Game Details: October 13 | 12:00 p.m.
Location: Abdow Field | Springfield, Conn.
Game Links: Watch Live | Live Stats
Twitter: @UNHChargers | @NewHavenNation
New Haven Links: News | Roster | Schedule | Stats | Game Notes
American International Links: News | Roster | Schedule | Stats | Game Notes

THE FIRST LOOK
Following the conference wide bye week, the Chargers return to the field to begin the second half of the 2018 season, looking to remain one of three unbeaten teams in the NE10 when they meet American International on Saturday. Along with the game being homecoming for the Yellow Jackets it will also be a homecoming of sorts for transfer wide receiver Ju'an Williams (Springfield, Mass./Springfield Central) who played for AIC in 2016 and 2017.

INSIDE THE SERIES

·         New Haven and American International meet for the 25th time in the history of the two programs.

·         The Chargers hold a 17-7 record in the previous 24 meetings, with the all-time series dating back to 1983.

·         In the nine meetings since football returned to the Blue and Gold in 2009, the Chargers hold a 8-1 record, including victories in the last three meetings.

·         Prior to restarting the series in 2009, New Haven and AIC had not met since 1996.

·         The Chargers closed out the first part of the series winning the final five meetings, spanning 1992-96.

A WIN OVER AIC WOULD...

·         extend New Haven's current streak to five straight, all since opening NE10 play.

·         be the fifth straight victory, and the 15th in the last 16 match-ups, against the Yellow Jackets

·         be the seventh straight win against AIC on its home field

·         keep New Haven undefeated in NE10 play with two other teams currently unbeaten in the league; Assumption & LIU Post

·         be the 245th overall victory in the 40-year history of Charger Football.

·         be the 215th victory since the Chargers began playing at the Division II level - first DII season was 1982.

GAME DAY FORECAST
A perfect fall weekend is what's on tap for the Chargers return to the gridiron with temperatures predicted at 55 degrees, while the Springfield area stands at a mid-peak range for fall leaf foliage. With a slim 10% chance of precipitation and winds out of the northwest at eight miles per hour, New Haven and AIC will meet under partly cloudy skies with humidity levels just shy of 60 percent.

NEXT ON TAP
For the only time in the month of October, New Haven will return to DellaCamera Stadium for its penultimate home game when they host the Assumption Greyhounds on Saturday, October 20. The game will also serve as the Chargers Breast Cancer Awareness game with all survivors invited to join the Chargers on the field for opening ceremonies. Kick off against Assumption is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.

SCOUTING THE CHARGERS
Coming off of a week of rest, the Chargers are ready to attack the second half of the NE10 schedule with force as they look to build on an average scoring that is 13 higher than their opponents. Leading the Blue and Gold into their return to DellaCamera Stadium is transfer wide receiver Ju'an Williams (Springfield, Mass./Springfield Central) who enters the week as the one of the top receivers in all of NCAA Division II. Williams, who makes his return to his undergraduate alma mater, is just 13 yards shy of 600 total for the season while he also leads the team with six touchdowns, all of which have come from a minimum 29 yards out. Captaining New Haven's offense is fourth-year QB Ajee Patterson (Neptune, N.J./Neptune) who is connecting on just under 70 percent of his passes, collecting 1,340 yards in just five games, an average of 268 per contest. New Haven's ground game has also picked up over the last few outings with a season-high 277 yards last time out against Bentley. Leading the way has been junior Ryan McCarthy (Montclair, N.J./Bergen Catholic) and senior Chris Liggio (Mount Laurel, N.J./Holy Cross) who each racked up 100-plus yards against the Falcons with McCarthy adding a pair of rushing touchdowns. Defensively, New Haven's returning leadership of Jordan Francklin (Queens, N.Y./Holy Cross) (43 tackles), Mcprecia Remy (Brooklyn, N.Y./Millwood) (33 tackles), Miles Pease (Sicklerville, N.J./Saint Joseph / Milford Academy) (26 tackles) and CJ Fitzpatrick (31 tackles) leads a defensive unit that has forced at least one turnover in four of the five games this year, totaling eight on the season (four interceptions and four fumbles).

