Football Home to Host Fordham in 2017 Arute Field Opener on Saturday
CCSU and the Rams will kick off at 12 p.m.
Today's Game • The CCSU football team opens the six-game home portion of its schedule this afternoon vs. Fordham at 12 p.m. The Blue Devils will play three non-conference home games as well as three Northeast Conference home games in 2017. Following today's game the Blue Devils will travel to Youngstown State next week, before returning home to host Walsh on Sept. 23 at 12 p.m.
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Last Week • The Central Connecticut football team opened the season with a 50-7 loss on the road at FBS and ACC member Syracuse last Friday night. The Blue Devils were playing an FBS member school for the second time in school history and the first time since 2007 (Western Michigan). Syracuse took a 31-0 lead at halftime and held a 326-65 edge in offensive yards, highlighted by 256 yards in the air. Quarterback Eric Dungey threw for two and ran for a third touchdown in the half as the Orange opened up the 31 point lead. He was 20-of-27 for 256 yards and two scores before the break. Central took the second half kickoff and cut the Cuse lead to 31-7. The scoring drive for the Blue Devils lasted eight plays and went 74 yards, including a fourth down conversion on the score throw from junior Jacob Dolegala to classmate Jose Garcia. On fourth and four Dolegala hit Garcia for the 24-yard score, the first of the season for the Blue Devils. Syracuse answered with another quick scoring drive, but missed the PAT, and led 37-7 with 7:35 left in the third quarter. They scored again on their next possession to make it 44-7. Defensively the Blue Devils were led by senior Randall LeGuerre who had seven stops. Senior Carlton Nash and junior Kenneth Keen each added six. The scoring pass for Dolegala was the 20th of his career. He finished the game 6-of-19 for 86 yards and the touchdown. Sophomore Tanner Kingsley was 6-of-8 for 27 yards. Freshman Xavier Bass caught a pair of passes for 39 yards to lead the receivers. Senior Cameron Nash rushed nine times for 36 yards on the ground.
CCSU Picked Fourth, Four Earn Preseason Honors • The Central Connecticut football team was tabbed fourth in the 2017 Northeast Conference Football Preseason Coaches' Poll it was announced at the league's Social Media Day held at MetLife Stadium. Four Blue Devils were also named to the Preseason All-NEC Team. Senior wide receiver Joey Fields and junior K.J. Smith return on the Central offense and led the quartet of Preseason All-NEC honorees. Senior linebacker Randall Laguerre and senior defensive back Jevon Elmore earned Preseason All-NEC honors and will help anchor the CCSU defense. Head coach Pete Rossomando is set to begin his fourth season at the helm of the Blue Devils. Central returns a total of 18 starters, including eight on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball.
COMPLETE NORTHEAST CONFERENCE PRESEASON COACHES POLL 1. Duquesne (4), 2. Saint Francis (1), 3. Wagner (2), 4. Central Connecticut, 5. Sacred Heart 6. Bryant, 7. Robert Morris (First-place votes in parentheses)
