Football Drops Season-Opener to Southern Connecticut

The Central Connecticut football team fell to Southern Connecticut, 28-21, in the season-opener on Friday night at Arute Field. The Blue Devils outgained the Owls in total offense, but they were hampered by penalties and a late interception returned for a touchdown.

Central would score three touchdowns through the air, while the defense would pick off a pair of Southern passes. The game was the first for both schools since the 2019 season. A crowd of 4,500 fans were in attendance for the season-opener.

GAME INFORMATION
Score: Central Connecticut 21, Southern Connecticut 28
Records: CCSU (0-1), SCSU (1-0)
Location: Arute Field | New Britain, CT

KEY MOMENTS

• The Blue Devils took a 7-0 late in the first quarter after sophomore Kenyata Huston scored on a 42 yard pass from sophomore Romelo Williams. The score capped a nine-minute drive that covered 87 yards on 14-plays.
• Southern would respond with a pair of touchdowns in the second quarter to take the lead. RJ O'Shea scored on a 17-yard reception with 11:01 to play in the half to tie the game, before Tyler Hodge caught a 19-yard pass from Jac Ostrowsky to make it 14-7 with 6:32 left in the period.
• Central would tie the game just before halftime on a 13-yard touchdown catch by senior Everett Wormley with 0:11 remaining in the period.
• The Owls would score a pair of touchdowns in the fourth quarter, including a 90-yard interception return by Jr. Williams. The pick-six made it 21-14 and after forcing a three-and-out by CCSU, Southern went 71 yards in four plays, capped off on a 51-yard pass play to make it a two-score game.
• Central would make it a one-score game after senior Tyshaun James took a 41-yard pass from senior Shon Mitchell to make it 28-21 with 5:29 to play. CCSU would get the ball back with 1:53 to play, but the Southern defense would end the game with a sack.

NUMBER TO KNOW

15 - Central was hampered by committing 15 penalties for 147 yards in the game.

GAME NOTES

• The Owls lead the all-time series, 38-16. The teams were meting for the first time since 2011.
• Both teams opted out of playing the 2020-21 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Central was playing for the first time since its FCS Playoff first round contest at UAlbany in 2019.
• Central outgained Southern in total offense, 445 to 290 yards. CCSU finished with 312 yards passing, the first time since Oct. 6, 2018, at Robert Morris that it has eclipsed 300 yards passing.
• Williams finished 24-of-38 for 279 yards with a pair of touchdowns and an interception in his first career start. He added 49 yards on the ground to lead the Blue Devils.
• James had 75 yards on eight catches, while Wormley added 63 yards on six grabs. The Blue Devils had completions to 11 different receivers.
• Senior Nasir Smith had 40 yards on five carries, junior Aaron Dawson added 39 yards on 11 carries.
• Juniors Dexter Lawson and Jahlil Brown each had an interception for CCSU.

UP NEXT
The Blue Devils open Northeast Conference play at Wagner on Saturday, September 11, at 3:00 p.m.