Jones and James Earn Northeast Conference Weekly Honors
Blue Devils dropped a 34-29 decision on the road at Eastern Michigan on Saturday
Junior wide receiver Tyshaun James and junior linebacker Tre Jones were both honored by the Northeast Conference on Monday with a pair of weekly awards. James was named the league's co-Offensive Player of the Week while Jones earned Defensive Player of the Week honors. The Blue Devils battled on the road at FBS member Eastern Michigan on Saturday, dropping a close 34-29 decision to fall to 3-1 overall on the season.
James stacked up 151 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns during Central Connecticut's visit to Eastern Michigan. The receiver totaled 118 yards on two catches and rushed five times for 33 yards in the last-second setback. His dynamic late-game scoring play put the Blue Devils in position to snatch an upset victory. With his team facing a 28-22 deficit, James flew past the secondary for a 68-yard touchdown reception that allowed CCSU to take a 29-28 edge with 2:05 remaining in the contest. His 10-yard touchdown run, which came on the final snap of the first quarter, gave the Blue Devils a 15-7 edge over the Eagles. The 6-foot-3 wideout accounted for a 27-yard rush and a 50-yard reception on back-to-back plays to power a fourth-quarter scoring drive that brought the Blue Devils within 28-22. James' first touch of the game was an 11-yard rush for a first down during Central's opening touchdown drive.
Jones was at the forefront of a defensive effort that held Eastern Michigan in check, limiting the Eagles to fewer yards than previous opponents Illinois and Kentucky. The senior linebacker totaled five tackles, including 1.0 hit for a loss, and came away with a late-game interception that put CCSU on the brink of victory. Jones' first tackle dropped the ball carrier for a two-yard loss on a first down play in the first quarter. After EMU crossed midfield early in the third quarter, Jones made a key stop to bring up a 3rd-and-10 play. The outside linebacker dropped back in pass defense and snagged his first career interception with the Blue Devils protecting a 29-28 lead late in the fourth quarter. The pick came at the CCSU 44-yard line with 1:15 remaining.
