WEST HAVEN, Conn. The American International College football team managed just a single touchdown in the fourth quarter as the University of New Haven scored 31 points over the middle two quarters to defeat the Jackets, 31-12, in Northeast-10 Conference action this afternoon from DellaCamera Stadium.
With the victory the Chargers improve to 2-1 on the year and a perfect 2-0 start to league play while AIC dips to 1-2 and 1-1 in the conference.
Sophomore Kwame Jarvis (Schenectady, N.Y.) finished the day 18-of-27 through the air with 178 yards and two interceptions while senior Maurice Easterling (Yonkers, N.Y.) combined for 148 yards (66- rush, 82- receiving).
Junior Evan Graham (Springfield, Mass.) added a team-high eight receptions for 56 yards on the day.
UNH junior signal caller Ajee Patterson (Neptune, N.J.) completed 19-of-25 passes for 236 and a score while classmate Andre Anderson (New Haven, Conn.) led a rushing attack that complied 204 yards as he carried the ball 10 times for 81 yards and a score.
American International opened the scoring as they took the opening kickoff 52 yards on 12 plays finishing the drive with a 37-yard field goal by junior Christopher Boteler (Manassas, Va.).
The Jackets added a safety in the first quarter for an early 5-0 lead before New Haven took control thanks to an interception by junior Leo Lorenzo (Miami, Fla.). The Chargers used that momentum and embarked on an 11-play 75-yard drive culminating in an Ajee Patterson one-yard scamper for the 7-5 edge.
The teams then traded fumbles right before the half with UNH regaining possession with just 29 ticks before halftime and they used a pair of Patterson completions and a pass-interference call to set up sophomore Danny Stock (North Massapequa, N.Y.) for a 19-yard FG attempt that he sailed through the uprights for the 10-5 lead at the intermission.
New Haven then took the opening kickoff of the second half 56 yards in just 2:43 with a Patterson touchdown strike to junior Henry Adegunle (Rockaway, N.Y.) for the 17-5 advantage.
The Chargers again took advantage of a Jarvis pick as senior linebacker Tyler Condit (Caldwell, N.J.) rumbled 22 yards to the AIC 11 and just a single rush from Anderson resulted in a score and a commanding 24-5 lead.
UNH scored their third touchdown of the third quarter on a second Patterson rush this time off just three yards and the lead was now 31-5 as that play capped off a 12 play 80 yard drive.
The Jackets answered that score with one of their own to start the fourth quarter as sophomore Rob Hansen (Roosevelt, N.Y.) plunged in from a yard away for the 31-12 score.
New Haven controlled in every facet this afternoon earning the edge in total yards (440-283), Passing (236-181), rushing (204-102) and turnovers (4-2).
Senior linebacker Jerrod Shelby (Brockton, Mass.) led the defense with 15 tackles (nine solo) and a pair of forced fumbles while Andrew Justice (Brooklyn, N.Y.) added eight tackles (five solo) with a sack and Demetrius Steed (Boston, Mass.) chipped in with seven.
The Jackets return to action next Saturday as they host Saint Anselm at 1 p.m.
