Kevin Stone

MIAA postseason preview

November 8, 2024

Image courtesy of MIAA By Tyler Amaral NEFJ Staff DIVISION 1 Favorites: Springfield Central, St. John’s Prep, Xaverian, Needham Sleepers: Methuen, BC High Best first round match-up: (8) Methuen vs. (9) Franklin D1 Breakdown: Division 1 will once again come down to the big four of St. John’s Prep, Springfield Central, Xaverian and Needham. Teams like Methuen and BC High could play spoiler, especially Methuen who would more than likely……

Lowe looking forward to having one special guest in attendance on Sunday

November 7, 2024

0 comment

Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images FOXBOROUGH – When the Patriots take on the Bears inside historic Soldier Field on Sunday afternoon, Vederian Lowe won’t have a ton of family and friends there despite growing up in Rockford, Illinois. In fact, there’s only one person that’ll be there cheering him on. His grandfather Jerry Lowe will see him play in the NFL for the first time. Since being drafted by…

Maye admits there’s ‘a little extra’ this weekend vs. Williams

November 6, 2024

0 comment

Let’s be honest, there’s not much for Patriots fans to get excited about on game day. But, this weekend, maybe those apple picks and trips to the mall (do people still go to the mall anymore? I feel wicked old for saying this). This weekend, the Pats-Bears game is certainly worth your attention for a few hours. Sure, the records of both teams indicate this is a game between two…

Following bye week, Holy Cross eager to begin stretch run with Patriot League title in range

November 6, 2024

0 comment

Three games. Maybe even two. That’s all that stands between Holy Cross and a remarkable sixth straight Patriot League title and more importantly, a berth in the FCS postseason. Starting with this weekend’s home game against Lehigh – a team that’s a game behind the Crusaders in the standings – Holy Cross has full control of its own destiny. HC is 4-5 overall, but atop the league standings at 3-0….

Bill O’Brien critical of NCAA’s new ‘105 rule’

November 5, 2024

0 comment

Starting in the 2025-2026 season, NCAA teams will be able to have up to 105 players on a roster, an increase from 85. This will also allow schools to offer up to 20 more scholarships. It sounds great on the surface, right? Well, maybe not. Boston College head coach Bill O’Brien had some pretty interesting thoughts about the rule during his weekly Tuesday press conference as the Eagles get ready…

Now officially bowl-bound, UConn pushing for more

November 5, 2024

0 comment

The pressure of becoming bowl eligible is now gone. UConn can concentrate on bringing the show on the road for the final three games of the season and hopefully, increase the chances for a bigger, more well- known bowl game. While the bowl season as a whole has been terribly watered down with so many different bowl games now, playing one the last weekend of December is still a lofty…

URI moves up to No. 10 in the country with 3 weeks remaining

November 4, 2024

0 comment

During preparation for last week’s game against Monmouth, URI head coach Jim Fleming wanted to change up the practice routine. His older players advised against it. He’s glad they did. That’s because the Rams earned another come from behind win, are now 8-1, 5-0 in the CAA and ranked 10th in the country in the latest AFCA Coaches Poll, which is the highest ranking for the program since 2001. Part…

UNH looking for strong finish after ending losing skid

November 4, 2024

0 comment

This past Saturday, UNH ended a two-game losing streak with a thorough beating of Albany, 31-14. That win bot the Wildcats to 5-4 overall and 3-2 in the CAA with three weeks left in the season. Two of those games (Monmouth and Stony Brook) the next two weeks are in Durham with the final matchup being the rivalry showdown with Maine up in Orono on November 23rd. UNH probably won’t…

Titans 20, Patriots 17 (OT) – Maye forces OT with some late magic, but Pats lose again

November 3, 2024

0 comment

AP Photo/John Amis 12 seconds. That’s how long Drake Maye scrambled and extended the final play in regulation against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday afternoon with his team down seven. After buying as much time as he could, Maye lofted a ball up for Rhamondre Stevenson and the tailback came down with it with no time left on the clock for a five-yard touchdown, sending the teams to overtime tied…

College round up – Week 10

November 3, 2024

0 comment

As the calendar flips to November, playoff berths and league titles will start to sort themselves out. This was a road-heavy week for the majority of our 16 D1 teams, so here’s a recap of what you may have missed on Saturday… Mississippi State 45, UMass 20 Given how UMass has looked at times during another disappointing season, Saturday was actually encouraging. The Minutemen dropped to 2-7, but took a…