NEC Football Power Rankings Week 2: Mulligan!
There’s no point in doing power rankings in week 1; that’s just your season predictions. For the NEC, in a lot of ways, there’s not always a ton of value in doing Week 2 power rankings, either.
The membership of our league was not upset, nor did it pull any upsets; everything went pretty much chalk with one exception- S&P+ had New Haven, a school playing their first Division I football game with a new team as a road favorite against Marist. Just pointing that out to be truthful. I think it’s not a huge stretch to say that context matters and whatever metrics go into S&P+ create a strong, fun system. That said, you can’t draw on much of New Haven’s production or performance in prior seasons given both the transition and the team’s lightning-fast rebuilding effort. So we’ll chalk it up as a possible upset, but realistically, I’m not real sure I’d put a ton of stock into that one.
So there’s not too much movement here, but here we go: our power rankings after Week 1.
Duquesne
Duquesne had a tough first game against in-city rival (they call it the City Game, after all) Pitt in front of 53,006 fans. That’s actually more than the Dukes saw whenever they opened up the season against Florida State several years ago, but that makes a lot of sense. Not only were Pitt fans hyped up to see Duquesne, the Dukes faithful didn’t have much of a journey to go on a road trip, either. There was kind of a buzz around the game and in the press box opinion seemed fairly split as to whether or not Duquesne could muddy up the game with their offensive and defensive lines, or if Pitt was just too much for the Dukes to handle.
In the end, it was definitely the latter. The Dukes fell 61-9, but they were very competitive in the first quarter and Pitt certainly got off to a slow start. The offensive line wasn’t able to stay on the field with the Pitt pass rush or run stuffers, but Joey Isabella certainly handled himself well with over 100 yards through the air, Ty Riddell showed some promise with a great deep ball when he had the time to throw, and Jack Dunkley had some big moments from an athleticism standpoint. Point being, we’re not penalizing the Dukes for this one. But we will not tweet for them to be ranked this week.
Central Connecticut State
The Blue Devils had an in-state opponent of their own. While they got on the board first, they weren’t able to keep pace with what is expected to be a very good UConn team. Maybe the most troubling news is that Elijah Howard was on crutches on the sidelines during this game. Rob Gullo at the New Britain Herald tweeted out that it was a calf injury and that he’s been dinged up since camp. We do not speculate on injuries, but certainly hope Elijah is feeling better and is ready to go this week.
Robert Morris
We’re giving Bobby Mo a little bit of a bump northward here as they were able to hang with a West Virginia team for a half (heading into the locker room at 10-3) and the defense that we hoped for out of the Colonials seemed to be present. There’s been a lot of coaching turnover for Robert Morris, but we liked the promotion of Coach Makrinos to defensive coordinator and oftentimes the problem against FBS teams (and especially P4 teams) for FCS teams is depth more than first string talent. That seemed to be the case as the Colonials might have gotten a little gassed later on as the game got out of hand. This is a West Virginia team welcoming back a previous head coach, so we won’t know exactly what they’ve got until later in the season. Still, it was a solid first half performance and enough to get a bump up here.
Mercyhurst
I’m not all-in on the Lake Show after one week, but it would feel pretty criminal not to at least give them a few spots up after playing what was one of the most competitive games for the conference in week 1- in a situation where they were definitely expected to be playing up a few levels. The Lakers hung with the Youngstown State Penguins and showed off new wide receiver Dylan Evans, who caught 7 passes and looked like yet another weapon at receiver for Mercyhurst. Defensively, they hung well with well-regarded offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich’s first outing in Youngstown, although Gino Leone tells us that it may have been a somewhat vanilla gameplan. In any case, the Lakers were probably a handful of miscues away from winning this game. They’ve got a lot of tough road games ahead, but we’ll be in town to see them take on New Haven this Saturday.
Long Island
You just can’t take that much from a game against Florida with 89,000+ fans in The Swamp at night. You just can’t. The negative here for the Sharks from a ranking perspective is that we didn’t really see much to tell us who they are this season yet. Stanzani and Greenwood weren’t able to get much going through the air, and Ingram and Ross pretty much split the tailback carries. Greenwood wasn’t the same weapon on the ground against a top-15 team as he is against more reasonable competition. Deion Richardson had a 28 yard catch, but other than that it was tough going for the Sharks and we’ll have a better chance to truly evaluate them next week against Eastern Michigan. Don’t consider this the Sharks dropping from the preseason so much as getting a better idea of some of the other competition and some more standout performances from them. Teams moved up; the Sharks didn’t really get knocked down.
