NEC Blitz Week 8 Power Rankings
1. Duquesne (4-2, 2-0 NEC)
Duquesne extended their winning streak to four with a dominant 38-7 victory over Saint Francis. Their defense was in peak form, allowing just 29 rushing yards and securing two defensive touchdowns—one from Ty Howard on a pick-six and another from Malichi Lowery on a fumble return. Darius Perrantes led a balanced offensive effort, supported by Joey Isabella’s strong receiving game. This commanding performance firmly establishes the Dukes at the top of the NEC and further builds their case for a spot in the FCS rankings. May we remind the voters that Duquesne has yet to lose a game to an FCS opponent? #RankDuquesneYouCowards
2. Central Connecticut (3-3, 1-0 NEC)
CCSU holds steady at No. 2 after what is technically a non-conference 38-20 victory over Mercyhurst. The Blue Devils showcased their powerful ground game, with both Jadon Turner and Elijah Howard surpassing 100 rushing yards. The defense was their usual opportunistic selves, forcing three interceptions from Mercyhurst quarterback Adam Urena. The combination of a potent rushing attack and aggressive defense has CCSU well-positioned as they prepare to take on Dartmouth next. There’s a lot of football to be played, but the possibility of a November 23rd clash with Duquesne for the NEC title has us very excited!
3. Robert Morris (3-3, 1-0 NEC)
The Colonials delivered a 23-0 shutout over Delaware State on Homecoming, fueled by Anthony Chiccitt’s three-touchdown day. Chiccitt was efficient, completing 25 of 31 passes, and the defense kept Delaware State under 200 total yards while forcing six punts. With an NEC showdown against LIU coming up, RMU looks to stay undefeated in conference play, where their strong defense will face the Sharks’ newfound offensive spark.
4. LIU (1-6, 1-1 NEC)
After a frustrating start to the season, LIU finally broke through with a 31-7 win over Stonehill, largely thanks to sophomore quarterback Ethan Greenwood’s explosive rushing performance in his first start. Greenwood’s 184 rushing yards and two touchdowns—including a 32-yard dash to open the scoring—reinvigorated LIU’s offense. The defense also stepped up, holding Stonehill to just 23 rushing yards and forcing three turnovers. With a critical matchup against RMU next, the Sharks have newfound momentum and a chance to establish themselves as NEC contenders. The season isn’t over yet, and if enough goes their way, the Sharks certainly still have something to play for.
5. Wagner (3-4, 1-1 NEC)
Wagner drops a spot following a tough 24-6 loss to Ivy League’s Columbia. Despite the setback, their defense remains formidable, and running back Ricky Spruill continues to be a reliable offensive weapon. However, Wagner will need to bounce back quickly as they prepare for a pivotal conference game against Saint Francis, where both teams will be desperately fighting for NEC positioning.
6. Saint Francis U (2-4, 0-2 NEC)
Saint Francis suffered a rough 38-7 loss at the hands of Duquesne but showed flashes (pardon the pun), especially in special teams. The defense ultimately couldn’t contain the Duquesne offense. With the Red Flash winless in conference play, they’ll be looking to regroup and turn things around as they travel to Wagner this week. The big win against Kent State unfortunately is looking further and further in the rearview mirror.
7. Mercyhurst (2-5, 0-0 NEC)
Mercyhurst falls to 2-5 after a 38-20 non-conference loss to CCSU, where turnovers hampered their efforts despite a strong start. Adam Urena connected with Brian Trobel for early scores, but three interceptions- very uncharacteristic for Urena- limited their comeback potential. The Lakers will use their upcoming bye to regroup before taking on Sacred Heart, hoping to get their season turned back around on the banks of Lake Erie.
8. Stonehill (1-5, 0-2 NEC)
Stonehill drops to the bottom of the rankings after a 31-7 loss to LIU, where they struggled offensively against a tough Sharks defense. Quarterback Jack O’Connell showed promise with a 66-yard touchdown pass, but the Skyhawks were held to a season-low in rushing yards. With Merrimack up next, Stonehill gets a non-conference breather to recover from an 0-2 start in NEC play. This is a young team, and youth takes time to develop- but with good coaching, like Stonehill has in Coach Gardner, the development always does happen in the end.
