Football Drops Home Decision to Wagner on Saturday

The Central Connecticut football team dropped its third straight game and fell to 2-6 overall and 0-3 in Northeast Conference play with a 20-10 home loss to Wagner College on Saturday afternoon.  Senior Tyrell Holmes had a big day for the Blue Devil offense posting seven catches for a career-high 165 yards in the loss.

The Blue Devils will travel next weekend and play at nationally-ranked Bryant on Saturday, Nov. 1 at 12 p.m.  The game is part of the NEC Television package and will air live on ESPN3.com.

Wagner struck first in the first quarter on a 23-yard field goal from Bryan Maley with 7:41 left in the quarter.  The Blue Devils had forced a turnover on the first Wagner possession but couldn't capitalize on the Seahawk miscue.

The Wagner lead reached 10-0 with 9:40 left in the second quarter.  Quarterback Chris Andrews rushed in from three yards out to push the lead to 10.  The Seahawk drive went eight plays for 53 yards and took 3:55 off the clock. 

Central got on the board just 45 seconds later on a 69 scoring pass from junior Nick SanGiacomo to senior Tyrell Holmes.  The drive lasted only two plays and went 75 yards as Central cut the lead to 10-7. 

Wagner led 10-7 at the half, and held senior running back Rob Hollomon to just 24 yards on 13 carries.  Holmes had 115 yards through the air in the half including the long scoring catch.  SanGiacomo was 8-for-13 for 147 yards and the touchdown, but was also intercepted twice.

The Seahawks struck first in the second half as well, blocking a CCSU punt and getting the ball at the Blue Devil five yard line early in the third quarter.  Three plays later Andrews rushed for his second score of the game and gave Wagner a 17-7 lead with 11:52 left in the third quarter.

The team's traded punts and then the Blue Devils drove the ball to the Wagner half of the field before SanGiamcomo was intercepted for the third time in the game.

Following a Wagner punt the Blue Devils drove 42 yards on nine plays and sophomore kicker Ed Groth kicked a 31-yard field goal to cut the Wagner lead to 17-10 with 3:59 left in the third quarter.

Maley kicked a 23-yard field goal to open the fourth quarter to push the Wagner lead to 20-10. 

Holmes highlighted the offense with his 165 yards, including the long touchdown in the first half.  Hollomon rushed for 54 yards on 22 carries.

David Campbell led the defense for Central along with Chris Abner and Shacor Privott.  All three had a team-high eight tackles.  Josh Celerin had a first half interception.

The Blue Devils will travel next weekend and play at nationally-ranked Bryant on Saturday, Nov. 1 at 12 p.m.  The game is part of the NEC Television package and will air live on ESPN3.com.