WALTHAM, Mass. – Following a disappointing opener at Mercyhurst University, the Bentley University Falcons will turn their sights to Northeast-10 Conference opponents for the next ten weeks, beginning Friday night with the home opener against the University of New Haven. Kickoff is set for 7 pm.

Both clubs will be looking to crack the win column for the first time in 2015 after falling to teams from the PSAC West on Saturday. The Falcons' final against Mercyhurst was 35-20, a score inflated by a game-clinching 90-yard interception return in the final two minutes, while New Haven fell victim to Slippery Rock University, 39-13. The Rock's number 21 ranking this week is the highest of any Super Region One team.

Three long scoring drives, powered by the right arm of Brendan Boylan, in the first 16 minutes created a deficit Bentley was unable to completely overcome. The Falcon D picked it up over the rest of the game, allowing only 169 yards and one touchdown over the final 44 minutes to a team that has averaged 41.8 points during its current eight-game winning streak.

During the second half, Bentley ran 19 plays from the Mercyhurst 25 and in, including eight within ten yards of the goal line. But after rushing for two touchdowns in the first half, both by junior Martin Bannerman (Pawtucket, R.I./La Salle Academy), the Falcons were limited to a pair of field goals from senior Michael Baron (Medfield/Roxbury Latin School).

Senior Matt Montalto (West Yarmouth/Dennis-Yarmouth Reg. HS) handled most of quarterbacking duties for the Falcons and amassed 260 yards of total offense in his first collegiate start. He completed 18 of his first 31 passes before  being intercepted twice in his final three attempts. In addition, he ran for 50 yards on six carries.

Junior CJ Scarpa (Andover/Andover HS) played one series at QB. He connected on his first five attempts before having a pass intercepted at the Mercyhurst one.

Combined, the two distributed the ball to nine different players with Bannerman and senior wide receiver Chris Walsh (Attleboro/ Attleboro HS) each catching four balls. Freshman Drew Mahoney (West Suffield, Conn./ Suffield Academy) led the Falcons in receiving yards with 50 (on two catches) and totaled 154 all-purpose yards in his collegiate debut. Bannerman followed with 99, including a team-best 56 in 15 carries.

Bentley's leading tacklers in the opener were senior corner Emmitt Smith (Derry, N.H./Pinkerton Academy) and junior linebacker Bryan Hardy (Barnstable/Barnstable HS), with eight and seven respectively. Hardy came up with the Falcons' only takeaway when he recovered a fumble forced by sophomore LB Brandon Brown (Oxon Hill, Md./Suitland HS).

Bentley was solid in terms of special teams with Baron scoring eight points (pushing his career total to 142), junior Tyler Ford (Amherst,  N.H./Souhegan HS) booting a pair of 55-yard punts, Mahoney averaging 25.3 yards on four kickoff returns and junior Sam McDonald (Norfolk/King Phillip Reg. HS) returning three punt returns an average of 12.7 yards. Last year, Ford set a school record by averaging 39.9 yards per punt.

New Haven kept Slippery Rock off the board in the opening quarter before giving up 14, 10 and 15 over the final three. The Rock was on the field for 100 snaps against the Chargers, totaling 446 yards and 28 first downs, and also amassed 188 return yards.

Senior linebacker Tyler Condit had a busy day for the Chargers, making 19 tackles. New Haven also received 12 stops from free safety Stefano Bicknese and 11 from linebacker Matt Zakrzewski.

Quarterback duties were split between Shazzon Mumphrey, a transfer from Florida A&M, and Ajee Patterson, who didn't see any game action in his first two seasons at New Haven. Mumphrey, listed as the starter for the second straight week, completed six of 14 for 136 yards and one TD while Patterson was six of 16 for 83 yards.

Junior tailback Andre Anderson amassed 154 all-purpose yards, most of which came on two plays. He broke a 71-yard run in the first quarter and caught a 78-yarder for a touchdown in the second.

Bentley and New Haven have met six times previously with the Chargers owning a 5-1 lead in the series after winning the last five encounters. Five of the six have been decided by eight or less, including last year's 38-35 final in Waltham. In that one, the visitors' Ty Headen caught a 19-yard scoring pass with 1.3 seconds left to turn a 35-31 Falcon lead into a 37-35 NH advantage. Bentley's Brad Keirstead had intercepted a pass with 1:13 to play but the Falcons were unable to pick up a first down that would have sealed the victory.

Friday's game is the first of two straight home contests for coach Bill Kavanaugh's squad against a visitor from the Nutmeg State. On Sept. 19, the Falcons will host Southern Connecticut State in the earliest Homecoming Day game in program history.

BENTLEY BRIEFS: Bentley's Kavanaugh and New Haven's Chris Pincince are both in their second year as head coach at their respective institution … Against Mercyhurst, the Falcons controlled the ball with 32:27 after having it for only 4:31 in the opening quarter … Last year's Bentley-New Haven game featured ten lead changes, including at least two in each stanza … Fans not able to attend the game can watch for free at www.bentleyfalcons.tv. Links to live stats will be available at www.bentleyfalcons.com.