SCOUTING THE CHARGERS
New Haven likely concludes its 2013 campaign this week against the Greyhounds. The Chargers are in search of their first-ever fourth straight eight-win season and second-straight NE-10 postseason victory. This season, senior quarterback Ronnie Nelson has been the anchor of the Chargers' offense. He's thrown for 2,482 yards and ran for another 595 yards. His 36 touchdown accounted for is one of the highest in recent years for UNH and ranks sixth in NCAA Division II. Classmate, Mike DeCaro leads a number of running backs who have all seen significant time this season. The Weston, Fla. native has 843 yards and 10 touchdowns on 121 carries. Nelson's top target is senior Nick Music who has 456 yards and five touchdowns off 30 receptions. Tight end Michael Flacco adds 545 yards and eight scores off 29 catches. Defensively, New Haven is led by rookie cornerback Najae Brown with a team-high 69 tackles and three interceptions. Senior linebacker Matthew Fallico adds 65 total tackles. Additionally, 13 other Chargers have at least 20 tackles this season.
New Haven Offensive Key to the Game: After struggling in the first half at Assumption earlier in October, the Chargers must score early this week. UNH was held to six first-half points in the first meeting of the season and trailed 7-6 at halftime. The Chargers, known for making a quick start, will need to focus in the first half in order to take an early lead.
New Haven Defensive Key to the Game:Â Assumption ran for 144 yards in the last meeting, including 125 yards on 21 carries from Matt Heriveaux. It will be crucial for UNH to stop the running game, as starter Matt Pedone amassed 209 rushing yards and one touchdown last week.
SCOUTING THE GREYHOUNDS
Picked to finish eighth in the Northeast-10 Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll, Assumption has played better than predicted throughout the season. They have a signature win over American International in week four, while dropping close decisions to Stonehill in week three, New Haven in week five and Merrimack in week nine. This week's game will conclude the season for Assumption who is looking to close out with the program's most wins since 1994 and only the program's second seven-win season since 1982.
The Assumption Offense:Â Quarterback Bobby Jordan and running back Matt Pedone has been the anchor of Assumption's offense this season. The team is averaging nearly 340.8 yards of total offense each game, while the scoring 28 points per game. Jordan has 1,776 yards, 11 touchdowns and seven interceptions on 142-of-263 passing. Pedone adds 838 yards and four touchdowns on 162 carries. In last week's win, Pedone carried the ball 25 times and ran for 209 yards with one touchdown against LIU Post.
The Assumption Defense:Â The Greyhounds boast a non-traditional 4-4 front with three defensive backs. The squad is allowing 375 total yards per game with 146.2 rushing yards allowed and 228.8 passing yards allowed per game. They have also surrendered 24.6 points per game this season. Outside linebacker Mike Bates leads the team with 91 total tackles, including 45 solo stops. Safety Erik Abramson is second on the team with 68 tackles, while linebacker Matt Colangelo adds 64 stops.
THE MUSIC MAN
Senior wide receiver Nick Music has developed throughout the season as Ronnie Nelson's top target. He currently leads all receivers with 30 catches for 456 yards and five touchdowns.
APPLYING PRESSURE
With seven team sacks last week, New Haven recorded a single game-high this season and the most since posting 8.0 at Winston-Salem State in 2011. Freshman Dave Calderon led the team with two sacks, while Jacob Weaver, Alex Dyer, Sean Berglund and Brent MacLeod each added one.
THE SENIORS
During a pregame ceremony last week, New Haven recognized 18 seniors for their hard work and dedication to the football program over the last four-plus years. The senior class graduates as one of the winningest in program history with a four-year record of 36-8 and a 29-4 record in the Northeast-10 Conference. The class was part of three-straight NE-10 Championships and two-straight undefeated conference seasons. Here's the complete list of seniors who were recognized on last Saturday:#2 Mike DeCaro, #8 Nick Music, #10 Kervin Edouard, #14 Ronnie Nelson, #18 Will Clements, #24 Matt Stevko, #28 Anthony Tillman, #41 Andre Lawrence, #42 Brandon Ruberti, #43 Brian Alston, #51 Matt Fallico, #61 Thierry Andris, #71 Chris Biondi, #86 Chris Higgins, #92 Jelani Blandin, #94 Brent MacLeod, #95 Sean Berglund and #97 Alex Dyer.
