Game Details:  October 27 | 1:00 p.m.
Location: W.B. Mason Stadium | Easton, Mass.
Game Links:  Watch Live | Live Stats
Twitter: @UNHChargers | @NewHavenNation
New Haven Links: News | Roster | Schedule | Stats | Game Notes
Stonehill Links: News | Roster | Schedule | Stats

THE FIRST LOOK
Following a crucial victory last week against Assumption, the New Haven football team looks to remain atop the NE10 standings as they travel to W.B. Mason Stadium for a date with the 1-6 Stonehill Skyhawks. Stonehill looks to snap a five-game skid against New Haven, having not found the win column since a triple overtime 57-54 decision over Saint Anselm on Sept. 8. On the flip side, New Haven is looking to build on a strong performance that held a team that averaged over 45 points-per-game to just 21 points, all of which came in the final 17 minutes of the game. 

INSIDE THE SERIES

·         New Haven and Stonehill meet for the 10th time in a series that dates back to the Chargers first season in the NE10, 2009.

·         Overall, the Chargers hold a 7-2 record in the previous nine match-ups.

·         The Chargers opened up the series winning six of the first seven meetings before the two teams split their last two match-ups, each winning on its own home turf.

·         In most recent memory, all but one of the last six meetings in the series have been decided by a touchdown or less with the average margin of victory over the six-game stretch just five points, including last season's 23-22 New Haven victory.

A WIN OVER STONEHILL WOULD...

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

·         be the second-straight victory, and fourth in the last five meetings, against the Skyhawks.

·         keep New Haven undefeated in NE10 play with one other team currently unbeaten in the league; LIU Post who travels to Assumption this week

·         be the 246th overall victory in the 40-year history of Charger Football.

·         be the 216th victory since the Chargers began playing at the Division II level - first DII season was 1982.

GAME DAY FORECAST
A rainy forecast is on tap in Easton, Mass. on Saturday with high temperatures slated to hover around 61 degrees with a 60 percent chance of rain. The low temperature for the day is predicted at 48 degrees with winds out of the south-south-west at eight miles per hour. Humidity levels will be above average at 81%.

NEXT ON TAP
New Haven will return to the Blue and Gold turf of Ralph F. DellaCamera Stadium for the final time in the regular season when they host the Saint Anselm Hawks on Saturday, November 3. The Chargers look to extend a three-game win streak against the Hawks, however the only two wins for Saint Anselm in the all-time series have both come on the Chargers home field.  Kick off in the Northeast-10 Conference battle is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.

SCOUTING THE CHARGERS
Looking to remain at the top of the Northeast-10 standings and in the hunt for a postseason bid in the NCAA East Region Championship, the New Haven football team is geared up for a rainy showdown against Stonehill on Saturday. Averaging 13 points more than their opponents, the Chargers are led by senior quarterback Ajee Patterson (Neptune, N.J./Neptune) who, for the third time this season and second straight game, closed out week eight with four touchdowns. Patterson has completed 66 percent of his pass attempts for 1,743 yards on the season with his primary target being transfer Ju'an Williams (Springfield, Mass./Springfield Central) (105.9 receiving yards per game). Williams has completed 41 catches on the year for 741 total yards, 380 shy of the single season record, while he has scored nine touchdowns. All but one of Williams nine TD's have gone for 25 or more yards. Overall, Patterson has relied on 14 targets including AJ Greene (Middle Island, N.Y./Newfield) who boasts 23 catches for 348 yards and the season's longest TD catch at 47 yards. On the ground, New Haven has increased its output of late, averaging 165 yards per game. Junior Ryan McCarthy (Montclair, N.J./Bergen Catholic) and senior Chris Liggio (Mount Laurel, N.J./Holy Cross) have done the bulk of the work in the running game, entering week nine with 527 and 390 total yards, respectively. Defensively, New Haven's Jordan Francklin (Queens, N.Y./Holy Cross) (58 tackles), Mcprecia Remy (Brooklyn, N.Y./Millwood) (39 tackles), Miles Pease (Sicklerville, N.J./Saint Joseph / Milford Academy) (28 tackles) and CJ Fitzpatrick (40 tackles) lead a unit that has forced at least one turnover in six of the seven games this year, totaling 12 on the season (eight interceptions and four fumbles).

SCOUTING THE SKYHAWKS
Stonehill is looking to end a string of five straight losses with its lone win on the year coming against Saint Anselm in 3 OT's in the NE10 opener back on September 8. The Skyhawks have not had an issue finding the end zone, averaging 26.3 points per game, however defensively, they have been unable to hold opponents out of the end zone as they average nearly double that total. Leading the Skyhawks on the year is wide receiver Andrew Jamiel who has posted back-to-back 100-yard games, totaling 501 yards for the season on 42 catches with three touchdowns. Under center, Stonehill has relied on a pair of quarterbacks with James Lam taking the most snaps and throwing for 630 yards, while Kyle Smith has racked up 381 yards. On the ground, Stonehill is averaging 188.5 yards per game, led by Brian Kearns Jr. who has taken nearly half of the teams attempts (131), collecting 587 net yards. Defensively, junior DB Ryan Shuts and junior LB Miles Strickland enter week nine leading the team with 48 total tackles.

