Football Opens Conference Play at Wagner on Saturday

The Central Connecticut football team opens Northeast Conference play on Saturday, September 11, when it travels to Wagner for a 3:00 p.m. kickoff. CCSU has won seven straight league games and will play its first conference opponent since 2019. Central has gone 17-2 against NEC foes in the past three seasons.

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TODAY'S GAME • The Blue Devils open the Northeast Conference slate with a trip to Wagner on Saturday. The teams will both be looking for their first win after each falling in week one. CCSU is playing its first NEC game since going 7-0 in league play in 2019.

BLUE DEVILS SECOND IN PRESEASON NEC POLL • Central Connecticut collected a first-place vote and was tied for second in the preseason Northeast Conference coaches' poll. Sacred Heart got four first-place votes and was picked first, while Duquesne got two first-place votes and was tied with CCSU. Central is returning to action after opting out of the 2020-21 season. SHU claimed the league title in an abbreviated spring season and was ranked in the Top 25, while Duquesne was the league's runner up.

PRESEASON All-NEC HONOREES • Seniors J'Von Brown, Tyshaun James and Tre Jones were all named to the Preseason All-Northeast Conference Team, an honor they each received prior to the 2020 season as well. Brown has been an anchor on the offensive line, earning All-America and All-NEC honors in his career. James scored 14 touchdowns in 2019 and averaged 20.38 yards per reception. Jones ranked 4th in the NEC with 8.0 sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss in 2019.

BUCK BUCHANAN AWARD WATCH LIST • Senior Tre Jones was one of 35 named to the prseason watch list for the Stats Perform FCS Buck Buchanan Award. He was named All-NEC First Team in 2019 and had 58.0 tackles, 8.0 sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss. The Buchanan Award is presented annually to the most outstanding defensive player in the FCS.

BROWN, LAWSON EARN PRESEASON ALL-AMERICA HONORS • Senior offensive lineman J'Von Brown and junior defensive back Dexter Lawson earned preseason All-America recognition. Brown was named to the STATS FCS Preseason All-America Team for the second straight year, while also being named to the HERO Sports FCS Preseason All-America Third Team. He was also named to the Preseason All-Northeast Conference Team. Earlier this summer Brown was named to the Athlon FCS Preseason All-America Team. He was also honored with Preseason All-Northeast Conference honors. Lawson was named to the HERO Sports Preseason All-America Third Team after having six interceptions to lead the NEC in 2019 and earning All-NEC Second Team honors.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS • Sophomore Romelo Williams made his first career start against Southern Connecticut and became just the third Blue Devil since 2016 to start over center for CCSU. Williams went 24-of-38 for 279 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. He was the first CCSU quarterback to complete more than 20 passes since Jake Dolegala on Oct. 20, 2018, against Sacred Heart.

CONTINUING TO PICK THEM OFF • Central had a pair of interceptions in the season-opener. Jahlil Brown and Dexter Lawson each picked off a pass. For Lawson it was his 7th career interception, making him the 19th Blue Devil to pick off at least seven passes.

SPREADING IT AROUND • The Blue Devils had 11 different receivers catch a pass in the opener. Seniors Tyshaun James (8 rec., 75 yards) and Everett Wormley (6 rec., 63 yards)  led the way and each had a touchdown. In the 2019 season, CCSU had 13 different receivers record a catch.

UP NEXT • Central will return to Arute Field to host Southeastern Louisiana on Saturday, October 18.