WEST HAVEN, Conn. - The American International College football team dominated New Haven 43-34 to break one tie atop the Northeast-10 standings Saturday afternoon at DellaCamera Stadium.
With the win AIC improves to 7-2 overall and 7-1 in the NE-10, while with the loss the Chargers fall to 6-3 and 6-2 in conference play.
In a rematch of last season's inaugural NE-10 championship, the Yellow Jackets got their redemption. AIC sit tied atop the NE-10 standings with Stonehill, but hold the tiebreaker over the Skyahwks with their 31-10 win.
Junior kicker Jared Hulsey (Springfield, Mass.) put the Yellow Jacket's on the board in the 1st with a 30 yard field goal, cutting the deficit to 7-3 after a Charger touchdown.
New Haven put AIC in a 21-3 hole after scoring on back-to-back drives in the second.
Senior quarterback Ronnie Nelson (Stuart, Fla.) hit sophomore wideout Ty Headen (Newark, N.J.) for a 16 yard TD reception and on the next possession they capped off an eight-play, 76 yard drive with a Nelson 42 yard pass to senior wide receiver Roshawn Wilson (Miami, Fla.).
AIC would respond on the ensuing drive. Sophomore WR Maurice Easterling (Yonkers, N.Y.) rushed for a five-yard score, but the Hulsey point after attempt was blocked, Yellow Jackets trailing 21-9.
On the next play from scrimmage, junior Lenroy Neysmith (Meriden, Conn.) forced Headon to fumble after a nine-yard reception, recovered by junior Carron McCluney (Hillside, N.J.) and returned 24 yards to the Charger 28.
Three plays later, junior quarterback Kevin Arduino (Cornwall, N.Y.) ran it from four yards out, putting his Jackets within a touchdown (21-16) at the half.
It was all AIC in the second half. On their second drive of the third, Arduino would rush 11 for another Yellow Jacket score and with the extra point, AIC's first lead of the day.
Nelson would respond with his fourth passing touchdown of the day, this time finding Nick Music (West Milford, N.J.) on a 23 yard TD reception.
American International would trail the Chargers 28-23 after three, but came out firing in the final frame, scoring a touchdown on their first three drives to bury New Haven 43-28.
The rally started with junior receiver Stephan Davis (Seden, N.J.) making a huge play with a 40 yard scoring reception, capping off a five-play drive.
Sophomore defensive back Daquan Holmes (Troy, N.Y.) intercepted Nelson on the ensuing drive deep in their own territory, deflating the Charger momentum. Holmes returned it 29 yard to the New Haven 43.
Senior Cal Brownridge (Newark, N.J.) came through again with a 30 yard TD catch, giving AIC a two-score cushion, 36-28, but they were not done.
Arduino would add his third rushing score of the day, a one-yard sneak foe the 15 point advantage.
New Haven would score again to make it interesting, but it was too little, too late.
Arduino finished 19-of-31 with 243 yards through the air and 166 yards on 22 carries.
Davis led the wideouts with 80 yards on six catches.
Junior defensive back Darion Chappel (New York, N.Y.) notched eight tackles and broken up play, while junior Jaquawne Simpkins (Poughkeepsie, N.Y.) also made eight tackles and sacked Nelson for a loss of six yards.
Sophomore linebacker Demetrius Steed (Boston, Mass.) and Holmes added seven tackles apiece to go with Holmes pick.
AIC next hosts Southern Connecticut on senior day next Saturday, November 9 at 1 p.m. as they will honor the seniors on their careers and look to wrap-up the NE-10's number one seed.
