BENTLEY at ASSUMPTION
At 6 feet 4 inches, 205 pounds, sophomore Jeff Hill of Mansfield (9 catches, 332 yards, 5 TDs) has emerged as a prime target for Falcons' first-year starting QB Danny Guadagnoli.
STONEHILL at SAINT ANSELM
Senior corner Jareed Gaines (13 tackles, three pass breakups) and Skyhawks soaring after program's first win over Southern Connecticut in 14 years.
MASS. MARITIME at NICHOLS
Plymouth South grad Stefan Gustafson looking to build upon last week's career-best 16-carry, 92-yard effort against SUNY-Maritime.
UCONN at MARYLAND
QB Chandler Whitmer (three INTs) and Huskies misfired in N.C. State loss; road will not be easier against former coach Randy Edsall and a Maryland D yielding 229.5 yards per game.
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UMASS at MICHIGAN
Duplicating the thriller at the Big House in 2010 (42-37 loss) is an improbable task, but QB Mike Wegzyn and offense made gains against Indiana.
SAN DIEGO at HARVARD
The most prolific attack in Ivy (37.4 ppg in '11) reloads with QB Colton Chapple, bookend TEs Kyle Juszczyk and Cameron Brate, and shifty RB Treavor Scales.
BUTLER at DARTMOUTH
With UNH transfer Alex Park and freshman Dalyn Williams sharing snaps at QB, junior RB Dominick Pierre (4.9 yards per carry in 2011) needs to step forward.
YALE at GEORGETOWN
The second freshman to start at QB for Elis since World War II, Eric Williams is the son of nine-year NFL veteran Larry Williams, the current Marquette AD.
BROWN at HOLY CROSS
All-Patriot League receiver Gerald Mistretta and Crusaders have had nearly two weeks of prep after 38-17 loss to New Hampshire.
CENTRAL CONNECTICUT
at NEW HAMPSHIRE
With Sean Goldrich (shoulder) sidelined, sophomore Andy Vailas (Phillips Academy) makes his first start under center for 18th-ranked Wildcats.
SACRED HEART at COLGATE
The Northeast Conference's worst rushing attack three years running, the Pioneers showed promise with 175-yard output in four-overtime loss at Morgan State.
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NEW HAVEN at PACE
Junior LB Matthew Fallico (8 tackles, 1 sack, 1 interception) and stout Charger D allowed just 13 rushing yards in 24-21 win over Saint Augustine's.
SAINT AUGUSTINE'S at
SOUTHERN CONN.
Vaughn Magee (career-best 151 yards rushing vs. Stonehill) a beacon for an Owls squad shooting to bounce back from first shutout loss since 2000.
AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL
at MERRIMACK
Warriors QB Joe Clancy spreading the wealth between All-American Isaiah Voegeli (25 catches), Westford's Zach Ingalls (17), and Amesbury's Steve Serwon (10).
ENDICOTT at BRIDGEWATER STATE
Gulls (50 ppg) have reloaded with a vengeance behind QB Drew Frenette and RB Mike Wheeler, but Bears have plenty of bite too.
COAST GUARD at MIT
Engineers sophomore Justin Wallace averaged 8.7 yards per carry in opener; Coast Guard gave up 396 yards rushing against Merchant Marine.
PLYMOUTH STATE at MAINE MARITIME
Two programs with storied pasts are struggling, but Panthers senior end Matt Fiore racked up 13 tackles and two sacks vs. Mount Ida.
UMASS-DARTMOUTH
at FRAMINGHAM STATE
Melikke Van Alstyne (222 rushing yards) and converted safety Mark Mangano (16 carries, 171 yards in first start at QB) were immense for Rams last week.
WESTFIELD STATE at CURRY
Skubie Mageza (19 catches) and youngs Colonel attack hanging in until the healthy return of Rob Bambini and Bruce Vieira.
WORCESTER STATE
at WESTERN NEW ENGLAND
Lancers offense averaging an NEFC-best 516 yards per game; WNE senior corner Alex Miller was golden with three picks against Westfield.
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SALVE REGINA at FITCHBURG STATE
Seahawks are riding eight straight wins, but the host Falcons can defend, yielding a conference-low 10 points per game.
MOUNT IDA at SPRINGFIELD
Mustang QB Scott Drosendahl (11 of 13 last week) will need to be efficient against a Pride attack that ran for 457 yards vs. Husson.
RENSSELAER at CASTLETON STATE
QB Shane Brozowski, Spartans were humbled at Endicott; bouncing back starts with ball security.
ANNA MARIA at HUSSON
AmCat senior Jamal Mitchell showed off his leg with a school-record 48-yard field goal in victory over Maine Maritime.
WPI at NORWICH
Derrick Pitts (117 yards, 7.3 per carry) fueled a 299-yard ground attack for the unbeaten Cadets against Saint Lawrence.
BECKER at HARTWICK
Hawks junior QB Robert Baker completed a program-record 32 passes for 382 yards in rally that fell short at MIT.
WESTERN CONN. at CORTLAND STATE
First-year coach Joe Loth and Colonials kick off their NJAC slate after bye week.
Craig Larson can be reached at clarson@globe.com.