University of New Haven Athletics

PHOTO GALLERY

One of the most prolific passers in New Haven football history, Jay McLucas donned the Blue and Gold from 1987-90. The West Hartford, Conn. native carried on the fine tradition of quarterbacks at New Haven with a pair record-setting seasons during his career.
 
After seeing limited time as an underclassmen backup to fellow Hall of Famer Mike Horton, McLucas burst on the New England football scene in 1989 under head coach Mark Whipple. As an All-New England selection his junior year, he completed 161-of-297 passes for 2,025 yards and 14 touchdowns. The total included four different games with more than 200 passing yards and a season-high 278 yards against Central Connecticut.
 
McLucas enjoyed one of the finest seasons by any New Haven signal caller his senior year. He tallied a remarkable 3,114 yards and 23 touchdowns on 209-of-402 passing. His game-highs that season included a thrilling come-from-behind victory at West Chester which saw him break the school record for passing yards with 422 and tie the school standard with five passing touchdowns. For his performance, he was the recipient of the New England Football Writer's Gold Helmet Award and named Sports Illustrate's Small College Football Player of the Week. He was the first quarterback to throw for more than 3,000 yards, tally more than 20 touchdowns and complete more than 200 passes in a single season. As a result, the Chargers led all of Division II in passing offense with over 335 yards per game. The postseason accolades poured in for McLucas who was the first quarterback to earn All-America honors and the New England Player of the Year. He was also named to the All-ECAC Team and All-New England Team for the second time of his career.
 
With 5,192 passing yards, 378 completions and 37 touchdowns in his career, McLucas ranked second all-time at UNH in each category at the time of his graduation. He was the first quarterback to throw for 2,000 yards in back-to-back seasons and one of only four to ever accomplish the feat in consecutive years. He's numbers have stood the test of time and he currently ranks in the top 10 in every passing record. His individual success did not come without team success as the Chargers posted a 15-5 record with McLucas under center.