Image courtesy of WPRI 12
The Rams offense was impressive in a week one win over Bryant.
Week one is in the books in college football. 12 of the 15 division one programs played this weekend and several made a great first impression.
Here are my thoughts.
1. Merrimack struggled early on with St. Anselm’s, an old NE-10 foe but pulled away in the second half winning 55-23. Quarterback Westin Elliot completed 29 of 35 passes for 388 yards and four touchdown passes.
2. We knew going into the season that Rhode Island was going to be explosive offensively and they supported that notion in their 45-21 win over Bryant. The two headed monster of Kasim Hill and Brandon Robinson at quarterback combined to go 15 of 23 for 273 yards and three touchdown passes. The tandem rushed 11 times for 79 yards and Hill scored a touchdown. The Rams will score points and if they play quality defense, they will be a touch match up week in and week out.
3. New Hampshire got off to a fast start and held on to beat Stony Brook 27-21. Back up quarterback Bret Edwards impressed in his first start of the season completing 17 of 25 passes for 233 yards and three touchdown passes. The Wildcats defense was the story in the second half. CAA defensive player of the week Pop Bush finished with 10 tackles, 3.0 TFL (-17 yds.), one sack, two forced fumbles, two pass breakups and an interception.
4. Maine gave Delaware all they can handle and for a period of time, it appeared the Black Bears were going to come from behind and beat the Blue Hens after a big second quarter but the Blue Hens defense pitched a shoutout in the second half and the Hens scored twice to pick up the 34-24 win.
5. UConn dropped to 0-2 after being upset by Holy Cross 38-28. Turnovers and an inability to get off the field were once again the story for the Huskies. Of course the biggest news of the day was Randy Edsall announcing that he is retiring at seasons end.
The Huskies host Purdue next week so it only gets harder.
6. Julius Chestnut carried the ball 26 times for 170 yards and a touchdown in Sacred Heart’s 21-0 win over Bucknell. The Pioneers defense was touted as one of the best in country coming into the season and they didn’t disappoint.
7. Central Connecticut State lost to Southern Connecticut State 28-21 in a back and forth affair. The Blue Devils played well offensively racking up 445 yards of total offense but the defense struggled at key points in the game and couldn’t get off the field.