On Homecoming Day, in front of over five thousand fans, the Central Connecticut football team was not able to overcome a slow second half and received their first Northeast Conference loss of the season at the hands of Sacred Heart, by a score of 28-25.

Central drops to 4-4 overall (2-1 in NEC) while Sacred Heart moves to 4-3 overall (2-0 NEC), securing their first win in four weeks.

In a classic nail-biter NEC showdown, Central’s junior placekicker, Francis Cole, was unable to connect on a late 44- yard field goal that would have tied the game and sent it into overtime, missing wide left.

Head coach, Pete Rossomando, had confidence the kick was going to be executed well and that his team was going to have a chance in overtime.

“That’s well within Francis’ range, we were actually eight to 10 yards inside what I thought his range was, it just wasn’t a great kick,” Rossomando said.

Cole had three field goal opportunities throughout the game, hitting a 43-yarder in the first quarter and having one blocked late second quarter.

This game can be described best as a tale of two halves for the Blue Devils as they stormed out of the gate to start, scoring 17 first-half points while holding the Pioneers to only seven.

Drew Jean-Guillaume, who was named NEC Player of the Week for the past two weeks has been a key contributor to Central’s success as of late.

Jean-Guillaume was able to surpass 100 yards rushing for the third straight week as he finished with 146 rushing yards on 20 carries while adding a highlight play with his 70-yard touchdown run.

“We just ran an inside zone to the left, I saw a small hole, I creased in and after that I was just looking at the jumbotron if anyone was going to catch me,” Jean-Guillaume said, laughing as he looked back on the play.

He also added 40 yards receiving, but it was fellow running back Aaron Dawson who had 51 yards on two catches, acting as the receiving leader on the day. Dawson also added 44 yards on the ground and a touchdown.

Senior quarterback, Jacob Dolegala, had 251 passing yards and one touchdown while adding 38 yards on the ground.

Central’s defense started the game well, allowing just one touchdown in the first half, but the Pioneers stormed out of the gates in the second half and that’s when they did most of their damage.

The Blue Devils were not able to slow down the Pioneers three-headed monster, as they are key to their success.

Quarterback Kevin Duke had over 400 yards through the air and on the ground while wide receiver Andrew O’Neal caught 10 balls for 170 yards and two scores. Running back Jordan Meachum gained 112 yards rushing and 73 receiving yards to boot.

“Their scheme is great. Meachum is one the better running backs we’ll face this year, and O’Neal is just a phenomenal player, he made a lot of great plays,” Rossomando said of the Pioneer playmakers.

The Blue Devils need “a great week of preparation,” according to Rossomando if they hope to get back to their winning ways against Wagner this Saturday in another home game.