Blue and White Play to 31-31 Tie in Annual Spring Game at CCSU

Junior Kevin Woolfolk rushed eight times for 119 yards and three touchdowns as Central Connecticut played its annual Blue-White Scrimmage on Arute Field on Friday afternoon. The game ended in a 31-31 tie after the two teams combined for 42 second half points. The Blue Devils also received their 2010 Northeast Conference Championship rings prior to the game and announced their captains for the 2011 season at halftime.

The Blue Team took a 7-0 lead on a nine-yard touchdown run from Kevin Woolfolk. He rushed three times for 29 yards on the drive as Blue led 7-0 with 8:58 left in the first quarter. Freshman quarterback Denzell Jones completed 3-of-3 for 27 yards on the scoring drive.

White answered with a quick scoring drive to tie the score at 7-7 with 7:39 on the clock. Dennis Spadaro scored from four-yards out to tie the score. Nick Bacarella had a 51-yard return on the kickoff to set up the score.

Senior Brian Fowler rushed from 32-yards out to give the White Team a 13-7 lead with 6:58 to play in the second quarter. The extra-point, which were being kicked from 35-yards out for the game, was missed. Gunnar Jespersen was 3-for-4 for 47 yards on the score.

Jones opened the second half with a 46-yard touchdown run for the Blue Team to tie the score at 13-13 with 9:13 to play in the third quarter. The extra-point was missed.

The White Team answered with a long drive to take a 20-13 lead. Chris Tolbert rushed from one-yard out for the score. The big play on the drive was a 33-yard completion from Jespersen to Jones, who also played wide receiver, which put the ball at the one yard line. The lead reached 23-13 on a 33-yard field goal from Vincent Pagliarulo.

The Blue Team cut the lead to 23-16 on a 24-yard field goal from Steven Calitri. A safety on the next play made it 23-18. Lorenzo Baker stopped Jones in the end zone to cut the lead to five. Woolfolk rushed for his second touchdown of the game to give the Blue Team a 24-23 lead with 11:11 on the clock.

Woolfolk scored again, from 48-yards out, to up the Blue lead to 31-23. Jespersen answered for the White Team hitting Anthony Julbes from 26-yards out. The two-point conversion tied the game at 31-31 with 5:30 on the clock.

Woolfolk rushed eight times for 119 yards and three touchdowns to earn most valuable player honors. Jespersen completed 14-of-18 for 210 yards and a touchdown. Jones finished the game 5-of-7 for 39 yards passing and added 63 yards and a touchdown on the ground. He also caught four passes for 54 yards.

Prior to the Spring Game the Blue Devils were presented their 2010 Northeast Conference Championship rings. Central won a share of its fourth NEC title since 2004 last season, posting an 8-3 overall record and a second consecutive 7-1 mark in league play. The Blue Devils open the 2011 season at home on Sept. 3 hosting Southern Connecticut at noon. Central has won 14 straight home games, the second longest active home winning streak in the country.

2011 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

The Blue Devils also announced their captains for the 2011 season. Seniors Brendan Brackett, Brian Fowler, Dominic Giampetro, Gunnar Jespersen and Gene Johnson will lead the Blue Devils next fall.

Scoring Summary
1st Quarter
Blue - Kevin Woolfolk 9-yd run, Pagliarulo kick, 8:58, 7-0
White - Dennis Spadaro 4-yd run, Calitri kick, 7:39, 7-7

2nd Quarter
White - Brian Fowler 32-yd run, kick missed, 6:58, 13-7

3rd Quarter
Blue - Denzell Jones 46-yd run, kick missed, 9:13, 13-13
White - Chris Tolbert 1-yd run, Calitri kick, 5:28, 20-13
White - Vincent Pagliarulo 33-yd field goal, 2:53, 23-13
Blue - Steve Calitri 24-yd field goal, 0:00, 23-16

4th Quarter
Blue - Safety (Lorenzo Baker), 11:54, 23-18
Blue - Woolfolk 6-yd run, 2pt missed, 11:11, 24-23
Blue - Woolfolk 48-yd run, Paliarulo kick, 6:56, 31-23
White - Gunnar Jespersen to Anthony Julbes, 26-yd pass, 5:30, 31-31