SCOUTING THE YELLOW JACKETS
Entering week six without a victory on the season, the Yellow Jackets are hungry as they host homecoming weekend against New Haven. Overall for the season, AIC is averaging just over 11 points per game, while allowing their opponents to score more than 35 per contest. Turnovers have been an issue all season for American International as they have turned the ball over nine times, five interceptions and four lost fumbles. All totaled, the Yellow Jackets are averaging less than 300 total yards per game with 101.8 on the ground and 171.25 in the air. As a team, AIC has 407 total net yards on the ground, all of which could be credited to Samad Davila who has taken nearly 60 percent (83) of the 135 total rushing attempts. Three different quarterbacks have been called on so far this season with Price Olubakinda leading the Yellow Jackets with 490 yards completing just 39 of 92 passes. Defensively, Jayson Thompsen leads AIC with 48 tackles while Cyriacus Ibezim is just behind him with 41 total tackles, which includes six tackles for loss.

HONOR ROLL
Following the Chargers NE10 opening victory over Pace, a pair of players were honored by the league office on Monday when quarterback Ajee Patterson (Neptune, N.J./Neptune) was named Player of the Week and Jordan Francklin (Queens, N.Y./Holy Cross) was tabbed Defensive Player of the Week. The accolades are the first of the season for the Blue and Gold. Patterson amassed 305 yards and threw a pair of touchdown passes while running in for a third against the Setters. Overall for the game, Patterson completed 78.6 percent of his pass attempts and collected 16 yards on the ground. Francklin led New Haven's defense for the second-straight week when he collected 10 tackles, recovered a fumble and picked off a Dan Anarella pass returning it 43 yards to set up a New Haven scoring drive. For the season, Francklin leads the Chargers with 18 tackles, including 2.5 for loss.

HONOR ROLL PART TWO
Following a 13 point game, the most points by a single Charger in the tenure of head coach Chris Pincince, New Haven's Michael Stalenyj (Piscataway, N.J./Piscataway) secure his first collegiate honor when he was tabbed the NE10 Special Teams Player of the Week. Stalenyj drilled his three field goal attempts straight down the middle from distances of 26, 27 and 30 yards, which is the longest of the season for the Blue and Gold. In addition, he finished a perfect 4-of-4 in point after attempts.

HONOR ROLL TAKE THREE
Following a career night at Merrimack, transfer wide receiver Ju'an Williams (Springfield, Mass./Springfield Central) hauled in his first NE10 honor as a Charger when he was named the Offensive Player of the Week on September 24. Williams is the second New Haven player to pick up the award following Ajee Patterson (Neptune, N.J./Neptune) in week two, while kicker Michael Stalenyj (Piscataway, N.J./Piscataway) earned Special Teams Player of the Week honors following week three. Against Merrimack, Williams racked up a career-high 175 yard on nine catches, which included three touchdowns. All three of his touchdown catches went for 35 yards or more. Among them were back-to-back 36-yard touchdowns which came on the first and second play of their respective drives.

LAST TIME THEY MET
For the third time in as many home games, New Haven scored a one-point victory, defeating AIC 20-19 at 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, White led the Chargers with 116 yards on six catches. On the ground, the Chargers combined for 109 rushing yards, with all but 40 of those coming by 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. Defensively, New Haven was led by Jordan Francklin (Queens, N.Y./Holy Cross) who racked up 15 tackles. Overall, the Chargers defense finished with seven sacks that all resulted AIC's Kwarme Jarvis losing 41 yards.