THE LAST OF THE KAYO BOYZ
This week marks the end of the Kayo Boyz era for UNH football. The group of players, who gave themselves the "Kayo Boyz" nickname, were members of the team that prepared the Chargers for its first varsity season back on the gridiron in 2009. Throughout the 2008-09 academic year, these student-athletes practiced on Kayo Field as the final upgrades to Ralph F. DellaCamera Stadium were being completed. The final three of the group complete their eligibility this season - Mike DeCaro, Nick Music and Brandon Ruberti.
BLOCK PARTY
The Chargers have seven blocked kicks this fall with Cory Jasudowich leading the way with two blocks, both coming at Southern Connecticut State. Last week, the Chargers blocked a pair of Bentley kicks, one punt blocked by Dave Calderon and a field goal block from Jacob Weaver. Two weeks ago against American International, Alex Dyer broke through the middle of the Yellow Jackets' line and got a hand on his second career block. Defensive linemen Sean Berglund and Chad Woodfine also have one block.
THE CARDIAC CHARGERS
The Chargers have played a number of very close games this season. During a three-game stretch, each game was decided by one score (eight points or less) and in two cases, the final play of the game. New Haven was on the winning side of close games at Assumption in week five and at Merrimack in week six, but fell short against Stonehill in week seven. The three-game stretch decided by one score is the first since 2001 when four-straight games came down to one possession.
"THE BLENDER"
Preseason All-America selection and senior running back Mike DeCaro has put together one of the most impressive all-around performances of any Charger this season. He's one of only two players in NCAA Division II with a rushing, receiving, kickoff return and punt return touchdown this season. He became the third ranked rusher in New Haven history against Merrimack by surpassing Corey Jones on the all-time rushing yards list. His career total now stands at 2,709 yards and he stands alone in third place on the rushing list, behind only Roger Graham (5,953) and A.J. Livingston (2,904). DeCaro became the fifth player in New Haven football history to rush for 2,000 career yards in week three at Saint Anselm. He adds 31 career rushing touchdowns, also ranking third behind Graham (66) and Livingston (50) in the record book. DeCaro is also a threat to catch the ball and return kicks as he's amassed over 6,000 all-purpose yards during his career. This season, he's averaging 212.9 all-purpose yards per game, ranking him fourth in NCAA Division II and first in the NE-10. He's also scored 1.1 touchdowns per game during his career.
CALLING HIS OWN NUMBER
Senior quarterback Ronnie Nelson has led the UNH offense throughout the 2013 season as he's picked apart defenses through the air and on the ground. He currently ranks seventh in Division II and first in the NE-10 with a 176.4 passing efficiency rating. Nelson's numbers include 2,482 yards, 27 touchdowns and just seven interceptions on 152-of-247 passing. In 12 games as the starting quarterback in his career, he is 204-for-322 for 3,253 yards with 42 touchdowns and just 10 interceptions. The only 3,000-yard passer and 1,000-yard rusher in New Haven football history, Nelson's career numbers include 3,978 passing yards and 1,319 rushing yards. The senior put together one of the most impressive individual performances in Charger football history against Saint Anselm in week three. He set a record for total offensive yards in a game and was the first quarterback to throw for more than 300 yards and rush for more than 100 yards in a game. He also threw for a career-best 364 yards on 18-of-25 in week four against LIU Post.
DEFENSIVE STANDS
The New Haven defense has come up huge in critical moments this season. Against Southern Connecticut State, senior cornerback Rodney Lanham intercepted his second pass of the season as the Owls were driving into New Haven territory midway through the third quarter. The resulting UNH offensive drive helped put the Chargers ahead by 30 points. Against Stonehill, Najae Brown was the deciding factor in keeping Stonehill out of the endzone on its final series of the first half. He intercepted a pass at New Haven's own goal line and kept UNH ahead 20-14 at halftime. Leading by seven late in the fourth quarter at Merrimack, the Chargers kept the Warriors out of the endzone twice to ensure the victory in week six.
