WALTHAM, Mass. – Graduate quarterback Mark Waid (Cortland, Ohio/Girard HS) accounted for two fourth quarter touchdowns, one on the ground and one through the air, and the Falcon defense turned in another standout performance as Bentley University delighted a Homecoming crown of more than 3200 with a 24-3 win over Southern Connecticut State in Northeast-10 Conference football Saturday afternoon.

The win was the fourth straight for the Falcons, who are unbeaten in their last 10 October games, dating back to 2019. Bentley, which has a bye next week, improved to 6-2 overall and 4-1 NE10.

Senior tailback Nate Larkins (Huntington, N.Y./John Glenn HS), the NE10 leader in touchdowns (8), gave Bentley a 7-0 midway through the opening quarter when he went up the middle for 20 yards.

It came just a play after Bentley sophomore defensive back Rene Nunez (Secaucus, N.J./Bergen Catholic HS) recovered a fumble after the Owl punter mishandled a snap.

Northeast-10 scoring leader Mason Campbell (Naples, Fla./Barron Collier HS) made it a 10-0 game with 1:20 left in the first half when he converted a 23-yard field goal. It was his tenth in 12 attempts this season.

The only points for Southern Connecticut (1-7, 1-4 NE10) came on the final play of the first half, a 33-yarder by junior Szymond Gawlick (Newton).

It remained a 10-3 game under the opening play of the fourth, a one-yard keeper by Waid that finished a 10-play, 67-yard drive. It featured a 25-yard pass from Waid to sophomore Nayvon Reid (Brockton/Brockton HS) on a third-and-seven.

Bentley also scored on its next possession with Waid finding senior Noah Neville (Boston/Newton North HS) in the endzone for a 35-yard scoring strike. It was his 14^th TD pass of the season and Neville's 19^th career TD reception.

The Falcon D, which has allowed only one TD in the last 18 quarters, limited Southern to 193 yards total offense, including only 76  over the final three stanzas. Senior Joseph Howshan (Lawrence/Central Catholic HS) had an interception and there were eight sacks, including two by senior Cedric Dashiell II (Buena Park, Calif./Buena Park HS) and 1.5 by classmate Jack Six (Guilford, Conn./Blair Academy).

Junior linebacker Salvatore Lupoli Jr. (Chelmsford/Chelmsford HS), the top tackler in the NE10, had 14, including two for loss es and a sack, for the Falcons.

Junior Vinnie Holmes (Mansfield/Mansfield HS) led Bentley in rushing with 94 on 17 carries. Waid completed 11 of 18 for 140 passes and also ran for 40.

Bentley finished with 314 yards total offense and had 14 first downs.