The Jackrabbits return home for The Beef Bowl and for a game with the University of New Haven Chargers.  New Haven belongs to the NEC conference which has traditionally not been super strong.  Often times, the NEC teams have good skill but are smaller across the board.  New Haven made the jump from D2 in 2025 so this is their second year in the FCS.  As far as the football team, they are 1-1 on the season with a 22-21 win over Marist and a 21-3 loss to Stonehill.  This will be their first road game of the season.  They were a respectable 5-5 in their inaugural FCS season with the only common opponent being Mercyhurst, who they lost to 48-14.  One interesting thing as I have gone through the roster is that it appears many of this years seniors strategically redshirted in 2024, their final year in D2.

Offense

The New Haven offense has moved the ball this season (356.5 ypg) but has struggled in the redzone, visiting six times but scoring zero touchdowns..  They are rushing for 114 yards per game and passing for 242 ypg.  They have struggled on 3rd down going just 8/29 (28%).  They have allowed just 1 sack and have no lost fumbles but have tossed 3 interceptions.

The Charger offense is led by #10 AJ Duffy (6-2, 225) at quarterback.  He was named the NEC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year by Phil Steele after passing for 2400 yards and 22 TDs a season ago.  So far this year he has completed 54% of his passes for 484 yards and 2 TD to those 3 INT.  He also is the teams second leading rusher with 38 yards on 10 carries.  He’s had an interesting journey to get to this point.  He spent his senior season at IMG academy, spent two years at Florida State, and one year at San Diego State before landing at New Haven.  He’s a good passer that is also a good distributor with 10 guys already having a reception this season.

The leading running back is #2 Zaon Laney (5-8, 186) who was recognized as a preseason first team selection by Phil Steele.  He only appeared in 4 games in 2025 but had a big impact with 51 carries for 346 rushing yards (6.8 ypc) and 4 TDs.  So far this season Laney has 159 rushing yards (4.7 ypc) with a long of 44 yards.  He is also a weapon out of the backfield with 6 receptions for 35 yards.  His backup is true freshman #28 Shaun Jackson (5-10, 180).  He has just 5 carries for 19 yards.

Again, the receiving group has shared the wealth this season.  However, #15 Tommy Troy (6-3, 206) has made the most of his opportunities.  He has 5 receptions for 107 yards with a long of 50.  He did not appear in any games prior to this season.  #81 Issac Glaudin (5-8, 170) has 7 receptions for 74 yards and a TD.  Last year he had 20 receptions for 278 yards and 2 TDs.  #19 Dominic Grguric (5-10, 171) has 7 receptions for 72 yards as well.  Gguric was previously at Davenport College, Bowling Green, and Valparaiso.  Last year at Davenport he had 10 receptions for 111 yards and 1 TD.  #1 Matt Chandler (6-2, 213) has 5 receptions of his own for 53 yards.  A season ago he had 11 receptions for 106 yards and a TD.  #12 LaSalle Rose Jr (5-10, 184) transferred in from UAlbany and has 2 receptions for 39 yards this season.  The final piece of the puzzle is #3 Nate Burleson II (6-2, 171).   He played 3 seasons at Nevada where he had 8 receptions for 147 yards and 1 TD spread across 22 games.  This season he has 2 receptions for 78 yards and a TD.  The tight end is #87 Jeremy Caspe (6-6, 264) who previously played at Rhode Island.  Caspe has just 1 catch for 5 yards this season.

I’m uncertain of New Haven’s offensive line because I have yet to find a two deep for them this season.  In addition, the participation tracker on the game stats only lists four offensive lineman for each game.  However, I think I have it sorted.

• #51 Anthony Massa (5-11, 275, SR)- Played in 10 games last season.
• #62 Eliseo Polanco (6-3, 301, SR)- Transfer from Franklin Pierce where he was 2nd Team NE10 All-Conference.
• #67 Success Chikezie (6-1, 294, SR)- Transfer from Jackson St. Played in 6 games last season.
• #74 Jeremiah Ndaiga (6-5, 302, JR)- Transfer from Akron where he played in 2 games last season.
• #77 Sean Pozniak (6-6, 341, GR)- Transfer from Tennessee Tech and was at Maine before that.  Played in 12 games at TTU last season.

Defense

The Chargers play a 4-2-5 defensive alignment and they allowed 21 points in both contests this fall after allowing 28.6 ppg last season.  Opponents are rushing for 135.5 yards per game and passing for just 131 ypg.  However, Stonehill had much more success in both areas and rushed for 181 and passed for 192.  New Haven has been good on 3rd down and is holding opponents to just a 30% conversion rate.  In the redzone opponents have scored touchdowns on 2 of their 4 trips.  The Charges have registered 4 sacks, have recovered 2 fumbles, and have yet to record an interception.

