Football Hosts URI Saturday at 4 PM
The Blue Devils (1-3) and Rams (0-3) are scheduled for a 4 p.m. kickoff on Arute Field. The game is the first of five remaining home contests for the Blue Devils this season.
The Central Connecticut football team will host the University of Rhode Island Rams at Arute Field on Saturday afternoon. The Blue Devils (1-3) and Rams (0-3) are scheduled for a 4 p.m. kickoff on Arute Field. The game is the first of five remaining home contests for the Blue Devils this season.
Below are a few notes on the Blue Devils heading into Saturday's Contest:
Series History • Saturday's game is the fourth in the all-time series between these programs and the second to take place at Arute Field. CCSU and URI met last season in Kingston with the host Rams winning 42-7. Prior to that the teams last played in Week Two of the 2005 season, when URI came to Arute Field and won 56-10. The first meeting in the series came in 2004, a 39-7 victory by the Rams in Rhode Island.
CCSU vs. CAA • The Blue Devils are 1-1 this season against the CAA with member institution Rhode Island visiting Saturday. The Blue Devils two victories all-time against the CAA came at Albany last year and the season opening victory over Towson this year. The Blue Devils have never beaten a CAA member at Arute Field.
Non-Conference • The Blue Devils are playing their fifth of six non-conference opponents this year without playing multiple teams from any particular state. The Blue Devils opened with Towson (Maryland), then hosted Albany (New York) and traveled to Holy Cross (Massachusetts) in the first three weeks. They visited Dartmouth (New Hampshire) and Saturday hosts Rhode Island (Rhode Island). The final non-conference game will be against Howard (District of Columbia) on Nov. 15.
First Year Coaches • The game will feature a pair of head coaches in their first season with their respective programs. CCSU's Pete Rossomando comes to New Britain after a successful run as the head coach of Division II New Haven. While Jim Flemming most recently served as the defensive coordinator at an FBS program, UCF.
Homecoming on the Horizon • CCSU's Annual Homecoming Weekend will be held October 10-12 and will be highlighted by the Blue Devils Northeast Conference Opener against Duquesne on Saturday, Oct. 11. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. and fans that cannot make it out can watch the game live on ESPN3.com.
Another ESPN3 Opportunity • Thanks to the Northeast Conference's television package the CCSU game against Bryant on November 1 will also be available to watch live on ESPN3.com. Fans should note that CCSU's games against Duquesne and Bryant, which will air on ESPN3, will not be available to watch on NECFrontRow.com. But fans will still be able to listen to Bruce Biel and Marc Robbins on Fox Sports Radio 1410 AM and the iHeart Radio App.
Pauldo Named Rookie of the Week • Freshman Tavion Pauldo earned Northeast Conference Rookie of the Week honors on Monday for his performance in last Saturday's game at Dartmouth. Pauldo, playing limited snaps, tossed a touchdown pass to junior Aaron Berardino and then ran for a score himself. He totaled 102 yards of total offense and the first touchdowns of his collegiate career in the game.
Last Season at URI • The Rams posted 448 yards of total offense and forced five Blue Devil turnovers to win last season's contest, 42-7. The lone CCSU score came via a touchdown pass from Andrew Clements to Matt Braddock in the fourth quarter. The TD grab was the first score of Braddock's career.
SanGiacomo's 3,000 • Junior quarterback Nick SanGiacomo has already thrown for 960 yards this season and 3,427 in his career. With 173 passing yards today he will move past Gunnar Jespersen (3,599) for fifth place on CCSU's career list. Scott Dolch (2001-04) holds the all-time record of 5,728.
