Football Falls to Holy Cross

The Central Connecticut football team fell to Holy Cross on Saturday afternoon by a score of 20-7.  The Blue Devils (1-2) posted 392 yards of total offense, but were held to just one score in three red zone trips.  The Crusaders improved to 2-1 on the season with the victory. 

Holy Cross jumped out to a 13-0 victory behind a 24-yard touchdown run by Diquan Walker and a 13-yard pass from Peter Pujals to Jake Wieczorek.  The Walker touchdown came in the first quarter and the Wieczorek score in the second.

The Blue Devils answered with a 13-play, 91-yard scoring drive that was capped by a Tyrell Holmes touchdown reception with 4:12 left in the second quarter.  Facing fourth and two at the Holy Cross 13, head coach Pete Rossomando left the offense on the field.  SanGiacomo dropped back and threw to the end zone, Holmes reached over his defender to make the catch and dropped his foot inbounds for the touchdown.

Holy Cross opened the second half with a long drive that looked to be heading for the end zone, but senior safety Chris Abner picked off Peter Pujals pass at the one-yard line and ended the Crusader threat.  The stop by the Blue Devil defense turned the momentum, but CCSU was unable to capitalize.

The Crusaders pulled away for good with a 33-yard touchdown pass from Pujals to Jereme Murray with 10:15 left in the fourth quarter.  The passing play came on fourth down and was one of two fourth down conversions for the Crusaders in the game.

Holmes ended the day with six receptions for 103 yards and a touchdown.  Senior Scott Benzing and sophomore Dan Hebert each caught three passes for 44 yards.

Senior running back Rob Hollomon was held to 74 yards on 22 carries.

SanGiacomo completed 18-of-28 passes for 257 yards and a touchdown.  Freshman Tavion Pauldo completed three of four passing attempts for a total of 12 yards.  He also rushed five times for 21 yards.

Defensively, Abner posted his first interception of the season and recorded six tackles.  Junior C.J. Morrison led the Blue Devils with eight stops.

As a team the Blue Devils out gained the Crusaders 392 to 371.  CCSU picked up 123 yards on the ground and 269 passing.  Holy Cross totaled 215 rushing yards and 156 yards through the air.

The Blue Devils will return to action next Saturday night against Dartmouth.  CCSU will next play at home on Sept. 27 against Rhode Island.