# 2023 Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference football season

The 2023 Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference season will be the 11th season of the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference taking place during the 2023 NCAA Division III football season. The season will begin on September 1, 2023, with non-conference play and with conference play beginning on September 15, 2023.

## Preseason
### Recruiting classes

National Rankings :
| Team | Total Signees |
| Bridgewater State | 11 |
| Fitchburg State | 17 |
| Framingham State | 28 |
| Massachusetts Maritime | 13 |
| Plymouth State | 13 |
| UMass Dartmouth | 25 |
| Western Connecticut | 21 |
| Westfield State | n/a |
| Worcester State | n/a |

### Preseason poll

The preseason poll was released on August 24, 2023.
MASCAC :
| Predicted finish | Team | Votes (1st place) |
| 1 | UMass Dartmouth | 63 (7) |
| 2 | Bridgewater State | 53 |
| 3 | Western Connecticut | 47 (1) |
| 4 | Framingham State | 46 (1) |
| 5 | Plymouth State | 41 |
| 6 | Massachusetts Maritime | 29 |
| 7 | Westfield State | 19 |
| 8 | Worcester State | 16 |
| 9 | Fitchburg State | 10 |
* First place votes in

## Head coaches

| Team | Head coach | Years at school | Overall record | Record at school | MASCAC record |
| Bridgewater State | Joe Verria | 8 | 37–26 | 37–26 | 34–14 |
| Fitchburg State | Zach Shaw | 1 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 |
| Framingham State | Tom Kelley | 19 | 120–67–1 | 120–67–1 | 64–8 |
| Massachusetts Maritime | Jeremy Cameron | 19 | 59–102 | 59–102 | 24–48 |
| Plymouth State | Paul Castonia | 20 | 87–125 | 85–97 | 33–39 |
| UMass Dartmouth | Josh Sylvester | 1 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 |
| Western Connecticut | Joe Loth | 11 | 110–101 | 54–37 | 31–17 |
| Westfield State | Pete Kowalski | 10 | 22–60 | 22–60 | 17–47 |
| Worcester State | Adam Peloquin | 4 | 4–16 | 4–16 | 4–12 |

## Schedule

* Index to colors and formatting
* MASCAC member won
* MASCAC member lost
* MASCAC teams in bold
All times EST time.

### Regular season schedule
#### Week One

| Date | Time | Visiting team | Home team | Site | Result | Attendance |
| September 1 | 6:00 PM | UMass Dartmouth | Nichols | Vendetti Field • Dudley, MA | W 57–6 | 564 |
| September 1 | 7:00 PM | Worcester State | WPI | Alumni Stadium • Worcester, MA | L 13–44 | 3,112 |
| September 2 | 12:00 PM | Merchant Marine | Western Connecticut | The WAC • Danbury, CT | L 35–12 | 775 |
| September 2 | 12:00 PM | Westfield State | Anna Maria | Caparso Field • Paxton, MA | L 26–51 | 368 |
| September 2 | 12:00 PM | Fitchburg State | Dean | Dale Lippert Field • Franklin, MA | L 17–33 | 1,007 |
| September 2 | 12:00 PM | Bridgewater State | MIT | Steinbrenner Stadium • Cambridge, MA | L 27–41 | 957 |
| September 2 | 1:00 PM | Plymouth State | Castleton | Dave Wolk Stadium • Castleton, VT | L 21–25 | 3,106 |
| $^#$Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in EST. |||||||||

#### Week Two

| Date | Time | Visiting team | Home team | Site | Result | Attendance |
| September 7 | 6:30 PM | Framingham State | Salve Regina | Toppa Field • Newport, RI | L 0–29 | 2,107 |
| September 8 | 7:00 PM | Western New England | Westfield State | Alumni Field • Westfield, MA | L 0–46 | 2,000 |
| September 8 | 7:00 PM | Maritime | Massachusetts Maritime | Clean Harbors Stadium • Buzzards Bay, MA (Annual Chowder Bowl) | L 7–14 | 1,234 |
| September 8 | 7:00 PM | WPI | Bridgewater State | Swenson Field • Bridgewater, MA | L 21–24 | 1,504 |
| September 9 | 12:00 PM | New England (ME) | Plymouth State | Panther Field • Plymouth, NH | L 21–31 | 2,681 |
| September 9 | 12:00 PM | Union | Worcester State | John F. Coughlin Field • Worcester, MA | L 0–63 | 0 |
| September 9 | 3:00 PM | Castleton | Fitchburg State | Elliot Field • Fitchburg, MA | L 3–32 | 350 |
| September 9 | 5:00 PM | Curry | UMass Dartmouth | Cressy Field • Dartmouth, MA | W 28–14 | 2,788 |
| $^#$Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in EST. |||||||||