LAST TIME OUT
A sack on third down and a crucial stop on fourth-and-eight led the New Haven football team to a 31-27 Homecoming victory over Bentley. The Blue and Gold's running game led the way against the Falcons with a pair of rushers surpassing the century mark as senior Chris Liggio (Mount Laurel, N.J./Holy Cross) and junior Ryan McCarthy (Montclair, N.J./Bergen Catholic) combined for 214 yards on the ground with the senior leading the duo with 109 yards. McCarthy collected 105 net yards while scoring a pair of rushing touchdowns. Overall, New Haven finished with 277 rushing yards while all of the Chargers touchdowns came in the running game. QB Ajee Patterson (Neptune, N.J./Neptune) closed out his afternoon with 202 yards in the air, connecting on all but six of his 25 attempts, a 76-percent effort. Leading eight different receivers that Patterson targeted was junior wide out A.J. Green who finished with 94 yards on seven catches, including the longest haul of the day at 31 yards. Sophomore Chris Carlyle (Rockville, Md./Walter Johnson) finished just behind him with 31 yards as he earned his first collegiate start. Rounding out the Blue and Gold's scoring on the afternoon was the a 36 yard field goal for Michael Stalenyj (Piscataway, N.J./Piscataway), the longest of the season as he has still yet to miss an attempt when called upon to add points to the board. For the first time this season, Scott Lavelle (West Milford, N.J./DePaul Catholic) led the Chargers defense collecting nine total tackles including 1.5 for loss, the half of which came on a sack. Joining him in leading the defense was Mcprecia Remy (Brooklyn, N.Y./Millwood) and Jordan Franklin who each finished with seven tackles. Remy also picked up a half sack, the only other tackle for loss on the day for New Haven.

VERY WELL SEASONED
Arguably the longest tenured Charger in program history, New Haven has the benefit of a quarterback who has started the last 35 games under center. Prior to taking over, He had the opportunity to learn from two great quarterbacks before he even entered the white lines. For his career, Patterson has completed nearly 60 percent of his attempts and stands second in program history in completions (611) and total yards (8,072). He has also thrown 59 touchdowns which enters the week third in Charger history. Patterson needs just 144 completions and 1,501 yards to take over the top spots in each category, while with 13 touchdowns he would move into second all-time.

RETURNING FOR MORE
Graduate student tight end Jonathan Badyna (Brooklyn, N.Y./Xaverian) returns to complete his eligibility in 2018 after having his senior campaign cut very short when he suffered a season-ending injury in the opening game of the season. An NE10 Second Team honoree as a junior, Badyna Started all 33 games through the 2016 season. Including this year, Badyna has completed 41 catches for 311 yards and six touchdowns. At 6-3, 250 he also provides a big block in addition to a large O-Line.

LEADERSHIP IS EVERYTHING
In a vote of all active football student-athletes, the Chargers named four Captains for the 2018 season, three of which return to that role for a second-straight year. Ajee Patterson (Neptune, N.J./Neptune) and Jonathan Badyna (Brooklyn, N.Y./Xaverian) will represent the offense while Miles Pease (Sicklerville, N.J./Saint Joseph / Milford Academy) and Mark Clements (Mays Landing, N.J./Oakcrest / Worcester Academy) make up the two defensive members of the leadership corps. Clements is the lone new face among the captains after taking the 2016 season away from the Blue and Gold turf.

MR. POPULARITY
With a host of connections to the NFL, junior wide receiver Damon Rodgers (Charlotte, N.C./Cheshire Academy) brings another level of attention to the Blue and Gold. The majority of that attention comes in the form of Instagram where he has more than 318,000 followers. Rodgers came to New Haven with a pair of immediate family members who are currently in the NFL, while his cousin Jairus Byrd is a DB with the Carolina Panthers. His connections to the Panthers goes deeper as his father, Richard, coaches the Carolina defensive backs. Additionally, his brother, Richard, is a tight end with the Philadelphia Eagles after playing the last four seasons with Green Bay. Finally, Rodgers uncle, Gil, played 10 years and was a Pro Bowl cornerback with the San Diego Chargers and is currently an assistant coach with Illinois.

