Blue Devils Win NAACP Harmony Classic, Set Northeast Conference Home Attendance Record

Playing in front of a record Northeast Conference home crowd of 8,322 people, Central Connecticut (2-1) defeated North Carolina Central (0-4), 35-23, to win the inaugural NAACP Harmony Classic at Veterans Memorial Stadium in New Britain's Willow Brook Park. Junior James Mallory, who entered the week as the nation's leading rusher, ran for 169 yards and a touchdown, while classmate Nick Colagiovanni caught two touchdowns from Aubrey Norris, another junior, to lead the Blue Devil offense. CCSU totaled 399 yards of total offense, including 212 on the ground. Sophomore Jeff Marino led the defense with 12 tackles and an interception. In its first game off campus since the 2000 season, Central Connecticut broke former NEC member Stony Brook's record home crowd of 8,136 in 2002. Both CCSU's marching band and North Carolina Central's nationally recognized Marching Sound Machine entertained the crowd at halftime and post game.

Central Connecticut never trailed in the game, scoring just under 10 minutes after the start when junior Hunter Wanket capped a 10-play, 61-yard drive with a one yard touchdown run. Mallory rushed for 14 yards and caught two balls for 31 yards to highlight the drive. The Eagles responded with a scoring drive on the ensuing possession.

Senior Brandon Gilbert was true from 37 yards, making it 7-3, after Blue Devil senior captain Michael Bailey stopped sophomore Tony McCord two yards short of a first down on a third and three. The Blue Devils scored the final points of the opening half in the second quarter. Neither team put points up until Norris found Colagiovanni for a 24-yard score. Mallory had runs of 21 and 19, and Norris scampered for 17 yards, to set-up the touchdown strike.

Mallory finished the first 30 minutes with 79 yards on 13 carries. Wanket went 4-of-6 for 65 yards through the air, while Norris had the 17 yards rushing and was 2-of-3 passing for 27 yards and the touchdown to Colagiovanni. The Blue Devils posted 184 yards of total offense and had 11 first downs. The defense held the Eagles to 49 rushing yards on 21 carries but allowed senior Stadford Brown to complete 5-of-8 passes for 57 yards. Senior Ernie Greywacz had nine first half tackles, including five solo. Marino added eight tackles.

CCSU added to its lead on the first possession of the second half. Freshman London Lomax returned the kickoff 37 yards to put the Blue Devils on their own 44. Mallory rushed for 35 yards on the first six plays of the drive before Norris hit Colagiovanni from 21 yards out at the 11:46 mark. Sophomore Joe Izzo converted his third point after to make it 21-3.

Marino intercepted Brown on the Eagles' possession. He returned the pick 18 yards to the NCCU 24 yard line. Mallory carried the ball four times for 29 yards, including an 11-yard scoring run, to give CCSU a 28-3 advantage.

Following punts by NCCU and CCSU, Brown led the Eagles down the field for their first touchdown. A 53-yard completion to senior Will Scott moved North Carolina Central into Central Connecticut territory, and Brown then hit senior Wayne Blackwell from 11 yards out for the score. Gilbert connected on the point after to cut the Eagle deficit to 28-10 with 1:24 to play in the third.

Central Connecticut drove to the NCCU 17 on its next possession, but failed to convert a fourth down. The Blue Devil defense held NCCU and took over again from the CCSU 34 yard line. Wanket found sophomore Torin McCullough for 11 yards on the first play and then hit senior Matt Gomes for a 55-yard touchdown after a Wanket rush for no gain. It was Gomes third career touchdown, and his first since Oct. 22, 2005 at Wagner.

North Carolina Central scored two fourth quarter touchdowns to account for the final. Brown hit Blackwell from six yards out, and the senior quarter back ended the scoring with a three-yard run.

Wanket (6-of-8, 131 yards) and Norris (5-of-8, 56 yards) combined to complete 11-of-16 passes for 187 yards and three touchdowns. Norris also ran for 42 yards on seven carries. Gomes caught three balls for 67 yards, while Mallory finished with a game-best 210 all purpose yards. In addition to Marino's 12-tackle effort, Greywacz finished with 10 tackles and a sack, and senior captain Mike Cooke made seven stops. Junior Ray Saunders had three tackles, including a sack.

Brown completed 22-of-34 passes for 309 yards and two touchdowns. Scott had six catches for 121 yards, while Blackwell grabbed five balls for 82 yards and two touchdowns. Sophomore Tim Shankle led the Eagle ground game, posting 36 yards on nine carries. Senior Troy McConico had nine tackles to lead NCCU.

Central Connecticut will be on the road next weekend. The Blue Devils travel to Dover, DE to face Delaware State on Saturday, Sept. 27 at 7 p.m. The Hornets are receiving votes in both The Sports Network FCS Poll and the FCS Coaches' Poll this week.

NOTE: Stony Brook's previous NEC home attendance record was set against Saint John's in 2002. It was the first game played at LaValle Stadium.