College

UNH in a bit of an unfamiliar spot to start the season

Photo: UNH Twitter
August 26, 2025
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UNH will always be considered a CAA contender and a program that’s regularly in the Top 25 conversation. But, for the first time in a while – even after a 16th playoff appearance in the last 20 seasons – there’s uncertainty surrounding this particular Wildcats squad. With a lot of turnover and a new wave of youth sweeping through the meeting rooms and practice fields in Durham, there’s certainly optimism,……

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UConn eager to get things going against CCSU on Saturday

August 26, 2025
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By Andy Close NEFJ Correspondent STORRS — After a tough, physical camp, it’s finally game week for UConn. The Huskies welcome FCS foe Central Connecticut State to Rentschler Field on Saturday (2 p.m.) in a season filled with heightened expectations. UConn is coming off a 9-4 season, its best mark since 2007, when they also went 9-4. It was also the first winning season for the program since 2010. “Our…

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Holy Cross’ young roster should benefit from experience heading into 2025

Photo: Holy Cross Twitter
August 26, 2025
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While Holy Cross still managed to clinch a share of a sixth straight Patriot League title a year ago, it wasn’t always smooth sailing. In fact, bouts of inconsistency from a very young, inexperienced roster made the 2024 season quite a roller coaster at times. But, like most teams that choose to go the recruit and development route rather than going heavy in the transfer portal, those growing pains are…

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Rhode Island looking straight ahead despite early national championship chatter

August 26, 2025
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During its portion of CAA Media Day a while back, Rhode Island players weren’t shy about their ultimate goal for 2025. A national championship. But, after waiting almost four decades for another CAA title and finally bringing it home last year, head coach Jim Fleming knows the Rams are a long, long way from even thinking about a trip to that last game in Nashville the first week of January….

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5 observations from our camp visit with Brown

August 25, 2025
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By Liam Griffin NEFJ Correspondent Providence, RI – Brown is three practices into training camp, and one word perfectly describes the team early on: Energy. Even in a practice that wasn’t fully padded, seemingly every player- offensive or defensive, under or upperclassmen- was loud, proud, and excited to be there. Whether it be the defense mobbing defensive back Landon Heard after recording an interception or constant chants of “let’s go”…

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UMass season preview

August 25, 2025
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Our resident UMass guy Ryan Barry out-did himself with this one. If you’re looking for the most in-depth Minuteman preview anywhere, you’ve come to the right place… By Ryan Barry NEFJ Staff The UMass Minutemen return to the Mid-American Conference in 2025 under new head coach Joe Harasymiak. Now on a fifth head coach since the FBS era began back in 2012, the Minutemen are in desperate search of stability….

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5 observations from our camp visit with Harvard

August 24, 2025
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CAMBRIDGE – The preseason Ivy League favorites are officially back. Harvard opened up camp on Saturday morning inside historic Harvard Stadium and there was a clear buzz around the team. Here’s what stood out during the two-hour session: Attention to detail – From the time stretching started to the final period of walkthrough, everything was covered by second-year head coach Andrew Aurich and his staff. Aurich stuck around the defensive…

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Recapping our camp visit with Stonehill

August 22, 2025
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By Ava Fernandez NEFJ Correspondent EASTON – As Stonehill College’s football team wrapped up one of its final practices of preseason camp ahead of the season opener vs. Sacred Heart next week, the Skyhawks showed signs of depth, energy and focus on Friday. All traits they hope will translate into a bounce-back season. Head coach Eli Gardner – entering year No. 10 – has been pleased with what he has…

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5 observations from our camp visit with Sacred Heart

August 22, 2025
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By Rob Gullo NEFJ Correspondent FAIRFIELD — Before the start of the weekend, the Sacred Heart Pioneers football team took the practice field early Friday morning for a pad-less practice with near-perfect weather. This season, the Pioneers will play its last season as an independent team as they’ll make the transition to the Coastal Athletic Association Conference next season. Sacred Heart will be led by head coach Mark Nofri, who…

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5 observations from our camp visit with URI

August 22, 2025
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By Charlie Adams NEFJ Correspondent KINGSTON – No. 9 Rhode Island finished training camp with the attention to detail of a team ready to repeat as Coastal Athletic Association champions. URI’s mock game left no stone unturned. Without a ball being thrown or pads being worn, the Rams went through nearly all facets of a football game, both on and off the field. Practice wrapped with the team singing the…

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