Box Score
(09-05-09) WEST GROVE, Pa. - The University of New Haven football team defeated Lincoln University 33-10 Saturday afternoon in the program's first game since 2003. The Chargers are now 1-0, while the Lions fall to 1-1.
The excitement started at 1 p.m. Saturday afternoon as the Chargers football program officially returned to the field against Lincoln University, and they didn't wait long to put points on the board. The Chargers' five-year scoring drought was broken early Saturday when Michael Herrera connected on a 42-yard field goal to give the Chargers a 3-0 with eight minute remaining in the opening period. The scoring drive was the Chargers' second drive of the game, and took just three minutes.
Just four minutes later the Chargers expanded the lead to 10-0 when Ryan Osiecki connected with Demitrius Washington-Ellison on a nine-yard touchdown pass. That played capped a 10-play 48-yard drive at the four-minute mark of the opening quarter.
Before halftime the young team added 13 more points, while holding the Lions scoreless. A three-yard touchdown run by Andrew Nass at the nine minute mark, and a 39-yard touchdown run by Victor Jones gave the team the 23-0 lead at the half way point. Prior to the Nass touchdown run the Robert Hill gave the Chargers the ball off a interception with 10-minutes remaining in the second quarter. Jones' run was on the tailend of a short four-play, 67-yard, 1-minute drive just after the midway point of the period.
The Lions were the first to strike in the second half, however. A good kickoff return to open the half helped them put together a seven-play, 22-yard field goal drive in the opening two minutes of the half.
Nass then capped another Chargers' drive with 9:30 remaining in the third quarter with a one-yard touchdown run. That capped an eight-play, 46 yard possession which took up just more than one minute.
The Lions then mounted their best drive of the game, a 12-play, 81-yard touchdown drive, which took more than five minutes and brought the score to 30-10.
The final scoring drive of the game started at the 13-minute mark of the fourth quarter when they Chargers mounted an eight-play, 42-yard drive which resulted in a 31-yard Herrera field goal.
The Chargers made an impressive opening day performance in 2009. They totaled 385 yard, and held the Lions to 193 yards. They totaled over 20 first down (21), 138 rushing yards and 247 passing yards. They also controlled the clock, with nearly 35-minutes of possession.
Osiecki went 22-for-33 for 247 yards and one touchdown. He was sacked twice and threw long ball of 31-yards. Sharieff Hall led all receivers with eight catches and 119 yards. Washington-Ellison grabbed four catches for 37-yards and one touchdown.
The rushing duo of Nass and Jones combined for 148 yards (74 each), while Jones enjoyed a 8.2 yard average on nine carries.
On the defensive side of the ball, four Chargers tallied seven tackles, while Mike Gomes led the way with 2.5 tackles-for-loss and three pass-breakups. Angelo Cupo, Josh Turner and Cody Wallace each also totaled seven tackles. Hill added 1.5 tackles-for-loss and three total tackles to his interception, while Ahmet Basci grabbed UNH's only sack and six tackles.
The Charger defense held the Lions to 11 first downs, 71-yards rushing and 122-yards passing.
The Chargers return to action on Friday, September 11 at 7 p.m. when they travel to Assumption College to open their Northeast-10 Conference schedule.
