MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. - RMU football returns to Joe Walton Stadium on Saturday afternoon as the Colonials (3-3, 1-0 NEC) host the New Haven Chargers (1-5, 0-1 NEC). Kickoff is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. in Moon Township.
 

ALL-TIME SERIES
Saturday's matchup will mark just the second meeting in the all-time series between RMU and New Haven. The Chargers won the lone previous meeting, 26-24, in Moon Township in 1998.
 

SCOUTING NEW HAVEN
The Chargers come to Moon Township looking to pick up their first road win of the season and their first victory since their season opener against Marist on Aug. 28. New Haven is also searching for its first NEC victory since joining the conference this season.

New Haven enters Saturday on a five-game losing streak following a 42-17 loss to No. 9 Austin Peay last Saturday at Fortera Stadium in Clarksville, Tenn. Quarterback Niko Boyce made his first start for the Chargers, completing 25-of-39 passes for 227 yards and a pair of touchdowns to Tommy Troy.
 

RMU LATELY
The Colonials are coming off a heartbreaking 28-27 loss to Morgan State last weekend. Despite the loss, quarterback Carson Haggard delivered a career performance, completing 23-of-30 passes for a career-high 376 yards and a 76.7 percent completion rate. Haggard accounted for all four of RMU's touchdowns, throwing for three and adding another on the ground.

Amanuel Dickson also made an impact defensively, recording nine tackles to bring his team-leading season total to 61. Noah Schaerli hauled in a 54-yard touchdown reception, marking his third consecutive game finding the end zone.

In the NEC, the Colonials lead the conference in offensive efficiency (155.7), net punting (39.3), sacks allowed (4) and sacks (13). Nationally, RMU ranks 12th in third-down conversion percentage defense (30.6 percent), 14th in team passing efficiency (155.70) and 25th in net punting (39.28).
 

HAGGARD'S HEATING UP
Haggard continued his hot streak against Morgan State, culminating in his third consecutive NEC Offensive Player of the Week honor. With his latest award, Haggard became the first player in RMU football history to earn NEC Offensive Player of the Week accolades in three consecutive weeks. He also became the first NEC player to three-peat as the league's Offensive Player of the Week since former Sacred Heart standout and current NFL running back Julius Chestnut accomplished the feat during the abbreviated 2020-21 season.

With another standout performance, Haggard increased his season total to an NEC-leading 1,444 passing yards. The Miami native also sits atop the conference in passing touchdowns (15), passing yards per game (240.7) and pass efficiency (156.2).

On the national level, Haggard has been responsible for 18.0 points per game for the Colonials, an average that ranks sixth in the FCS, while his 15 passing touchdowns are tied for eighth-most nationally.
 

DICKSON DRIVING THE FORCE
Junior linebacker Amanuel Dickson earned his third consecutive NEC Prime Performer honor after leading the RMU defense with nine total tackles against Morgan State, including a game-high eight solo stops. He also registered 0.5 tackles for loss for three yards and added a pass breakup.

The performance continued a productive stretch for Dickson, who recorded 11 tackles against Norfolk State the previous week. He has totaled 20 tackles over the Colonials' last two games and continues to emerge as one of RMU's most productive defenders.

Dickson leads the NEC with 61 total tackles, averaging 10.2 per game, a mark that ranks 11th in the FCS. Nationally, Dickson also ranks third with 39 solo tackles this season.
 

NEC WEEKLY HONORS
Galen Combs - Offensive Player of the Week (8.31)
Khalil Hunter - Defensive Player of the Week (8.31)
Bryson Costa - Special Teams Player of the Week (9.7)
Jake Lopinto - Defensive Player of the Week (9.14)
Carson Haggard - Offensive Player of the Week (9.28)
Jake Lopinto - Defensive Player of the Week (9.28)
Carson Haggard - Offensive Player of the Week (10.5)
Carson Haggard - Offensive Player of the Week (10.12)
 

GAME INFORMATION
The matchup will be broadcast on ESPN+, NEC Front Row and SportsNet Pittsburgh, with the "Voice of the Colonials" Chris Shovlin and former RMU defensive back Dr. Raymond "Smoke" Thomas on the call.

Fans can also listen live through the RMU Athletics Gameday App. The app serves as a one-stop location for exclusive content, including audio streaming, podcasts and fan guides, while also featuring promotional offers from various RMU Athletics sponsors. Fans can download the RMU Athletics Gameday App by searching "RMU Colonials" in the App Store or Google Play. Live stats will also be available through SIDEARM.
 

THE ROAD AHEAD
RMU will continue its two-game homestand on Oct. 24 when the Colonials welcome Mercyhurst to Moon Township for the seventh meeting between the programs since 1994. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. at Joe Walton Stadium.