Coming into week five, the Chargers look to send fans home happy with a win on Family Day. Sitting at 2-2, New Haven looks to continue their winning streak as they take on crosstown rival, Southern Connecticut State University.
When these two rivals last met, the Chargers’ backfield had a huge day with over 100-yards rushing and passing, resulting in a 28-14 victory over the SCSU Owls. Ajee Patterson finished a good day, despite throwing an interception, with 176-yards and a touchdown on 12 completions. Running back Andre Anderson had himself a day as well, finishing with 165-yards and 3 touchdowns on the ground, as he provided most of the team’s points. Wide receiver Henry Adegunle led the way receiving with three catches for 58-yards, while Ty Headen hauled in Patterson’s lone touchdown pass on the day. On the other side of the ball, the Charger defense played lights out as they finished with four total sacks on the day, two of which going to defensive end Ralph Johnathas, the other two going to defensive back Stefano Bicknese and defensive lineman Drake Harris, respectively.
The Blue and Gold are coming off their second straight win on the season after complete blowout of the Pace Setters by a score of 48-21, the score says the game was closer than it actually was as Patterson had his second straight stellar performance finishing the game with 319-yards passing and three touchdowns, two through the air and one on the ground. A new face lead the team in rushing last week, as late addition to the game, Freshman running back Ryan McCarthy would finish the day with 75-yards and his first touchdown as a New Haven Charger. Anderson would get into the endzone twice as well, giving U.N.H. four rushing touchdowns on the day. Senior Rishawn Harris would be on the receiving end of both of Patterson’s touchdown tosses. Defensively, Mr. Consistency, Tyler Condit, and defensive back Stefano Bicknese would lead the team in tackles with six each. Junior defensive back Matt Olivo would have the team’s only interception on the day.
The team on the other sideline, Southern, is coming off of a nail-bitter against American International, coming out victors by a score of 21-20. The Owl’s starting quarterback, Robert Nittolo, threw three interceptions in the second half which would result in quarterback-turned-receiver, Sophomore Raymond Catapano, replacing him, despite having a relatively good day, ending with 175-yards passing on 16 completions. Sophomore running back Eli Parks lead the team in rushing yards with 69-yards and redshirt sophomore, Vochan Fowler, and Nittolo would each have a rushing touchdown to their name. On defense, the Owls would have a historic night as Junior defensive back Justin Potts would snag three interceptions, the first time an Owl has accomplished this feat since Kyle Sandberg did it against West Virginia Wesleyan in the 2008 season opener. Senior Brandon Martin would also have an interception, while Sophomore Jhaaron Wallace and Senior Oladimeji Bamishile would combine for the Owls’ only sack on the day.
Both teams came into Saturday’s game looking to continue their winning streaks. The Chargers are looking to get their rushing attack back on the right track and make it six straight wins against the rival Owls. As the Owls and Nittolo look to turn around the performance the offense had despite coming away with the win. With this being Family Day, Ralph F. Dellacamera Stadium is sure to be packed to the brim with Charger fans that are looking for a great game between crosstown rivals.
The Chargers and Charger Nation were charged up and ready to come out of Family Day with a win against the Owls, and Patterson would do his best to make sure of that. Patterson would spark the scoring with a two-yard touchdown toss to Senior wide receiver Ty Headen. Patterson wouldn’t stop there though, on the next drive he would come back out and throw a 35-yard strike to Senior tight end Johnathan Badyna, quickly making the score 14-0.
Southern, down early, had to answer back quickly before they were in an even bigger hole; that is exactly what they did as Raymond Catapano proved going with him as the starter was a good choice, scoring the Owl’s first points on a two-yard toss Junior wide receiver Shaquan Hall. That score would not matter to the Patterson-led Chargers as they would score their and his third touchdown on the day a couple of drives later on a 15-yard strike to Headen, Headen’s second on the day. Catapano and the Owls wouldn’t stand down though, Catapano would drive his team down the field and later punch it in on a 4-yard quarterback keeper making the score 21-14 going into the half.
Coming out of the half, the Blue and Gold made it a point to give Southern a heavy dosage of Anderson, and made it a point to get him into the endzone, as he scored on a 6-yard rush for his first score of the day. However, Southern Connecticut would answer right back with a touchdown of their own on a Catapano 8-yard pass to Senior wide receiver Devante Jenkins, making the score 28-20. From that score onward the both teams would get a little quiet on the scoring end until, Junior kicker Danny Stock would boot a 28-yarder trough the uprights to push the Chargers’ lead up to 11. On their next drive, the Blue and Gold would punch it into the endzone this time, by way of the legs of Andre Anderson on a 12-yard rush, despite an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on Anderson. The Charger’s didn’t look back and would shut out the Owls for the remainder of the game end the game with a score of 38-20.
Offensively, Patterson put up great numbers for the third game in a row, throwing for 257 yards and three touchdowns on the day, while Anderson posted his second 100+ yard day with 151-yards on the ground and two touchdowns. Headen and Badyna were on the receiving end of Patterson’s three touchdown passes and Headen lead the team receiving with 109-yards on five receptions. Junior defensive back Stefano Bicknese would lead the team in tackles with 11 total on the day. The rest of the defense, including Mr. Consistency, Tyle Condit, would have a relatively quiet day.
The Chargers look to make it four straight wins as they travel to North Andover, MA to take on the Merrimack Warriors. The Warriors, 1-4 on the season, are coming off their third straight loss, this time in blowout fashion to the Stonehill Skyhawks by a score of 31-6. The last time U.N.H. and Merrimack played the Blue and Gold lost in heartbreaking fashion on a last minute touchdown by the Warriors. The Chargers are looking to come out on top this time and walk away with their fourth straight win on the year after dropping their first two contests.
