October 21, 2023
Football Earns 17-3 Win At Wagner
Blue Devils scored 17 first-half points and didn't allow Wagner to score a touchdown or in the final three quarters
The Central Connecticut State football team earned a 17-3 win over Northeast Conference host Wagner College Saturday afternoon in Staten Island, NY.
It marks the second game this season that the Blue Devils defense has kept the opponent out of the end zone.
The win marks the first NEC win for CCSU head coach Adam Lechtenberg.
GAME INFORMATION
Score: CCSU 17, Wagner 3
Records: CCSU 3-4. 1-2; Wagner 2-5; 2-2
Location: Hameline Field | Staten Island, NY
KEY MOMENTS
- Jack Barnum converted from 43-yards midway through the first quarter, capping a 12-play drive, to give the Blue Devils a 3-0 advantage
- Ryan Liszner answered on the ensuing Wagner drive, tying the game with a 44-yard field goal, that capped an 11-play drive with 2:33 to play in the opening stanza
- Naj Johnson had two catches for 56 yards on a five-play drive that ended with a nine-yard touchdown pass from Matt Jenner to Isiah Williams for a 10-3 Blue Devil lead
- Kimal Clark came away with an interception to turn Wagner aside at the start of the second quarter
- The CCSU defense held in the redzone and forced a Wagner field goal attempt that went off the upright, with 6:46 to play, and kept the lead seven for the Blue Devils
- Aidan Clark's 58-yard punt pinned Wagner deep late in the half, and the defense forced a three-and out giving CCSU the ball at midfield with 1:19 to play
- The offense covered those 50 yards in 62 seconds capped by Jenner threading a second TD pass of the day to Williams in the end zone for a 17-3 lead
NUMBERS TO KNOW
6 – Consecutive games that the Blue Devils have won over Wagner, a streak that started in 2017
NOTES
- Jenner finished the game 20-29 with 236 yards passing and the two touchdown strikes
- Kimal Clark intercepted two passes, one in each half, giving him three on the season
- Williams caught four passes, two in the end zone, for 65 yards
- Naj Johnson had a team-best 89 yards receiving, with 43 YAC, as he caught all three passes that came his way
- The Blue Devils had a season-best three interceptions on Saturday, with Malachai Wright recording his first collegiate interception
- CCSU allowed Wagner to accumulate just 108 yards of offense in the second-half and just 299 for the game
- The defense allowed only 63 yards rushing thanks in part to six TFL's on the day, led by 2.0 from Dan Toatley
- The Blue Devils rushed for 111 yards, led by Elijah Howard and his 78 yards, and he also led the team with 93 all-purpose yards
UP NEXT
A short week for the Blue Devils, who host LIU on Thursday, October 26 at 7:00pm.
