Paul Returns Kickoff for Touchdown, Blue Devils Lose at Robert Morris

Sophomore Josue Paul returned a late kickoff for a touchdown, and junior James Mallory ran for 95 yards to lead Central Connecticut (5-4, 2-3) in a 27-14 Northeast Conference loss at Robert Morris (4-5, 3-2). Paul's 86-yard kickoff return for a score, the second of his career, accounted for the game's final points. Junior quarterback Hunter Wanket added a touchdown run for the Blue Devils. He carried the ball for 49 yards. Sophomore Jeff Marino led the CCSU defense with 12 tackles, including 3.5 for loss. One of those was a sack.

Central Connecticut stopped the Colonials for negative five yards on the game's opening drive and appeared to go ahead 2-0 when RMU sophomore punter Nick Schirtzinger was tackled in the end zone. However, a face mask call gave Robert Morris a first down at their own 27 yard line. Marino's sack made it another drive without positive yardage for the Colonials, and CCSU took over at their own 28 yard line following a Schirtzinger punt.

The Blue Devils drove into RMU territory, but a Wanket interception gave it back to the Colonials. Two plays later, Robert Morris was up 7-0. Senior Erik Cwalinski found freshman James O'Quinn down the right sideline for a 58-yard touchdown score. Sophomore Garrett Clawson's point after made it 7-0. Central Connecticut responded on its next drive to tie it up, though.

CCSU went 65 yards in 16 plays, with Wanket scoring from six yards out. He had 29 yards on seven carries during the drive. A extra point from sophomore Joe Izzo tied the game with 14:33 to play in the first half.

Robert Morris went three and out on its next drive, and the Blue Devils took over at their own 39 yard line. Mallory went for 24 yards on the first play of the drive, pushing CCSU into Colonial territory. The Blue Devils got down to the RMU 16 yard line but were stopped short on a fourth down and two play.

The Colonials took advantage on the ensuing drive. They went 86 yards in 11 plays. After being sacked by sophomore Alondre Rush on the first play, Cwalinski led the Colonials down the field. He completed 6-of-8 passes for 86 yards, including a 23-yard touchdown strike to freshman Shadrae King. The Clawson extra point gave the hosts a 14-7 advantage with 2:42 to play in the half. Neither team scored again before the break. CCSU went three and out, and sophomore Dominique Rose intercepted a Cwalinski pass in the end zone.

Mallory had 61 yards on 11 carries over the first 30 minutes. As a team, the Blue Devils outrushed Robert Morris, 106-38. The Colonials had the advantage through the air, though. Cwalinski was 9-of-17 for 169 yards and the two touchdowns.

Neither offense managed to put points on the board in the third quarter. Junior Aubrey Norris threw an interception on CCSU's first drive, Mallory fumbled two possessions later, and all the other drives ended with punts. The last play of the third quarter did position Robert Morris for its third score, though.

Cwalinski hit sophomore T.J. Green for 45 yards, putting RMU at the Central Connecticut 18 yard line. Four plays later, he found senior Sherrod Evers for an eight-yard touchdown. Clawson's point after gave Robert Morris a 21-7 lead.

Wanket led Central Connecticut down to the RMU one yard line on the next drive, but the Colonial defense stuffed him on third and fourth down quarterback sneaks. Cwalinski countered with a 99-yard scoring drive. Sophomore Myles Russ, who totaled 163 yards on the afternoon, scored from 29 yards out. He had 67 yards on the drive. Clawson missed the extra point.

Paul returned the ensuing kickoff for a score, but the Blue Devils failed to recover the onsides kick. RMU proceeded to run out the clock and secure the win.

Mallory, Paul and senior Jermaine Roberts each had three receptions for Central Connecticut. Wanket was 10-of-20 for 84 yards. Cwalinski finished the game 15-of-30 for 249 yards. Rush had nine tackles for, including 1.5 for loss, for the Blue Devil defense. Junior Roberto Rodriguez added five stops and a forced fumble. Junior Ian Milanak and sophomore Alex DiMichele each had 11 tackles for Robert Morris.

The Blue Devils will close out the home portion of their schedule next weekend. They host St. Francis (PA) at noon. The team's 11 seniors - Michael Bailey, Mike Cooke, Matt Gomes, Ernie Greywacz, Frank Leon, Ralph McKenley, Jermaine Roberts, Cory Robinson, Lamont Tillery, Josh Vargas and Anthony Wilson - will be honored prior to kickoff.