ERST LESEN! » nce off Graham Zusis free kick five

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (STATS) -- Its being hailed as the season of the quarterback in the Northeast Conference.That has caught the attention of defenses across the league.Every team seems like they have a (quarterback) that can make plays, Wagner coach Jason Houghtaling said. Its an exciting thing for the conference, but its a real tough thing to game plan against.Its such a good season for signal-callers that Dillon Buechel, who leads defending champion Duquesne, was voted the NEC preseason quarterback even though Sacred Heart standout RJ Noel has been the All-NEC first-team selection each of the past three postseasons and is returning for his senior campaign. Add in the likes of Saint Francis Zack Drayer and Bryants Dalton Easton, who are third-year starters, and the defenses will have to raise their play.Duquesne was favored over Sacred Heart in the NEC preseason poll, gaining six of the seven first-place votes. Saint Francis was third followed by Bryant, Central Connecticut State, Robert Morris and Wagner.People arent necessarily focusing on the defenses leading up to preseason camp next month, but they will after realizing that will be a difference maker across the NEC. Saint Francis led the conference and Duquesne was second in scoring defense last season.And its not a coincidence those two teams met for the title on the final Saturday of the regular season. Duquesne won 30-20.I think year in and year out the defenses in this conference keep getting better and better, Saint Francis coach Chris Villarial said. I know from sitting back and watching, guys are getting bigger, the holes are closing much faster.The feeling among NEC coaches is the defenses will have to blitz and get pressure on the quarterbacks while also being disciplined on the back end. They dont want to let the QBs get a rhythm going.The NECs top two quarterbacks are fourth-year starters. Buechel has great timing from the pocket and terrific skills position players surrounding him. Noel, whos won 25 games and 2013 and 14 conference titles, is the more mobile QB, but he needs to overcome the loss of All-America wide receiver Tyler Dube.Buechel (7,455) and Noel (7,111) head into the season nearing the NECs all-time career passing mark of 8,803 yards, so it was realistic for the coaches to make Buechel the preseason quarterback. But, said Sacred Heart coach Mark Nofri, Knowing RJ, it might drive him. Hes a competitor.The other teams in the conference have an experienced quarterback as well. Central Connecticut State (Jake Dolegala) and Robert Morris (Matt Barr) can grow behind their sophomores, while Wagners Alex Thomson got nine starts after replacing an injured Chris Andrews. The junior must hold off Syracuse transfer A.J. Long.From top to bottom, Bryant linebacker Marquis Watson said, the quarterbacks that teams are putting out on the field are amazing. From a defensive perspective, we have to line up and go against these guys, youve got to bring your A game, your best game.Most of them can run, pass, so its a couple things you have to worry about, its not just one, said Duquesne linebacker Christian Kuntz, the 2015 NEC defensive player of the year. Its always fun going against everyone, especially talented guys because you want to go against the best competition. Its going to be a fun year.Duquesnes fun might only come with another conference title. The Dukes are the hunted after last years breakthrough season. While they lost good leadership in their graduated seniors, they return 13 starters from the 8-4 squad.And coach Jerry Schmitt senses they are hungry for more success.I think our guys do a great job of not just measuring ourselves on wins and losses, he said. They understand thats what is the final product, but I think they do a really good job on getting better, focusing on each and every week and each and every game. We were getting on the plane (to attend NEC media day), and one of my friends noticed Christian and said, Hey, we expect an undefeated season. The first thing he and Dillon said was, One at a time.NORTHEAST CONFERENCE FOOTBALL PRESEASON POLLHead Coaches Poll1. Duquesne (6 first-place votes)2. Sacred Heart (1)3. Saint Francis4. Bryant5. Central Connecticut State6. Robert Morris7. WagnerNORTHEAST CONFERENCE FOOTBALL PRESEASON TEAMOffenseQB -- Dillon Buechel, Duquesne, Sr.RB -- Marcus Bagley, Saint Francis, Jr.RB -- Cameron Nash, Central Connecticut State, Jr.WR -- Wayne Capers, Duquesne, Sr.WR -- Kyle Buss, Robert Morris, So.WR -- Moses Webb, Sacred Heart, Sr.TE/HB -- Ryan Owens, Wagner, GradOL -- Jimmy Marks, Saint Francis, Sr.OL -- Tyler Cardoze, Bryant, Sr.OL -- Matt Diaz, Wagner, Sr.OL -- Sean Merrill, Sacred Heart, Sr.OL -- Ben Huss Duquesne, Jr.DefenseDL -- Ryan Cottrell, Sacred Heart, Sr.DL -- Asia Bolling, Central Connecticut State, Sr.DL -- Wesley Nagaseu, Saint Francis, Sr.DL -- Jake Radziukinas, Duquesne, Sr.LB -- Christian Kuntz, Duquesne, Sr.LB -- James Rentz, Sacred Heart, Sr.LB -- Nathan Stone, Duquesne, Jr.LB -- Randall Laguerre, Central Connecticut State, Jr.DB -- Lorenzo Jerome, Saint Francis, Sr.DB -- Marcelis Branch, Robert Morris, Sr.DB -- Chuckie Wingate, Bryant, Sr.DB -- Andy Smigiera, Robert Morris, Sr.Special TeamsPK -- Lance Geesey, Saint Francis, Sr.P -- Bryan Rafano, Wagner, Sr.RS -- Lorenzo Jerome, Saint Francis, Sr. Randall Cunningham Womens Jersey . Perhaps Carroll was so prepared for a break because he believes there is very little the Seattle Seahawks need heading into the off-season. "I dont see anything that we need to add. We just have to get better," Carroll said. DeSean