Box Score
(09-19-09) WEST HAVEN, Conn. - The University of New Haven football team fell 23-15 Saturday afternoon to Bentley University in the 2009 UNH football season opener. The Chargers fall to 1-2 on the season and 0-2 in the Northeast-10 Conference. The Falcons improve to 4-0 overall and 2-0 in the NE-10.
The first points at Ralph DellaCamera Stadium were scored on the Chargers first possession when Michael Herrara split the uprights to put UNH up 3-0. The score finished the Chargers 9-play 78-yard drive which took more than 4-minutes off the clock.
With 9:16 remaining in the second quarter, the Falcons evened the scored off a Tyler McNamara 22-yard field goal. The three points came on the tail end of an 11-play 71-yard drive, which started off an interception at the Bentley's own 10 yard line.
The Falcons put together an even longer, 13-play 89-yard drive, capped by a touchdown and point after to go ahead 10-3, before halftime.
The Chargers went 4-and-out in their opening drive of the second half. An interception on their next drive and a 25-yard field goal by McNamara put the Falcons up 13-3 with 6:20 remaining in the third quarter.
On the Chargers ensuing possession, quarterback Ryan Osiecki and wide receiver Sharieff Hall found their rhythem and connected on four passes for a total of 45 yards, including the drive capping 9-yard touchdown pass and catch. Herrara's point after was good, bringing UNH within three, 13-10.
The Falcons answered with a 7-play 44-yard drive which ended in a 21-yard touchdown pass. The successful point after pushed their lead back to 10-points with 13:37 left in the fourth quarter, 20-10.
A 4-and-out by the Chargers, gave Bentley an opportunity to widen their lead, and they did with a 10-play 45-yard drive capped by another McNamara field goal.
The Chargers once again turned the ball over in the redzone on their next drive. The drive started at their own 49-yard line after Josh Smart had a 38-yard return. The drive continued all the way to Bentley's 1-yard line before coming to an end off another redzone turnover by the Charger.
After a penalty and the ball being moved half the distance to the goal, UNH came up with a safety off a tackle by Mike Gomes and Josh Smart in the Bentley endzone.
New Haven cut into the Falcons' lead once again on their ensuing drive when Herrara connected from 39-yards out. Now trailing 23-15, the Chargers needed to produce a defensive stand as only 2-minutes and 24-seconds remained in the fourth quarter. The Falcons ground game went to work and ran the clock out on the Chargers hopes of a home-opening victory.
The Bentley rushing attacked totaled 159 yards Saturday, while the Chargers combined for only 88 rushing yards. The Chargers held a slight edge of 245 yards to 212 yards in the passing game, while Bentley lead 371 to 333 yards in total offense.
A big different in the game Saturday was three UNH turnovers, compared to one by Bentley.
Each quarterback in the game led their respective team statistically. Osiecki went 23-for-38 with two interceptions and one touchdown. He was sacked six times by the Falcons. Bryant Johnson played a mostly clean game for the Falcons in the pocket. He went 21-for-32 with one interception and two touchdowns. Unlike the Chargers, Bentley held the defense at bay with no sacks.
The New Haven receivers were led by Hall with nine catches for 90 yards and one touchdown. Demitrius Washington-Ellison added four catches for 96 yards. The Bentley rushing attack was led by Luis Cotto with 22 carries for 65 yards. Victor Jones led the UNH rushing attack with eight carries for 42 yards.
The Chargers host Stonehill College on Saturday, September 26 for homecoming 2009. The new Ralph F. DellaCamera Stadium will also be dedicated on Saturday during part of the pregame festivities. Game time is set for 1 p.m.