CAREER HIGH
Senior linebacker Jaylen Johnson stepped into the lineup for New Haven in week six and helped anchor the second level until suffering a season-ending injury against Stonehill. He boasted a career-best 12 total tackles at Merrimack, while recording eight solo stops and applying the pressure to Merrimack quarterback Joe Clancy on the final play of the game, forcing an intentional grounding penalty and giving the Chargers possession with under one minute remaining. This season, the Linden, N.J. native made two starts and amassed 32 total tackles and 2.5 tackles-for-loss.
IMMEDIATE IMPACT ROOKIE
One of the team's leading tacklers and a two-time Northeast-10 Conference Rookie of the Week, Najae Brown has made his presence known this season as a freshman cornerback. He leads the team with 69 total tackles and 48 solo stops. Three times this season he's recorded double-figure tackles, including week nine against American International. The rookie also leads the team with three interceptions this season.
FROM THE DIAMOND TO THE GRIDIRON
Tight end Michael Flacco currently ranks second on the team with 29 receptions, while boasting nine touchdown catches. The sophomore from Audobon, N.J. hasn't always caught passes on the football field. Flacco spent the last four seasons in the baseball minor league system. A quarterback in high school, Flacco transitioned to his tight end position during the 2013 preseason.
COMING OUT OF NOWHERE
Sophomore Courtney Moshood, in his first year of eligibility, has emerged as one of the Chargers' top offensive threats this season and for his efforts in week five, he was named the Northeast-10 Conference Rookie of the Week. Despite missing the two games in the middle of the season, Moshood has 300 yards and three touchdowns off eight catches. The emergence of Moshood becomes even more astonishing given the fact he was on the defensive side of the ball as recently as the 2013 preseason.
PROGRAM FIRSTS
Quarterback Ronnie Nelson, became the first 3,000-yard passer and 1,000-yard rusher in program history in week six against Merrimack, while Mike DeCaro has a chance to become the only Charger with 2,000 yards rushing and 1,000 yards receiving. He needs 124 receiving yards to accomplish the feat this season.
SCORING SPREE
One of just four teams in NCAA Division II with at least two 65-plus point performances this season, New Haven scored 65-plus points in back-to-back games for the first time and tied the highest two-game scoring total in program history in weeks two and three. The 135 points scored against Pace and Saint Anselm tied a two-game stretch from 1992 against Virginia Union and Central Connecticut. On the season, the Chargers rank 16th in NCAA Division II and first in the NE-10 in scoring offense with 42.0 points per game.
SPREADING OUT THE SCORES
Eighteen different players have scored for UNH this season, including nine players with 18-or-more points and 16 players with a touchdown. Last week marked the fourth time this season that six different players have scored touchdowns in a New Haven win. Mike DeCaro, Ronnie Nelson, Michael Flacco, Andre Anderson, Chris Higgins and Kendall Marks each scored touchdowns for UNH against Bentley. Against Southern Connecticut State and American International, five different players scored touchdowns, including Roshawn Wilson, Brandon Ruberti and DeeJay White who scored their first collegiate touchdowns during the two games.
ICE-BERG ANCHORS D-LINE
Senior defensive tackle Sean Berglund stepped in to the starting role and excelled throughout the 2013 season. Despite missing one game due to injury, he leads the defensive line with 38 total tackles, 11.0 tackles-for-loss and 5.5 sacks. He posted a career-high seven total tackles in each of the first two games this season. He registered a career-best 4.0 tackles-for-loss and 3.0 sacks against Pace in week two, while also forcing a fumble and recovering another loose ball on his way to being named the NE-10 Defensive Player of the Week. At Assumption in week five, he blocked his first career field goal and in the meantime set up a Chargers' scoring drive.
