Football Falls to Rhode Island
The Central Connecticut football team fell on the road at CAA member Rhode Island.
The Central Connecticut football team fell to Rhode Island on Saturday afternoon at Meade Stadium in Kingston, RI. The Blue Devils (1-4) trailed 21-0 at the half and eventually fell by a score of 42-7 to the Rams (2-3, 1-0 CAA).
CCSU's touchdown came on a pass from senior Andrew Clements to redshirt freshman tight end Matt Braddock early in the fourth quarter.
The Blue Devils finished with 260 yards of total offense. Junior running back Darius Lee rushed for 83 yards on 14 carries and moved the chains several times on CCSU's scoring drive.
URI scored the first points of the game on a rushing touchdown Justin Semmes. The score was set up by a fourth and one conversion at the CCSU two-yard line. The one yard rush by Semmes gave, Rhode Island a first and goal inside the CCSU one-yard line.
URI scored to make it a 14-0 game on a touchdown pass from Bob Bentsen to Andrew Matos.
Rob Hollomon broke the ensuing kickoff for a 73-yard return that set CCSU up with a first down at the URI 23. CCSU moved in towards the end zone but the drive was halted when Clement's pass was intercepted in the end zone.
Rhode Island extended its lead to 21-0 with a 24-yard touchdown pass from Bentsen to Justin Favreau.
A 53-yard catch and run by senior Denzell Jones set CCSU up with a chance to score right before the half. Three plays later Clements powered up the middle for nine yards to set-up first and goal at the URI 6.
A false start penalty on fourth and goal at the one pushed the Blue Devils back five yards. On the ensuing play, senior Nick Bacarella attempted a pass on a fake field goal and was intercepted in the end zone.
The interception was the final play of the second quarter with Rhode Island finishing the half ahead 21-0.
The Blue Devils fumbled on their opening drive of the third quarter. Rhode Island recovered and quickly moved down the field. The Rams scored on a five yard rush by Robbie Delgado, which made it a 28-0 game.
URI added another rushing touchdown and returned an interception for their final score of the game.
CCSU got on the board with 9:44 left in the fourth quarter on a touchdown pass from Clements to Braddock. The score was the first of Braddock's career and the second this season for Clements.
Clement's finished 13-of-24 with a touchdown, but he also threw three interceptions.
Junior Rob Hollomon led the team in all-purpose yards with 186. He did most of his work on kick returns. He broke one return for 73 yards and another for 58.
Seniors Chuck Watson and David Rose led the defense with 9 and 8 tackles, respectively.
Freshman Jevon Elmore had a forced fumble and senior Markeith Cirinna had his first interception of the season.
The Blue Devils return to action next Saturday, Oct. 5, at Arute Field against Saint Francis U. The game can be seen live on ESPN3.com.