Wagner
The Seahawks opened up a new and improved stadium for Kansas on a weeknight and the atmosphere and talent from the other side was always going to be a little much to handle. We did get an idea on Wagner’s QB situation (it looks like it’ll be R-Fr Jack Stevens) and a viral interception came of the game from Jayden Brown. What did we say last year- the NEC is the Conference of Insane Interceptions. I’m not really convinced that there’s much to go on from the Seahawks offensively, but this might be an opportunistic team on Grymes Hill as Wagner did win the TO battle at 2-0 against Kansas.
Stonehill
The Skyhawks barely made it to their game (reportedly, they got a flat tire and were almost late) and that might have had an impact offensively. Defensively, they were stout as expected, giving up only one touchdown (they surrendered a field goal and the offense gave up a safety). A 12-7 win is a tough way to lose in week one, but there were bright spots here. Charles Battaglia was as good as hoped for with 9 tackles, and Jack O’Connell was 30-39 through the air. Offensively, they’ll need to turn those completions into yards (212 through the air for O’Connell) and points. It’s not where we hoped Stonehill would start on week one, but it’s a long season.
New Haven
New Haven hung with Marist in their first game in Division I and, much like Mercyhurst, had opportunities to win the game that weren’t able to be capitalized on, especially on special teams. You make your biggest improvement from Week 1 to Week 2, and gametime decision Zaon Laney will hopefully be healthy heading into Mercyhurst this weekend as we’re expecting rainy, grind-it-out weather up on Lake Erie. A.J. Duffy absolutely looks like the real deal, but we’re in a kind of wait-and-see mode on the Chargers until this Saturday when we get a real data point for them against Erie. The Chargers certainly look like they’ve got a playmaker under center, and I do not think next week is at all out of reach for this team.
Saint Francis
Saint Francis headed into Louisiana-Monroe and after a weather delay weren’t able to get off the blocks offensively. Geno Calgaro had an outstanding performance with 12 tackles, and the Red Flash were able to block two extra points. Unfortunately, the longest play for the other side of the ball was 14 yards, and while the Red Flash were able to go into half time at 10-0, Louisiana-Monroe is not traditionally the same level as a West Virginia and so you have to adjust the credit that you give the defense accordingly. Still, just like every season in the portal era, the Red Flash lost plenty and were still able to rebuild their defense. Hopefully, we get a little bit of a better idea of what to expect offensively next week before they open up the NEC season on the road in Hard Hittin’ New Britain.
GAME PREVIEW: Central Connecticut at UConn
Quotes courtesy of Rob Gullo with the New Britain Herald.
“We're gonna go take our shot and see what happens.”
Coach Adam Lechtenberg was just being realistic. FCS vs. FBS games are always a challenge for the lower-division team to win; that’s why the FBS teams schedule them in the first place. But there’s something fun about an in-state rivalry match between divisions. But this isn’t the UConn team we’ve seen far too much of since the Big East imploded. These Huskies can play, and they present a far bigger challenge to the Blue Devils than the last time they met in 2022, a 28-3 UConn win. The Blue Devils face as tough of a challenge as they will all season when they travel to The Rent.
We were able to speak with Bobby Wilson of the T’N’T’ College Football Podcast, a Lambert Trophy voter and noted UConn specialist.
Offensively, Wilson wasn’t holding back in his praise for the Huskies. “Joe Fagnano is a poised signal caller who doesn't make mistakes. The RB room is four deep with Cam Edwards, Mel Brown, Victor Rosa, and MJ Flowers. WR Skyler Bell is a future pro and Raymello Murphy and Shamar Porter will be known soon enough.”
While the Blue Devils can punch back offensively with Elijah Howard, who should hit 4th place all time in rushing yards for CCSU this season, they’ll face challenges, too. All-NEC Blitz second teamer AlecZander McCoy is expected to be out, along with projected right tackle Eric Nunez. This is on top of the loss of 2024’s offensive line coach to the P4 and most of the rest of their offensive line, easily the NEC’s best unit last season. They’ll have to rebuild and have some emerging talent here to slow down UConn’s pass rush.
The plus side is that it’s also a rebuilding position for UConn, although there’s still strength in the defense. According to Wilson, “Defensively, our front six will see a lot of new faces. We got bigger and stronger up front and the LBs have talent in Tyquan King, among others. However, all those new faces could lead to a hiccup or two in the 3-3-5 set. The secondary is extremely deep and talented, led by Cam Chadwick.”
