Second Half Comeback Gives Blue Devils 30-27 Overtime Win Over Albany on Friday Night

Senior Joe Izzo kicked his third field goal of the game from 32-yards out to give the Central Connecticut football team a 30-27 overtime win over Albany on Friday night. The win moves Central to 5-2 overall and 4-0 in Northeast Conference play. Central trailed 24-6 at the half, but three second half touchdowns fueled the comeback and gave the Blue Devils their fourth straight victory. Izzo was a perfect 3-for-3 in the game, and senior running back Everette Benjamin rushed for 159 yards and two scores in the victory.

Trailing 24-6 at halftime, the Blue Devils used two second half scores by Benjamin and a scoring strike from junior Gunnar Jespersen to senior P.J. Borawski to pull within two points with 36 seconds to play in regulation. Following an Albany timeout, Benjamin rushed for the two point conversion to tie the game at 27-27 and send it to overtime.

In overtime, on Albany's second play from scrimmage, redshirt freshman quarterback Buddy Leathley fumbled the ball over to the Blue Devils and Central got their chance in overtime.

On fourth and one, Izzo connected from 32-yards out for his third field goal of the game and the game-winner. Izzo is now a perfect 10-for-10 on field goals for the season and has made 12 straight. He is an impressive 19-of-21 in his career with the Blue Devils.

Albany scored on their first drive of the game, when sophomore running back Drew Smith rushed from seven yards out to give the Great Danes a 7-0 lead. Central answered on a 37-yard field goal from Izzo, making it 7-3, ending a 13-play play, 54-yard drive for the Blue Devils.

Albany scored the next 10 points to take a 17-3 lead with 12:13 to play before halftime. Izzo's second field goal of the half, this time from 32-yards out, made it 17-6 with 6:26 on the clock. But the Great Danes answered again on their next possession, driving 11-plays and 60 yards to scored their third touchdown before halftime, and take a 24-6 lead into the break.

Central's second half was one to be remembered. Benjamin scored on runs of nine and 12, capping two huge drives for the Blue Devils and cutting the lead to 24-19. They went for two following the first touchdown but did not make it.

Albany took an eight point lead, 27-19, on a field goal with 2:07 left.



The Blue Devils answered with a 74-yard drive that took eight plays and only 1:31 off the clock, tying the score at 27-27 and sending it to overtime.

Benjamin finished the game with 159 yards and two scores, his fifth 100 yard performance of the season. Jespersen finished the game 14-of-29 for 154 and a touchdown. He was 11-of-18 for 144 yards and a touchdown in the second half, when the Blue Devils rallied from 18-point deficit to win for just the second time at Albany. Borawski caught four passes for 47 yards and a touchdown to lead the receiving core.

The Blue Devils return to action next week at home hosting Wagner beginning at 12 p.m. on Saturday. Central has won a school-record 12 straight home games and is 3-0 at home this season. They have won four straight games overall.