It is the final weekend of play for the NE-10. A champion will be crowned on Saturday and a shot at playing in the NCAA playoffs is on the line. Plus a lot of seniors will suit up for the final time of their career. 2014 was a great season for the league.


# 10 Pace (0-10, 0-9 NE-10) @ # 9 Southern Connecticut (2-8, 2-6 NE-10)

When: November 15th, 3:00 PM

All-Time Series: Southern Connecticut leads the series, 18-0-0

2014 Result: Southern Connecticut 32 @ Pace 10

My Thoughts: Battle for ninth place.

Pace dropped their final regular season game to AIC by the final of 58-19. The Setters trailed by five points at halftime and played impressive in the opening 30 minutes. They have five scoring drives (4 FGs and 1 TD) after being held scoreless in the previous four games. For Pace to win on the road, they will need to put in a full 60 minute effort. The young team will need to make plays on both sides of the ball.

Southern Connecticut fell at Merrimack last Saturday by the score of 35-7. The Owls tied the game early in the second quarter but were not able to stop the Merrimack offense. The defense had three interceptions on the day but the offense was not able to take advantage of those turnovers. For Southern Connecticut to win the game, they will need to capitalize on their opponents mistakes. The defense will need to make plays and allow the offense good field possession.

Southern Connecticut has the bigger team in the trenches and they will grind out yards to control this game.

Prediction: Southern Connecticut 24 Pace 10


# 8 Bentley (4-6, 3-6 NE-10) @ # 7 Merrimack (4-6, 4-5 NE-10)

When: November 15th, 12:00 PM

All-Time Series: Bentley leads the series, 12-9-0

2014 Result: Merrimack 28 @ Bentley 25

My Thoughts: Battle for seventh place.

Bentley let a fourth quarter lead slip away in a 35-31 loss at LIU Post. The Falcons had a 10 point lead but were not able to find the end zone late. They dominated the middle two quarters but it was not good enough to knock off the second ranked team in the conference. For Bentley to win on the road, they will need to play a complete game and not allow Merrimack to score points easily. The offense will need to score when given the chance.

Merrimack defeated Southern Connecticut 35-7 to win at home for the first time since September 20th. The Warriors used the magic of Nick LaSpada again as he tossed for a couple of scores and ran one in. The Merrimack defense kept the Southern running game in check and were able to stop them despite a couple of turnovers by the offensive unit. For Merrimack to win the game, they will need to limit those turnovers and keep offensive drives moving. The defense will need to limit the explosive passing game of Bentley.

Bentley has been playing much better in recent weeks and will find a way to win on the road.

Prediction: Bentley 35 Merrimack 24


# 6 Stonehill (4-6, 4-5 NE-10) @ # 5 St. Anselm (6-4, 5-4 NE-10)

When: November 15th, 12:00 PM

All-Time Series: Stonehill leads the series, 11-5-0

2014 Result: Stonehill 23 @ St. Anselm 16

My Thoughts: Battle for fifth place.

Stonehill dropped a tough 28-21 decision to Assumption last weekend. The Skyhawks outgained the Greyhounds by a bunch but were not able to punch the ball into the end zone enough to win the game. The Stonehill defense continued their solid play but a couple of plays were the difference in winning and losing. For Stonehill to win on the road, they will need to find a way to punch the ball into the end zone with frequency. The defense will need to continue their mastery of St. Anselm and not allow them to control the clock.

St. Anselm won on a last second touchdown pass to beat New Haven 37-34 on the road. The Hawks scored twice in the final 2:05 to end their four game losing streak and the ability to host this match up again. St. Anselm had 549 yards of total offense including the 48 yard game winner from Yianni Gavalas to Brandon Gomes. For St. Anselm to win the game, they will need to play with the same confidence that they displayed in New Haven. Trick plays and execution on both sides of the ball is key to them winning this game.

St. Anselm showed a lot of heart last weekend and it will carry over to this weekend.

Prediction: St. Anselm 31 Stonehill 17


# 4 New Haven (6-4, 6-3 NE-10) @ # 3 Assumption (6-4, 6-3 NE-10)

When: November 15th, 5:00 PM

All-Time Series: New Haven leads the series, 4-3-0

2014 Result: Assumption 24 @ New Haven 20

My Thoughts: Battle for third place.

New Haven had a stunning loss to St. Anselm 37-34. The Chargers allowed a touchdown on the final play of the game after 20 seconds earlier, they scored to take the lead. New Haven saw their six game winning streak come to a halt and a shot at the NE-10 Championship game. For New Haven to win on the road, they will need to put the stunning events of last Saturday behind them and put together another 60 minute effort.

Assumption won their ninth consecutive regular season road game as they defeated Stonehill 28-21. The Greyhounds have now won in each NE-10 stadium over the past two years since Bob Chesney has taken the reins of the program. Despite giving up a lot of yards, the Assumption defense bent at times but did not break most of the afternoon. For Assumption to win the game, they will need to find a way to move the ball consistently and connect their success of scoring touchdowns. The defense will also need to find a way to control the New Haven offense and not allow them to move the ball easily.

This game will come down to the final minute but this time, New Haven will make the late play to win the game.

Prediction: New Haven 24 Assumption 21


# 2 LIU Post (7-3, 7-2 NE-10) @ # 1 American International (8-2, 8-1 NE-10)

When: November 15th, 1:00 PM

All-Time Series: AIC leads the series, 16-12-0

2014 Result: AIC 27 @ LIU Post 24

My Thoughts: The winner will get to hoist the NE-10 Championship trophy.

LIU Post earned their spot in the championship game after a 35-31 victory over Bentley. The Pioneers stormed back from a 31-21 deficit in the fourth quarter with two late touchdowns to win the game. They had already clinched their spot in the game after New Haven lost minutes earlier but feel better with their own win. The Post offense has been led by Steve Laurino the entire season and this game will be no different. He has had a hand in 42 of the 44 Post touchdowns this year and will be the difference maker for the Pioneers again. The Post defense will also need to contend with Kevin Arduino who is very similar to Laurino. They contained him for a good amount of the previous match up but then allowed a late touchdown that was the difference. For Post to win the NE-10 Championship, they will need to allow Laurino to create on the fly and move the Post offense. The defense will also need to find a way to limit Arduino and not let him get the ball into the hands of his play makers.

AIC looked shaky in the first half but recovered nicely for a 58-19 victory over Pace. The win secured home field for the second straight year in the championship game. Arduino and Stephan Davis hooked up for four scores and the AIC defense pitched a shutout in the second half. The Yellow Jackets are well aware of the championship game pressure and handled it nicely last year. This is their third straight appearance in this game after losing at New Haven in 2012. AIC will need another solid leadership performance from Arduino. He has been the leader of the offense and allowed AIC to have a lot of the success during his four years at quarterback. The Yellow Jacket defense has come up big at times and will need to limit Laurino and keep him on the sidelines. For AIC to win the NE-10 Championship, Arduino will need to play mistake free and get the ball into the hands of his play makers. The defense will need to get stops and keep the dangerous Post offense on the sidelines.

This game is a very evenly matched between two teams that are very similar. They have dual threat quarterbacks and play makers at all positions on the field. But AIC will win their second straight championship because Arduino will make a play late that will lead his team to victory.

Prediction: AIC 27 Post 24