SPRINGFIELD, Mass. The American International football team fell on a late touchdown drive by New Haven in the Homecoming Game of a Northeast-10 game at Ronald J. Abdow Field, 31-24.
With the loss AIC falls to 5-2 and 5-1 in NE-10 play, while with the win New Haven wins its fourth straight and moves to 4-3 overall and 4-2 in conference play.
The Chargers came from behind, down seven with just under two minutes in regulation to tie it up at 24 all. New Haven quarterback Joey Bradley (Issaquah, Wash.) scrambled for 13 yards on a 4th-and-10 situation to extend a drive deep in AIC territory. His next play, a pass to wide out Ty Headen (Newark, N.J.) was caught for five yards and gave the Chargers new life.
The Yellow Jackets set up to march down the field at their own 29 yard line. Senior quarterback Kevin Arduino (Cornwall, N.Y.) completed a pass to senior wide receiver Stephan Davis (Selden, N.Y.) for 16 yards, but Davis, trying to get more yardage, lost his handle and gave New Haven back the ball on AIC's side of the field.
Three plays later, Bradley connected with wide receiver Henry Adegunle (Rockaway, N.J.) who broke free from the coverage and took it home 40 yards for the go-ahead touchdown, 31-24.
The Jackets were left with one more chance and only 47 seconds to tie it back up. Maurice Easterling (Yonkers, N.Y.) caught a 16-yard pass from Arduino and shot up the far sideline, but another New Haven defender punched it away and fell on the ball, ending any hope of a late Jacket victory.
The game was tightly contested throughout, each team having their chances.
On each team's first possession a penalty negated a giant chunk of yards gained. New Haven had a 47-yard pass called back by a personal foul call. For AIC, an illegal contact by a Yellow Jacket receiver brought back a 55 yard flea-flicker to senior wide receiver Evan Graham (Springfield, Mass.).
Despite the troubles, AIC was the first to break the goal line, a 21-yard scoring reception for Evan Graham (Springfield, Mass.) late in the opening quarter set up by a Carron McCluney (Hillside, N.J.) 42-yard interception of Bradley to the New Haven six-yard line.
The Chargers responded with a 4:48, 10-play scoring drive to open the second. Sophomore tailback Andre Anderson (New Haven, Conn.) crossed the goal line for a two-yard rushing TD and brought New Haven even.
The Yellow Jacket defense came through late in the half. With New Haven charging down the field, junior linebacker Andrew Justice (Brooklyn, N.Y.) picked off Bradley on the AIC 10 yard line. Arduino took a knee and ended the half with the score tied, 7-7.
American International opened with a touchdown to start the second half. Arduino hit Davis with a 12-yard scoring reception and the Jared Hulsey (Springfield, Mass.) extra point gave AIC back its touchdown lead.
Following a New Haven field goal, Graham hauled in a 37-yard touchdown pass from Arduino on the ensuing possession, his second of the day and AIC was up by two scores, 21-10. Graham and Davis now boast five touchdown catches apiece and 30 catches each.
Anderson found the end zone on the ensuing drive, another two-yard run. Kicker Brian Roberts (Amherst, N.Y.) brought it back within one possession, 21-17. Neither kick missed in the contest. Hulsey hit all three of his point after attempts and a 26 yarder, while Roberts hit all four PAT's and a 20-yard kick.
Hulsey is now 6-for-6 in field goals in the last four games and has converted nine straight PAT's. His 26-yard kick in the fourth capped a 17-play, 60-yard drive and gave AIC a 24-17 edge before New Haven charged back to win the game.
AIC senior running back Terrell Williams (Hempstead, N.Y.) ran for 82 yards on 15 carries, a 5.5 average per rush.
Arduino completed 20-of-28 passes for 208 yards, 108 of them to Graham who hauled in nine balls and two TDs.
Yellow Jacket junior Daquan Holmes (Troy, N.Y.) made two interceptions, but both were called back due to penalties. The picks would have been his eighth and ninth of the season.
Demetrius Steed (Boston, Mass.) and Jaquawne Simpkins (Poughkeepsie, N.Y.) led the team in tackles again. Steed with 11, seven solo efforts and Simpkins with nine tackles.
Senior punter Daniel Backx (Evesham, England) punted four times and average a net of 45.5 yards, pinning New Haven inside the 20 twice.
The Chargers outgained AIC 471-336 yards and got off 19 more snaps. New Haven dominated time of possession, holding the ball for 12:40 longer than AIC and racked up 214 rushing yards.
AIC looks to rebound next Saturday, Oct. 25 at LIU Post. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m. in Brookville, N.Y.