#### Week Three

| Date | Time | Visiting team | Home team | Site | Result | Attendance |
| September 15 | 7:00 PM | Westfield State | Western Connecticut | The WAC • Danbury, CT | 42–0 (WCSU) | 775 |
| September 16 | 12:00 PM | UMass Dartmouth | Framingham State | Bowditch Field • Framingham, MA | 33–7 (UMD) | 800 |
| September 16 | 12:00 PM | Fitchburg State | Worcester State | John F. Coughlin Field • Worcester, MA | 33–13 (WOR) | 245 |
| September 16 | 12:00 PM | Plymouth State | Bridgewater State | Swenson Field • Bridgewater, MA | 41–19 (BSU) | 1,100 |
| September 16 | 12:00 PM | Massachusetts Maritime | Anna Maria | Caparso Field • Paxton, MA | L 30–37 | 391 |
| $^#$Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in EST. |||||||||

#### Week Four

| Date | Time | Visiting team | Home team | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
| September 23 | 12:00 PM | Westfield State | Framingham State | Bowditch Field • Framingham, MA | | 9–8 (FRA) | 1,000 |
| September 23 | 12:00 PM | Worcester State | UMass Dartmouth | Cressy Field • Dartmouth, MA | LEC Network | 59–0 (UMD) | 300 |
| September 23 | 1:00 PM | Fitchburg State | Massachusetts Maritime | Clean Harbor Stadium • Buzzards Bay, MA | | 21–3 (MMA) | 1,891 |
| September 23 | 4:00 PM | Western Connecticut | Bridgewater State | Swenson Field • Bridgewater, MA | | 35–28 (BSU) | 1,100 |
| $^#$Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in EST. |||||||||

#### Week Five

| Date | Time | Visiting team | Home team | Site | Result | Attendance |
| September 30 | 12:00 PM | Massachusetts Maritime | Westfield State | Alumni Field • Westfield, MA | 17–10 (WES) | 1,017 |
| September 30 | 12:00 PM | Bridgewater State | Fitchburg State | Elliot Field • Fitchburg, MA | 38–14 (BSU) | 1,200 |
| September 30 | 1:00 PM | Framingham State | Plymouth State | Panther Field • Plymouth, NH | 24–14 (FRA) | 4,679 |
| September 30 | 4:00 PM | UMass Dartmouth | Western Connecticut | The WAC • Danbury, CT | 52–21 (WCSU) | 1,995 |
| $^#$Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in EST. |||||||||

#### Week Six

| Date | Time | Visiting team | Home team | Site | Result | Attendance |
| October 6 | 12:00 PM | Bridgwater State | Worcester State | John F. Coughlin Field • Worcester, MA | 35–7 (BSU) | 912 |
| October 7 | 12:00 PM | Framingham State | Fitchburg State | Elliot Field • Fitchburg, MA | 40–7 (FRA) | 1,200 |
| October 7 | 1:00 PM | Massachusetts Maritime | UMass Dartmouth | Cressy Field • Dartmouth, MA | 26–0 (UMD) | 0 |
| October 7 | 4:00 PM | Plymouth State | Western Connecticut | The WAC • Danbury, CT | 55–20 (WCSU) | 1,001 |
| $^#$Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in EST. |||||||||

#### Week Seven

| Date | Time | Visiting team | Home team | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
| October 12 | 12:00 PM | Worcester State | Massachusetts Maritime | Clean Harbors Stadium • Buzzards Bay, MA | | 22–19 (MMA) | 2,134 |
| October 14 | 12:00 PM | Western Connecticut | Framingham State | Bowditch Field • Framingham, MA | | 56–34 (WCSU) | 600 |
| October 14 | 12:00 PM | Fitchburg State | Plymouth State | Panther Field • Plymouth, NH | | 40–21 (PSU) | 1,213 |
| October 14 | 2:00 PM | UMass Dartmouth | Westfield State | Alumni Field • Westfield, MA | LEC Network | 26–23 OT (UMD) | 2,326 |
| $^#$Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in EST. |||||||||

