WEST HAVEN, Conn. – For the third time in as many home games, the University of New Haven football team scored a one-point victory, defeating the American International Yellow Jackets 20-19 on Saturday afternoon at Ralph F. DellaCamera Stadium. A one-yard keeper from quarterback Ajee Patterson (Neptune, N.J./Neptune) proved to be the game-winner for New Haven as the senior finished with three touchdowns on the day, adding a pair of passing TD's.

For the day, New Haven finished with 356 total yards on offense, including 247 passing yards by Patterson who completed half of his 30 passes. In addition to his rushing touchdown, he also connected with Justin White (Holyoke, Mass./Holyoke) for a pair of scores, including a 51-yard completion for the Blue and Gold's first points of the afternoon.

Overall, Patterson relied on five targets, led by the Charger Nation Player of the Game, White, who finished with 116 yards on six catches with his two touchdowns. Senior Devin Martin (Staten Island, N.Y./Tottenville) added five catches for 70 yards, including a 52-yard pick-up that set up Patterson's game-winning touchdown. Additionally, Damon Rodgers (Charlotte, N.C./Cheshire Academy) added two catches for 18 yards while Greg Orekoya (Billerica, Mass./Billerica) hauled in one catch for 40 yards.

On the ground, the Chargers combined for 109 rushing yards, with all but 40 of those coming by sophomore back Ryan McCarthy (Montclair, N.J./Bergen Catholic) whose 69 yards came on 14 attempts. Joining him was Orekoya who gained 41 yards on eight attempts, while Martin added 22 yards on two carries.

Defensively, New Haven was led by Jordan Francklin (Queens, N.Y./Holy Cross) who racked up 15 tackles, seven by himself and eight assists stops. Included in those 15 tackles were 1.5 for a total of five yards lost. Overall, the Chargers defense finished with seven sacks that all resulted AIC's Kwarme Jarvis losing 41 yards. Leading the way in driving back the Yellow Jackets offense was Scott Lavelle (West Milford, N.J./DePaul Catholic) who finished with a pair of sack, all part of five total tackles. Rounding out the leading tacklers behind Franklin was Nicholas Sutton (Pennsville, N.J.) with eight and Nigel Davis (Williamsville, N.Y./Saint Joseph's Collegiate Institute) and Stefano Bicknese (Somers, N.Y./Somers / USMAPS) who each finished with seven.

HOW THE CHARGERS SCORED

·        After a scoreless opening quarter, the Chargers broke the stalemate on their first drive in the second quarter when Patterson found White for the Blue and Gold's longest touchdown of the day, a 51-yard completion that ended an eight-play, 85-yard drive. Overall, Patterson finished the drive completing all four of his pass attempts, totaling 65 yards.

·        New Haven broke through again in the third quarter, again thanks to a Patterson pass, this time finding White on a third and goal from the three. The majority of the Chargers nine plays in the drive came on the ground as they picked up 34 yards on seven attempts, while a 38-yard pass from Patterson to White set up first and goal at the Yellow Jackets six yard line.

·        Facing a five points deficit with under four minutes remaining, the Chargers again went for distance as Patterson found Martin deep down the center of the field. After collecting the pass, Martin fought hard for a few extra yards, completing the play with a 52-yard gain, setting the Blue and Gold up with first and goal from the one yard line.

UP NEXT
The Chargers next game will be their final road contest of the regular season when they return to the Bay State to meet the Bentley Falcons on Saturday, November 4. Kick off at the Bentley University Football Field is set for 1:00 p.m. Action returns to Ralph F. DellaCamera Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 11, when the Chargers host the Merrimack Warriors for Senior Day. Kickoff is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. Complete coverage throughout the season can be found at www.NewHavenChargers.com.