Central Connecticut State: A Team of Destiny Prepares for a Championship Clash
In a season full of surprises, late-game heroics, and improbable comebacks, the Central Connecticut State Blue Devils have written one of the most captivating stories in Northeast Conference football. Now, as they prepare to host Duquesne with the conference title and an NCAA Tournament berth on the line, the Blue Devils find themselves in the role of underdog—a position they’ve embraced and thrived in all season long, from the moment the pre-season poll dropped with CCSU in last place. Now, they’re in the title game.
It’s tempting to call CCSU’s campaign improbable. This isn’t a team built on overwhelming talent or gaudy stats. Instead, they’ve carved their path to the top through a knack for delivering in the most critical moments. Time and again, when it seemed like the game was slipping away, the Blue Devils found ways to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
Take last week, for example. Hosting RMU in a game they needed to win to keep their championship hopes alive, CCSU trailed by 14 points in the fourth quarter. For most teams, that would have been a backbreaker. But this is Central Connecticut, where no deficit feels insurmountable. The Blue Devils clawed their way back, forcing overtime and then a second overtime, where a bizarre and brilliant play encapsulated their season. Brady Olson’s pass deflected off Isaiah Deloatch’s helmet and landed in the hands of Isaac Boston for the game-winning touchdown. That 35-33 victory wasn’t just a win; it was another chapter in the story of a team that refuses to be denied.
That wasn’t the first time this year that CCSU’s players delivered when it mattered most. Early in the season, they opened NEC play on the road against Saint Francis, another heavyweight in the conference. Trailing late, it was Jayden Anderson’s forced fumble and Kimal Clark’s 10-yard scoop-and-score that swung the game. On the next possession, the defense shut the door with a sack and a key tackle for loss to preserve the 27-20 win. The message that day was clear: CCSU wasn’t just here to compete—they were here to win.
Similar scenes unfolded throughout the season. A 21-17 victory over Stonehill kept them alive in the championship race, as their defense came up with critical stops in the fourth quarter. Over and over, the Blue Devils have proven they don’t just hang around—they finish games.
Much of their success stems from a group of players who seem to rise to the occasion when it matters most. Brady Olson, the junior quarterback, isn’t lighting up the stat sheet with eye-popping numbers—his 1,875 passing yards and 15 touchdowns are solid but unspectacular. Yet Olson’s poise in the clutch has been invaluable, none more so than in last week’s overtime thriller.
The ground game has been anchored by Elijah Howard, whose 723 rushing yards and six touchdowns provide balance to an offense that relies on grinding out tough yardage. Howard’s consistency has allowed CCSU to control the clock and keep opposing offenses off the field, a critical factor in their success this season.
On the defensive side, the Blue Devils have been defined by playmakers like Kimal Clark, who leads the team with 108 tackles. Clark has been the heart and soul of a defense that thrives on creating turnovers and making momentum-swinging plays. From his game-winning fumble recovery against Saint Francis to his near-impenetrable presence in the secondary, Clark has been a difference-maker all year long.
And yet, as impressive as their individual efforts have been, it’s the collective identity of this team that stands out. CCSU has cultivated a reputation for resilience—a team that might bend but refuses to break. Their 4-1 conference record is a testament to their ability to rise to the occasion in the biggest moments.
Now, they face their toughest test yet. Duquesne comes into the game undefeated in conference play, with a perfect 5-0 NEC record and the confidence of an eight-game winning streak. The Dukes have been the class of the league all year, blending a high-powered offense with a stifling defense. They’re ranked #19 right now and might even be underrated at that spot. On paper, they are the favorites.
But games aren’t won on paper, and if there’s one thing this season has proven, it’s that counting out Central Connecticut is a mistake. They’ve already beaten the odds time and again, turning what seemed like lost causes into triumphs.
The key for the Blue Devils on Saturday will be staying true to the formula that has brought them this far. The defense must rise to the occasion once again, forcing turnovers and limiting big plays from a potent Duquesne offense. On offense, Olson will need to keep his composure under pressure, while Howard and the running game will look to grind down the Dukes’ front seven and control the clock.
This is the kind of moment that players and programs dream about. For Central Connecticut, it’s more than just a championship game—it’s the culmination of a season defined by defying the odds, sheer determination, and belief. They’ve already proven they can win in dramatic fashion. Now, with the stakes higher than ever, they have the chance to show they belong at the top of the NEC and in the NCAA playoffs. Suddenly, that pre-season seventh place prediction doesn’t mean anything.
And if this season has taught us anything, it’s that you can never count out a team of destiny.
