University of New Haven Suffers Largest Loss In Half A Century To SD State
There’s losing and then there’s being embarrassed. For the University of New Haven you can add a tally to both boxes. Since making the sudden surprise move to FCS Division I, UNH football has struggled heavily. That’s expected though for some stages of the transition, but for UNH – I don’t think any one on the team would think they would set history on a random Saturday September night.
On Saturday night, New Haven traveled to Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium for a non-conference game against South Dakota State. Both teams entered 1-1, with New Haven looking to get back into the win column after splitting their homestand. Now on the road against SD State, a program that the Chargers are unfamiliar with, marking the September 12th, 2026, matchup as the first against the Jackrabbits.
It’s safe to say that the Chargers won’t be charging back into a rematch anytime soon.
UNH fell, 57-14, against SD State with both of their touchdowns coming in garbage 4th quarter time. The loss brings UNH down below .500% with a 1-2 record with both losses coming back-to-back.
Last week the Chargers got blown out by NEC opponent Stonehill, 21-3, in a game that UNH entered with an 81% projected chance to win and a o/u of 19 points. Now this week against SD State, the 43-point deficit loss marks the biggest in the program’s history since the Gerald Ford administration.
UNH’s 43-point loss is the largest margin of loss in their football program’s history since September 13th, 1975, against Bridgewater State. UNH lost that game just one day shy of 51-years by a 38-point margin. Overall, this loss against South Dakota State ranks third all-time for the Chargers in their largest margin of losses since the football program began in 1972.
Top 5
1- Nov. 19, 1977 vs Fordham | 78-7 (-71)
2- Nov. 3, 1973 vs Maine Maritime | 51-0 (-51)
3- Sept. 12, 2026 vs South Dakota State | 57-14 (-43)
4- Sept. 13, 1975 vs Bridgewater State | 44-6 (-38)
5- Sept. 24, 1977 vs Maine Maritime | 44-15 (-29)
The game didn’t see the Chargers flip any interceptions, but two fumble losses would be the turnover mark for UNH. Overall, the Chargers offense went for 236 yards, with the bulk (150) coming from the ground as the duo throwers of AJ Duffy and Jake Tripptree combined 9-for-25 passing, with Tripptree throwing a passing touchdown. The Chargers defense allowed 512 yards.
Overall since moving to FCS Division I football, New Haven has been outscored 318-385, with them being outscored 39-99 in 2026 through three games counting this loss against the Jackrabbits. The Chargers have gone 6-7 in the span, with Mark Powell as the head coach for both seasons.
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