The Drive

Stonehill lined up to punt the ball back to New Haven as they were not able to move the chains and run out the clock. Mike DeCaro signaled for a fair catch on the punt at the 24-yard line. During the punt, New Haven's Demetrius Washington-Ellison was called for holding and the drive started 10 yards further back at the New Haven 14-yard line with 4:47 left in the game.

1st and 10 at UNH14: David Stedman is called for a false start and the ball is moved back five yards to the nine-yard line. He jumped out ahead of the snap and that moved the Chargers back inside their 10-yard line.

1st and 15 at UNH09: Ryan Osiecki completes the pass to Anthony Tillman for nine yards as he just side-armed the pass to the right in the face of pressure.

2nd and 6 at UNH18: Osiecki's pass was incomplete to Washington-Ellison as they tried to throw the ball deep along the left sideline. He was open but the ball was a bit overthrown.

3rd and 6 at UNH18: A timeout is called by New Haven with 4:12 left on the clock. It was a late timeout from the sideline to make sure the right play was called.

3rd and 6 at UNH18: Osiecki completes the pass to Jason Thompson for nine yards for the first down. It was a simple throw to the first down marker right in front of the New Haven sideline.

1st and 10 at UNH27: Tillman runs the ball for two yards behind the left side of the line.

2nd and 8 at UNH29: Osiecki's pass is incomplete to Josh Smart as he threw off of his back foot. It was a little under thrown as it could have been picked by the Stonehill defensive back.

3rd and 8 at UNH29: Osiecki completes the pass to Thompson for nine yards as it was a similar route to the previous third down play. Thompson came back to make a diving catch on the sideline to move the chains.

1st and 10 at UNH38: Osiecki's pass is incomplete to Washington-Ellison on a slant route. He was unable to hold onto the ball as it might have been a little low.

2nd and 10 at UNH38: Osiecki's pass is complete to Smart for nine yards as he catches the ball and makes a solid run to make it a short third down attempt.

3rd and 1 at UNH47: Tillman rushes the ball up the middle for three yards to move the chains again.

1st and 10 at UNH50: Osiecki's throw is incomplete to Washington-Ellison but James Lanier is flagged for pass interference. He grabbed Washington-Ellison's jersey during the route and the ball is moved up 15 yards into Stonehill territory.

1st and 10 at STO35: Osiecki connects with Smart for 21 yards as he catches the quick screen pass and makes the yards with his legs.

1st and 10 at STO14: Osiecki again completes the pass to Smart for seven yards as he hits him in the middle of the field.

2nd and 3 at STO07: Tillman rushes for two yards off of the left side and is contained as the Stonehill defense snuffed it out.

3rd and 1 at STO05: Osiecki's keeper goes for no gain as he was under center for the first time in the drive. He was not able to move the pile ahead of him and the ball stays on the five yard line.

4th and 1 at STO05: New Haven called a timeout with 23 seconds left as New Haven head coach Pete Rossomando was running on the field to stop the clock. The clock said 19 seconds but the referees put time back on the clock after the measurement.

It is decision time for New Haven as they are easily in the range of kicker Chris Scifo to attempt the field goal that would tie the game. But they decide to keep the offense on the field to go for the first down. Rossomando later says that he did not want to give the ball back to Stonehill as they had the hot hand.

4th and 1 at STO05: Victor Jones runs the ball for two yards to the right side of the line. He was initially stopped at the line of scrimmage but keep his legs pumping and the second effort gets him the first down. Jones knocked off the helmet of the Stonehill defender with the second effort to get a crucial first down.

1st and GOAL at STO03: New Haven takes their third and final timeout with 19 seconds left in the game. There was some confusion at who called the timeout but it was needed to gather the offense together and have the right play called.

1st and GOAL at STO03: Osiecki's pass is incomplete to Smart right at the goal line as he was not able to hold onto the pass. He was in the air diving for the ball and could not come down with it.

2nd and GOAL at STO03: Osiecki again goes to Smart but the pass falls incomplete. He faced a lot of pressure from the Stonehill defense and threw the ball into the ground near Smart's feet.

3rd and GOAL at STO03: Osiecki completes the pass to Thompson for three yards for the touchdown as it was a typical jump ball in the left corner of the end zone. Osiecki pumped faked and found a leaping Thompson who got both feet down for the score with six seconds left on the clock. It is their third touchdown connection of the game.

1st and GOAL at STO03: Chris Scifo drills the extra point to give New Haven a 45-41 advantage.

Final Stats of the Drive:

17 plays for 86 yards
-Four for five on third downs
-One for one on fourth downs
-Six first downs

Player Stats

Osiecki: 7 for 12, 67 yards and a TD
Tillman: three rushes for seven yards, one catch for nine yards
Jones: one rush for two yards
Thompson: three catches for 21 yards and a TD
Smart: three catches for 37 yards
One Stonehill penalty for 15 yards
One New Haven penalty for -5 yards

The drive showed the experience and maturity of New Haven. They faced potential game ending third and longs early in the drive and Osiecki made two solid throws to his go to receiver Thompson on very similar plays, connecting both of them.

The Chargers converted four of five third downs on the drive. The only third down that was not converted was the Osiecki quarterback keeper at the Stonehill five yard line in the final minute. They did make the fourth down attempt with the Jones rush after their only non-converted third down play.

This is a drive that will live in the history of New Haven football and is a big reason why New Haven earned the bye week and the second seed in Super Region One. Without the drive, who knows how the season might have ended.