The strong secondary may mean CCSU will have to be creative to get WR Donovan Wadley the ball. The 2023 NEC Offensive Player of the Year returned to the league this season and will be expected to be a difference maker for the offense, a weapon on the outside that Quarterback Brady Olsen hasn’t had previously. Coach Lechtenberg likes the way Olsen’s developed, saying of his signal caller “Brady's leadership has continued to evolve. I asked him, you know, one time in the off season, is how are quarterbacks evaluated, and it's on championships. He's done that. We want him to continue to improve. He's got all the skill set, and he's tough, he's smart, and he's a leader.”
The real test for the Blue Devils will be if they can continue to create turnover opportunities. They were an incredibly opportunistic defense last season. It gave them, for lack of a better word, a mystique that turnovers would happen when Hard Hittin’ New Britain stepped on the field. Things just seemed to go their way at times last year. There’s a luck component to that, but there’s a skill component, too.
Week 1 is always ripe for upsets. With this strong Huskies team coming off of a Fenway Bowl victory over UNC, it’s a tall order. But CCSU is coming off of a championship season and shouldn’t lack confidence. We can’t wait for this one.
NEC Football Preview and Predictions 2025: “The NEC is a Funny Thing.”
We’re going to try and provide predictions for the order of finish in this preview, but as a sitting NEC head coach once told me, “The NEC is a funny thing.” It was the first interview I’d ever done as a media member covering the league, and for the time I’ve been covering it has been a repeated statement I’ve made, most obviously when Central Connecticut State- picked last in 2024- won the league and challenged Rhode Island on the road in the first round of the playoffs.
If you bought the magazine, please don’t worry- this is more of a primer on the season than the full blown deep dive you’re enjoying as a reader. However, I noticed some errors in other previews and felt a set of corrections was necessary as a result. The league is kind of hard to follow casually; if you’re not embedded in it, you’ll miss transfers and graduations. It’s part of what makes it so much fun.
1. Duquesne
CCSU was picked first in the coaches preseason poll, but in our NEC preview magazine we picked Duquesne first after the meticulous research and coach interviews we conducted with the schools over the offseason. There’s just very few questions with Duquesne. We wondered about the QB situation with the graduation of Darius Perrantes- easily the best QB in the league last year and the likely Offensive Player of the Year prior to a poor performance in the season finale in a loss to CCSU- but the Dukes were able to reload here. Ty Riddell, a former SoCon champion, joins the team as a heavily experienced transfer. The Dukes lost RB JaMario Clements in the transfer portal to the P4 at Wake Forest, but they’ve got Taj Butts and Offensive Rookie of the Year Shawn Solomon available. It barely matters who has the rock, though, because they return 5 linemen with significant starting experience and will ave the best offensive line in the league without question. On the DL, they return A.J. Ackerman and Jack Dunkley. We have two all-NEC Blitz first teamers on the back end with Antonio Epps and DJ Cerisier. We had some questions at linebacker, but transfer Tyson Meiguez has gotten rave reviews and the Dukes should be favored in every NEC game this season.
2. CCSU
The defending champions were picked first by the coaches, but they’re actually something of a wildcard. They return Offensive Player of the Year Elijah Howard, so the offense should still be potent. They’ve actually added here as well, with WR Donovan Wadley transferring in from Merrimack. Wadley is the former NEC Offensive Player of the Year from 2023, so the Blue Devils now have the past two OPOYS in the year at QB Brady Olsen’s disposal. Olsen is solid and experienced, even if he’s not in the conversation for the best QB in the league. The real trouble for the Blue Devils is what they’ve lost in the trenches, with most of their vaunted OL graduating or transferring- it was easily the best in the league last season and a huge part of their success. The issue is only compounded by OL coach Jeff Ambrosie departing for Syracuse. They’ve also lost the two leading pass rushers on the defensive line and their prduction will be difficult to replace even with Derek Berlitz coming in from WVU. Christopher Jean in the secondary was the Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2024, and the linebacker corps is led by Jack Stoll, but this is still a unit that has to replace Defensive Player of the Year Kimal Clark although they added a ton of transfer depth to try and do that. It’s hard to know what the Blue Devils will be without the same line play as they enjoyed last year, and they did benefit from a lot of bounces their way last season. I have them at second, but this is a competitive league and close losses could easily be coming their way if they lose some of their turnover production.
