Image courtesy of CIAC Sports By Rob Gullo & Andy Close NEFJ Correspondents The first week of Connecticut high school kicked off this past weekend with a few surprises, big wins, and plenty of standout performances. Here’s the Top 25 rankings heading into Week 2: 1. New Canaan (1-0) New Canaan head coach Lou Marinelli picked up win No. 400 in his legendary coaching career this past Friday when the…
New England CFB Recap: Week 2
Another weekend of New England college ball is in the books. With 13 of the 17 teams in action beginning with BC getting an emotional win on Red Bandanna night, some fascinating storylines are already starting to unfold. Before the Ivy League’s start next week, UMass moved to 2-0 for the first time since the Bruins won the Stanley Cup (2011) with a blowout home-opening victory over Sacred Heart. UConn…
UNH 42, Stonehill 35 – Wildcats get Goldrich first win as head coach
Image courtesy of UNH Athletics By Allen Lessels NEFJ Correspondent DURHAM, N.H. – Quarterback Jack O’Connell and the Stonehill College offense rolled up the offensive statistics. But the University of New Hampshire had linebacker Trevor Barry and running back Joquez Smith and mixed in some early-game magic on special teams. The combination was enough – barely – to give former Wildcat quarterback Sean Goldrich his first coaching win, 42-35, over…
Daniel Hand 28, Bishop Hendricken 0: Tigers maul Hawks in big interstate matchup
By Colby Shannon NEFJ Correspondent WARWICK — An interstate state champion clash took place just outside of Providence on Saturday night, as the reigning Connecticut Class SS champion Daniel Hand Tigers traveled across borders to face the Bishop Hendricken Hawks, coming off their third consecutive Rhode Island Division I championship. Daniel Hand – ranked fifth in Connecticut – was playing its first game, while Bishop Hendricken – ranked second in…
Maryland 38, UConn 14 – Huskies can’t keep up with Terps
By Rob Gullo NEFJ Correspondent EAST HARTFORD – After opening the season with a record-breaking win against Lafayette, UConn fell back to earth on Saturday, losing 38-14 to Maryland at Rentschler Field on Saturday afternoon, snapping an eight-game home win streak. The Huskies struck first and gained a 7-0 lead towards the end of the first quarter, which was short-lived as Maryland tied the game on its ensuing drive and…
UMass 37, Sacred Heart 10: Minutemen start 2-0 for first time since 2011
By Mukala Kabongo NEFJ Correspondent AMHERST – Following the stunning win over Rutgers last week, UMass head coach Joe Harasymiak’s group had a next game mentality as they quickly shifted their focus to Sacred Heart. That focus showed itself early and often in their home opener, a dominant 37-10 victory over FCS opponent Sacred Heart from the NEC. “The start of the game is exactly what we talked about,” said Harasymiak….
No. 13 URI 31, Elon 10: Big 4th quarter propels Rams to first win in new home
By Mike Sidhly NEFJ Correspondent PAWTUCKET – Though the University Of Rhode Island has a new home this year, their dominance of CAA opponents remains consistent. This was the first home game for No. 13 URI in 2026, as the Rams are now playing in the gorgeous Centreville Bank Stadium in Pawtucket in lieu of the fact that their normal home Meade Stadium, is undergoing renovations and is inoperable for…
UConn Four Down Preview: Maryland Terapins (1-0) vs. UConn Huskies (1-0)
Kickoff: The Huskies will look to improve to 2-0 on the season when they host the Maryland Terapins at the Rent today. UConn is coming off of an impressive 56-7 win over Lafayette where they racked up a school record 671 yards of total offense. Maryland won their first game over Hampton, 62-0.
UMass Four Down Preview: Sacred Heart Pioneers (0-1) vs. UMass Minutemen (1-0)
By Ryan Barry NEFJ Correspondent Kickoff: The UMass Minutemen welcome the Sacred Heart Pioneers to McGuirk Alumni Stadium on Saturday afternoon for their 2026 home opener. In wake of last week’s 37-21 win at Rutgers, the shine couldn’t be brighter on the program who look to build off their upset and win consecutive games for the first time since 2023. 1st Down: The UMass offense under senior quarterback William “Pop”…
Boston College 28, Rutgers 21: Eagles Rise To Occasion On Emotional Night
CHESTNUT HILL – Red Bandanna games are always special, but this one felt different. On the 25th anniversary of the horrific events that took place on September 11, Boston College hosted Rutgers for the annual game honoring Welles Crowther on Friday night. Aside from desperately needing a win to avoid starting 0-2, BC simply couldn’t lose. Not with a ‘white out’ in the stands. Not with Welles’ family in attendance….