WALTHAM, Mass. – The Bentley University football team has been voted third in the Northeast-10 Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll that was revealed on Thursday.

Coming off a 7-3 season, the Falcons received 37 points in the poll. They came in just behind New Haven, which received 48 points and six first-place votes, and Assumption, which tallied 43 points and two first-place votes.

The remainder of the poll featured Pace in fourth with 31 points, Saint Anselm in fifth with 23 points, Southern Connecticut State in sixth with 22 points, Franklin Pierce in seventh with 11 points and American International in eight with nine points.

New head coach Saj Thakkar has 13 starters from last year's team return, including six All-Conference selections. Graduate student quarterback Mark Waid (Cortland, Ohio/Girard) returns under center to lead the offense after he tossed 15 touchdown passes and combined for 2,219 passing and rushing yards.

On the defensive side of the ball, senior linebacker Sal Lupoli Jr. (Chelmsford/Chelmsford HS) returns after he led the NE10 in tackles last season with 102 and was named first team All-Conference. Senior cornerback Mathieu Severance (Lynn/Lynn English HS) and senior defensive lineman Herve Tshibamba (Naugatuck, Conn./Naugatuck HS) earned second team All-Conference recognition and they return as well to further boost the defense.

Thakkar welcomed the team back to campus on Monday to begin preseason camp. The season gets underway on Saturday, September 2 when the Falcons host West Chester at 1:00 PM.

2023 NE10 PRESEASON COACHES' POLL
1. New Haven – 48 (6)
2. Assumption – 43 (2)
3. Bentley – 37
4. Pace – 31
5. Saint Anselm – 23
6. Southern Connecticut – 22
7. Franklin Pierce – 11
8. American Int'l – 9