If you were looking for a quiet, predictable year of Division III football in Springfield, you definitely didn't get it. The western new england university football schedule for 2025 turned out to be a total rollercoaster that left fans both exhilarated and, honestly, a little bit confused at times.
It started with a literal bang. Beating a ranked Springfield College team right out of the gate? That’s the kind of stuff that makes people think a deep playoff run is inevitable. But as the season wore on, the Golden Bears showed us that even the most talented teams have to deal with the "any given Saturday" reality of the Conference of New England (CNE).
Breaking Down the 2025 Western New England University Football Schedule
When you look at the final 6-4 record, it doesn't quite tell the whole story. You've got to look at the stretches where this team looked unstoppable and the weird gaps where things just... slipped.
The schedule was heavy on road trips mid-season, which is always tough. After that massive 23-22 win over #13 Springfield, the team headed to Newport to face Salve Regina. Losing that one 34-28 in overtime was a gut punch. It’s those little moments—an extra possession, a missed tackle in the flat—that separate a 6-4 season from an 8-2 one.
The Mid-Season Slump and the Bounce Back
October was rough. Let’s just be real about it.
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Back-to-back losses to Endicott and Curry really took the wind out of the sails. The Curry game, in particular, was a bit of a shocker. Giving up 52 points is not the Golden Bear way. Jason Lebeau, who has been steering this ship since 2018, had his work cut out for him after that Milton trip.
But then, something clicked.
The final three weeks of the season were a masterclass in "finishing strong." WNE basically decided they weren't going to lose again. They didn't just win; they dismantled people.
- New England College: A 55-0 shutout. Total dominance.
- Maine Maritime: A 70-7 blowout up in Castine.
- Nichols College: A 63-20 victory to cap off Senior Day.
Basically, they outscored their final three opponents 188 to 27. That is a wild stat.
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Key Performances You Might Have Missed
While the western new england university football schedule dictated when they played, Matt LaMontagne and De'Andre Harris dictated how they played.
LaMontagne was a workhorse. He ended up with 16 rushing touchdowns. If you watch the tape of that Maine Maritime game, he was finding holes that didn't even seem to exist. Then you have Harris, who literally rewrote the record books this year. Breaking the all-time receiving yards record while securing a 1,000-yard season in the finale against Nichols? That’s legendary status.
Paul Gorry also stepped up under center. Throwing 16 touchdowns against only 3 interceptions is the kind of efficiency that keeps an offensive coordinator like Connor Dunn sleeping well at night.
Why the 2026 Outlook is Interesting
So, where does this leave us for next year?
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Jason Lebeau is a WNE alum ('10/'16), so he knows the culture better than anyone. He’s now 48-26 at the helm. While 6-4 has been the mark for the last two seasons, the way they finished 2025 suggests they’ve found a rhythm that could carry over into 2026.
The CNE is getting more competitive, though. With New England College and Maine Maritime in the mix, the conference schedule has a different flow. You can't take weeks off.
Practical Next Steps for Golden Bear Fans
If you're planning to follow the team as they transition into the 2026 offseason and beyond, here’s how to stay in the loop without digging through old press releases:
- Watch the Roster Transitions: Keep an eye on the transfer portal and incoming freshmen. Losing seniors like Harris leaves a massive void in the receiving corps that needs to be filled.
- Check the 2026 Non-Conference Slate: The Springfield College "Pynchon SAW Game" is usually the season opener. It’s the barometer for the whole year. If that’s on the schedule again for 2026, circle that date immediately.
- Monitor Coaching Staff Changes: While Lebeau is the fixture, D3 football often sees movement in coordinator positions. Continuity in the defensive scheme will be huge after the struggles they had in the middle of the 2025 season.
- Support Local: If you’re in the Springfield area, Golden Bear Stadium is one of the better atmospheres in New England D3 ball. The capacity is only 2,000, so it feels loud and personal.
The 2025 season is in the books, but the way it ended suggests that Western New England isn't going anywhere. They might have missed the conference title this time, but the firepower is clearly still there.