Box Score

WEST HAVEN, Conn. - Junior quarterback Ryan Osiecki completed 19-of-30 passes for 231 yards and two touchdowns, while Victor Jones led a potent ground attack with 130 yards on 28 carries as the University of New Haven football team upended Southern Connecticut State University, 23-22, on Saturday afternoon at DellaCamera Stadium.

With the win, the Chargers improved to 5-1 overall and 3-1 in the Northeast-10 Conference, moving into a three-way tie for first place. The Owls dropped to 3-3 overall and 3-1 in the league.

After winning the coin toss and electing to receive, the Chargers wasted very little time opening the scoring summary in this one. From their 20 yard line, Ryan Osiecki and Victor Jones conducted an eight play, 80 yard drive for the game’s first score. Ronnie Nelson concluded the series with a two yard rushing touchdown, followed by an extra point from Chris Scifo for an early 7-0 lead.

With the 7-0 advantage, the Chargers’ defense took the field and was more than ready for the powerful running game of the Owls. Southern managed a 16 play, 74 yard drive but was stunned at the goal line by the UNH defensive line. On four straight plays Southern Connecticut attempted to rush up the middle for the score but ran into a brick wall instead. Junior Robert Hill made the final stop on a fourth-and-one situation, bringing the Charger fans to their feet.

On their ensuing possession, the Chargers were forced to punt from their own 10 yard line, leaving the Owls in great field position. Kevin Lynch and the SCSU offense amassed 35 yards over the next 1:52 of play and capped off the drive with a five yard touchdown pass to Nick Mandich. The score was knotted up at 7-7 just 15 seconds into the second quarter.

On the ensuing kickoff, Bernard Risco and the Chargers’ special teams unit provided terrific field position with a 54 yard return. Osiecki needed just two plays on the drive as the junior quarterback found Kameel Lashley who crossed the goal line for the second UNH touchdown. Scifo added the extra point, granting the home team a 14-7 lead.

The Chargers’ defense controlled the Owls’ offense again in their next series, forcing a fourth-and-three and a SCSU punt. On the next Charger drive, a fumble on fourth down resulted in a turnover-on-downs and gave the Owls good field position on the UNH 25 yard line. New Haven’s defense held strong leaving the visiting Owls with a 37 yard field goal attempt. Chris Hazelton split the uprights and cut Southern’s deficit to just four points with 9:24 left in the half.

UNH put together a positive drive on their next possession, but failed on a field goal attempt from 27 yards. On their next series, Rashaad Slowley and the Owls’ offense amassed 75 yards on nine plays but were once again held up at the goal line and forced to settle for three points. The Chargers held a 14-13 advantage with the ball and 3:28 on the clock.

With plenty of time on the clock, Osiecki and the offense pressed hard to move into Southern territory. Behind three carries for 17 yards from Victor Jones and two passes completed to Chris Ruffin and Josh Smart, the Chargers presented Chris Scifo with a 43 yard field goal try. Scifo’s kick easily carried through the uprights and capped off the first half’s scoring column. UNH led 17-13 as the halftime whistle sounded.

After the intermission, Southern put together a strong drive behind their offensive line, eventually leading to a Rashaad Slowley touchdown. Despite the score however, Hazelton and the special teams unit were unsuccessful on the point after, leaving a mere 19-17 lead for the away team.

On their next possession, the Chargers were forced to punt after rough series offensively. The Owls took over on the UNH 30 yard line after a 35 return by Andre Privott. However the Chargers’ defense posed all sorts of problems for the SCSU offense, resulting in a 24 yard field goal from Chris Hazelton. With 4:14 left in the third quarter, the Owls held a 22-17 lead.

Down by five points the UNH offense faced its most difficult task yet after the Owls pinned the Chargers inside their 10 yard line on the kickoff. The offense was up for the challenge and 6:31 later the home team was back in front on the scoreboard. Osiecki moved the chains seven times over the next 13 plays, eventually leading to a nine yard touchdown pass to Demetrius Washington-Ellison. The two point conversion was unsuccessful, but UNH regained the lead 23-22.

With 12:43 remaining on the clock, the Chargers’ defense was called back onto the field. On the second play of the drive, J.D. Chalifoux forced an Owls’ fumble by wide receiver Andre Privott. Charlie Hatchett pounced on the ball and granted the Chargers possession at their own 23 yard line. On the series, UNH used up crucial minutes on the clock and punted the ball back to Southern with 10 minutes remaining.

On the next Owls’ possession Mike Gomes and the Chargers’ defense provided another big blow. Mike Gomez put a big hit on John Wiechman and forced another SCSU fumble. J.D. Chalifoux collected the loose ball, sending the Chargers’ offense back onto the gridiron. UNH ticked several critical minutes off the clock, however were forced into a fourth-and-two situation from their 46 yard line. Chris Scifo bombed a punt the crossed out-of-bounds at the SCSU five yard line, leaving a long field for the Owls.

On the second play of the drive, Desmond Anderson put an end to the game with his fourth interception of the season. The Chargers’ offense guided the clock all the way down to zero, finalizing the upset at DellaCamera Stadium.

The Chargers’ offense amassed 350 yards on the day, 119 on the ground and 231 through the air. Demetrius Washington-Ellison led the receiving core with four catches for 52 yards and a touchdown on the afternoon.

Defensively the Chargers forced three turnovers on day (all in the fourth quarter) and holding a high-powered offense to just 22 points. J.D. Chalifoux and Akaki Ramishvili led the team with eight tackles apiece.

The Chargers return to action on Saturday, October 16 when they travel to American International College for another Northeast-10 Conference showdown. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.