TRANSFERS
The Chargers roster in 2018 includes eight newcomers who enter with a significant amount of experience as all come to West Haven from other institutions. Among those eight, three are expected to start the season opener, however all eight will play a significant role. Included among the transfers for 2018 is a graduate wide receiver who spent the last four years at NE10 foe American International, Ju'an Williams (Springfield, Mass./Springfield Central). Three other transfers also played in the NE10, all of which come across town from rival Southern Connecticut State. Included in that trio is Osaro Emersole who is the projected starter at left tackle. Additionally, two of the transfers come from Division I institutions with Francis Palmer (Brewster, N.Y./Trinity-Pawling) making the trip south on I-91 from Central Connecticut State University. With the loss of kicker/punter Danny Stock (North Massapequa, N.Y./Plainedge / Buffalo State) from last season, Palmer will make an immediate impact with his boot.

PINK GAME
The Chargers will continue a long standing tradition of dedicating a game during the month of October to Breast Cancer Awareness. This season, the October 20 home game against Assumption will serve as the Pink Game with a host of special events on tap. Part of the festivities will include honoring survivors in attendance. Those who wish to participate will join the Band, Dance and Cheer team on the field for the pregame tunnel as well as be honored on the video board. For more information or to register as a survivor please contact Amanda Tomaselli in the Department of Athletics at 203-932-7362.

AND THE OSCAR GOES TO
Among nine players who were named to All-Conference teams in 2017, the Chargers return four, all of which on the defensive side of the ball. A trio of returning honorees come from the NE10 All-Conference Second Team with linebackers Jordan Francklin (Queens, N.Y./Holy Cross) and Scott Lavelle (West Milford, N.J./DePaul Catholic) and lineman Christian Sullivan (Staten Island, N.Y./Tottenville) all earning the distinction. Combined, the trio accounted for 152 total tackles last season, including 24 tackles for loss. Among those 24 tackles for loss were 9.5 sacks as well. Despite suffering a season-ending injury midway through the year, linebacker Mcprecia Remy (Brooklyn, N.Y./Millwood) scored All-Rookie accolades last season. IN just four games, Remy collected 20 tackles, including two for loss, while also picking off a pair of passes and forcing a fumble.

FAMILIAR FACES ON THE SIDELINES
They may not be between the white lines in 2018, but a pair of All-Americans, Zach Voytek and Eliot Leubner (Rochester, N.Y./Rush Henrietta), will return to the sidelines for the Blue and Gold as members of the coaching staff.  Voytek, who returns to New Haven after participating in camp with the Buffalo Bills in the fall of 2017, will work with the Chargers tight ends. Leubner, who completed his eligibility last fall as a key piece of the o-line, will serve as the Director of Football Operations.

WHAT D2FOOTBALL.COM IS PREDICTING FOR WEEK 7 (Paul Falewicz)
Teams going in different directions. New Haven defeated Bentley 31-27 two weeks ago and is looking to make some noise in the second half of the season. They were in a similar position last year and were not able to take advantage. The Chargers need to come into this game and take the lead early and never look back. American International fell to Assumption 54-9 on the road and have lost all four of their games this year. They have had trouble being consistent and need to find a way to put everything together. The Yellow Jackets need to play beyond their years and make plays on both sides of the ball. New Haven will win the game easily on the road. Prediction: New Haven 45 AIC 10

PRESEASON PROPS
In a vote of head coaches, the New Haven football team was picked to finish fourth in the NE10 as announced by the league office. The Chargers, who finished 2017 with a 6-5 record under fourth year head coach Chris Pincince, totaled 57 points, six shy of the Bentley Falcons who were picked to finish third. Assumption and LIU Post who finished 2017 first and second in the standings were picked to finish in the same order garnering 77 and 76 points, respectively. The Greyhounds garnered six of the 10 possible first place votes with LIU Post earning the remaining four.
2018 Northeast-10 Football Coaches' Poll
1. Assumption – 77 (6)
2. LIU Post – 75 (4)
3. Bentley – 63
4. New Haven – 57
5. Southern Conn. – 44
6. Merrimack – 40
7. Stonehill – 36
8. Pace – 24
9. American Int'l – 20
10. Saint Anselm – 13
(#) indicates first-place votes