Football Stopped by LIU on Thursday Night at Home

The Central Connecticut football team fell to  LIU, 24-23, in a nationally-televised game on CBS Sports Network on Thursday  at Arute Field in New Britain, CT. The Blue Devils were held scoreless in the second half as the Sharks erased a 13-point deficit to come back for the victory.

Elijah Howard accounted for 128 rushing yards, while Isiah Williams recorded 107 receiving yards on two catches to lead the Blue Devils' offense.

The Blue Devils defense was led by Kimal Clark made 11 tackles, including a pair of tackles for loss. Toddreis Baltimore added 10 tackles, while Ahmad Craig had a fumble recovery.

The Blue Devils play their next two games on the road, beginning with a trip to Sacred Heart on November 4

GAME INFORMATION | BOX SCORE

Score:  CCSU 23, LIU 24
Records: CCSU (3-5, 1-3, NEC), LIU (2-6, 2-2 NEC)
Location: Arute Field | New Britain, CT

KEY MOMENTS

• Central needed less than two minutes to open the scoring, covering 75 yards in three plays. Matt Jenner found Davion Johnson out of the backfield for 22 yards to make it 7-0.
• LIU would tie the score on the ensuing drive after Davon Wells ran it in from 16 yards out. The Sharks then took a lead following a 12-play, 43-yard drive that ended with a Michael Coney 25-yard field goal to make it 10-7.
• The Blue Devils responded on their ensuing drive to begin the second quarter. On the second play of the drive Jenner hit Isiah Williams who went 81 yards untouched for the score to make it 13-10 after the Sharks blocked the PAT.
• LIU would move the ball to the CCSU four yard line late in the second quarter to set up  a 20 yard field goal attempt. The kick by Coney would sail left and keep the score at 13-10 in Central's favor.
• After a CCSU punt, LIU took over on its own 20 yard line. On second down, Chris Howell lost the ball and it was picked up by CCSU's Ahmad Craig who ran it in for a 13-yard touchdown. Jack Barnum's kick would make it 20-10.
• The Blue Devils would be held to -5 yards on their next two drives, with both ending in punts from deep inside their own territory. LIU would take advantage of the field position and took a 24-23 lead with 1:44 to go in the third quarter after a 15-yard touchdown reception by Leak Bryant, which ended up becoming the eventual game-winning score.

NUMBER TO KNOW

78 – Central's offense was limited to just 78 yards in the second half.

NOTES

• LIU has won the past three meetings and lead the all-time series, 3-1.
• Barnum improved to 6-for-6 on the season of kicks 40-49 yards following his 47-yard field goal.
• Williams' 81-yard touchdown was the first 70+ yard completion for the Blue Devils since Shon Mitchell and Erik Surratt connected for a 70-yard score on Nov. 19, 2022, at Stonehill.
• Howard posted his third 100-yard rushing game of the season.
• Howard (128 yards rushing) and Williams (107 yards receiving) became the first CCSU duo to top the 100-yard mark in rushing and receiving since Nasir Smith and Kyren Petteway did it against LIU on Nov. 5, 2022.

UP NEXT

The Blue Devils travel to Sacred Heart on November 4.

Follow @CCSUBlueDevils on Twitter and CCSUBlueDevils.com for updates.