WALTHAM, Mass. – Following a 2021 season that featured an NCAA playoff appearance, the Bentley University Falcons are ranked third in the Northeast-10 Conference football preseason coaches poll.

The Falcons received 33 points in the voting and finished behind the University of New Haven and Assumption University. New Haven, the defending conference champions, received seven of eight first-place votes (coaches could not vote for their own team) and 49 points. Assumption received the other first and 37 points.

The top three were followed by Pace University (26), Saint Anselm College (23), Southern Connecticut State (21), American International College (18) and Franklin Pierce University (17).

Bentley, 9-2 last year, has won 14 of its last 16 games. Both losses in 2021 came against New Haven, including 38-13 in the NCAA Division II playoffs.

First-year head coach Alvin Reynolds, Bentley's defensive coordinator the last two seasons, returns four All-Conference honorees, including Northeast-10 Defensive Player of the Year Cedie Dashiell II (Buena Park, Calif./Buena Park HS). The returning All-NE10 players also include first-team wide receiver Noah Neville (Boston/Newton North HS), first-team defensive back Jailen Branch (Randolph/Milton Academy) and second-team punter Charlie Ogletree (Needham/Needham HS).

Bentley opens its season Sept. 2 at West Chester University and will launch its conference schedule Sept. 23 against New Haven.

NORTHEAST-10 PRESEASON COACHES POLL
1. New Haven – 49 (7)
2. Assumption – 37 (1)
3. Bentley – 33
4. Pace – 26
5. Saint Anselm – 23
6. So. Connecticut – 21
7. American International – 18
8. Franklin Pierce – 17