Seahawks and Golden Bears meet again for NEFC title

• LAST TIME OUT FOR SRU: Last week Salve Regina defeated Endicott College 41-20 in Beverly, Mass. It was the Seahawks first victory in Beverly since 2008. The Seahawks outgained Endicott 614-243, and won the time of possession matchup 37:34-22:26. Sam Pascale rushed the ball 29 times for 178 yards, and three touchdowns. Brandan Basil went 24-for-38 passing to go along with 367 yards, two TDs, and one interception. Francisco Hardacker also highlighted the defense with four tackles, one interception, and a game-high three pass breakups. 

• KEY PLAYER TO WATCH FOR SRU: Freshman wideout Steve Croce had a breakout game last week as he guided the receiving corps with 127 yards on six catches against Endicott. 

• LAST TIME OUT FOR WNE: Western New England University opened up a 21-0 lead midway through the first quarter on its way to a 48-25 victory over Maine Maritime Academy at Golden Bear Stadium. Junior quarterback Anthony Service completed 9-of-17 pass attempts for 130 yards and three touchdowns, in the process breaking the program record for single season passing touchdowns (19) set by Tyler Ward last fall. Service also carried the ball four times for 46 yards, finishing with 176 yards of total offense.

• KEY PLAYER TO WATCH FOR WNE: Quarterback Anthony Service ranks second in the NEFC in touchdown passes (22) and first in completion percentage (65.9). On the season he has thrown for 1,643 yards on 120 completions, while also rushing 84 times for 336 yards and five touchdowns.

• THE SERIES: Today's game marks the 24th meeting between the two teams. The Seahawks own a 15-8 record all-time over the Golden Bears however they Golden Bears have won  the previous two meetings including last season's NEFC Championship game. The last time the Golden Bears played in Middletown, R.I. the Seahawks won 47-26 in 2013. The Seahawks are 8-3 all-time at home versus the Golden Bears.

•CHAMPIONSHIP: The New England Football Conference is the only conference in all of Division III Football with two teams still undefeated and today's game will serve as the NEFC Championship game even though both teams have one more game remaining on their regular season schedule. This is the second straight season these two teams will play for the NEFC Championship. Last season the Seahakws overcame a 21-0 halftime deficit before falling 28-21 to the Golden Bears in Springfield, Mass.

• NATIONAL RANKINGS: The Seahawks rank 8th in Rushing Offense (292.9 yards per game); 10th in Scoring (44.4 points per game); and 2nd in Rushing Defense (50.4 yards per game rushing allowed) in all of Division III Football.

• SENIORS: Salve Regina has 17 seniors on the roster. Jared Barros, Sam Pascale, David Mavilia, Matt Escoto, Brandan Basil, Joey Farrar, Garrett Rupe, Juan Usuga, Cory Betz, Chris Caron, Ethan Gambale, Colin Burke, Sean Nagy, Noah Drake, Cullen Doyle, Kevin Johnston, and Greg Ditmar will all be joined on the field by their families for a special pre-game ceremony. 

• MILITARY APPRECIATION: Today's game will also serve as the Seahawks annual Military Appreciation game. 

CAPTAINS