Football Home Opener Saturday at 6 PM
The Central Connecticut football team will open at home on Saturday night against Albany.
The Central Connecticut football team will open at home on Saturday night against Albany at Arute Field. The Blue Devils and Great Danes are scheduled for a 6 p.m. kickoff. Fans are encouraged to buy tickets in advance on CCSUTickets.com.
Today's Game • The Blue Devils return to Arute Field off a season opening upset of #7 Towson last Saturday. Visiting New Britain today is former Northeast Conference member and current Colonial Athletic Association member Albany. The Blue Devils won last season's meeting between these programs which have developed a rivalry over recent seasons. Albany defeated Holy Cross, CCSU's next opponent, 14-13 last week in its season opener.
Series History • Today's game is the 19th all-time meeting between CCSU and Albany with the Great Danes holding a 12-6 advantage in the series. However, the Blue Devils won last season's meeting in Albany by a score of 20-17. Today's contest will mark the first visit to Arute Field by Albany as a member of the CAA, the Great Danes left the Northeast Conference after the 2012 season.
Vs. Ranked Opponents • The victory over #7 Towson on Saturday was the second for CCSU against a ranked opponent in the last decade. The Blue Devils have squared off with a ranked team 12 times over the 10 seasons and have won twice. In addition to topping Towson, CCSU also beat #13 Georgia Southern on Sept. 9, 2006. The final score of the Georgia Southern game was 17-13. Towson's #7 ranking matched the #7 ranking of William and Mary in 2009 when the Blue Devils traveled to play the Tribe. The highest ranked team CCSU has ever played was #1 North Dakota State in 2008.
CAA Win • The victory over #7 Towson on Saturday was the second all-time for the Blue Devils against a member of the CAA. The first victory agaisnt the CAA came last season, against today's opponent, Albany. The Blue Devils also have a game scheduled with CAA member Rhode Island on Sept. 27.
National Player of the Week • Senior running back Rob Hollomon was named National Offensive Player of Week by The Sports Network on Monday. Hollomon rushed for 161 yards and two touchdowns, while also catching a career-high nine passes and returning kicks. He finished the day with 280 all-purpose yards. His second touchdown of the game came with 36 seconds left to play and was the game winner. Hollomon was also the Northeast Conference Offensive Player of the Week.
NEC Rookie of the Week • Freshman Joey Fields only caught one pass in the Blue Devils upset of #7 Towson, but it was an important play. Junior Nick SanGiacomo found Fields for a 34-yard strike on fourth-and-13 to set-up the Blue Devils' game-winning score.
100+ Rushing Yards • The Blue Devils have rushed for 100+ yards in 36 consecutive games. The last time CCSU failed to reach 100 rushing yards was Nov. 6, 2010 against Robert Morris.
CCSU 20, Albany 17 • Last season's game with Albany came down to a late field goal with 17 seconds left in the fourth quarter. Albany was able to rally and throw the ball down field before being stopped at the CCSU 10 yard line as time expired.
Hollomon Third on Career Rushing List • Senior running back Rob Hollomon enters the second week of 2014 with 2,717 career rushing yards. He currently stands third on the CCSU career rushing list. Only Stan House (3,347) and James Mallory (3,245) have run for more yards in a Blue Devil uniform.
