Central Connecticut Upends Saint Francis in NEC Opener, 27-20
Central Connecticut State University (CCSU) continued their strong start to the 2024 season with a hard-fought 27-20 victory over Saint Francis (PA) in their Northeast Conference opener. This win not only improves the Blue Devils to 2-1 on the season, but also puts them at 1-0 in conference play, positioning them as early contenders in the NEC title race. The victory came on the back of another stellar defensive effort, with CCSU forcing multiple turnovers and even scoring on defense for the second consecutive week.
The game started in CCSU’s favor with two quick field goals from Jack Barnum, giving the Blue Devils a 6-0 lead. However, Saint Francis responded almost immediately, as DaMario Crawford returned a kickoff 94 yards for a touchdown, putting the Red Flash ahead 7-6. The back-and-forth nature of the game continued into the second quarter, with CCSU quarterback Brady Olson capping off an 80-yard drive with a 7-yard touchdown run. Olson’s ability to both pass and run has added a dynamic element to CCSU’s offense, helping them take a 13-7 lead.
Saint Francis struck back with a massive 97-yard touchdown run by DeMarcus McElroy, briefly retaking the lead at 14-13. The game remained tight until the final moments of the second quarter when Olson connected with wide receiver Michael Plaskon on an 11-yard touchdown pass, sending the Blue Devils into halftime with a 20-14 lead.
The third quarter saw Saint Francis capitalize on a CCSU mistake, as Fran Brown Jr. returned a fumble for a touchdown to tie the game at 20-20. A missed extra point from Saint Francis kept the game deadlocked heading into the fourth quarter, setting the stage for a thrilling finish.
In the closing minutes, it was once again CCSU’s defense that made the difference. With just under two minutes remaining, Kimal Clark recovered a fumble and returned it 10 yards for the game-winning touchdown. Clark’s defensive score, along with another strong showing from players like Jayvis Rayside, who had an interception, underscored CCSU’s opportunistic defense, which continues to be one of the team’s biggest strengths.
Despite a valiant effort from Saint Francis and quarterback Jeff Hoenstine, who started his second-ever game, CCSU’s defense proved too much to handle. The Blue Devils forced three fumbles, recovering two of them, and held Saint Francis to just 103 rushing yards outside of McElroy’s long touchdown run. Hoenstine managed 145 passing yards but was unable to find the end zone, and Saint Francis' offense struggled to establish a consistent rhythm throughout the game.
Looking ahead, CCSU seems poised to make a run at the NEC title. With their defense consistently generating turnovers and even scoring points, they have the tools to compete with any team in the conference. It wouldn’t be surprising to see CCSU garner some attention in the FCS Top 25 poll after their strong start. Meanwhile, Saint Francis will have to regroup after dropping to 1-2 on the season and 0-1 in NEC play, despite their earlier win over FBS opponent Kent State.
As for CCSU, their ability to score on defense, particularly with back-to-back games featuring defensive touchdowns, is becoming a hallmark of their success. Perhaps it’s time for the team to adopt a turnover tradition, maybe something like a pitchfork or another Blue Devil-themed prop, to further fuel the fire of this opportunistic defense.
