By Matt Aveni
The Central Connecticut Blue Devils seek to have a comeback season after finishing their 2011 campaign with just a (4-7) record and a (3-5) record in the division. The Blue Devils finished their season with two division wins verse Robert Morris and Bryant, and hope to carry some of that end of the season momentum in with them this season.
Head Coach Jeff McInerney was all smiles coming off of their last practice in full pads Thursday night. The team played a controlled scrimmage going over plays and schemes that they want to implement in their season opener at Stony Brook September 1.
“We have a tough start to the season playing against three FCC teams that made it to the playoffs and won some games, but we are ready for the challenge,” said McInerney.
Although many of the teams offseason questions were answered, the biggest question still remains: Who will be the CCSU Blue Devils starting quarterback?
The three players fighting for the starting job are the Blue and White Spring game MVP, Andrew Clements, Senior Captain Jake White and transfer student from Tulane, Nick SanGiacomo. Coach McInerney will not name his quarterback for the season opener until the Friday leading up to the game.
In his eighth season with the Blue Devils, Coach McInerney still has the same season goa: to win the schools fifth NEC division title.
“Our one goal is to win the division, it is going to be hard but we want to get better each week,” said McInerney.
The Blue Devils are picked to finish fourth in the NEC behind Albany, Duquesne and Bryant. The preseason picks mean little to nothing for the team according to McInerney.
“The NEC division is great, no team is easy to beat, every week is a test and that is why we play the game,” explained McInerney.
Last season the Blue Devils were picked to be the preseason number one, but they could not accomplish their ultimate goal. Albany has been the only team to be picked preseason number one and still come out with the division title.
The defensive side of the ball looked fast and strong and Coach McInerney said he believes he has a pretty strong defense. However, his three big play makers on offense led by Senior Captain wide receiver, Denzell Jones, are the real threats that will keep putting pressure on the opposing teams.
“Deven Baker, Nick Bacarella, and Denzell Jones showed up to camp looking real good and should make a strong impact on our team this year,” said McInerney.
The outlook on the season for the CCSU Blue Devils is strong. Coach McInerney says he loves his team and loves this school and he hopes to carry on his winning tradition hear at Central.
“There are no expectations for this year, we hope to be competitive in our first three games verse FCC opponents and be ready to play against the teams in our division,” McInerney said.
When asked how feels about this season Coach Mcnerney had one thing to say: “I feel really good about this team and we can make an impact in this division.”