New England Football Conference (NEFC)
2014 New England Football Conference Standings - NEFC
Looking back: The 2014 season was one of many "firsts" for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Engineers. After finishing the regular season undefeated for the first-time ever, they earned their first-ever NCAA Division III playoff berth. If that wasn't enough, the Engineers won their first-ever postseason game, as they defeated Husson, 27-20, in the first round of the D-III playoffs. MIT's record-setting season ended in the second round, as the Engineers fell to Wesley, 59-0.
Looking ahead: Don't be surprised if MIT makes it back-to-back NCAA playoff appearances in 2015.
Predicted order of finish (2014 overall record in parentheses):
1. MIT (10-1): With three straight winning seasons, as well as a combined 21-8 overall record during that span, the Engineers have established themselves as one of the premier small college football programs in New England, if not the entire nation. They hope to continue that success in 2015. But they must replace multiple seniors on that 2014 squad, including all-time leading rusher Justin Wallace, in order to have another shot at postseason play this fall.
2. Western New England (8-2): Despite finishing in a two-way tie for second place, the Golden Bears found themselves on the outside looking in when postseason play rolled around, not even receiving an invitation to an ECAC bowl game, much less the NCAA Division III playoffs. It's something they hope to change this year, as the 2015 campaign marks their 35th season as a varsity program.
3. Salve Regina (7-4): The Seahawks overcame a sluggish start to win their final five games of 2014. That included a season-ending 48-21 rout of Norwich in the ECAC Northeast Bowl on November 22. It'll be interesting to see if that momentum can over into 2015.
4. Endicott (5-5): On the other hand, the ending turned out to be the exact opposite for the Gulls, who ended the 2014 campaign with three straight losses after starting 5-2, with two of those three losses coming by a combined 10 points--or five points a piece. The 2015 season won't be any easier, as the Gulls must face five teams that won at least seven or more games last year.
5. Curry (3-7): After an 0-7 start, the Colonels concluded the 2014 campaign with three straight wins, including a stunning 7-0 overtime win over Western New England on November 1. Now entering the 2015 season, Head Coach Skip Bandini and his charges hope to build on last year's season-ending run, and advance to the NCAA playoffs for the first time since 2008.
6. Maine Maritime (3-6): Continuing with the "streaks" theme, the Mariners ended last season with three straight losses after splitting their first six contests.
7. Coast Guard (3-7): While the Bears will try to bounce back after ending the 2014 campaign with four straight losses.
8. Nichols (1-9): And the Bison ended yet another miserable autumn with seven straight setbacks, including a winless 0-7 mark in NEFC action. Oh, and they've won just five games combined over the last five years, including a winless 2011 campaign.
Follow RFC on Twitter @realfootball.
4 years ago
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