Box Score
(11-07-09) WEST HAVEN, Conn. - In the final game of 2009, the University of New Haven football team was unable to stop Ohio Dominican University, falling 42-13. The Chargers end the season 5-5 overall and 4-4 in the Northeast-10 Conference, while the Panthers now stand at 7-2 overall.
After the Chargers opened the game with three consecutive three-and-olds, the Panthers got on the scoreboard first with an 11-play, 86-yard touchdown drive with 3:27 left in the first quarter. Those seven points would be the only points scored in the first quarter, but after another UNH three-and-out, Ohio Dominican was in the middle of a drive as the second quarter began.
Just three plays into the second quarter, the Panthers improved their lead to 14-0 off a 1-yard touchdown run with 14:17 left in the second quarter. The Chargers next drive proved to be one of just two scoring drives for the Chargers. With 9:33 left in the half, quarterback Ryan Osiecki connected with Demetrius Washington-Ellison from 29-yards out to bring the Chargers within seven points at 14-7.
The Ohio Dominican offense answered and the Chargers offense continued to struggle late in the first half as the Panthers put up another 14 points. ODU mounted a 12-play, 54-yard touchdown drive with 3:46 left in the half and eventually took a 28-7 lead off an 8-play, 73-yard drive with 30-seconds left in the half.
The Panthers added another 14 points in the second half before the Chargers put another six on the board with 33-second remaining. The drive went 68-yards on three plays and concluded with a 43-yard pass and catch from Osiecki to Bernard Risco.
Offensively, the Chargers totaled just 230 total yards and 12 first downs. They had only 32-yards rushing and threw for a season-low 198 yards. Osiecki finished his sophomore campaign with two touchdowns and one interception on 18-of-37 passing. He struggled to keep away from the pressure most of the afternoon and was sacked four times. The Seymour native also led the team with 17 net rushing yards.
The Panthers offense seemed to run on all cylinders most of the afternoon, racking up 556 yards of total offense. The Panthers threw for 307 yards and ran for 249 yards. Quarterback Bill Griffin threw no touchdowns and one interception on 28-of-42 passing. He was sacked twice. A hand full of receivers and running backs all had significant statistics.
The Chargers conclude their first season since 2003 with a even record at 5-5 overall. They finished right in the middle of the Northeast-10 with a 4-4 conference record and return all 22-players who started Saturday's game next season.
