Week 3 in the NE-10. Second week of league play and plenty of good match ups are in store for the weekend.


Merrimack (0-2, 0-1 NE-10) @ Assumption (1-1, 0-1 NE-10)

When: September 18th, 7:00 PM

All-Time Series: Merrimack leads the series, 14-5-0

My Thoughts: Friday night lights in Worcester.

Merrimack enters the game having lost their first two games of the season. They struggled last week to move the ball against a strong Stonehill defense. The Warriors are not accustomed to offensive struggles and it is showing on the scoreboard. For Merrimack to win on the road, they are going to need consistent play from their offensive unit. The offensive line will need to win the battle in the trenches and the defense will need to make some plays to quiet the home crowd.

Assumption enters the game off of a tough loss at LIU Post. The Greyhounds nearly rallied late in the game with their third string quarterback. They recovered an onside kick and were denied on a late two point conversion. The defense has given up a lot of points in the first two points and will need to tighten up that side of the ball. For Assumption to win the game, they will need to control the ball on offense and not allow the Merrimack offense to find any sort of rhythm in the game.

Assumption will have a big crowd for their home opener and control both sides of the ball for the victory.

Prediction: Assumption 35 Merrimack 13


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

When: September 19th, 12:00 PM

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

My Thoughts: This game could feature a lot of points.

LIU Post made some late plays to hold off Assumption last weekend. The Pioneers appeared to have the game in hand a number of times but finally were able to make a play in the last minute to win the game. The offense is moving the ball well but the defense has not been able to keep a team under 30 points yet. For LIU Post to win the road, they will need to make plays on third down and not let the St. Anselm offense control the clock. The offense will need to play mistake free and punch the ball into the end zone when the chance is there.

St. Anselm defeated Pace on the road despite several turnovers. They were able to grind out the victory and feature a balanced offensive attack. The defense yielded just one offensive touchdown and made several key fourth down stops. For St. Anselm to win the game, they will need to play mistake free and control the flow of the game. The offense will need to move the ball and allow the defense to rest. The defense will need to stop the high powered offense of Post and not allow them to make big plays.

Post is bigger in the trenches than St. Anselm and will wear them down over the course of 60 minutes. They will pull away in the later stages of the game to win the game on the road.

Prediction: Post 45 St. Anselm 31


American International (1-1, 1-0 NE-10) @ New Haven (1-1, 1-0 NE-10)

When: September 19th, 1:00 PM

All-Time Series: New Haven leads the series, 14-7-0

My Thoughts: There will be some serious ice baths after this game.

American International took control early from Southern Connecticut and walked away with an easy victory. They made several big plays and got some great quarterback play. The defense was outstanding and completely frustrated the Owl offense. The Yellow Jackets showed that they are capable of big things in 2015. For AIC to win on the road, they will need another big game from Jarvis and he will need to play mistake free. The defense will need to control the line of scrimmage and not allow New Haven to run the ball.

New Haven escaped from Bentley with a last second victory for the second straight year. This year, a field goal with two seconds left was the difference. A huge drive in the final two minutes set up the winning kick. The Chargers also found a starting quarterback in Patterson who won the game with his play in the second half. For New Haven to win the game, they will need to continue their offensive surge from the second half. A balanced attack to keep the AIC defense on their heels will be key. And their defense will need to find a way to frustrate the quarterback and not allow him time to find the open receiver.

This game will be a defensive battle as both teams are very capable of limiting yards and points. But the difference will be a late drive by American International that will help them escape the blue turf with a victory.

Prediction: AIC 17 New Haven 14


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

When: September 19th, 2:00 PM

All-Time Series: Bentley leads the series, 11-6-0

My Thoughts: Tough to see these two programs winless when they met.

Southern Connecticut struggled on the road last weekend at American International. They were not able to find any offensive rhythm and the defense was not able to control all of the weapons of AIC. They will need to put that performance behind them and focus on the next task at hand. For Southern Connecticut to win on the road, they will need to move the chains consistently and not have many three and outs. The defense will need to find their groove and limit the Bentley offense.

Bentley had another heart breaking loss to New Haven on their home turf. The Falcons had scored on their opening drive of the second half but were not able to find the end zone again. They allowed two scoring drives in the final five minutes of the game to drop their league opener. For Bentley to win the game, they will need to put this latest loss behind them. They will need to move the ball against Southern Connecticut and score when they are in the red zone. The defense will need bring pressure and not allow the big play down the field.

Bentley won their first league game against Southern Connecticut last year and the same will be true this year.

Prediction: Bentley 24 Southern Connecticut 10


Pace (1-1, 0-1 NE-10) @ Stonehill (2-0, 1-0 NE-10)

When: September 19th, 6:00 PM

All-Time Series: Stonehill leads the series, 11-9-0

My Thoughts: Saturday night lights in Easton.

Pace drops their league opener to St. Anselm last weekend. They tied the game in the opening drive of the second half but were not able to continue that momentum. The Setters were in game the entire afternoon before a couple of late touchdowns decided the game. For Pace to win on the road, they will need to move the ball and keep their drives going. The defense will need to limit Stonehill and not allow them to move the ball with ease.

Stonehill avoided the let down and walked out of Merrimack with a tough road victory. The Skyhawks rallied in the fourth quarter and continued their solid start to the season. The defense was again strong as they held Merrimack to under 200 yards in the victory. For Stonehill to win the game, the defense will need to stop the Pace running game and pressure the quarterback. The offense will need to take advantage of opportunities when they are presented.

Stonehill will take control of the game early and win the game.

Prediction: Stonehill 31 Pace 7