COLLEGE FOOTBALL CAPSULES

PRINCETON at YALE

When: Saturday, noon

Where: Yale Bowl

Records: Yale 6-2, Princeton 8-0.

Stream: ESPN+

Last Meeting: Princeton 35, Yale 20. Nov. 13, 2021.

What you need to know: Battle of top teams in the Ivy League also pits the league’s top offense (Yale) vs. the league’s top defense (Princeton) in the 144th meeting of the rivals. Yale is averaging 32.8 points per game, while Princeton is surrendering 11.4 points per game, which is second in the nation at the FCS level. Yale also leads the league in total offense (425.4 ypg), rushing offense (226.5 ypg) and fewest sacks (0.88 per game). The Bulldogs are ninth in the nation in rushing offense and have outscored opponents 86-17 in the last six quarters. Princeton, one of four undefeated FCS teams, is led by QB Blake Stenstrom (2,123 yards). Yale, which has won four of the last seven meetings with the Tigers, leads the series 78-55-10.

MERRIMACK at CENTRAL CONNECTICUT

When: Saturday at noon

Where: Arute Field, New Britain

Records: Central 1-8, Merrimack 7-2

Stream: NEC Front Row

Last Meeting: Central 49, Merrimack 21. Oct. 30, 2021.

What you need to know: Nasir Smith has rushed for 100 or more yards in two straight games and four of the past six for Central. The Blue Devils defense held Wagner to 32 yards rushing last week, the second lowest mark this season, after holding Brown to 17 yards. In the last three games opponents have totaled just 104 rushing yards. CCSU is second in the NEC in rushing defense, allowing 151.8 rushing ypg overall, and a league-best 107.8 ypg on the ground in NEC games.

WESLEYAN at TRINITY

When: Saturday at noon

Where: Jessee/Miller Field.

Records: Wesleyan 6-2. Trinity 8-0

Stream: nsnsports.net/ colleges/trinity/

Last Meeting: Trinity 14, Wesleyan 7. Nov. 13, 2021.

What you need to know: Trinity holds a 63-54-1 advantage in the 137-year history of this intrastate rivalry. Trinity, ranked second in the New England Division III poll, has already clinched at least a share of the NESCAC title. A win Saturday, or loss by Middlebury at Tufts would secure an outright title. Trinity has won NESCAC titles in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2008, 2012, 2016, 2017 and 2018. The Bantams are attempting to complete their 14th undefeated season, but a win Saturday would give them their first 9-0 season. Running backs Tyler DiNapoli (West Haven), Colin McCabe (Madison.) and Will Kirby (Darien) are fifth, eighth, and ninth in the conference with over 360 yards rushing each despite all three only appearing in six games. Wesleyan, which won the Little Three title with wins over Amherst and Williams, have 24 sacks.