Stonehill at UNH | Saturday, Sept. 5 | 12 p.m. | Ralph F. DellaCamera Stadium, West Haven
Can the Chargers Make It 2-0 in Its New FCS Era?
West Haven- There are plenty of big games across New England this weekend.
But only one puts two New England programs on the field against each other — and it comes with a bigger question than the final score.
Can the University of New Haven start its second season at the FCS level with a 2-0 record?
The Chargers already have one answer.
New Haven opened the 2026 season with a dramatic 22-21 victory over Marist on Aug. 28, rallying behind quarterback A.J. Duffy and a defense that held the Red Foxes to just 160 total yards. Duffy threw for 311 yards and two touchdowns, while New Haven’s defense came up with two sacks and stopped Marist on a late fourth-down opportunity to preserve the victory.
Now comes Stonehill.
The Skyhawks enter West Haven at 0-1 after falling to Bryant, 24-6, in their season opener. Stonehill’s offense produced 202 passing yards but couldn’t find the end zone, while Bryant pulled away with a 17-point fourth quarter.
For Stonehill, it’s a chance to get back to .500.
For New Haven, it’s a chance to make an early statement.
The New England Saturday: Week 1 Top Stories for the New England College Football Fan
A New Haven program finding its footing
New Haven is entering its second season as a Division I program and its first full season as a member of the Northeast Conference.
The Chargers are still classified as an NCAA reclassifying institution, meaning they cannot qualify for the 2026 FCS Playoffs. But that doesn’t make Saturday meaningless.
Far from it.
New Haven can compete for the NEC championship, and the Chargers are playing a complete conference schedule for the first time in program history. The NCAA lists New Haven’s FCS postseason eligibility beginning in 2028.
That makes games like this part of the building process.
The Chargers aren’t playing for a playoff berth this November.
They’re playing to establish what New Haven football can become when that opportunity arrives.
And a 2-0 start would be a pretty good way to begin.
THE NEW ENGLAND SATURDAY: GAMES TO WATCH- Week 1
A.J. Duffy is the first name to watch
Duffy immediately gave New Haven fans something to talk about in Week 0.
Against Marist, the quarterback completed 22 of 37 passes for 311 yards and two touchdowns. He also added 35 rushing yards. His touchdown passes went to Nate Burleson II and Glaudin, who finished with seven catches for 99 yards and a score.
The performance was particularly encouraging because New Haven needed every one of those yards.
The Chargers trailed 21-19 before Liam Quigley connected on a 38-yard field goal with 4:07 remaining to put New Haven ahead for good.
Then the defense finished the job.
Stonehill needs a response
Stonehill’s opener against Bryant was competitive for much of the afternoon before the Bulldogs took control late.
Jack O’Connell completed 19 of 30 passes for 202 yards, while Alijah Turner provided a spark in the return game and finished with 160 all-purpose yards.
The problem was finding the end zone.
Stonehill managed just six points, both coming on field goals from Domenic Scalese. The Skyhawks will need more offensive production against a New Haven defense that just held Marist to 160 total yards.
And the schedule isn’t getting any easier.
Saturday begins five consecutive road games for Stonehill, making a win in West Haven particularly important.
More than just a conference game
This is also a piece of New England football history.
Saturday marks the first meeting between Stonehill and New Haven as Division I opponents. The schools previously met as Division II rivals, with New Haven winning their most recent matchup, 42-20, in 2021.
Now they’re meeting again with both programs operating in the NEC.
New Haven is trying to establish itself.
Stonehill is trying to continue its progress as a now postseason-eligible Division I program.
And for both teams, this is a game that matters immediately.
THE NEW ENGLAND SATURDAY
Three things to watch
1. Can New Haven’s defense do it again?
Holding Marist to 160 total yards was an impressive opening-night performance. The Chargers will need another disciplined defensive effort against O’Connell and a Stonehill offense looking to rebound.
2. Can Stonehill get into the end zone?
The Skyhawks moved the ball against Bryant but couldn’t turn those drives into touchdowns. Six points won’t be enough if New Haven’s offense gets rolling.
3. Can Duffy keep the momentum?
A 311-yard opening performance puts the New Haven quarterback firmly in the spotlight. If Duffy can produce another efficient afternoon, the Chargers have a legitimate opportunity to start the season 2-0.
The New England Saturday Pick
New Haven has already shown it can win a close game.
Now the Chargers get a chance to prove they can follow one up.
Stonehill will be desperate, and this is a regional rivalry with plenty of history behind it. But New Haven has home-field advantage, confidence from opening night and a quarterback who just threw for more than 300 yards.
The New England Saturday pick: UNH.
Not because the Chargers are eligible for the postseason this year.
They’re not.
But because this season is about something bigger for New Haven: building the foundation for the program’s future in the FCS.
And Saturday is another step.
One New England matchup. One NEC game. One chance for New Haven to go 2-0.
This is The New England Saturday Game of the Week.
Leave a Reply