Football To Host LIU Thursday Night

The Central Connecticut State football team welcomes Northeast Conference foe LIU to Arute Field Thursday night for a game begin nationally televised on CBS Sports Network. Paul Dottino and Kevin Gilbride will call all the action of the 7:00 game, with John Schmeelk on the sideline.

CCSU Game Notes | LiveStats

The Blue Devils are coming off of a 17-3 win over Wagner, giving first-year head coach Adam Lechtenberg his first NEC victory. 

Following the first quarter of the game six future soldiers will take their oath to join the US Army. The swearing in ceremony will be on the field, so be sure to stay in your seats after the first quarter for the ceremony. The Blue Devils defense did not allow a touchdown to the Seahawks, marking the second time this season (AIC) that they have accomplished that feat.

• CCSU's third down defense was stellar at Wagner, holding Seahawks 1-11.  In its three wins, CCSU has held the foes to 7-37 on third down conversions. For the year, CCSU has stopped opponents 2/3 of the time (61-91)
• The Blue Devils 20 completions at Wagner is the highwater mark this season
• CCSU is +9 in turnover margin the past three games. During that time CCSU has not committed a turnover, with 185:54 game time without one, dating back to fumble in the fourth quarter versus Brown.
• The defense equaled a season-high with five sacks at Wagner, and has 18 on the year
• CCSU is third in the NEC in scoring, averaging 27.4 points per game, and fifth in scoring defense allowing 29.1 points per game. LIU enters Thursday averaging 13 points per game, seventh in the NEC, while allowing 26.4 points per game third in the NEC.
• Kimal Clark had a pair of interceptions at Wagner, and leads the team with three picks this season. His effort at Wagner earned him NEC Defensive Player of the Week. That two INT's is tied for most in a single-game by a player, one of 32 that has had multiple picks in a single game. Clark remains the Blue Devils top tackler, with 54 total tackles, 32 of which have been solo stops.
• The Blue Devils last non-Saturday game was at home on Friday, September 3, 2021, versus Southern Connecticut. The last Thursday night game for the program came August 30, 2018 at Ball State.
• Opponents have scored 18-26 in the red zone, with the Blue Devils holding Wagner 0-3 on Saturday. The CCSU red zone defense is ninth in the NCAA, at .692, best in the NEC.
• Matt Jenner had his best day as a Blue Devil at Wagner on Saturday, going 20-29 for 236 yards and two touchdown strikes. He earned NEC Prime Performer recognition on Monday. In his last two games, he is 35-55 for 263 yards and three scores.  Jenner  made his first CCSU start at Kent State on September 16th
• The Blue Devils are one of four teams in the nation that have not allowed a blocked kick this season
• Dan Toatley had his at least one TFL in each game this season and has 2.0 TFL in three games, including at Wagner.  He is second in the league at 1.29 TFL per outing, 33rd in the FCS.  Toatley ranks first in the league in sacks per game, at 0.64, which is 36th nationally. He is second on the team with 39 total tackles, first in TFL (9) and first in sacks (4.5)
• Blue Devil quarterbacks have completed 58.1% of passes this season, 97-167, first in the league.
• The CCSU offensive line is allowing just 1.14 sacks per game this season, tops in the NEC and 22nd in the NCAA. The probable starting five on the offensive line (Jonathan Kuhler, Isaiah DeLoatch, Jordin Martell, Mason Schloop, and Reis Spicer), have combined to play in 202 career games.
• CCSU leads the league in both interceptions (7) and passes intercepted (3), ranking 27th and 15th nationally in those categories. The Blue Devils three interceptions at Wager is tied for most in a single-game in the league this season
• Malachi Wright had a sack at Wagner, giving him 3.5 on the season and three in the last four games. He has moved into second in the league at 0.58 sacks per game, 45th in FCS
• Isiah Williams caught four passes at Wagner, two of them for touchdowns. That doubled his TD count for the year to four, and he lead the Blue Devils with 31 catches and 348 receiving yards.  Williams is also averaging 20.1 yards per KO return, with a long of 46 and is second on the roster at 79.4 APY a game.
• CCSU held Wagner to 63 yards on the ground, the lowest of an opponent this season and the third time this year they have kept an opponent under 100 yards rushing. That moved the defense to second in the NEC, allowing 161.4 rushing yards per game.