CCSU Set for 2014 Homecoming Weekend
In addition to Saturday's game, fans can also come out and support the Blue Devils at Friday night's pep rally (5 p.m. behind the Student Center). Fans can also enjoy swimming and diving (6 p.m.), women's soccer on Friday night (7 p.m.) and men's soccer (1 p.m.) on Sunday.
It is Homecoming Weekend in New Britain as the Blue Devils host Duquesne at Arute Field on Saturday afternoon. The game is the Northeast Conference opener for both squads and is the opening game of the NEC's 2014 television package carried exclusively on ESPN3. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:04 p.m.
In addition to Saturday's game, fans can also come out and support the Blue Devils at Friday night's pep rally (5 p.m. behind the Student Center). Fans can also enjoy swimming and diving (6 p.m.), women's soccer on Friday night (7 p.m.) and men's soccer (1 p.m.) on Sunday.
FOOTBALL GAME LINKS
Here are some notes on the Blue Devils heading into Saturday's game with Duquesne:
ESPN3 • Saturday's game will be broadcast live on ESPN3.com with the action called by veteran NEC Football play-by-play man Paul Dottino. He will be joined in the booth by former NFL quarterback Scott Brunner. John Schmeelk will be covering the action at field level as the broadcast's sideline reporter.
Series History • This is the eighth meeting between the football teams of CCSU and Duquesne. The Dukes won last season's meeting in Pittsburgh, but CCSU has never lost to Duquesne at Arute Field. Six of the seven meetings between CCSU and Duquesne have come as NEC members, but the programs also met during the 1993 season. CCSU holds an advantage in the all-time series with a record of 5-2.
NEC Weekly Awards • The Blue Devils last played on Saturday, Sept. 27 against Rhode Island. The 38-14 victory featured a dominating effort by the CCSU defense and a career day by senior running back Rob Hollomon. Hollomon was named NEC Offensive Player of the Week on Sept. 29 after rushing for 236 yards and two touchdowns. Junior Josh Celerin was honored as NEC Defensive Player of the Week and freshman Shacor Privott earned NEC Rookie of the Week honors after helping the Blue Devils limit URI to 60 rushing yards.
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 game today against Duquesne and at Bryant on Nov. 1, 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.
CCSU vs. CAA • The Blue Devils are 2-1 against members of the Colonial Athletic Association this season with victories over then #7 Towson and Rhode Island. CCSU also dropped a game to Albany. The Blue Devils 2-1 record has helped the Northeast Conference post a 5-2 record against the CAA on the year. All-time the Blue Devils have three victories against members of the CAA, with the win over Rhode Island two weeks ago serving as CCSU's first against a Colonial opponent at Arute Field.
Closing in on the Record • Senior running back Rob Hollomon enters today's game with 3,135 rushing yards and he is quickly closing in on CCSU's all-time career rushing record of 3,347 set by Stan House (1994-97). The only other Blue Devil to eclipse 3,000 career rushing yards is James Mallory (2006-09) who ran for 3,245. Hollomon is just 110 yards shy of Mallory and needs just 213 to break House's record.
SanGiacomo's 3,000 • Junior quarterback Nick SanGiacomo has already thrown for 1,112 yards this season and 3,575 in his career. With 25 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.
Under 100 Rushing Yards • The Blue Devil defense held Rhode Island to just 60 rushing yards. Prior to URI, the last time CCSU held an opponent under 100 rushing yards was October 1, 2011. That day the Blue Devils limited Sacred Heart to 76 yards on the ground, however the Pioneers won the game 37-24.