3. LIIU
The Sharks are likely going to become a bigger force in the league moving forward as the program opted in to revenue sharing- one of 3 NEC football squads to do so. They return all purpose threat Ethan Greenwood, rushed and threw for over 900 yards last season despite earning the starting job midway through the year. The Sharks were historically unlucky last season, losing close games to open 0-6. Greenwood took the reigns and the team led in the rest of their games in the 4th quarter and went 4-2. They’ll still use two QBs this season and run the most unique and unconventional offense in the NECC. They’re difficult to prepare for and talented, but will have a lot of new starters. They lost 4 OL this offseason to the FBS- OL coach Ian Pace does a tremendous job here and recruits as well as he coaches. On the defensive side of the ball, DQ Watkins, Rafael Fasolino, and Todd Bowels are all returning players that we love at each level (Edge, LB, DB respectively). The Sharks might actually surprise people on defense this season and with Ethan Greenwood as the most dynamic player in the NEC, they’ll challenge for the title.
4. Stonehill
Stonehill?! Everyone else has them picked 8th, including the league Coaches Poll. I like Stonehill because my philosophy has always been that the most important metric in college football- and particularly in the transfer era- is returning production and continuity. The Skyhawks have more of that than anyone else in the NEC. The trouble is that they had a poor showing last year with only one win. The coaching staff responded by changing things up in the offseason, revamping the strength and conditioning program and accordingly the Skyhawks set over half of their 30 strength records they track this offseason. Charles Battaglia at LB and Mo Seide at DB lead what should be a much improved defense- probably by more than a touchdown per game. The offense returns two solid RBs and WR Brigham Dunphy, but the QB situation took the entire season in 2024 to resolve. Hopefully, this is now settled with Jack O’Connell, and if so Stonehill will have a big turnaround. It’s also worth noting that they’ve defeated Duquesne 2 of the last 3 years.
5. RMU
RMU is the wildcard this season. They were hit harder by coaching turnover (including two coaches in the past month) and the transfer portal than anyone. Noah Robinson, the star WR and engine of this offense, transferred to Tennessee Tech and was the biggest loss, but they lost effectively the entire RB room and QB Anthony Chiccit to Temple. The OL was injured in spring and didn’t get as much work as you’d hope. Defensively, they lost some of the best players in the NEC and will have to rebuild at almost every position. Acrobatic viral sensation Rob Carter Jr. graduated and is currently in the CFL. RMU is skilled at building through the portal and has done it at a scholarship disadvantage in the Big South-OVC before, but this might be a down year with the coaching turnover getting settled still.
6. Wagner
The Seahawks should be improved in 2025 but face a logjam ahead of them. They’ll be running two quarterbacks out on the field against Kansas (that’s Jordan Barton and Jack Stevens) and will have to decide between young potential and JUCO experience at the position. WR Jaylen Bonelli departed in the portal, but Terree McDonald should be able to step into the lead receiver role. Brady Anderson anchors the offensive line and Logan Barnes will be a force on the defensive line. It’s not really a question of if Wagner has improved- they’re more talented and deeper offensively than they’ve been since Coach Masella began rebuilding his alma mater- but they may have been hit harder in the transfer portal over the years then you’d like to see from a contender. They’re capable of surprising anyone, though.
7. Saint Francis
This is Saint Francis’s last season in the NEC before they drop to Division III and the PAC, which does include perennial powers like Grove City and especially Carnegie Mellon, which they’ll have to find a way to recruit successfully against when they’re at the same level. Coach Villarial is one of the best to ever coach in the NEC, and they’ve only lost the usual amount of production that they go through every offseason. We should note here that Markell Holman has departed in the transfer portal despite some reporting to the contrary and Andrew Vines, a DB, was listed at RB in the spring and may be switching positions this season. The Red Flash will lean on three QBs with starting experience, an experienced OL, and Geno Calgaro and Trey McLeer on defense (LB and DB respectively). The Red Flash always seem to have players ready to step into the voids filled by transferring players, but it’s hard to know what to expect with the talent dropoff they’ll likely start to experience with the transition down to D3.
8. Mercyhurst
The Lakers have begun to build a Division I caliber program after their transition from the PSAC. They return the best QB in the NEC, Adam Urena, RB Brian Trobel, and an experienced WR corps including Rylan Davison and Adam’s brother, Austin Urena. The issue for the Lakers is that they’re replacing an OL and good DL, including Camden White. While they return a lot in the receiving room, WR Cameron Barmore transferred into the Big 12 with Arizona where he’ll play tight end. Barmore is a legit pro prospect and a big loss for the Lakers. When you have a quarterback, you have a chance, but the Lakers are still building up to the level of the rest of the conference.
