CCSU Outlasts Saint Francis, 38-31, in Overtime, Matches School-Record With Ninth Victory

The 20th-ranked Central Connecticut football team scored the final 10 points of the game, including the game-winning touchdown in overtime, to match a school-record with its ninth victory of the season.  The Blue Devils are now 9-1 overall and 5-0 in Northeast Conference play after a 38-31 overtime victory at home over Saint Francis U.  Junior Tyshaun James scored twice, one rushing and another receiving, to lead the offense.  Senior quarterback Aaron Winchester finished the game 18-of-24 for 205 yards and two touchdowns in the game.

Central's win is its sixth straight.  The win moves them to 5-0 in league action, and 15-2 in league games over the last three seasons.  The Blue Devil defense caused a big turnover when CCSU was down 24-21 in the third quarter.  The Blue Devils scored on their next drive to take the lead 28-24 with 7:17 left in the fourth quarter.

Central will return to action at home next Saturday at 12 noon hosting Robert Morris.

POSTGAME COMMENTS

GAME INFORMATION
Score: #20/17 Central Connecticut 38, Saint Francis 31 (ot)
Records: CCSU (9-1, 5-0 NEC), Saint Francis (4-6, 2-4 NEC)
Location: Arute Field | New Britain, CT

COACH QUOTE

"When Tyshaun (James) is practicing well he plays etremely well," Head Coach Ryan McCarthy said following the game. "We handed it to him, he threw one today and caught a bunch of passes.  Our job is to try and get the ball in his hands a bunch of different ways.  When he's on like that we're just going to keep feeding him the football."

KEY MOMENTS

• Junior Danley Exilhomme scored the first touchdown of the game for the Blue Devils, giving them a 7-0 lead in the first quarter.
• Sophomore Keonte Lucas scored from three yards out to push the lead to 14-7 with 12:38 left in the second quarter.
• James scored twice, once on a 49-yard run in the third quarter, and another on a 15-yard reception in the fourth quarter.
• Winchester hit freshman Kyren Petteway from 21-yards out to secure the win in overtime.
• Sophomore kicker Joe Zoppi tied the game at 31-31 with a 19-yard field goal at the end of regulation.  He finished the day 5-of-5 on extra points.
• Junior Mike Mushaw sealed the game with a sack on the final play of overtime.

NUMBER TO KNOW

9 -  The Blue Devils matched the school-record with their ninth win of the season.

NOTES

• The team's were meeting for the 27th time overall, CCSU holds a 22-5 lead in the series.
• The Blue Devils are now 15-2 in their last 15 NEC games.
• Sophomore linebacker Fodah Jalloh forced a key fumble in the fourth quarter that led to an eventual CCSU touchdown.  CCSU has forced 22 turnovers in 10 games this season, and is sixth in the country in turnover margin.

UP NEXT
Central hosts Robert Morris next Saturday at 12 p.m.