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(10-01-09) WEST HAVEN, Conn. - The University of New Haven football team renews their long-standing rivalry with Southern Connecticut State University on Friday night at Jess Dow Field. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
Ticket Information
Tickets will be sold at the gate only. Adults are $5 and children are $3.
This Week's Matchup
UNH and SCSU campuses are just over 3.5 miles from one another. The football programs have met a total of 19 times, with the Chargers holding a 13-5-1 all-time record against the Owls. The teams first met in 1981, one year before Charger football went from Division III to Division II. In ‘81 the teams tied 28-28 and since then the teams have played every season up until 1998 when SCSU captured a 14-10 victory. After a one-year break, the teams played the most recent meeting on November 4, 2000 at Jess Dow Field when the Chargers took a 56-7 win. The Chargers have won 13 of the last 15 meetings, including a string of six straight from 1985-1990 and from 1992-1997.
Keys to the Game: Ball Control/Running Game
With a struggling running game, the Chargers will have to continue to control the ball on Friday. They've averaged over 31 minutes per game this season, while holding their opponents to just under 29 minutes. Without a well-established running game, the Chargers will have to continue that trend this weekend. Southern currently holds the same time of possession advantage over their opponents. As demonstrated in last week's game, the team that has the ball in the final two minutes may decide the game's outcome.
Averaging 70 yards rushing per game, Victor Jones and Andrew Nass have shared time in the backfield for the Chargers this season. After attempting to return last week and aggravating an ankle injury he suffered prior to the season opener, Mike DeCaro will most likely be out again this week. The rushing attack will have their work cutout for them, facing the NE-10's best rush defense. SCSU has allowed just one 100-yard rusher this season and only one rushing touchdown. They're holding opponents to 2.2 yards per carry and 76.6 yards per game.
The UNH defense, ranked third in the NE-10 in rush defense, will also have its work cutout. While they're holding opponents to 121.8 yards per game and 3.5 yards per carry, they will face the conference's second best rushing offense this week. Southern is averaging 172.2 yards rushing per game and 4.1 yards per carry. The Chargers' three defensive linemen will play a big part in stopping the running game this week. It will be crucial for the Chargers to force the Owls into second and long, and third and long situations to give the front three an opportunity for sacks.
Scouting the Owls of Southern Connecticut State
The Owls will look to the running game to control time of possession Friday night. Last week against Assumption, they held the ball for over 36 minutes, leaving the Greyhounds with just over 23 minutes. The Owls dominated time of possession in the fourth quarter, holding an 11:16 - 3:44 advantage. They also ran for 234 total yards, led by Jarom Freeman's 113 yards. Chris Roberts led to the offense with 238 yards and two touchdowns on 16-of-23 passing. Roberts is seventh in the conference with 172.4 yards per game and eight touchdowns, but ranks second in passing efficiency with a 136.5 rating.
Defensively, the Owls are led by linebacker Andrew Pratt. He has 46 total tackles this season, including 7.5 tackles-for-loss. He's also forced two fumbles and has a pass break up. Southern runs multiple defensive sets, but the base defense, like the Chargers, includes three down linemen.
Leading Coverage
The New Haven Register has been running a week-long "Rivalry Revival" feature stories. Tuesday they hosted a UNH/SCSU live chat and featured the New Haven and Southern Captains Dinner which took place Monday evening, followed by a feature on Southern's coach on Wednesday. Click here for Thursday's story on UNH linebacker Brian LaSure. Along with their predictions and game analysis, beat writers Chris Hunn (UNH) and Bill Cloutier (SCSU) will feature the team's quarterbacks in Friday's paper. For the complete story on Friday, visit www.nhregister.com.
Follow the Game
The game can be heard live in New Haven on 88.7 FM WNHU or online at www.wnhu.net with UNH alumni, Craig Mortali and Pat Ryan calling the action live from Jess Dow Field. Visit www.newhaven.edu/athletics/livecoverage for links to both live statistics and a free video webcast. This week's game has been selected as the NE-10 Game of the Week and will be broadcast live as part of the NE-10's "PackCast" games of the week. Log on to www.northeast10.tv for a link to the broadcast.
Next Up
The Chargers host American International College on Saturday, October 10 next week. The game is scheduled for a 1 p.m. kickoff. It is also Take a Kid to the Game Day at DellaCamera Stadium.
For this week's game notes, click here.
