November 7th, 2022 4:00am
We have crowned a champion in the league.
Champs
The Assumption Greyhounds are officially the 2022 NE10 champions as they defeated Saint Anselm 21-12 last Saturday on the road. Coupled with the Bentley loss and the tiebreaker over New Haven, it is the first time since 2017 that the Greyhounds are at the top of the league.
It was the defense that carried Assumption on Saturday once again. They limited the Hawks to just four field goals and were a brick wall in the red zone.
Saint Anselm ran nearly 30 more plays and possessed the ball for nearly ten minutes longer, but the Assumption defense was up to the task. They were credited with five sacks in the game, picked off two passes, and left no room to run the ball as Saint Anselm finished the game with negative 20 yards on the ground.
Jake Cady had a very effective as he completed 75% of his passes, tossed a couple of touchdowns, and also was the leading rusher for Assumption. He also scored a touchdown with his legs as he didn’t have the flashiest game but executed the game plan for the victory.
For Assumption, they are now done with their NE10 schedule and finish the regular season with a trip to Post this weekend.
Upset
Not many people saw this coming except for a couple of buses filled with football players from Springfield. American International defeated Bentley 18-10 this past weekend to grab their first win of the season.
It was a textbook victory for the Yellow Jackets. Their defense dominated the game and allowed their offense to put up enough points to walk away with a victory.
After jumping out to a 12-0 lead in the first half, it was the defense that bent but didn’t break in the second half. They allowed a couple of scoring driving but had a huge goal-line stand late in the game. Bentley was in a position to grab the lead but was not able to. The Yellow Jackets stopped a third down try at the one yard. Bentley went for it on fourth down and it appeared that American International was going to stop them. The Falcons were flagged for a false start and then settled for the field goal.
The American International defense didn’t allow them near the end zone again and walked out of the stadium with their first win of the season. They started 3-0 last year but then lost 14 of the last 15 games before the upset over Bentley last Saturday.
American International will look to extend its winning streak as they host Saint Anselm in the regular season finale this Saturday.
Streaking
It was a tough start to the season for Southern Connecticut. They lost their first six games of the season but have found some momentum late in the season. They have now won three of their last four games. The latest victim was Post with a score of 44-7.
The Owls racked up over 500 yards of offense including just over 300 yards on the ground. It was the type of offensive attack that struggled earlier in the season that has been revived in the past four weeks.
It has not been the top of the competition for the Owls as they have defeated two winless teams and another with just one win at the time. But it shows that they are capable of playing better than they did earlier in the season.
They will look to finish the season in style with a win over cross-town foe New Haven this weekend.
Air Raid
Connor Degenhardt has had a pretty good college career. First at Holy Cross and now at New Haven, the quarterback has seen plenty of touchdowns and victories. He played his final home game this past weekend as his team defeated Franklin Pierce 50-6.
The sixth-year player matched his playing career length with six touchdowns on the blue turf in a game dominated by the passing game. He threw for 337 yards and found five different players for the scores.
The defense for the Chargers got the scoring going early with a safety and just frustrated the Franklin Pierce offense all game long. They limited them to just 223 yards of total offense and just a fourth-quarter touchdown.
For the Chargers, it was a nice way to bounce back from a tough road loss the week earlier. They wrap up their regular season with a short bus ride across town to take on Southern Connecticut for the Elm City Trophy.
Rankings
When the rankings were released last Monday, there were no major surprises for the NE10. Three teams were ranked, and they were ranked where they should have been based on the criteria and results to that point.
Assumption is in the best position to make the playoffs. They have won the NE10 and have just one Division II loss right now. They finish their season at winless Post this weekend. If they are able to beat the Eagles, they should host a first-round game.
New Haven is still right on the bubble. Despite beating Franklin Pierce handily, all of the teams ahead of them also won and that will keep them on the outside looking in from the top seven.
Bentley is officially out of the playoff picture. Their stunning loss to winless American International will push them out of the top ten and out of consideration as they were in the same boat as New Haven needing some help to make it.
For the rest of the region, the top seed will be decided in the PSAC championship game. Shepherd travels to face IUP. The Rams are already the top seed, and a win will keep them there. I do see IUP jumping to the top seed and the bye if they are able to win the title on their home turf.
Ashland is also in a position for a home playoff game if they defeat Kentucky Wesleyan. With a win, the Eagles will win the GMAC and be the lone representative from the league. Even with a loss, Ashland will be in the playoffs. They will end up in the top seven.
And now for the teams that New Haven fans are rooting for. Slippery Rock hosts Kutztown. If the Golden Eagles can pull off the upset on the road, that should be enough for New Haven to jump up in the playoffs.
Notre Dame College has a road trip to winless Alderson Broaddus and looking for another trip to the playoffs. If the Falcons can take care of business, they should be in the playoffs for the fourth straight season.
Gannon hosts Shippensburg in a PSAC crossover matchup. The Knights finished in a three-way tie for the PSAC West title and have been a pleasant surprise. If they are able to defeat the Ship, it will be the first time that Gannon will be in the playoffs.
The final team in the mix for the playoffs in Concord. They play at UNC-Pembroke this weekend and the Mountain Lions might have a say in the last playoff slot. With just two losses, they have been creeping up the rankings each week and might spoil the party for the second NE10 chance.
For Assumption to make the playoffs, it is easy. Beat Post this weekend and they will be in and hosting a game.
For New Haven, it starts with a victory over Southern Connecticut, and then they need Shippensburg, Kutztown, UNC-Pembroke, or Alderson Broaddus to pull off the upset.
It looks pretty good for one NE10 to play in the playoffs and a long shot for both to make it.
But that is why they play the games. Win on the field and don’t let the committee determine your fate.