Stonehill Skyhawks 2026: the season story
Stonehill is 4-6 and rated No. 213 of 266 in the Cheap Seats Index, from this season's games only: Power 213th, Résumé 223rd, schedule 199th toughest. Next: at Robert Morris.
Scouting report
Why it matters. The Team Index weighs how well a team plays and what it has beaten equally, so the gap between the two ranks shows which one is carrying it. Stonehill is No. 213 of 266 in the Team Index and 4th of 8 in the NEC. Power, how well it plays, ranks 213th of 266; Résumé, what it has beaten, ranks 223rd of 266.
The season, game by game
Why it matters. Single-game ratings separate a team that wins comfortably every week from one that keeps escaping. Stonehill loses its games by 5.7 points on average, 85th of 128 in margin among FCS teams. It has not played a team in our top 25 yet.
How they win
Why it matters. Offense and defense are rated separately, adjusted for every opponent, so a team that wins with its defense looks different from one that wins shootouts. Its offense rates 104th of 128 in FCS (5th in the NEC) and its defense 27th of 128 (1st in the conference).
Drive by drive
Why it matters. Counting points per possession instead of per game takes tempo out of the picture: a slow team is not punished for having fewer drives. Stonehill scores 1.47 points per drive (the FCS average is 2.16), 113th of 128. Its defense allows 2.01, 39th of 128.
Under the hood
Why it matters. Expected points per play captures what the scoreboard misses: a 9-yard gain on 3rd and 8 is worth far more than the same 9 yards on 3rd and 15. Adjusted for its opponents, the offense adds -0.14 expected points per play (110th of 128) and stays on schedule on 36% of snaps (100th of 128). The defense allows +0.07 per play, 35th of 128.
When it matters
Why it matters. Most close games turn on a handful of third downs and red-zone trips, so this is where good teams separate. Stonehill converts 32% of its third downs and scores touchdowns on 58% of red-zone trips (FCS average 60%), 81st of 128.
Special teams
Why it matters. Special teams swing field position and decide a few close games every season, and almost none of it shows up in a box score. Its special teams as a whole rank 86th of 128, worth -1.36 points a game against an average unit. The best unit is kick returns, 4th of 128.
Tendencies
Why it matters. How a team calls its plays by down and distance is what opposing coaches study all week. Stonehill throws on 44% of early downs; the FCS average is 45%.
How they play
Why it matters. Pace changes how many chances both teams get, and the line of scrimmage decides whether the quarterback has time and the runners have room. It runs 58.9 plays a game (FCS average 64.4). Its quarterbacks are sacked on 4.7% of dropbacks, 53rd of 128, and 25% of its runs are stopped at or behind the line, 116th of 128.
Who they have played
Why it matters. The same numbers mean more against good teams; splitting them by opponent shows whether a team holds up when the schedule gets hard. Stonehill's schedule ranks 199th of 266 in strength, 3rd toughest of 8 in the NEC.
Record versus reality
Why it matters. Teams that win a lot of coin-flip games rarely keep doing it, so the gap between expected and actual wins is worth watching. Stonehill has 4 wins against 4.5 expected from its play and schedule, and is 2-2 in one-score games.
Rise and fall
Why it matters. How a team is playing now often says more about its next game than its full-season average. Stonehill was 209th in Power after week 2 and is 213th now; its best was 188th after week 6.
What is ahead
Why it matters. The schedule left matters as much as the games played; simulating it shows how much is still in reach. Across 10,000 simulated seasons Stonehill averages 5.4 wins and almost never wins the NEC.
Top players and teams like them
Why it matters. Teams with similar profiles tend to play similar games, which makes them a useful way to read a matchup or a season. The highest-ranked player on the roster is Cole Clarke, 48th of 305 tight ends. The closest match in style and strength is McNeese.