NEC Releases Coaches Poll
The official NEC Coaches Poll just dropped.
I’m always the first to say it- those guys are the experts, not me. But football is fun, and so are friendly disagreements. Let’s compare the coaches poll and our rankings and then dive into four places where our opinions differ.
2025 NEC Preseason Coaches Poll
CCSU (5)
Duquesne (2)
Robert Morris (1)
LIUWagner
Saint Francis U
Mercyhurst
Stonehill
And here’s how we see it:
NEC Blitz Rankings
Duquesne
CCSU
LIU
Stonehill
RMU
Wagner
Saint Francis U
Mercyhurst
Let’s get to the meat of it.
1. Duquesne at #1?
We like the Dukes to be at the top of the conference, while the coaches picked them at second with two first place votes. The Dukes feel that they have five starting offensive linemen are back. That alone should send a message. Jack Dunkley and A.J. Ackerman return up front on defense, and on the back end, DJ Cerisier and Antonio Epps keep things locked. Add in Joey Isabella at wideout and Taj Butts in the backfield? There are questions for the Dukes, but there are a lot more answers than unknowns.
We had a lot of questions about the linebackers heading into practices this summer, but word out of camp is clear: they’ve reloaded at that spot and will be just fine. Duquesne is the most complete team on paper and deserves the top spot.
2. CCSU: Still Dangerous, Still Some Holes
CCSU deserves their place among the league’s elite, and we like them as a close second place, while the coaches have them favored to repeat. Donovan Wadley’s arrival bolsters the receiver corps, and there’s transfer talent across the board, especially in the secondary to replace Kimal Clark. Elijah Howard remains the best offensive player in the league until proven otherwise, and there’s a good stable of backs behind in for depth.
But replacing most of that offensive line and the OL coach? That’s not a small thing. On the defensive front, Jalen Howard and Dan Toatley are gone. Those are huge losses. While there’s a lot of solid talent we’ve heard great things from coming in, the Blue Devils still have to find a way to replace the NEC Defensive Player of the Year, and while Christopher Jean is a good answer, it’s still a big question. Derek Berlitz is a great get from WVU, but CCSU has more to replace than people realize.
3. Stonehill Deserves More Respect
This was the real head-scratcher. Last in the coaches poll? I guess I get it, but if you look past the record there’s some good things here. Stonehill returns a lot of pieces, and that matters in a conference with razor-thin margins. The Skyhawks had a great offseason in the weight room, and they showed fight last year even against the league's top teams. They’ve got a shot to open up at 1-0 against Sacred Heart, and doing that might be enough to give them the confidence to find their way through league play. On one hand, I think I might be a year early on sounding the alarm for the Skyhawks. On the other hand, as a head coach in this league once told me: The NEC is a funny thing.
They might not win the league, but they’re a long way from the bottom.
4. RMU: One Big Mystery
We’re all for bold picks, but a first-place vote for Robert Morris? It’s hard to know what team you’re voting for. Coaching turnover, roster overhaul, and a rebuilt skill position group make this team a big question mark. RMU has experience reloading through the transfer portal and it’s certainly within the realm of possibility that they’ll be in the top tier of the league, with the RMU vs. Duquesne game at Joe Walton determining the fate of the league. It’s possible, but it’s so hard to work out where the standouts for the Colonials are with all of the big losses. Players always step up, but I’m hesitating until I get more information.
They’ll be very strong on defense again with Coach Makrinos becoming the new defensive coordinator, but they’re breaking in new backs, receivers, and a tight end. There's talent in the DB room and at linebacker, but far too many unknowns to justify a top-3 spot.
Bonus: Stop Snubbing Urena
We get it. Picking preseason awards is tough. But once again, the league has opted to not name Adam Urena to the all-NEC team. That’s a mistake that’s going to age badly. You’ve just given one of the NEC’s top returning signal-callers a giant chip on his shoulder. Best of luck with that.
The season can’t get here fast enough.
NEC Blitz Unveils Our 2025 All-NEC First and Second Teams
PITTSBURGH, PA – NEC Blitz is proud to release our inaugural 2025 Preseason All-NEC Football Teams, showcasing the league’s top players. Featured in the NEC Blitz 2025 magazine, this elite lineup previews the Northeast Conference season, providing a watchlist for fans and analysts. Both magazine cover athletes, Adam Urena and Zaon Laney, are featured on the first team.
