BROOKVILLE, N.Y. - The Long Island University football team (2-5, 1-2 NEC) hosts future NEC member New Haven University (4-3) on Saturday afternoon in a non-conference matchup. Opening kickoff at Shark Stadium is scheduled for 12 p.m.

Saturday is Breast Cancer Awareness Day, as fans in attendance are encouraged to wear pink in support of the cause.

Television coverage is available on the RYZ Network and digitally on NEC Front Row, with the "Voice of the Sharks" Phil Constantino and former LIU assistant coach Jim Wright on the call. Radio coverage is available on the LIU Sharks Audio Network via the Varsity Network App with veteran sportscaster Mike Murabito and former FCS quarterback Evan Cormier.
 
Quick Facts
THE STORYLINE: LIU looks to secure back-to-back victories at Shark Stadium on Saturday when it hosts New Haven. The Sharks are seeking consecutive victories for the first time since defeating Central Connecticut State University (24-21) and Sacred Heart University (28-7) last October 26^th and November 9^th, respectfully.

SERIES HISTORY: This is New Haven's first season at the Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) level, after beginning its transition on July 1, 2025. Saturday marks the first meeting at the DI level between the two programs. New Haven, a full-time NEC member, will officially join the NEC in football for the 2026 season.

The two sides met 10 times at the DII level, with LIU holding an 8-2 edge in the series. The first-ever matchup was a 20-14 LIU victory at New Haven back on Oct. 8, 1983. The last meeting was a 17-13 LIU win on Long Island back on Nov. 10, 2018.

LAST TIME OUT: Following three consecutive games away from Shark Stadium, LIU returned home off a bye week and defeated Robert Morris University, 17-7, last Saturday.

Redshirt junior running back O'Shawn Ross, Jr. rushed for a game-high 110 yards and a touchdown on 23 attempts to pace the Sharks ground attack which outgained Robert Morris 197-47 in the game.

It was the second 100-yard rushing performance for Ross Jr. who had a season-high 130 yards on 11 carries in Week 4 on September 20^th at Rhode Island. Ross Jr. was named an NEC Prime Performer for his efforts versus Robert Morris, his second prime performer nod of the season.

Returning from injury, redshirt junior quarterback Luca Stanzani completed 15 of 26 passes for 103 yards and a touchdown, while gaining 38 yards on seven attempts on the ground.

All told, LIU dominated time of possession, 38:10-21:50, and in total outgained Robert Morris, 300-224.

Defensively, sophomore defensive back Jalen Bell, who was an NEC Prime Performer, led LIU with nine tackles (5 solo, 4 assisted). Bell also had two of LIU's five tackles for loss in the game.

Senior defensive back Norman Massey and sophomore defensive tackle Scoop Gardner, Jr. each had one sack for the Sharks which limited Robert Morris to just seven first downs in the game.

OFFENSIVE LEADERS: Ross, Jr. leads the Sharks in rushing through seven games with 421 yards and two touchdowns on 83 attempts, averaging 60.14 yards per game and 5.1 yards per attempt.

LIU's three quarterbacks, Stanzani (193 yards, 3 TD/5 games); redshirt junior Ethan Greenwood (124 yards, 2 TD/3 games) and redshirt sophomore Chris Howell (103 yds yards, 1 TD/6 games) follow Ross Jr. in rushing yards.

Stanzani has completed 30 of 51 passes (58.8%) for 288 yards, one touchdown and an interception in 5 games. Howell has connected on 26 of 64 pass attempts (40.6%) for 278 yards, one TD, and 4 INTs in 6 games and Greenwood is 18-35 (51.4%) for 263 yards and 2 INTs in 3 outings.

Graduate receiver Deion Richardson leads the Sharks with 14 receptions for 188 yards in seven games. Richardson averages 13.4 yards per catch with a long of 41 yards on September 20^th at Rhode Island in Week 4.

DEFENSIVE LEADERS:  Graduate linebacker Rafael Fasolino leads the LIU stop unit with 43 tackles (30 solo, 13 assisted) in seven games played. Fasolino also has seven tackles for loss on the season.

Bell follows Fasolino with 40 tackles (24 solo, 16 assisted) in seven contests. Bell has 16.5 tackles for loss and is tied with redshirt junior defensive back Trey Watkins for the team lead with two interceptions.

Junior linebacker Elijah Casey, Gardner, Jr., and freshman defensive lineman Naquan Johnson share the team lead in sacks with two apiece.