The Central Connecticut State University football program has established itself as an undeniable powerhouse, entering the season as the two-time defending Northeast Conference champions. Following back-to-back league titles and consecutive FCS playoff appearances under back-to-back NEC Coach of the Year Adam Lechtenberg, the league’s coaches once again tabbed the Blue Devils as the preseason favorite, collecting six first-place votes. Central Connecticut State returns ten Preseason All-NEC selections across its…
2026 Rhode Island Rams Season Preview
The Rhode Island Rams enter the 2026 season riding considerable momentum following a deep FCS playoff run and an eleven-win campaign. Ranking among the top programs in FCS football entering the fall, Rhode Island will navigate an intriguing slate that features five home contests played at Centreville Bank Stadium in Pawtucket during ongoing facility upgrades at Meade Stadium. Leadership remains a clear strength for the program, highlighted by the election of fifth-year wide receiver Marquis Buchanan and fourth-year defensive lineman Case Mankins as team captains following vote by their teammates. With high expectations across the Coastal Athletic Association, the Rams possess the veteran experience and transfer portal additions needed to challenge for a conference championship and make another extended postseason push.
Maine 21, Towson 18: Black Bears open season with big CAA win
Image courtesy of Maine Athletics It took a little longer than anyone would like, but a win is a win. Maine held on for a 21-18 season-opening CAA victory over Towson on Thursday night after building a 21-0 lead. The game was delayed about an hour for lightning with 13 minutes left in the fourth quarter. Leading by three with a little over nine minutes remaining, Maine went for it…
Vrabel provides update on Schooler & Landry III
CLEVELAND – Could the Patriots be getting a couple of key pieces back? To be determined. We reported on Tuesday that there wasn’t much optimism surrounding Harold Landry III when it comes to being ready for Week 1. Following the ugly 37-13 preseason finale loss to the Browns on Thursday, head coach Mike Vrabel was asked if the veteran pass rusher or core special teamer Brendan Schooler could be activated…
Browns 37, Patriots 13: Lifeless Pats blown out in preseason finale
Image courtesy of Yahoo Sports We made it. The NFL preseason has mercifully come to an end for the Patriots. With a rather embarrassing 37-13 loss in Cleveland on Thursday night, the Patriots now turn their attention to cut down day on Sunday before all eyes shift to Seattle in less than two weeks. In fairness, the Patriots sat 38 players on Thursday and Cleveland fans had little-to-no interest in…
Gonzalez & Patriots being far apart in negotiations isn’t good
AP Photo/Charles Krupa The optimistic narrative surrounding contract extension talks between the Patriots and star cornerback Christian Gonzalez hit a jarring wall after ESPN insider Adam Schefter dumped a heavy dose of reality on the situation. Despite public assurances from executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf that momentum was building, Schefter reported on the Pat McAfee Show on Thursday that the two sides haven’t been close to a…
Patriots Four Down Preview: New England Patriots (2-0) at Cleveland Browns (1-1)
Opening Drive: The New England Patriots line up against the Cleveland Browns with a focused objective: sharpen execution and lock in operational discipline before the regular season grind kicks into full gear. 1st Down: Who Starts at Quarterback? Are the Patriots going to start Tommy DeVito or are they going to start Behren Morton and play him the entire game? Expect DeVito to play but I would not be surprised…
5 observations from our camp visit with CCSU
By Rob Gullo NEFJ Correspondent NEW BRITAIN — Slated to win a third-straight Northeast Conference title, the Central Connecticut State University Blue Devils football team is ready to tackle the 2026 season with a target on their back. This summer, the Blue Devils have had several positional battles including at quarterback and will have a number of key players stepping up following major departures from the 2025 season. The Blue…
2026 Merrimack Warriors Season Preview
The 2026 Merrimack Warriors enter a vital third season under Head Coach Mike Gennetti as they navigate life as an FCS Independent. Following a transition out of the NEC, the program continues to test itself against high-caliber regional and national opponents. The Warriors face a demanding 12-game slate featured around tests against FBS programs Delaware and Wake Forest, alongside a full run of regional Northeast powers like Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Monmouth, and Yale. With a deep roster blending proven regional veterans and high-level FBS transfer additions, Merrimack aims to construct a physical, fast brand of football that can hold up under a grueling travel and non-conference schedule.
2026 New Hampshire Wildcats Season Preview
The New Hampshire Wildcats football program enters the 2026 season with a new era underway, as former UNH standout Sean Goldrich takes the reins as head coach. Goldrich brings fresh energy to a program built on deep-rooted Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) tradition. The Wildcats face a challenging 2026 schedule, kicking off early with a Friday night CAA showdown at UAlbany on August 28, before taking on an FBS opponent in the Syracuse Orange on September 5. The home slate at Wildcat Stadium features critical non-conference and conference matchups against Stonehill, Harvard, and Elon, forcing the Wildcats to balance out-of-league tests with a grueling conference gauntlet. With a mix of veteran returning talent and emerging underclassmen, New Hampshire looks to establish Goldrich’s culture immediately and compete for an FCS playoff spot.