2025 Preseason All-NEC Team:
First Team Offense:
QB: Adam Urena (Mercyhurst)
RB: Elijah Howard (CCSU)
RB: Zaon Laney (New Haven)
WR: Joey Isabella (Duquesne)
WR: Donovan Wadley (CCSU)
TE: Noah Canty (Duquesne)
OL: Brian Beidatsch Jr (Duquesne)
OL: Michael Fallah (Duquesne)
OL: Donnie Hardin (LIU)
OL: Isaiah DeLoatch (CCSU)
OL: Brady Anderson (Wagner)
Second Team Offense:
QB: Ethan Greenwood (LIU)
RB: Brian Trobel (Mercyhurst)
RB: Taj Butts (Duquesne)
WR: Teree McDonald (Wagner)
WR: Brigham Dunphy (Stonehill)
WR: Rylan Davison (Mercyhurst)
OL: Cameron McLaurin (Duquesne)
OL: AlecZander McCoy (CCSU)
OL: Mofe Adewole (RMU)
OL: Gary Satterwhite III (Duquesne)
OL: Connor Van Tassell (Saint Francis)
First Team Defense:
DL: A.J. Ackerman (Duquesne)
DL: Jack Dunkley (Duquesne)
DL: DQ Watkins (LIU)
DL: Logan Barnes (Wagner)
LB: Geno Calgaro (Saint Francis)
LB: Charles Battaglia (Stonehill)
LB: Malachi Wright (CCSU)
DB: DJ Cerisier (Duquesne)
DB: Christopher Jean (CCSU)
DB: Antonio Epps (Duquesne)
DB: Mo Seide (Stonehill)
Second Team Defense:
DL: Sharod Watkins (CCSU)
DL: PJ Williams (Stonehill)
DL: Jonas King (Mercyhurst)
DL: Zack Athy (Stonehill)
LB: Rafael Fasolino (LIU)
LB: Jack Stoll (CCSU)
LB: Jordan Nelson (RMU)
DB: Trey McLeer (Saint Francis)
DB: Dylan Merrell (LIU)
DB: Jordan Irvine (Stonehill)
DB: Todd Bowles Jr. (LIU)
First Team Special Teams:
K: Jayson Jenkins (RMU)
P: Will Lynch (LIU)
AP: Ethan Greenwood (LIU)
Selected by NEC Blitz, this team predicts 2025 potential, including New Haven’s FCS transition with Zaon Laney. Full analysis of the schools and players is in the NEC Blitz 2025 magazine, available at NECBlitz.com and Amazon.com.
Follow @NECBlitz on Twitter for season updates and join the NEC conversation.
CCSU Lands FAU Transfer OL Marchbank
Central Connecticut State may have waited until late May to offer Maddox Marchbank, but it looks like the Blue Devils got their guy.
The former Florida Atlantic offensive lineman, capable of anchoring a line at either center or guard, announced his transfer to CCSU with four full years of eligibility remaining. His recruitment had no shortage of interest: in-conference and in-state rival New Haven extended an offer, Tennessee State jumped in, and Fordham made their push with an in-home visit. But CCSU was the final program to offer, doing so on May 27. And Marchbank’s patience? It might have made all the difference in the world.
“A couple things stood out to me while I was there,” Marchbank said. “The staff really seems to care about the players more than I’ve ever seen and Coach Lechtenberg builds a great relationship with everyone. Every time we walked past a player, he stopped to talk to them. He also goes above and beyond making sure he can get as much as possible for the players.”
That genuine connection helped tip the scale. So did the culture. But winning helps, too. And as 2024 showed, you can do a lot of that in Hard Hittin’ New Britain.
In a league where Duquesne and LIU both fielded dominating offensive lines, no team controlled the line of scrimmage like Central Connecticut State. The Blue Devils mauled opponents up front in 2024, and while they’re reloading with a new offensive line coach, the plan hasn’t really changed. You win in the trenches, especially in cold-weather ball, and CCSU plans to keep it that way. CCSU can’t afford to lose a step- while LIU saw some of their talented linemen head to FBS, Duquesne looks to even the score with CCSU in 2025. Some things in football are universal, and the necessity of strong play on the offensive line is as true as gravity.
“The parts that made it the place for me were how nice the area is, how much the coaches care about the players, the players all love it there,” Marchbank said. “And the fact the program got turned around so quickly with Coach Lechtenberg. I want to go somewhere we can wreck the conference and make a postseason run.”
