Three CCSU Football Players Honored by Northeast Conference on Monday

Three Central Connecticut football players earned Northeast Conference weekly honors on Monday. Senior Josue Paul, junior Charles Williams and freshman Chris Tolbert were honored for their performances in Saturday's 38-20 victory over Wagner at home. The win is the 13th straight home victory for the Blue Devils, who have also won 13 of their last 14 games against league opponents. The win set up a meeting between unbeaten CCSU (5-0 in league play) and Robert Morris (6-0) on Saturday in Moon Township.

Williams' breakout performance allowed Central Connecticut to break the game open in the third quarter against Wagner. The junior defensive lineman made six stops and forced a pair of fumbles that led to touchdowns. Four of the tackles Williams was in on resulted in a loss of yardage. Officially, he logged 3.5 TFL, 2.5 of which were quarterback sacks. Williams helped turn a 10-point lead into a 24-point advantage over a 2:34 span in the third quarter. He sacked Wagner's Nick Doscher for an eight-yard loss and jarred the ball loose in the process. CCSU recovered and was in the end zone two plays later. Williams struck again on Wagner's ensuing possession, dropping Doscher for a 10-yard loss and forcing another fumble that gave CCSU a short field. The 6-foot-2 pass rusher set the tone right from the game's start, recording a half sack on Wagner's first play from scrimmage.

Paul became the third Northeast Conference player to return a kickoff for a touchdown this season. The preseason all-NEC receiver took one 90 yards for a score in a 38-20 win over Wagner that kept Central Connecticut unbeaten in league play. After Wagner pulled within 31-13 on the final play of the third quarter, Paul dashed the Seahawks' comeback hopes by bringing back the ensuing kickoff for the fourth return touchdown of his career. He returned a total of three kickoffs for 119 yards in the win, while also making four receptions for 37 yards on offense.

Tolbert contributed to Central Connecticut's 38-20 win over Wagner in three different capacities. The rookie running back rushed for two touchdowns, caught a 20-yard pass, and made two tackles on special teams. Tolbert logged only four rushing attempts in the game, and scored on two of them. His six-yard touchdown burst capped an 83-yard drive and opened the game's scoring 6:31 into the first quarter. Helping CCSU cash in on a short field following a fumble recovery, Tolbert ran 12 yards for a score that extended CCSU's lead to 24-7 with 6:51 left in the third quarter.