Northeast Conference (NEC)-(FCS)
Overview: The Duquesne University Dukes overcame multiple early-season struggles to finish Northeast Conference play at 6-1, and advance to the FCS playoffs as that conference's automatic qualifier after finishing the regular season at 7-4. The Dukes' 2023 season ended at 7-5 overall after losing to Youngstown State in the first round.
The biggest news in the NEC came during the offseason, as Merrimack and Sacred Heart announced that they were leaving for the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC). Since the MAAC currently doesn't sponsor football, the Warriors from North Andover, Massachusetts, and the Pioneers from Fairfield, Connecticut, will have to settle for playing as independents, likely for the foreseeable future.
One team, however, will rejoin the NEC this fall, as Robert Morris University returns after spending the past four seasons in the Big South and Ohio Valley Conferences. The Mercyhurst University Lakers from Erie, Pennsylvania will join the Colonials as NEC members, moving from the NCAA Division II ranks after a long stint in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC).
Going into 2024, Duquesne will look to win its second straight NEC title, while the other five playoff-eligible teams will try to "put up their dukes" hoping to dethrone the Dukes this fall.
2024 Schedules (Teams listed in alphabetical order, click the links below to find the schedules)
NOTE: If the link to the team's schedule is not linked, the team failed to submit its schedule for the 2024 season. Once the team's schedule is submitted, the link (s) will appear in each blog post. Also, please visit the RFC blog at realfootballcentral.blogspot.com for schedules, schedule updates, preseason previews, and more.
Final 2023 Northeast Conference Football Standings
Central Connecticut State
Duquesne
LIU
Mercyhurst*
Stonehill*
Wagner
*-Transitioning from the NCAA Division II level.
Follow RFC on Twitter @realfootball.
Wagner
*-Transitioning from the NCAA Division II level.
Follow RFC on Twitter @realfootball.
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