It is the final weekend of football in October. The games continue to get bigger and this weekend has several very important games.


St. Anselm (5-2, 4-2 NE-10) @ Assumption (4-3, 4-2 NE-10)

When: October 24th, 7:00 PM

All-Time Series: Assumption leads the series, 10-5-0

My Thoughts: Two teams headed in opposite directions right now.

St. Anselm has lost two straight games. The latest setback was on the road to LIU Post by the score of 49-21. The Hawks had no answer for Steve Laurino who had a hand in all seven touchdowns. St. Anselm has struggled on the defensive side as they have allowed 97 points in the last two games. The Hawks had allowed just 126 points in the first five games of the season. For St. Anselm to win on the road, they are going to need to get stops and keep their offense on the field. The defense will need to make plays on third down and not allow Assumption to move the ball with ease.

Assumption won their eighth straight regular season road game as they crushed Merrimack 41-13 last Saturday. The Greyhounds scored the first 10 points of the game but trailed 13-10 at the half. An opening kickoff return for a touchdown by Assumption opened the flood gates in the second half. The defense pitched a shutout in the final 30 minutes and Assumption is on a three game winning streak.

This game has the potential to be the game of the week. Both teams need the win to keep pace in the championship game hunt. The St. Anselm defense will make a big play down the stretch and help them right the ship on the road.

Prediction: St. Anselm 38 Assumption 35


Southern Connecticut (1-6, 1-5 NE-10) @ Stonehill (3-4, 3-3 NE-10)

When: October 25th, 1:00 PM

All-Time Series: Southern Connecticut leads the series, 16-2-0

My Thoughts: This match up was one sided until two years ago.

Southern Connecticut fell to Bentley at home last Saturday by the score of 38-7. The Owls struggled to slow down the Falcon passing attack and then had no answer for them when they had the ball. After beating Pace four weeks ago, Southern has struggled to find the end zone consistently to help aid a defense that has kept them in most games. For Southern Connecticut to win on the road, they will need their defense to continue their solid play and the offense will need to punch the ball into the end zone when given the chance.

Stonehill ended a two game losing streak as they defeated Pace 33-0 last Saturday in New York. The Skyhawks took control of the game late in the first quarter and never looked back. They racked up 441 yards of total offense with their top weapon on the sideline. They controlled the clock and were a perfect four for four on fourth down attempts. For Stonehill to win the game, they will need to continue their balanced offensive attack and limit turnovers. The defense will also need to make plays and not allow Southern to run the ball against them.

Stonehill should be able to control the line of scrimmage and make more plays to win this game.

Prediction: Stonehill 31 Southern Connecticut 13


Merrimack (3-4, 3-3 NE-10) @ New Haven (4-3, 4-2 NE-10)

When: October 25th, 1:00 PM

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

My Thoughts: Another matchup of two teams headed in opposite directions.

Merrimack struggled in all phases of the game and lost to Assumption 41-13. The Warriors were not able to overcome a second half opening kickoff return for a touchdown after leading at the half. The offense struggled to score points as they split quarterback duties most of the afternoon. For Merrimack to win on the road, they will need to find their offensive rhythm. The Warriors will need to move the ball and score when given the chance.

New Haven is suddenly the hottest team in the NE-10 after their 31-24 victory over AIC last Saturday. The Chargers scored 14 points in the final two minutes to pull out the win. The defense also caused two turnovers in that same time span to keep them in the championship game hunt. For New Haven to win the game, they will need to score early and often. They need to play with the lead at home and not allow the Merrimack offense to establish any sort of rhythm.

New Haven will continue its winning ways as they will play well on both sides of the ball.

Prediction: New Haven 27 Merrimack 17


Pace (0-7, 0-6 NE-10) @ Bentley (2-5, 1-5 NE-10)

When: October 25th, 1:00 PM

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

My Thoughts: One team just got their first league win and another is still searching for it.

Pace dropped their seventh game of the season as Stonehill won 33-0. The Setters were held out the end zone for the second consecutive week as their defense played much better. They were able to keep Stonehill out of the end zone for most of the first quarter and caused a turnover near midfield. But they were not able to capitalize on it. On the positive side, they blocked two extra point attempts and continue to be able to block kicks. For Pace to win on the road, they will need to move the ball offensively and control the clock. The defense will also need to make some plays and not allow the big play.

Bentley ended their five game losing streak as they defeated Southern Connecticut 38-7 on the road. The Falcons jumped out to an early lead and never looked back. For the first time this year, the game was not decided in the final minutes as they took care of business early. For Bentley to win the game, they will need more of the same. Take control of the game early and do not look back.

It is Senior Day for Bentley and they should use that emotion to win this game.

Prediction: Bentley 35 Pace 10


American International (5-2, 5-1 NE-10) @ LIU Post (5-2, 5-1 NE-10)

When: October 25th, 1:00 PM

All-Time Series: AIC leads the series, 15-12-0

My Thoughts: Here is the biggest game of the season for both teams.

American International was stunned on their home turf in front of their homecoming crowd last Saturday. They allowed two touchdowns in the final two minutes and then turned the ball over twice in a 31-24 loss to New Haven. The Yellow Jackets dropped their first league game of the season and now need to right the ship. Too many mistakes and penalties cost AIC the victory. For AIC to win on the road, they will need to make plays on both sides of the ball and get back to AIC football. Tough punishing defense and big play potential on the offensive side of the ball.

LIU Post easily defeated St. Anselm 49-21 in front of their homecoming crowd last Saturday. Steve Laurino continued his stellar season as he had a hand in all seven touchdowns in the victory. The Pioneer defense held St. Anselm's offense in check the entire game. The Post offense controlled the time of the possession by converting 67% of their third conversions. For Post to win the game, they will need more of the same from Laurino. He will face a good defense that will not allow him to have too many openings. When they are there, he needs to take advantage of them.

This game will be hard hitting and very competitive. Both quarterbacks are capable of scoring points each time that they touch the ball. But AIC is the more experienced team and each time that they faced adversity, they excel.

Prediction: AIC 34 Post 29