Bentley has the NE10's top defense and top offense when it heads to Springfield
WALTHAM, Mass. – The Bentley football team has the Northeast-10's best offense – and the leading defense – when it travels west to Springfield, Mass. for a conference game at American International Saturday, Oct. 21. Kickoff is scheduled for 12 p.m.
More than a slice
Salvatore Lupoli Jr. was named the NE10 Defensive Player of the Week for the second consecutive week following Bentley's Falcon Weekend win over Pace (Oct. 14). Lupoli totaled 17 tackles – including 1.5 sacks – during the 27-9 victory over the Setters. Two weeks ago, Lupoli amassed 23 tackles at St. Anselm (Oct. 7). It is the most tackles by a Falcon in at least 30 years. Lupoli not only earned a NE10 nod that week, but he also received the Gold Helmet and D2football.com Defensive Player of the Week. Lupoli's 13.2 tackles per game leads the nation.
Holmes is where the heart is
Vinnie Holmes continues lead the NE10 in rushing, averaging 111.8 yards per game. He is the only NE10 player above the century mark for rushing yards per game. He had a career-high 260 rushing yards at Post (Sept. 16), which is the third-best total for a single game in school history.
Sack lunch
Salvatore Lupoli Jr. and Tommy DeMatteo are tied for the conference lead in sacks (4.5). They each notched 1.5 sacks during last week's win against Pace (Oct. 14).
Moving the ball
Bentley leads the NE10 in total offense, averaging 351.8 yards per game. The running game has been a huge factor with a conference-best 4.8 yards per carry. The Falcons are also tied for the NE10 lead in 3rd down conversions (42-percent), and rank second for 4th down conversions (46-percent).
Stopping the ball
The Falcons' defense is allowing a conference-best 238.6 yards per game, and the 15.4 points allowed ranks second. Benley is allowing only 69.8 rushing yards per game, whereas every other NE10 team yields more 90 yards per game on the ground.
Scouting American International (2-5, 1-4 NE10)
The Yellow Jackets got their first NE10 win of the season last week when they beat Southern Connecticut, 27-21, on the road (Oct. 14). Sidiki Kone and Seba Nekhet both totaled 92 rushing yards, with Kone scoring twice. Kone is the conference's third-leading rusher (65.0 yards per game). Fatir Bell ranks third in the conference for receiving, averaging 55.4 yards per game. As a team, AIC ranks second-to-last in the NE10 for total yards, scoring. Its defense also allows the second-most yards and the second-most points.