Football Comes up Short to Columbia on Homecoming

October 9, 2021

Central Connecticut fell to Columbia, 22-20, on Saturday at Arute Field for homecoming weekend. The Blue Devils nearly rallied from an early 10-point deficit before the Lions recovered an onside kick attempt to end the comeback.

CCSU compiled 288 yards through the air and narrowly outgained Columbia, 340-338, in the game. Sophomore Romelo Williams threw a touchdown to three different receivers on the afternoon. Senior Tyshaun James hauled in 10 catches for 98 yards and a touchdown.

Defensively, the Blue Devils forced a pair of turnovers and limited Columbia to 4-of-15 on third down. Senior Kelvin Apari had a team-high 14 tackles, including four tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. Junior Dexter Lawson had an interception and eight tackles, while sophomore Tyler Boatwright had a fumble recovery.

GAME INFORMATION
Score: Central Connecticut 20, Columbia 22
Records: CCSU (1-4), COL (3-1)
Location: Arute Field | New Britain, CT

KEY MOMENTS

Columbia went 69 yards in eight plays on their first drive to take a 7-0 lead after a one-yard run by Gabriel Hollingsworth. The Lions tacked on a 30-yard field goal at the 12:45 mark of the second quarter to make it 10-0.
CCSU got on the board on their next drive. The Blue Devils went 92 yards in 15 plays over a span of 4:05 to get within a field goal. Williams hit sophomore Jadd Dolegala for 14 yards to find the endzone and make it 10-7 at halftime.
The Lions would punt on their first drive of the second half and pinned CCSU at their own one-yard line. On the first play of the ensuing drive Columbia recorded one of its eight sacks on the day, wrapping up Williams in the endzone for a safety to make it 12-7.
Columbia would extend its lead following a 30-yard field goal at the beginning of the fourth quarter to make it 15-7.
Central would respond on its next possession with a 13-play, 88-yard drive. Williams hit James for a 16-yard touchdown with 6:55 to play to make it 15-13. The two-point conversion was stopped just short of the goal line.
After a 65-yard run by Dante Miller pushed the Columbia lead back to 22-13, the Blue Devils came back with a 72-yard drive in 11 plays, capped off by freshman Erik Surratt's 16-yard touchdown grab to make it 22-20.
The Blue Devils' attempt to recover the onside kick with 0:57 to play was denied and the Lions were able to run out the clock.

NUMBER TO KNOW

51 - Williams went 29-of-51 passing in the game, marking the most attempts in a game by a CCSU quarterback since Jacob Dolegala went 31-of-51 against Bryant on Sept. 24, 2016.

GAME NOTES

Saturday was the fourth meeting between the teams. The series is tied 2-2 with each team winning a pair of road games.
Williams set career-high marks for passing yards, completions and touchdowns. He became the first CCSU player with three passing touchdowns since Aaron Winchester at Wagner on Nov. 2, 2019.
James hauled in a career-high 10 catches and a season-high 98 yards. He added three carries for 15 yards.
Apari leads Central with 9.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks on the season.
The Blue Devils were limited to just 52 yards on the ground. Junior Aaron Dawson led Central with 28 yards on seven carries.

UP NEXT
Central plays six straight conference games to close the season. The Blue Devils play a road game at Sacred Heart on Saturday, Oct. 16, in a 1:00 p.m. kickoff.