Series: Merrimack leads the series, 12-3-0

My Thoughts: Both teams have similar offenses and upgraded defenses.

St. Anselm won their fourth consecutive game after taking care of business with Pace by the score of 52-26. The Hawks jumped out to an early lead and never looked back. Quarterback Yianni Gavalas continued his breakout season with 415 yards passing and two rushing touchdowns. For St. Anselm to win on the road, they will need to continue their one game at a time motto. The offense will need to play mistake free and the defense will need to make plays to keep the Merrimack offense off the field.

Merrimack lost a tough game on the road to Stonehill last Saturday night by the final of 33-19. The Warriors jumped out to an early 12-0 lead but were then held out of the end zone until the fourth quarter. Joe Capobianco is looking like the freshman of the year as he tossed for 399 yards in the loss. The defense kept the team in the game until a late punt return and touchdown run for the deciding margin. For Merrimack to win the game, they will need to move the ball and spread the ball to their play makers. The defense will need to slow down the tempo of the St. Anselm offense and not allow them to control the tempo of the game.

This game will be very close and come down to the final minutes. I think that Merrimack will make a defensive stop that will lead to the winning points.

Prediction: Merrimack 35 St. Anselm 31


New Haven (1-3, 1-2 NE-10) @ Stonehill (2-2, 2-1 NE-10)

When: October 4th, 6:00 PM

All-Time Series: New Haven leads the series, 4-1-0

My Thoughts: Another prime time match up for these two programs.

New Haven grabbed their first win of the season last Saturday when then traveled to Bentley and escaped with a 38-35 victory. Ty Headen hauled in a 19 yard pass with 1.3 seconds left to get head coach Chris Pincince his first victory. Joey Bradley continued his stellar play with 315 yards passing and three touchdown passes including the game winner. New Haven answered each of Bentley's scores with a scoring drive of their own and were finally able to come out on top. For the Chargers to win on the road, they will need to move the ball and not turn it over. The defense will need to stop Stonehill on third down and not allow them to have long sustained drives.

Stonehill scored two touchdowns in the final two minutes and defeated Merrimack 33-19. Nate Robitaille returned a punt 52 yards for the winning points and Colin Markus sealed the win with a late touchdown run. Tom Sydeski got the call under center and played well in his collegiate debut. The Skyhawk defense allowed 12 points in the first quarter but settled in and held the Merrimack offense in check the rest of the night. For Stonehill to win the game, they will need to continue their defensive effort. They will need to keep New Haven out of the end zone and then score when they are given the chance.

Stonehill has the better defense right now and that will help them grab the Saturday night victory.

Prediction: Stonehill 28 New Haven 17