Mallory and Rose Earn Weekly NEC Honors After Blue Devils Snap Albany's Winning Streak

Senior running back James Mallory and junior defensive back Dominique Rose were named the Northeast Conference's Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, respectively, on Monday. The teammates helped the Blue Devils win their sixth straight game and move to 7-1 overall and 5-0 in league action with a 31-29 home win over Albany. The 7-1 start is the best since the 1973 season for Central. It marks the first time in its NEC history that CCSU has started 5-0.

Mallory rushed 23 times for 204 yards and three touchdowns in the victory, one that gave the Blue Devils sole possession of first place in the league standings. Mallory scored his third touchdown of the game, a one-yard burst, to put the Blue Devils ahead for good, 28-23, with 00:42 remaining in the third quarter. His 79-yard touchdown run on CCSU's first play from scrimmage allowed the Blue Devils to take an early 7-6 advantage.

On his way to averaging 8.9 yards per carry, Mallory gained no fewer than five yards on 12 of his rushes. While his team dealt Albany its first NEC loss since the 2006 regular season finale, Mallory became the second-leading scorer in CCSU history (184 points) and went over 2,800 career yards in the game.

Rose recorded a team-high 11 tackles (six solo) on Saturday and was at his best in the fourth quarter. The junior defensive back made his three biggest plays in the final period, including two during Albany's last possession, to preserve both the lead and CCSU's undefeated NEC record. With CCSU clinging to a 31-29 advantage in the final minute of regulation and Albany nearing midfield, Rose stopped UA quarterback Vinny Esposito on third down to force a 4th-and-2 at the 50-yard line. Rose then intercepted Esposito on the ensuing play to seal the win. The third-year Blue Devil registered his only tackle for a loss, which led to a three-and-out, on Albany's first play of the fourth quarter.

Central returns to action this Saturday on the road at Wagner at 1 p.m. Fans can listen to the game live on ESPN Radio 1410 and CCSUBlueDevils.com.