For CCSU, Marchbank brings FBS pedigree and the potential to develop into an interior anchor and the cornerstone of a monster line. For Marchbank, it’s a chance to grow inside a proven system, one where offensive linemen don’t just get recruited. Dominate on the offensive line at Central Connecticut State, and you’ll have the chance to crack it anywhere in the country, including the Big Ten. That’s the goal for some players, but for now Marchbank is focused on a repeat championship run for the Blue Devils.
And while CCSU was the last to offer, it was the one that hit home. Sometimes, it’s good to be first. But in Marchbank’s case, it was even better to be last.
First Glance: What Game Should Each Fanbase Be Most Excited For?
With the 2025 NEC football schedule officially released, each team has at least one marquee matchup that could define their season. Whether it's a rivalry clash, an early test against an FBS opponent, or a key conference showdown, these are the games that we’re looking forward to most for each team.
CCSU at Connecticut (8/30/25)
Coming off a Fenway Bowl victory, UConn will have plenty of momentum entering 2025, and Storrs should be electric for this in-state matchup. Electric, yes- but also maybe overconfident. The Blue Devils, fresh off an NEC title, aren’t in rebuilding mode—they’re reloading. Week 1 tends to deliver surprises, and an upset here would certainly make waves across the NEC and beyond.
Duquesne at Robert Morris (11/22/25)
This game carries the most weight for both programs, especially as RMU navigates key coaching and personnel changes. The Colonials start their season with a major test at West Virginia, while Duquesne begins its campaign against city rival Pitt. By the time these two meet in late November, playoff implications could be in play, making this rivalry battle one of the biggest games in the conference. And obviously, in-city rivalry games are what college football should always be about.
LIU at Rhode Island (9/20/25)
Last year, LIU led Rhode Island in the fourth quarter before a late rally by the Rams spoiled the Sharks’ hopes of a signature win. Now, the rematch takes place in Rhode Island, with LIU quarterback Ethan Greenwood firmly established as the starter. After two early FBS matchups, this game will serve as an early measuring stick for just how competitive LIU can be this season.
Mercyhurst vs. LIU (10/4/25)
This is more than just a conference matchup—it's a historic first. Mercyhurst officially enters NEC league play with this home game against LIU, marking a significant moment for the Lakers' program. After ending 2024 on a high note with a win over Saint Francis, the Lakers will be eager to prove they belong in their new conference home.
Saint Francis at CCSU (9/13/25)
Last year’s matchup was a tight contest, with CCSU’s opportunistic defense making the difference. This time, the Red Flash will look to flip the script in their NEC opener on the road. The question is whether CCSU can continue its turnover-driven success or if Saint Francis can capitalize when those opportunities don’t materialize.
Stonehill at Duquesne (10/4/25)
The Skyhawks have been a thorn in Duquesne’s side, winning in both 2022 and 2023 before the Dukes finally got revenge in 2024. Now, the question remains: does Coach Eli Gardner have Duquesne’s number? Playing on the Bluff is always a challenge, and this matchup could have serious implications for NEC standings.
Wagner at LIU (11/22/25)
This rivalry game (we call it the Boroughs Brawl) deserves a trophy—perhaps the Verrazzano-Narrows Trophy, named after the bridge connecting Staten Island and Brooklyn. Last season, LIU took the win, 28-21, ending what had been another growing year for Wagner with a sour taste in Staten Island’s mouth. This time, the Seahawks will have a chance to return the favor and end their season on a high note- or take their season even further, into the playoff.
CCSU Gears Up For Another NEC Title Run With Strong and Experienced 2025 Class
Central Connecticut State's football program is gearing up for the 2025 season with a strong influx of talent from both the transfer portal and its freshman signing class. The transfer portal talent suggests that CCSU is comfortable with the core of their team and expects to be able to make another run to the top of the NEC and the FCS playoffs, and that just a few finishing touches were needed, particularly in the back end of the defense. In Hard Hittin' New Britain, they're looking to prove that last year was no one-off. Here's a deep dive into some of their signings.
Speed and Experience in the Secondary
One of the biggest areas of improvement comes in the defensive backfield, where CCSU has brought in transfers to complement returning NEC Defensive Rookie of the Year Chris Jean. The Blue Devils had to replace some talent in the secondary with the departure of reigning NEC Defensive Player of the Year Kimal Clark. Their transfer additions in this area were Brayden Hall (Coastal Carolina), Mel Jacobs III (East Carolina), Davion Jennings (Akron), Dekavis Preston (Charleston), and Shea Terry (Bryant). This was an area where the Blue Devils looked to not only replace Clark, but also maybe even upgrade the unit as a whole from last season with the influx of experience. Fans in New Britain can expect great competition in camp for the defensive backfield starting positions.