#### Week Eight

| Date | Time | Visiting team | Home team | Site | Result | Attendance |
| October 20 | 7:00 PM | Massachusetts Maritime | Western Connecticut | The WAC • Danbury, CT | 28–0 (WCSU) | 880 |
| October 21 | 12:00 PM | Worcester State | Plymouth State State | Panther Field • Plymouth, NH | 35–0 (PSU) | 192 |
| October 21 | 4:00 PM | Fitchburg State | UMass Dartmouth | Cressy Field • Dartmouth, MA | 42–7 (UMD) | 419 |
| October 21 | 4:00 PM | Westfield State | Bridgewater State | Swenson Field • Bridgewater, MA | 21–0 (BSU) | 2,000 |
| $^#$Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in EST. |||||||||

#### Week Nine

| Date | Time | Visiting team | Home team | Site | Result | Attendance |
| October 28 | 12:00 PM | Framingham State | Massachusetts Maritime | Clean Harbors Stadium • Buzzards Bay, MA | 28–3 (FRA) | 1,764 |
| October 28 | 12:00 PM | UMass Dartmouth | Bridgewater State | Swenson Field • Bridgewater, MA | 34–14 (UMD) | 1,500 |
| October 28 | 4:00 PM | Plymouth State | Westfield State | Alumni Field • Westfield, MA | 20–19 (PSU) | 1,207 |
| October 28 | 3:00 PM | Western Connecticut | Worcester State | John F. Coughlin Field • Worcester, MA | | - |
| $^#$Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in EST. |||||||||

#### Week Ten

| Date | Time | Visiting team | Home team | Site | Result | Attendance |
| November 4 | 12:00 PM | Western Connecticut | Fitchburg State | Elliot Field • Fitchburg, MA | 54-0 (WCSU) | 1,200 |
| November 4 | 12:00 PM | Bridgewater State | Framingham State | Bowditch Field • Framingham, MA | | - |
| November 4 | 12:00 PM | Worcester State | Westfield State | Alumni Field • Westfield, MA | | - |
| November 4 | 12:00 PM | Massachusetts Maritime | Plymouth State | Panther Field • Plymouth, NH | | - |
| $^#$Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in EST. |||||||||

#### Week Eleven

| Date | Time | Visiting team | Home team | Site | Result | Attendance |
| November 11 | 12:00 PM | Westfield State | Fitchburg State | Elliot Field • Fitchburg, MA | 49-0 (WES) | 1,200 |
| November 11 | 12:00 PM | Bridgewater State | Massachusetts Maritime | Clean Harbors Stadium • Buzzards Bay, MA (Cranberry Bowl) | | - |
| November 11 | 12:00 PM | Plymouth State | UMass Dartmouth | Cressy Field • Dartmouth, MA | | - |
| November 11 | 12:00 PM | Framingham State | Worcester State | John F. Coughlin Field • Worcester, MA | | - |
| $^#$Rankings from AP Poll released prior to game. All times are in EST. |||||||||

#### Playoffs
## Head to head matchups

Head to head :
| Team | Bridgewater State | Fitchburg State | Framingham State | Massachusetts Maritime | Plymouth State | UMass Dartmouth | Western Connecticut | Westfield State | Worcester State |
| Bridgewater State | — | L 14–38 | — | — | L 19–41 | — | L 28–35 | — | L 7–35 |
| Fitchburg State | W 38–14 | — | W 40–7 | W 21–3 | — | — | — | — | W 33–13 |
| Framingham State | — | L 7–40 | — | — | L 14–24 | W 33–7 | — | L 8–9 | — |
| Massachusetts Maritime | — | L 3–21 | — | — | — | W 26–0 | — | W 17–10 | L 19–22 |
| Plymouth State | W 41–19 | — | W 24–14 | — | — | — | W 55–20 | — | — |
| UMass Dartmouth | — | — | L 7–33 | L 0–26 | — | — | W 52–21 | — | L 0–59 |
| Western Connecticut | W 35–28 | — | — | — | L 20–55 | L 21–52 | — | L 0–42 | — |
| Westfield State | — | — | W 9–8 | L 10–17 | — | — | W 42–0 | — | — |
| Worcester State | W 35–7 | L 13–33 | — | W 22–19 | — | W 59–0 | — | — | — |
Updated with the results of all regular season conference games.

