Football Earns 24-12 NEC Win At Robert Morris

The Central Connecticut State football team improved to 2-0 in NEC play as it defeated host Robert Morris Saturday afternoon, 24-12. The Colonials fall to 0-1 in league play.

CCSU scored 14 points in the first quarter of the game, with a receiving score by Donovan Wadley and a rushing touchdown from Elijah Howard.  Devon Anderson provided the other score, with a touchdown following an interception 87 seconds into the third quarter.

The Colonials scored twice in 1:54 in the opening portion of the fourth quarter to close within 21-12, but a 35-yard field goal from Jack Hennessey on the next CCSU possession rounded out the scoring.

Elijah Howard rushed for 131 yards on Saturday, his 11^th 100-yard rushing game as a Blue Devil. The effort moved him to 2,410 career yards, and into fourth-place on the all-time rushing list at CCSU.

GAME INFORMATION | BOX SCORE 

Score: CCSU 24, ROBERT MORRIS 12
Records: CCSU (4-3, 2-0 NEC), RMU (1-5; 0-1 NEC) 
Location: Joe Walton Stadium | Moon Township, PA 

KEY MOMENTS

• The Blue Devils took the opening kickoff on an 8-play, 52-yard drive, but couldn't convert on 4^th and four at the RMU 28-yard line and the defense returned the favor, forcing an RMU punt after an opening first down pass for the Colonials
• Jahvonte Royal gave the Blue Devils a defensive spark on the next RMU possession, intercepting a pass from Cooper Panteck, with a leaping catch to give the offense the ball on the 43-yard line, after a 13-yard return
• The offense took advantage of the take-away, as Brady Olson completed his 12^th TD pass of the year, this one a 34-yard strike to Donovan Wadley with 5:07 to play in the opening quarter
• The defense forced another three-and-out and the offense responded with another scoring drive, helped in part by an RMU pass interference penalty, that was capped by a 29-yard Elijah Howard touchdown run
• RMU put together its best drive of the half, going 72 yards on 13 plays, but came away empty when the 40-yard field goal attempt hit off the upright
• Olson went 7-7 for 68 yards to put CCSU in field goal range, but the 27-yard attempt was pushed wide right as the clock expired
• Anderson stepped in front of a Panteck pass attempt at the line of scrimmage on the third play of the second-half and returned the ball 45 yards for six points and a 21-0 lead with 87 seconds elapsed in third quarter
• The CCSU defense stood tall in the red zone to hold RMU scoreless in the third, stopping the Colonials after a 12-play 50-yard drive that ended with a second missed field goal as the third quarter ended
• The Colonials broke through with a toe-tap catch by Chaz Middleton for a six-yard touchdown reception, but the PAT hit the post, to bring RMU to a 21-6 deficit with 10:48 to play
• RMU converted the onside kick and took just four plays to tally another touchdown, a seven-yard rush from Donta Whack and the Blue Devils defended the two-point conversion attempt, to keep the lead 21-12
• The Blue Devils answered with a seven-play, 57-yard drive, that took 4:12 off the clock and was capped by a Hennessey field goal

NUMBER TO KNOW

55 – Devon Anderson's interception return yardage, the longest interception return in the NEC this season.

NOTES & NUMBERS

• Malachi Wright recorded 15 tackles for CCSU, a single-game career-best and equals the best single-game effort in the NEC this season
• The Blue Devils did not commit a turnover on Saturday, the fourth time they have accomplished that feat
• Royal, along with his interception, made five tackles
• Anderson's interception is the Blue Devils first pick six since Luquay Washington at Saint Francis on October 1, 2022
• The Blue Devils defense has played eight quarters versus NEC opponents this year, and has allowed points in just two quarters – and 19 total points
• Howard had 153 APY on Saturday, his fourth consecutive game over 100 APY and over his season average of 105 per game
• Jack Stoll broke up a pass, recorded seven tackles and a TFL
• The Blue Devils have returned a turnover for a touchdown in each of the last two games versus RMU, with the Anderson interception return today and Chris Jean's 49-yard fumble return at Arute Field last season
• The Blue Devils have won six consecutive NEC games
• The defense had 4.0 TFL with two sacks and three QBH
• RMU finished with 431 yards of total offense, 81 more than the Blue Devils accrued
• Jake Wolfe was 9-12 in his action at QB for Robert Morris, accounting for a touchdown pass and 133 passing yards after Panteck left with an injury