Jackson Eagles Jersey . NBA officials ruled the court unplayable in the Bucks final exhibition game on Oct. 25 because players were slipping, and the game was cancelled midway through the first period. http://www.theeaglesshoponline.com/Youth-Nick-Foles-Eagles-Jersey/ . Halifax beat the Saint John Sea Dogs 7-5 on the strength of two goals apiece from Nikolaj Ehlers, Matt Murphy and Brent Andrews. Jonathan Drouin also scored and had three assists while Zachary Fucale made 17 saves for the Mooseheads (16-8-0), who led 6-1 after two periods. Randall Cunningham Jersey .com) - The Montreal Canadiens will try to halt their longest losing streak of the season when they host the struggling New York Islanders in tonights clash at the Bell Centre. Jerome Brown Eagles Jersey . -- Devin Hester is done returning kicks in Chicago. MONTREAL -- Rookie Blake Smith has become the Montreal Impacts super-sub. The 22-year-old came off the bench to score the winning goal in added time on Saturday night as the Impact ended a five-game winless run with a 1-0 MLS victory over Sporting Kansas City. With the crowd of 20,527 at Saputo Stadium on their feet for the spectacular finish to what had been a tight, defensive struggle, Smith did his signature series of handsprings across the field in celebration. "I want to come in and bring that spark and help the team get that final push," the University of New Mexico product said. "Fortunately, it worked for us this time." Veteran Patrice Bernier made the play happen as he let Hassoun Camaras pass go through his feet to Marco Di Vaio at the top of the box, a play that is called a dummy in soccer. The veteran striker slipped a pass to Smith on the left side for a low shot between the legs of goalie Jimmy Nielsen. "Sometimes a dummy creates space, and it allowed Marco time to shoot or make a play," said Bernier. "We tried to push more offensively in the second half because Marco was alone (up front) most of the game and it paid off. "It gave him enough time and Blake was cold-blooded and was able to finish it off and give us the 1-0." The victory moved Montreal (10-5-5) to one point behind Eastern Conference-leading Kansas City (10-6-6) with two games in hand. Sporting ended a six-game undefeated streak dating to a 2-1 defeat at home to Montreal on June 1. The Impact took the season series between the clubs 2-1-0. And like the other games, tempers flared on the pitch and between the coaches, although Montreal bench boss Marco Schallibaum managed to avoid being ejected as he was in their last meeting. "Both teams know you cant give an inch," said Bernier. "Its a playoff type of intensity. "But this is what we need. This is a team well be fighting with for a playoff spot." It was a second goal this season for Smith, with both coming in extra time. He scored in the 94th minute in a 5-3 win over Philadelphia on May 25. This one came six minutes into added time. Montreal made Smith the eighth overall pick in this years MLS SuperDraft and it looks like theyve found a good one. Fast and a natural left-footer, Smith competes hard every chance he gets to play. "We saw that Blake is very dynamic," said director of socccer operations Matt Jordan, who scouted Smith with assistant ccoach Mauro Biello.dddddddddddd "He has a tremendous amount of speed and hes a very competitive kid with a good understanding of the outside midfielder position. "Were very happy for him." It was his 12th appearance in MLS, all as a substitute. For now, Schallibaum is content to continue using him off the bench, although he looks to have potential as a starter in the future. "Every time he comes on he brings energy," Bernier said of Smith. "Its not easy to come out of college to professional (soccer) on a team thats done well since the beginning of the season. "Its the difference we need sometimes from a guy off the bench. I give him credit. He keeps working, hes very humble and he got the winning goal today." Smith also had a chance a moment before the game-winner that Nielsen tipped over the bar. Montreal has gone to a more defensive set-up since a rough spell in which they surrendered 12 goals in four games. It started last week when they played to a 0-0 draw at home with FC Dallas. Kansas City controlled the ball for most of the first half, but didnt get a dangerous shot on goal. Montreal answered with quick breaks and came close as Nielsen made a smart save on Sanna Nyassi in alone on the left side. Another chance came from a Di Vaio free kick from the edge of the penalty area that was deflected wide. The visitors got a glittering chance off Graham Zusis free kick five minutes into the second half, which was headed to Claudio Bieler for a shot that forced Troy Perkins to make a leaping save. Kansas City had a free kick from 25 yards out in the 86th minute, but Soony Saad put it over the bar. Early in the second half, Perkins needed treatment on the field for a cut on his left eye after a collision with Kai Kamara. Backup Evan Bush warmed up, but Perkins stayed in the game. The delay caused officials to add seven minutes of extra time, which gave Smith time to score. Notes: Montreal sat out forward Daniele Paponi in favour of Nyassi, who scored in the teams last meeting with K.C. . . . New Impact signings Hernan Bernardello and Adrian Lopez were introduced to fans at halftime. They wont play until theyve had at least a week of training with the team. . . The Impacts Marco Di Vaio and Patrice Bernier will head to K.C. to play in the MLS all-star game against AS Roma on Wednesday night. . . K.C. was without central defenders Aurelien Collin (suspended) and Matt Besler (U.S. national team duty) ' ' '