WALTHAM, Mass. – When junior Tyler Ford (Amherst, N.H./Souhegan HS) uncorked a school record-tying 68-yard punt that pinned the University of New Haven back on its own eight with only 2:13 left, it appeared the Bentley University Falcons were headed for a victory.

However, that would not be the case as the Chargers methodically marched down field and got a 34-yard field goal with 2.2 seconds left to stun the Falcons, 22-21, this past Friday night. It marked the second straight year that New Haven departed the Bentley field after shocking the home team with this one coming on the heels of a game-winning touchdown with 1.3 seconds to play last September.

Bentley (0-2, 0-1 Northeast-10) will make a third attempt at claiming its inaugural victory of 2015 on Saturday when it will celebrate Homecoming against Southern Connecticut State University. Kickoff is slated for 2 pm when a free webcast available at www.bentleyfalcons.tv.

The Owls will come into Waltham also in search of their first win of the season following losses to Gannon University (26-22) and American International College (44-13). Southern, ranked ninth in the NE-10 in total offense following two weeks, have had trouble getting started this season with Tom Godek's club having been outscored 47-3 before intermission so far.

Against New Haven, Bentley rushed for 205 yards, its highest total since 2013, while controlling the ball for 38:41. Junior Martin Bannerman (Pawtucket, R.I./La Salle Academy) powered the ground game with a career-best 136 yards on 26 carries. Through two games, he's gained 192 yards with his 41 carries second most in the conference.

Senior QB Matt Montalto (West Yarmouth/Dennis-Yarmouth Reg. HS) has been efficient running the Falcon offense. The first-year starter accounted for all three of Bentley's touchdowns against New Haven (two through the air, one rushing) while completing 12 of 18 passes for 130 yards. He's also rushed for eight first downs this season, second to Bannerman's 11.

Through the air, Bentley's top receivers have been senior Chris Calvanese (Norfolk/Xaverian Brothers HS) and grad student Alex Farkes (Boston/BB&N). Calvanese has a team-high eight, for 74 yards, while Farkes leads the club in receiving yards (97), averaging better than 19 yards per catch.

Freshman Drew Mahoney (West Suffield, Conn./Suffield Academy) has developed into an offensive weapon for the Falcons with his average of 115.5 all-purpose yards tenth best in the conference. Most has come on kickoffs with his 24.3 average ranking sixth in the NE-10.

Despite allowing only four first downs on 18 third-down conversion attempts, Bentley is still trying to find its way defensively as it is giving up 7.6 yards per play. As a result, the Falcons have been outgained by 65 yards a game despite having run 37 more offensive plays in the two games.

Junior linebacker Bryan Hardy (Barnstable/Barnstable HS), who topped the century mark in tackles last fall, has picked up where he left off. He was in on 11 against New Haven and leads the team with 18. Safety Sam McDonald (Norfolk/King Philip Reg. HS) picked off his first pass of the year in Friday's game, becoming the first active junior in Division II to have ten career interceptions. The other takeaway for Bentley against the Chargers was a fumble recovery by senior Jeff Amell (Buxton, Maine/Bonny Eagle HS) on the first play of the game.

Southern Connecticut, which has won just two of its last 17 games, will be looking to get untracked after being limited to 137 total yards in Saturday's loss at AIC. In that one, the Owls had as many punts (9) as first downs and fell behind by 41 before getting on the scoreboard.

Red-shirt freshman Robert Nittolo is expected to be at quarterback for Southern, although he split time with Raymond Catapano in week two. Nittolo struggled against AIC (5-19, 50 yards) after showing potential in the opener against Gannon (24-38, 249 yards, 3 TD).

All three of those TD passes went to Devante Jenkins, who leads the team in receiving yards (104 on eight catches). On the ground, Donald Thomas has done the bulk of the work with 37 carries for 127 yards.

Bentley, which leads the all-time series 11-6, will be looking for its fourth straight win over Southern. Last year, down in New Haven, the Falcons rode the arm of Danny Guadagnoli (342 yards, four TDs) to a 38-7 victory. The d-line came up with nine sacks, including three by senior defensive end Paul Norris (North Attleboro/North Attleboro HS).

After two in a row at home, Bentley will play its next two on the road, visiting Merrimack a week from Saturday and Pace on October 2. The next home appearance will by October 10 against Saint Anselm.

BENTLEY BRIEFS: Since the program was elevated to varsity status in 1988, Bentley owns a 20-6 record on Homecoming. The Falcons haven't celebrated with a win since 2012, losing in the final second to New Haven last year and dropping a 42-14 decision to American International in 2013 … Ford, who broke the Bentley single season punting record last year with a 39.9 average, is currently at 47.7. That would be the best nationally in Division II if he had enough punts to qualify for the rankings … Bentley is 6 of 7 in the red zone this year with four touchdowns and two field goals. The opponents are perfect with their eight red-zone scores including seven TDs … Bentley has won the time of possession battle in its last seven quarters.