Bridgewater, NJ -- The NEC is raising the bar for its football coverage in 2025.

This fall, fans will see a familiar streaming package on ESPN+, simulcasts on regional networks and the debut of new platforms that broaden the league’s reach, tap into fresh audiences and give fans more ways to follow the action.

For the 14th straight season, the NEC and ESPN are teaming up to showcase marquee conference matchups, including two ESPN+ exclusives and a pair of simulcasts with regional television partners. In addition, NEC football will break new ground with a Game of the Week on RYZ Sports Network and select games streamed through the Creator Sports Network (CSN), opening new doors for fans to follow the conference.

“NEC football has always been about creating opportunities – for our student-athletes, our schools and our fans,” said NEC Commissioner Noreen Morris. “This year, we’re proud to honor our longstanding partnership with ESPN and regional networks within the conference footprint, while also introducing new and innovative ways for people to experience our games. By expanding to RYZ and CSN, we’re embracing a changing media landscape and connecting with loyal supporters while engaging the next generation of fans.”

2025 NEC Football on ESPN+
The 2025 television slate kicks off on October 4, when LIU travels to Mercyhurst for a 1:00 pm kickoff on ESPN+. Loaded with weapons, including preseason All-American quarterback Ethan Greenwood (Baldwin, NY/Kellenberg (The Citadel)), LIU looks to parlay a strong finish in 2024 into the program’s first conference title, while Mercyhurst takes the NEC stage for the first time as a full-time member. With veteran signal caller Adam Urena (Chino Hills, CA/Chino Hills (Citrus CC)) at the helm – the grad student threw a league-high 31 touchdown passes last season - the Lakers are eager to establish themselves, and hosting the Sharks in Erie for their Homecoming game provides an early chance to do so in front of a national audience.

Three weeks later, defending co-champion Duquesne visits Wagner on October 25 at noon, a game that will air on ESPN+, YES Network and SportsNet Pittsburgh. The Dukes, picked second in the preseason poll and chasing a record-setting eighth NEC crown, return a veteran roster highlighted by multiple preseason all-conference selections, including standout wideout Joey Isabella (Knoxville, TN/Baylor School (Virginia Tech)), a 2024 All-NEC first team pick. Wagner, chosen fifth, continues its climb after showing progress a season ago and placing four players on the preseason All-NEC team, including junior wideout Teree McDonald (Montreal, Quebec/Collège Vanier), who caught five touchdown passes in 2024. Staten Island should provide a spirited backdrop as the up-and-coming Seahawks look to knock off a conference power in a Halloween-themed showdown.

The November television spotlight shifts to New Britain on November 8, when Stonehill faces CCSU in a noon matchup airing on ESPN+, YES Network and NESN+. The Blue Devils are coming off a breakthrough 2024 campaign, going 5-1 in NEC play to claim a share of the conference title and advancing to the FCS playoffs, where they pushed Rhode Island to the limit. CCSU returns a potent offense led by senior running back Elijah Howard (Knoxville, TN/Baylor School/Virginia Tech), the 2024 NEC Offensive Player of the Year, and senior all-purpose back Donovan Wadley (Newark, NJ/Weequahic (Merrimack)), the 2023 NEC Offensive Player of the Year, making his Blue Devil debut after three standout seasons at Merrimack. Boasting a conference-high eight preseason All-NEC honorees, the seven-time league champs look to build on their resurgence under head coach Adam Lechtenberg, while Stonehill enters 2025 eligible for FCS postseason play for the first time following its Division I transition, adding extra stakes to the Skyhawks’ visit to Arute Field. Anchoring the Skyhawk defense is senior cornerback Mo Seide (Malden, MA/Everett), a second-team All-NEC selection last season and preseason All-NEC pick.

The package wraps up with a wildcard game on November 15, airing exclusively on ESPN+. Possible matchups include CCSU at Duquesne, LIU at Saint Francis U, Stonehill at Wagner or Robert Morris at Mercyhurst. While the CCSU-Duquesne matchup stands out as a potential marquee clash of preseason favorites, the late-season broadcast could carry significant championship implications.

Expanding Platforms in 2025
Beyond ESPN and regional networks, the NEC is adding two new distribution outlets this fall.
 
RYZ Sports Network will carry a weekly NEC Football Game of the Week on its linear FAST (Free Ad-Supported TV) channel, available on Samsung TV+, Roku, Amazon, Xumo, Xfinity, LG and more. RYZ also reaches millions of viewers through the Atmosphere OOH network, airing live sports in restaurants, gyms, hotels, and other public venues nationwide.
 
In addition, select NEC games will stream on the Creator Sports Network (CSN). CSN partners with social media creators to co-stream live games on platforms like YouTube, Twitch, TikTok, Instagram, X, Kick and Facebook. Similar to “ManningCast”-style broadcasts or other creator-driven streams, these personalities provide live commentary and interactive content alongside the game feed. By leveraging the reach and influence of digital creators, CSN will bring NEC football to new audiences and offer a more engaging, interactive experience for younger fans.

2025 NEC Football: ESPN+ & RSN Schedule
Oct. 4 – LIU at Mercyhurst - 1 pm – ESPN+ exclusive
Oct. 25 – Duquesne at Wagner - 12 pm – ESPN+, YES Network, SportsNet Pittsburgh
Nov. 8 – Stonehill at CCSU - 12 pm – ESPN+, YES Network, NESN+
Nov. 15 – Wildcard Game - TBD – ESPN+ exclusive
 
2025 NEC Football TV Schedule on RYZ Network
Sept. 6 –  New Haven at Mercyhurst – 12 pm
Sept. 13 – Saint Francis U at CCSU – 12 pm
Sept. 20 – Dayton at Robert Morris – 2 pm
Sept. 27 – LIU at Stonehill – 1 pm
Oct. 4 – Stonehill at Duquesne – 12 pm
Oct. 11 – CCSU at Robert Morris – 2 pm
Oct. 18 – CCSU at Wagner – 5 pm
Oct. 25 – New Haven at LIU – 12 pm
Nov. 1 – Wagner at Saint Francis U – 12 pm
Nov. 8 – Duquesne at LIU – 12 pm
Nov. 15 – TBD
Nov. 22 – Duquesne at Robert Morris – 2 pm
 
2025 NEC Football TV Schedule on Creator Sports Network (CSN)
Game schedule TBD
 
Veteran play-by-play voice Paul Dottino and two-time Super Bowl-winning coach Kevin Gilbride return as the NEC’s lead broadcast duo. Craig D’Amico, host of the NEC on the Run football podcast, will also rotate in on play-by-play.

About the Northeast Conference
Now entering its 45th season, the Northeast Conference is an NCAA Division I collegiate athletic association consisting of ten institutions of higher learning located throughout six states. Media coverage of the NEC extends to a number of the largest markets in the United States including New York (#1), Chicago (#3), Boston (#9). Hartford/New Haven (#32) and Syracuse (#88). Founded in 1981 as the basketball-only ECAC Metro Conference, the NEC has grown to sponsor 25 championship sports for men and women and now enjoys automatic access to 16 different NCAA Championships. NEC full member institutions include Central Connecticut, Chicago State, FDU, Le Moyne, LIU, Mercyhurst, New Haven, Saint Francis U, Stonehill and Wagner. For more information on the NEC, visit the league’s official website (www.northeastconference.org) and digital network (www.necfrontrow.com), or follow the league on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and TikTok, all @NECsports.