Jean, Lechtenberg Named Finalists For National FCS Awards
Jean is a finalist for the Jerry Rice Award and Lechtenberg is a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Award.
On the heels of winning the 2024 Northeast Conference Championship, two members of the Central Connecticut State football program have been named finalists for national awards. Christopher Jean, a redshirt freshman, was named one of 25 finalists for the Jerry Rice Award, presented annually to the top rookie in the FCS. Second-year head coach Adam Lechtenberg was named one of 15 finalists for the Eddie Robinson Award, presented to the FCS Coach of the Year.
Jean, a native of Rochester, NY, leads the NEC in both interceptions per game, 19th nationally, and fumbles recovered, 2nd nationally. He has defended 10 passes this year, ranking 20th in FCS with 1.1 per game, with his seven pass breakups and three interceptions. Jean has made 30 tackles this fall, including 2.5 TFL. He has forced a pair of fumbles and recovered four fumbles, returning one for a touchdown in the come from behind win over Robert Morris.
In the win over Duquesne, Jean tied a school record with three. The effort is tied for the most interceptions in a single game in FCS play this season. Jean also led the Blue Devils with seven tackles, six solo, as the CCSU defense held Duquesne to its lowest FCS points output of the year.
Lechtenberg helmed the Blue Devils to their first NEC Championship since 2019 as well as the first winning season since 2019. CCSU was tabbed last in the NEC Preseason Coaches poll and proceeded to run to a 5-1 record in league play, to capture the crown. CCSU won seven games and earned the NEC automatic qualifier to the FCS Playoffs.
CCSU, 7-5 overall, will travel to Rhode Island on Saturday, to take on the 10th ranked and seeded Rams. Game time, on ESPN+, is set for 12:00 pm.