A SPECIALIST
Junior kicker Anthony Greenfield has boasted impressive numbers throughout the first half of the 2013 season. He's averaged 41.8 yards per punt and pinned opponents inside the 20-yard line nine times. In week three at Saint Anselm, Greenfield came one extra point short of tying New Haven's all-time record of 11 conversions. He connected on 10-of-10 attempts. In week two against Pace, Greenfield booted a 64-yard punt late in the fourth quarter to seal the late-game shutout for UNH. The punt was the longest of his career and the first punt over 60 yards since the Chargers returned to the gridiron in 2009. The last punt longer than 64 yards came in 2002 when Lars Anderson kicked a 65-yard punt on Sept. 21 at Indiana (Pa.). The Chargers' longest punt ever belongs to John Cerra, who booted a 75-yard punt against Southern Connecticut State in 1996.
THE COACHES
The 2012 Liberty Mutual Division II Coach of the Year and three-time Northeast-10 Conference Coach of the Year, Peter Rossomando is in his fifth season as head coach for the Chargers, although he was hired in January of 2008 to start rebuilding the program. In four short years, Rossomando has brought the Charger football program back into the national spotlight as one of the premier programs in Division II. He previously spent seven seasons at the University at Albany and five seasons at UNH, as an assistant under current Oakland Raiders offensive line coach Tony Sparano. Bob Chesney is in the midst of his first season as the Assumption College football head coach. Chesney was named to the position on February 5, 2013. He serves as the team's defensive coordinator, as well as coaching the linebackers. Chesney came to Assumption from Salve Regina University, where he posted a 23-9 record during his three seasons as head coach.
THREE OF A KIND
Head coach Peter Rossomando has gradually worked his way up the all-time wins list at the University of New Haven over the last five seasons. With New Haven's win over Bentley, the fifth-year head coach tied Tony Sparano for second place in program history with 41 wins. Mark Whipple (1988-93) is the winningest coach with a 48-17 record in his six seasons, while Sparano (1994-98) boasted a 41-14-1 record in five seasons.
|
Coach |
Wins |
Losses |
Ties |
Pct. |
Years |
|
Mark Whipple |
48 |
17 |
0 |
0.738 |
1988-93 |
|
Tony Sparano |
41 |
14 |
1 |
0.741 |
1994-98 |
|
Peter Rossomando |
41 |
13 |
0 |
0.759 |
2009-Pres. |
GAMEDAY FORECAST
The forecast for Saturday afternoon in West Haven, Conn. has temperatures in the 50s and a light breeze out of the southwest. The skies look to be partly cloudy with humidity near 70-percent.
FOOTBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
The University of New Haven football coaches will be selecting Players of the Week every week throughout the 2013 season. Head Coach Peter Rossomando and his assistants chose five student-athletes for the week 10 awards:
Offensive Player of the Week: Mike DeCaro
Defensive Player of the Week: Brent MacLeod
Special Teams Player of the Week: Mike DeCaro
Offensive Scout Player of the Week: Brent Parenteau
Defensive Scout Player of the Week: Dave Calderon
NATIONAL RECOGNITION
The Beyond Sports Network (BSN) recognized the New Haven offensive line and running back Mike DeCaro as national players of the week during week four. Punter Anthony Greenfield and defensive back Carlos Lozada were both named to the teams during week three. BSN recognizes national award winners for the top performances in the FBS, FCS, Division II, Division III, and NAIA. The Beyond Sports Network staff hands out awards for Offensive Line of the Week, Defense of the Week, Offensive Players of the Week, Defensive Players of the Week, and Special Teams Players of the Week.
THREE-TIME AS GREAT
Against Pace in week two, Ronnie Nelson, Anthony Greenfield and Joey Bradley all threw touchdown passes in the Chargers' 65-0 victory - the first time three different players threw scoring strikes since Nov. 5, 2011. Ryan Osiecki, Ronnie Nelson and Brice DeRosa helped lead UNH to another 60-plus point performance and win over Pace. This season, four different players have thrown passes for the Chargers, including DeeJay White who tossed a 41-yard strike against LIU Post.
