(10-21-09) WEST HAVEN, Conn. - The University of New Haven football team takes on Pace University in week eight of the 2009 season. The Chargers are looking for their fourth win of the season and their third Northeast-10 Conference.
This Week's Matchup
New Haven (3-4, 2-4 NE-10) hosts Pace (0-7, 0-5 NE-10) today in its eighth game of the season. The Chargers are coming off a tough 48-20 road loss to Merrimack last Saturday, while the Setters are coming off a heartbreaking 28-27 last-minute loss at the hands of Bentley. The Chargers will continue to spread the field on offense and use a 3-4 defense, while Pace features a West Coast style offense and a 3-4 defense. Comparing the teams, the Chargers rank sixth in the Northeast-10 Conference (NE-10) in total offense (346.4 yards per game), while the Setters rank eighth (297.1 yards per game). Defensively, the Setters are giving up 351.3 yards, while the Chargers are allowing 359.3 yards per contest. A majority of the Chargers' offense is generated through the air, while the Setters use a more balanced attack (115.0 yards rushing/182.1 yards passing).
Common Opponents
The Chargers and Warriors have four common opponents so far this season. The Chargers hold a 1-3 record against those common opponents, while the Setters are 0-4. In week two, UNH played Assumption and fell 31-10, while Pace fell 34-26 to the Greyhounds three weeks ago. New Haven lost 23-15 to Bentley, while Pace fell 28-27 to the Falcons on a last-minute touchdown last week. The Chargers one common opponent win came over Stonehill College on Sept. 26, 23-16; Pace fell 34-14 to the Skyhawks two weeks ago in Easton, Mass. Both team also lost to Southern Connecticut this season.
New Haven's Keys to the Game: Protecting Osiecki/Minimizing Big Plays
Offensively, the Chargers are going to need to protect quarterback Ryan Osiecki and keep the Setters out of the backfield. The offensive line will play a large part in trying to keep the Setter defense at bay, a line which has played together all season. Anchored by center John Irwin, the Chargers have averaged 346.4 yards per game. However, Osiecki's been sacked 21 times and bee pressured a total of 40 times. The offensive line will also play a vital part in maintaining a running game in what has all the implications of being a rain-soaked DellaCamera Stadium.
On the defensive side of the ball, UNH needs to keep Pace from capitalizing on big plays. The Setters have big-play potential with five receivers who average over 10 yards per catch. Running back Nathaniel Ford averages 5.7 yards per carry and has a 54-yard long. Last week, Ford carried the ball just three times for 82 yards. Back-up quarterback Joe Romanick threw for 251 yards on 18 completions last week as well (13.9 yards per completion).
The Chargers will also have to continue their sound special team performances of the first seven games. Despite losing kicker/punter Michael Herrera in week five, UNH has made strides to improve the past three weeks in the kicking department. The punting game struggled last week and will need to improve this week to keep the Chargers in the battle for field position. The New Haven return game has done well all season and currently ranks third in kickoff returns and fifth in punt returns in the Northeast-10.
Scouting the Setters of Pace University
The Setters are led by quarterback Ray Gregg who's played and started six games this season. He did not play last week because of an injury and this week he will most likely be a game-time decision. Nathaniel Ford leads the Pace rushing attack with 75.6 yards per game and five touchdowns. The Setters' defense is led by inside linebacker Andrew Lipski. Lipski has 62 total tackles this season, including a team-high eight tackles-for-loss. Following a last-minute loss one week ago and an eight-point loss to Assumption three weeks ago, Pace has shown they can stay in the game with the top teams in the conference.
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 DellaCamera Stadium in West Haven. UNH alum, Jason Swols will be reporting live from the field. Also visit www.newhaven.edu/athletics/livecoverage for links to live statistics and a video webcast of the game.
The Forecast
The weather on Saturday may play a large role in Saturday's game. A large weather front has moved across the Midwest and is scheduled to come through the West Haven area on Saturday. Here's the National Weather Service expects for Saturday. "Periods of rain. The rain could be heavy at times. High near 64. South wind between 14 and 17 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible."
For this week's game notes, click here.