The starting front four are anchored by EKU transfer big #98 John Sualla Jr (6-2, 317) who has 2 tackles on the year.  The player making the biggest impact this season is #41 Irv Briggs (6-4, 240).  He has 6 total tackles, 2.5 TFL, 1 sack, and 1 QBH.  Last season he played in all 10 games and had 33 total tackles and 3 sacks.  #18 Pete Melle (5-10, 252) has also been active and has 4 tackles and QBH.  Last season he played in 9 games and had 23 tackles and a sack.  #97 Tyler Hammel (6-3, 259) rounds out the group and has 3 tackles this year.  Last year he had 22 tackles across 8 games.  #40 Kenny Seymore (6-1, 249) transferred in from Rice and has 4 tackles and a sack this season.

The linebackers are led by #13 Ricky Encarnacion (6-1, 224) who has 21 total tackles this year.  He played in 7 games last season and had 11 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 FF, and 1 sack. #5 Frederick Borkey (6-0,  218) has 12 tackles and 1.5 TFL so far this year.  He played in 8 games last season and had 5 tackles and 2 sacks.    #22 JT Krivinskas (6-0, 224) has 2 tackles in a reserve role.

Without any film to go off of, it appears that New Haven has utilized a lot of guys in the secondary so far this season.  No idea what that actually means.  Also, they don’t distinguish between corners and safeties.  Usually safeties are a bigger body type but it’s hard to say with the height and weight fo these guys.  I could make some educated guesses but will just list them out instead.  The Charger secondary is paced by #4 Brodie Williams (5-8, 187) who was recognized as a 2nd Team All-NEC preseason by Phil Steele.  He was huge last season with 67 total tackles, 8.5 TFL, 1.5 sacks, 3 INT, 2 PBUs, 2 QBHs, 1 FF, and two touchdowns!  So far this season he has been quiet with no recorded statistics outside of a recovered fumble.  Williams began his career at Austin Peay.  #0 Mason Taylor (6-1, 190) is second on the team with 14 total tackles and 2.5 TFL.   He played in just 5 games a season ago but had 17 tackles. #1 Myles Hansford (6-0, 191) has 10 total tackles, 1 TFL, and 1 PBU.   Last season he played in all 10 games and had 35 total tackles, 3 TFL, 1 sack, 3 PBUs and 1 INT.    #2 Chris Hudson (5-11, 184)  has registered 4 total tackles, a TFL, and 1 PBU so far this season.  #6 Nikkem Reynolds (5-11, 211) is a transfer from Stetson and he has 2 tackles this year.  #38 Garrison Heslop (6-2, 170) is a talented freshman had he has 5 tackles and a TFL this season.  #16 Lucas Theriaque (6-1, 190) has 6 tackles on the year.   #3 Dre Kirton (5-7, 167) has 3 tackles and a PBU so far this year.

Special Teams

The New Haven special teams is really solid.  Both the punter and kicker were recognized as Phil Steele Preseason NEC selections.    #46 Liam Quigley is 4-6 so far this year with a long of 38 on field goals and he is 1 for 1 on extra points.  His two misses are from 41 and 30 yards.  #37 Joe Fragale has 6 punts for a 45 yard average.  His long is 56 yards and he has forced 2 to be fair caught, landed 1 inside the 20 and has 2 that have traveled 50+ yards. It appears he has had 1 punt blocked already this year.  #31 Jack Morgese is the kickoff guy and he has 8 for a 64 yard average with 4 touchbacks.

In the punt return game, #12 LaSalle Rose Jr. has 4 attempts and a 14 yard average with a long of 42 yards. #17 Logan Schmidt has 5 kick returns for 102 yards (2o yard avg) with a long of 27.  #3 Dre Kirton has a 22 yard average and a long of 32 on 3 attempts.

Predictions

The Jackrabbits have historically not had any issues with NEC squads.  I don’t see this one being any different.  This squad is pretty dang small across the board.  However, the Jackrabbits will still need to come out an execute.  I hope that they start fast again and shake off the frustrating loss to Northwestern.  If the second and third string gets in the game, they need to play hard like they did in week 0.  I hope the second and third string quarterbacks are allowed to pass the ball.

Jackrabbits 52- Chargers 3

Go Jacks!

Matt