Following a season that had them finish second in the Northeast Conference with a 4-2 record, the Central Connecticut football team was well represented on the All-NEC lists, with 11 players on the first and second teams, five being named to the first team. No other team had more than nine.

Jacob Dolegala was awarded as the best quarterback in the conference as he finished his collegiate career as the leading passer in school history with 8,129 yards.

Aside from the career accomplishment, Dolegala had a strong senior season, setting new career-highs during the season in completion percentage (61 percent), touchdowns (16), efficiency (145.5) and had a career-low six interceptions.

Dolegala was able to set new career highs in part because he had three offensive linemen who were selected to an All-NEC team.

Tackle, Connor Mignone and guard, J’Von Brown were selected to the first team while guard Cole Phelps was selected to the second team.

Mignone, Brown and Phelps were part of an offensive line who helped CCSU dominate the line of scrimmage, setting records and keeping their quarterback off the ground, as Dolegala was only sacked eight times all season. Central averaged 289.3 rush yards per game in conference play thanks to their offensive line play.

Their strongest performance was blocking for Aaron Dawson against Wagner when he rushed for a new school and NEC record 361 yards and five touchdowns.

The last two Blue Devils to earn first-team nods were members of their secondary: sophomore strong safety DJ Exilhomme and the versatile defensive back Tajik Bagley, who played both safety and cornerback this season.

Exilhomme led the team in tackles with 74 while also forcing four fumbles to go with an interception.

Bagley, not to be outdone, also had a pick while finishing fifth on the team in tackles with 50 while playing the two positions.

Bagley also served as the teams return specialist on kickoffs and punts, with one touchdown, the only one of the year for Central.

The Blue Devils landed three more offensive weapons on the second-team.

Dawson, who exploded onto the scene late in the season with his performance against Wagner, was the leading rusher on the team with 896 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns. He was second in all-purpose yards with 1,019 yards.

Courtney Rush, Central’s leading receiver, finished the year with career highs in catches and yards, recording 27 catches for 567 yards and four touchdowns. The senior deep-threat recorded 56.7 yards per game (21.0-yard average per catch).

Tight end Arthur Gilmore Jr. was also selected to the second team after recording 16 catches on the year and a career-high 223 yards, all while bringing in four touchdowns

The last two Blue Devils to get the second team nod were senior defensive starters Chris Tinkham and Tymir Hinton.

Hinton made the team as a linebacker, though he is officially listed as a safety. He recorded 41 total tackles, one sack, a fumble and an interception.

Defensive lineman Tinkham finished his college career with 31 tackles and two sacks for his senior season.

Though the Blue Devils will bid farewell to Dolegala, Rush, Tinkham and Hinton, they will still return seven players who received two first team honors, boding well for the team’s future.