Falcon football to celebrate seniors before kicking off home finale against Assumption
WALTHAM, Mass. – The Bentley football team celebrates its senior class before kicking off the 2023 home finale against Assumption Saturday, Nov. 4, at 12 p.m.
A special occasion
Nick Pucillo was named the Northeast-10 Special Teams Player of the Week following the Falcons' home win over Franklin Pierce last week (Oct. 28). Bentley scored a touchdown to tie the game, 10-10, with four minutes left in the fourth quarter. During the ensuing kickoff, Pucillo forced a fumble that the Ravens recovered in their own end zone for a safety. That play stood as the winning points for Bentley. The Falcons now have four NE10 Special Teams Player of the Week honors this season (Tajon Vassar once, Mason Campbell twice).
Always up to the task
Bentley continues to boast one of the best defenses in nation. The Falcons rank fifth in NCAA D-II for total defense (228.6 yards allowed per game), and eighth in scoring defense (13.5 points allowed per game). Franklin Pierce entered last week's game averaging 359.4 yards of total offense per game, but the Falcons held the Ravens to just 251 yards of total offense.
Tackin' on tackles
Salvatore Lupoli Jr. by far leads the NE10 in tackles. He has 93 tackles this season, and the next closest total is 71. Lupoli's 11.6 tackles per game is tied for nation's best mark.
Starring role
Senior tight end Pat Damon has a touchdown catch in each of the last two games, including the game-tying score late in the fourth quarter of Bentley's win over Franklin Pierce.
Party in the pocket
Sal Lupoli Jr.'s 5.5 sacks this season is the third-best total in the NE10, and Tommy DeMatteo is close behind with 5.0 sacks.
Keeping drives alive
Bentley leads the NE10 in 3rd-down conversions, getting a first down on 43-percent of its tries. Every other conference team is below 40-percent on 3rd-down.
Scouting Assumption (5-3, 3-2 NE10)
Quarterback Jake Cady is second in the NE10 for both passing yards per game (193.2) and touchdowns (14). Baley Collier is Cady's favorite target. Collier has 34 receptions for 253 yards this season. The Greyhounds are averaging the third-most points per game (23.6) in the NE10, trailing only Bentley (25.4) and New Haven (27.3). However, Assumption's defense is allowing 341.4 yards per game – the second most in the NE10. The Greyhounds began the season ranked No. 23 in the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) national poll. But the team has been on a slide in recent weeks, losing consecutive games against St. Anslem and New Haven.