New England college football preview for Week 1
A capsule look at this weekend’s New England college football games in Division 1, 2, and 3.
THURSDAY
UMASS at UCONN
In first meeting since 1999 — and first at FBS level — redshirt freshman Mike Wegzyn gets the call at quarterback for the Minutemen while the Huskies counter with Chandler Whitmer, a transfer from Butler CC in El Dorado, Kan.
NEW HAMPSHIRE at HOLY CROSS
Wildcats LB Matt Evans is reigning Buck Buchanan Award winner as FCS’s most outstanding defensive player, but all eyes will be on first-year starting QBs: freshman Sean Goldrich and Crusader senior Kevin Watson.
SAINT ANSELM at KUTZTOWN
With 95 players in camp, and the healthy return of sophomore receiver Justin Bernard, fifth-year Hawks coach Patrick Murphy is optimistic.
FRIDAY
BLOOMSBERG at STONEHILL
After closing 2011 with back-to-back wins, smash-mouth senior safety Jareed Gaines and Skyhawks start against 25th-ranked Huskies.
PACE at BENTLEY
Three-year starter Bryant Johnson is back as the Falcons quarterbacks coach, where he’ll tutor former Framingham High standout Danny Guadagnoli.
FITCHBURG STATE at BECKER
Falcons and Hawks each entered final week of camp with healthy competition at QB after compiling three combined wins last season.
ANNA MARIA at WORCESTER STATE
Tony Tokarz, the Lancers’ all-conference QB from a decade-best 8-3 season, will be on the AmCats’ sideline, as a first-year grad assistant.
UMASS-DARTMOUTH at MOUNT IDA
Minus career rushing leader Johrone Bunch and talented receiver Nick Lynch, Mustangs will ride senior QB Scott Drosendahl.
SATURDAY
MARIST at BRYANT
FCS rushing leader Jordan Brown (1,815 yards) is back for his final run with Bulldogs.
SACRED HEART at MORGAN STATE
Interim skipper Mark Nofri and the Pioneers riding a wave of emotion following return to health of head coach Paul Gorham.
CENTRAL CONN. at STONY BROOK
Preseason all-Northeast Conference linebacker Lorenzo Baker anchors defense after registering 80 stops in 2011, including 42 solo tackles.
MERRIMACK at NEW HAVEN
Senior QB Joe Clancy leads the Warriors, who need of a fast start against 13th-ranked Chargers and preseason All-America QB Ryan Osiecki (36 TDs in ‘11).
SOUTHERN CONN. at INDIANA (Pa.)
Vaughn Magee/J.W. Forte tandem has big cleats to fill for Owls: 1,624-yard, 27-touchdown production from Rashaad Slowley.
ASSUMPTION at BOWIE STATE
Shifty 5-foot-6-inch junior back Mike Pedone is the playmaker for a Greyhounds’ attack that went through six quarterbacks in a 4-6 campaign.
ENDICOTT at FRAMINGHAM STATE
Gulls still smarting after program-best 10-1 mark did not result in NEFC title; junior back Melikke Van Alstyne (1,579 yards, 21 TDs in 2011) powers Rams.
WPI at CURRY
Colonels have a keeper in senior Rob Bambini (67 catches), but ball security is priority after coughing up 38 turnovers in 2011.
PLYMOUTH STATE at CASTLETON
Panthers will take a repeat of last year’s 151-yard, two-touchdown performance from Andrew Foglia, a 6-1, 215-pound senior workhorse.
SALVE REGINA at UNION
After an 8-3 surge in 2011, Bob Chesney and Seahawks set to deliver a few more “Hard Knocks’’ after their coaches had unlimited access at Dolphins camp.
NICHOLS at WESTFIELD STATE
Host Owls return 19 starters from 5-5 squad, including 6-4, 245-pound TE Jeff Winchell and all-NEFC kicker/punter combo of Kennan Startzell and Dan Dowling.
WESTERN NEW ENGLAND at NORWICH
Preseason All-America Michael Graham and NEFC Boyd favorite Golden Bears tackle a Cadet squad coming off its first NCAA playoff appearance.
BRIDGEWATER STATE at SPRINGFIELD
Fleet-footed sophomore Blaise Branch (Cardinal Spellman) and highly regarded Bears face stiff test against Pride’s vaunted ground attack.
HARTWICK at HUSSON
The Eagles have a thumper in sophomore linebacker Stephan Dance, who led Division 3 in solo tackles in 2011 (8.5 per game).
WESTERN CONNECTICUT at WIDENER
First-year coach Joe Loth and Colonials kick off their final season in the NJAC determined to halt 21-game losing skid.
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