Offensive Firepower: Wadley Joins Howard
On the offensive side, the Blue Devils landed a major playmaker in Donovan Wadley, the 2023 NEC Offensive Player of the Year from Merrimack. Wadley’s presence will provide a dynamic receiving threat, pairing well with Elijah Howard, who the coaching staff regards as the best running back in FCS. The duo is expected to be the key to upgrading CCSU’s offensive attack in 2025.
Two Backyards for Freshmen Signees
CCSU had no trouble stocking their recruiting class with local high school standouts, including David Rivera from Waterbury Career and Jadon Langford from Windsor High, both in Connecticut. Rivera, a defensive lineman who had some interest from Syracuse, was a key get for the Blue Devils. These additions bolster the future of CCSU’s defensive front, while a transfer signing from WVU (Derek Berlitz) might do more to help the defensive front for this season.
Outside of Connecticut, the Blue Devils made it a priority to recruit heavily in the DMV (D.C., Maryland, Virginia) region, an effort led by Corners Coach Joe Rankin. The effort was a considerable success. Including transfers, the Blue Devils landed 7 athletes by our count from the region, giving them a second backyard to recruit to outside of the traditional Eastern states. This resulted in landing athletes like Davon Smith and safety Kyle Greene, both from Baltimore, MD. Greene was listed by 247 as having interest from Boston College and Marshall, but he'll be suiting up for Central Connecticut this fall.
Rebuilding the Offensive Line
The Blue Devils had a lot of work to do to restock the offensive line. The group was easily the best in conference last season and was a big part of their championship run. CCSU responded by adding three offensive linemen who bring impressive size and athleticism to the trenches. Averaging around 6-foot-5 and 275 pounds, this group provides the foundation for what could be a dominant offensive line unit in the years to come, even with the expected loss of Offensive Line coach Jeff Ambrosie.
CCSU Gets Their Quarterback in 2025
When the reigning NEC champions came calling, Romelo Tables didn’t hesitate. The Malcolm X Shabazz (NJ) quarterback committed to Central Connecticut State within an hour, grateful for the trust the Blue Devils’ staff placed in him late in the recruiting process.
“What made me choose CCSU was the coaching staff. They believed in me and gave me an opportunity to be part of a winning program. The staff is devoted to developing me and making me the best quarterback I can be. They took a chance on me late in the recruiting process, and I’ll forever be grateful,” Tables said.
Despite missing the first three games due to transfer rules, Tables made a significant impact, leading his team to State Sectional and Regional Championships while earning 1st Team All-Conference honors. He accounted for 21 total touchdowns, showcasing his playmaking ability Earning 1st Team All-Conference in Newark, NJ, is no small feat. The Garden State has long been considered among the biggest hotbeds of talent in the northeast. While CCSU recruits talent throughout the area, bringing New Jersey talent to Hard Hittin’ New Britain is always a priority for the Blue Devils.
Now, Tables will look to bring that same winning mentality he brought to Malcolm X Shabazz over to New Britain as CCSU reloads for another NEC title run.
CCSU Rebuilding on the Offensive Line, Adds Warrick Kyler in Recruiting Class
Central Connecticut State University has added another key piece to its 2025 recruiting class with the commitment of Warrick Kyler, a standout OL/DL from Salamanca High School in Salamanca, NY. Kyler, a 2024 All-Western New York selection by The Buffalo News, committed to CCSU on January 26, just two days after visiting the campus and receiving an offer.
Kyler shared what sealed the deal for him:
"Central Connecticut was the right choice for me once I met Coach Ambrosie. On the visit, everyone was nice and made me feel welcomed."
The implication with Coach Ambrosie being the recruiter to seal the deal for Kyler is that he’ll be expected to play offensive line for the Blue Devils. In 2024, CCSU had the best offensive line in the NEC. Of their three all-NEC first team offensive linemen, though, two were listed as seniors and one as a junior. Another junior lineman was named all-NEC second team. With age and experience comes a high level of play, but it also signals the need to restock the offensive line room. Kyler will be counted on to do that.
Kyler is the 12th known commit in CCSU’s recruiting class and joins two other recruits from Western New York—E'Ryan Lawrence (Buffalo) and Jeremiah Tucker (Rochester), suggesting that the Blue Devils think highly of the area’s players.