## Awards and honors
### Player of the week honors

| Week | Offensive | Offensive | Offensive | Defensive | Defensive | Defensive | Special Teams | Special Teams | Special Teams | Rookie | Rookie | Rookie |
| Week | Player | Team | Position | Player | Team | Position | Player | Team | Position | Player | Team | Position |
| Week 1 | Dante Aviles-Santos | UMass Dartmouth | QB | Trell Best | UMass Dartmouth | DB | Braedyn DeMarco | UMass Dartmouth | K | Rocky Marchitelli | Fitchburg State | QB |
| Week 2 | Marvens Jean | UMass Dartmouth | WR | Trell Best (2) | UMass Dartmouth | DB | Isaiah Wright | Bridgewater State | RB | Jason Nickerson | UMass Dartmouth | DB |
| Week 3 | James Cahoon | Bridgewater State | QB | Ryan Justin | Worcester State | DL | Joey Naso | Bridgewater State | K | Lance Williams | Worcester State | WR |
| Week 4 | Adam Couch | Bridgewater State | RB | Jared Martino | Framingham State | LB | Isaiah Wright (2) | Bridgewater State | RB | Dae'Shawn Allen | Western Connecticut | RB |
| Week 4 | Adam Couch | Bridgewater State | RB | Jared Martino | Framingham State | LB | Najier Monteiro | Framingham State | LB | Dae'Shawn Allen | Western Connecticut | RB |
| Week 5 | Devaun Ford | Framingham State | RB | Max Margeson | Westfield State | DB | Aiden Figueroa | Western Connecticut | RB | Cooper Harvey | Westfield State | K |
| Week 6 | Devaun Ford (2) | Framingham State | RB | Mike Henricksen | UMass Dartmouth | LB | Moise Nazaire | Framingham State | DB | Jorge Aquino Debes | Bridgewater State | DE |
| Week 7 | Keion Jones | Western Connecticut | QB | Cade Nelson | Westfield State | DL | Cooper Harvey | Westfield State | K | Dae'Shawn Allen (2) | Western Connecticut | RB |
| Week 8 | Luis Gonzalez | UMass Dartmouth | RB | Jack Cataldi | Plymouth State | RB | Angel Sanchez | UMass Dartmouth | WR | Dae'Shawn Allen (3) | Western Connecticut | RB |

## Home game announced attendance

| Team | Stadium | Capacity | Game 1 | Game 2 | Game 3 | Game 4 | Game 5 | Game 6 | Game 7 | Total | Average | % of capacity |
| Bridgewater State | Swenson Field | 1,600 | 1,504 | 1,100 | 1,100 | 2,000† | 1,500 | --- | --- | 7,204 | 1,441 | 90.1% |
| Fitchburg State | Elliot Field | 1,200 | 350 | 1,200† | 1,200† | --- | --- | --- | --- | 2,750 | 917 | 76.4% |
| Framingham State | Bowditch Field | 5,130 | 800 | 1,000† | 600 | --- | --- | --- | --- | 2,400 | 900 | 17.5% |
| Massachusetts Maritime | Clean Harbors Stadium | 2,300 | 1,234 | 1,891 | 2,134† | 1,764 | --- | --- | --- | 7,023 | 1,756 | 76.3% |
| Plymouth State | Currier Memorial Field / Panther Field | 1,200 | 2,681 | 4,679† | 1,213 | 192 | --- | --- | --- | 8,765 | 2,191 | 182.6% |
| UMass Dartmouth | Cressy Field | 1,850 | 2,788† | 300 | 0 | 419 | --- | --- | --- | 3,507 | 877 | 47.4% |
| Western Connecticut | The WAC | 4,500 | 775 | 775 | 1,995† | 1,001 | 880 | --- | --- | 5,426 | 1,085 | 24.1% |
| Westfield State | Alumni Field | 4,000 | 2,000 | 1,017 | 2,326† | 1,207 | --- | --- | --- | 6,550 | 1,310 | 32.8% |
| Worcester State | John F. Coughlin Field | 2,500 | 0 | 245 | 912† | --- | --- | --- | --- | 1,157 | 386 | 15.4% |
Bold – exceeded capacity † Season high

## Other headlines

On October 4, 2023, Anna Maria College announced it was leaving the Eastern Collegiate Football Conference and joining the MASCAC for the 2025–26 academic year.
On October 10, 2023 Dean College announced it was leaving the Eastern Collegiate Football Conference and joining the MASCAC for the 2025–26 academic year.