D2-CFB Game Preview: Franklin Pierce Ravens (1-1) vs. Bentley Falcons (2-0)

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Kickoff: 3:00 PM ET
Venue: Bentley University Football Stadium, Waltham, Massachusetts (Capacity: ~4,200)
Broadcast: ESPN+ / FloFootball (NE10 package)

Weather Forecast (Waltham, MA)

Temperature: ~73°F (23°C) at kickoff, cooling into the upper 60s by evening

Conditions: Partly cloudy, light winds (5–7 mph)

Impact: Ideal early fall football weather; no disruptions expected.

Injury Report

Franklin Pierce (1–1, NE10):

QB Adrian Parker – Healthy; reigning NE10 Offensive Player of the Year, threw for 2,888 yards and 22 TDs in 2024.

RB Alex Benitez – Healthy, 379 yards and 5 TDs last season.

WR Austin Howe – Healthy, team leader in 2024 with 675 yards and 7 TDs.

WR Joziah Gonzalez – Healthy, 637 yards, 3 TDs in 2024.

Bentley (2–0, NE10):

QB Stephen Sturm – Healthy, efficient start to 2025 with 4 TDs, 0 INTs.

RB Malik Grant – Healthy, averaging 5.2 YPC through two games.

WR Devin Williams – Healthy, 2 TDs in 2025.

Defense – No major injuries reported; unit has allowed just 17 PPG so far.

Key Player Matchups

QB Adrian Parker (FPU) vs. Bentley Secondary

Parker is the centerpiece of the Ravens’ offense; Bentley must limit his deep-ball connections with Howe and Gonzalez.

RB Malik Grant (Bentley) vs. FPU Front Seven

Grant’s ability to control tempo on the ground could keep Parker off the field.

WR Austin Howe (FPU) vs. Bentley Corners

Howe’s size and red-zone efficiency make him a key mismatch.

QB Stephen Sturm (Bentley) vs. FPU Pass Rush

Sturm’s efficiency will be tested by a Ravens defense that has struggled to generate consistent pressure.

Recent Team Form

Franklin Pierce Ravens (1–1, NE10)

9/13: W 30–6 vs. Pace

9/5: L 24–13 vs. Slippery Rock

Trend: Offense averaging 21.5 PPG; defense rebounded strongly in Week 2.

Bentley Falcons (2–0, NE10)

9/13: W 28–17 @ Assumption

9/6: W 31–14 vs. Post

Trend: Balanced offense (29.5 PPG) and stingy defense (15.5 PPG allowed).

Series History

All-time series: Bentley leads 4–0.

Last meeting (2024): Bentley won 38–14.

Franklin Pierce has yet to defeat Bentley since joining the NE10.

Betting Trends

Franklin Pierce:

2–3 SU in last 5 games.

2–3 ATS in last 5.

Overs hit in 3 of last 5.

Bentley:

4–1 SU in last 5 games.

3–2 ATS in last 5.

Unders hit in 3 of last 5.

Head-to-Head: Bentley has covered in 3 of the last 4 meetings.

Historical Betting Results

Franklin Pierce: Struggles ATS vs. top NE10 teams; overs more common when defense collapses.

Bentley: Profitable ATS at home; unders frequent when defense controls tempo.

NE10 Trends: Home favorites cover ~58% of the time in September conference games.

Game Odds

Franklin Pierce Ravens                  49.5

Bentley Falcons                                – 13.5

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, September 19, 2025

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