A WINDOW INTO THE REGION
The first regional rankings for football have been released and New Haven comes in at No. 3 in NCAA Super Region One. The Chargers are currently 6-1 overall with a 6-0 record in the region. Three NE10 teams are represented in the top-10 in Super Region One with LIU Post (fifth) and Assumption 10th. Notre Dame (OH), who represented the Mountain East Conference, holds the top spot in the first regional ranking, entering week nine of the regular season with an 8-0 record. The PSAC's Kutztown State holds the number two spot with a 7-0 record, while a total of six teams in the rankings enter with unbeaten records in the region; Tiffin (8-0), LIU Post (7-0) and West Chester (7-0).

RECORD WATCH
Quarterback Ajee Patterson (Neptune, N.J./Neptune) continues his quest for the top of the career record book in three all-time categories. Heading into week seven, Patterson stands at 8,993 career passing yards, second most in program history. With at least three games remaining on the season, he needs 579 yards to pass Ryan Osiecki (2009-12) who holds the school record with 9,572 yards. Patterson also stands second in program history in career completions with 679 total, 75 shy of matching Osiecki's record of 754. Finally, Patterson is currently tied for second all-time in career passing touchdowns with 71, while Osiecki holds the top spot with 91 passing touchdowns.

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
A Damon Rodgers (Charlotte, N.C./Cheshire Academy) touchdown and a Nigel Davis (Williamsville, N.Y./Saint Joseph's Collegiate Institute) interception, all with under two minutes remaining, lifted the Chargers to a 23-22 victory over the visiting Stonehill Skyhawks on Homecoming weekend. All of New Haven's touchdowns came from a distance of 39 yards or more, including a season-long 69-yard rush by Ryan McCarthy (Montclair, N.J./Bergen Catholic), who closed out the day with a team-high 103 rushing yards on 17 carries to lead five running backs. Orekoya followed with 41 yards while Ajee Patterson (Neptune, N.J./Neptune) added 15 and Chris Ligio chipped in a dozen yards. Patterson capped off his day with 280 yards in the air, completing 19-of-27 passes with the one TD to Rodgers his only scoring pass on the day. Overall, Patterson relied on six targets down field, led by Rodgers who finished with 99 yards on five completions. Defensively, New Haven was led by junior Jordan Francklin (Queens, N.Y./Holy Cross) who finished with 17 tackles, a season-high for all players. Eight of his tackles came as solo stops, while he added a tackle for loss and was crucial in a fourth quarter, fourth down stop. Freshman Javeon Ensley (Plainfield, N.J./Hudson Catholic) and senior Stefano Bicknese (Somers, N.Y./Somers / USMAPS) also finished in double figures with 11 tackles each.

LAST TIME OUT
After a scoreless first quarter, the New Haven football team scored three times before intermission and never looked back as they defeated Assumption 27-21 at DellaCamera Stadium. Leading the Chargers on the day was transfer WR Ju'an Williams (Springfield, Mass./Springfield Central) who hauled in four passes for 94 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Williams two touchdowns were part of four total from senior QB Ajee Patterson (Neptune, N.J./Neptune) as he completed all but six of his pass attempts, 15-of-21 (71%), for 241 yards. Williams 94 yards led eight different players who completed at least one reception with sophomore Chris Carlyle (Rockville, Md./Walter Johnson) and graduate student Joe Caico (Hopedale, Mass./Worcester) each hauling in touchdowns, including the first ever for the graduate receiver. Carlyle followed Williams in leading the team with 37 yards, all of which came on his touchdown catch in the second quarter. New Haven closed out the game just shy of 200 rushing yards, led by junior Ryan McCarthy (Montclair, N.J./Bergen Catholic) who finished with a career-high 131 yards on 20 carries. Among his carries was the longest run of the day, a 25 yard gain, while he registered just one rush for loss on the day. Following McCarthy was senior Chris Liggio (Mount Laurel, N.J./Holy Cross) who ran for 43 yards while Patterson picked up the remaining 12 yards. Defensively, senior LB Jordan Francklin (Queens, N.Y./Holy Cross) led a defensive unit that held Assumption 12 points below their average for the season, limiting the Greyhounds to just 97 rushing yards, 114 shy of their season average. Franklin led New Haven with eight total tackles, three of which came by himself. Junior DB Austin Cascio (Hollister, Calif./San Benito) followed him with six tackles while sophomore DB Shawn Tafe (Bronx, N.Y./Fort Hamilton) iced the victory with an interception on a Hail Mary pass by the Greyhounds as time expired. The interception by Tafe was the only turnover of the day for either team.

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.

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 9 (Paul Falewicz)
Trap game? New Haven defeated Assumption 27-21 for the first time in five years and six tries. They jumped out to a 27-0 lead and hung on for the win in the fourth quarter. Ajee Patterson (Neptune, N.J./Neptune) was the catalyst again with four touchdown passes. The Chargers need to approach the game the same way they did the Assumption game. Come out of the gate fast and never look back. Let Patterson sling the ball around the field and make things happen. Stonehill fell to Bentley 38-10 last Saturday on the road. After an impressive opening drive, it was a nightmare for the rest of the game for the Skyhawks. They allowed 38 points and over 500 yards while they only scored three points and had 160 yards. The Skyhawks will need a full 60-minute performance and get pressure on Patterson. They will need to grind out the clock with their running game. New Haven will be sluggish in the first half but take control of the game in the second half. Prediction: New Haven 38, Stonehill 14

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