Cole Named NEC and STATS FCS National Special Teams Player of the Week

Senior placekicker Francis Cole earned a pair of Player of the Week honors on Monday.  Cole was named the Northeast Conference and STATS FCS National Special Teams Player of the Week for his game-winning kick against Merrimack on Saturday night.

Following his game-winning kick at Patriot League member Fordham on August 31, the senior connected on another clutch kick during the Blue Devils' home opener against NEC newcomer Merrimack.  The Blue Devils won both games by three points.

On Saturday night, after the visiting Warriors evened the score at 37-37, Cole sent the crowd home happy by nailing a 44-yard attempt with 00:03 remaining. Central's veteran placekicker also opened the game's scoring by hitting a 42-yard field goal with 9:09 left in the first quarter. Cole, who added four PATs, bounced back nicely in the game's final seconds after missing a pair of 40+ yard attempts earlier. He also punted once, netting 43 yards and pinning the opponent inside its own 20.

Cole became the first CCSU kicker to post two, 40+ yard field goals in the same game since Derek Pearson did so on the road at Colgate on Sept. 3, 2005.  Pearson kicked four fields in the win over Colgate, including the game-winner from 32-yards out as time expired in a 24-22 win.  He also had field goals of 48, 42 and 32 in that game.

The Blue Devils, who are 2-0 for the first time since 2006, look to move to 3-0 this week playing on the road at Valparaiso at 2 p.m. Eastern Time on Sept. 14.  Central has not started a season 3-0 since 1973.