The Central Connecticut State University Blue Devils put on a show on Saturday night under the lights at Arute Field, besting American International by a commanding score of 44-0.
New Head Coach Adam Lechtenberg showed early in his triumphant return to CCSU’s sideline why he is the answer, as his high-flying offense put up 30 points in the first half.
Led by junior quarterback C.J. Duell, the Central offense exploded for 528 yards from scrimmage, including 287 yards on the ground, and 26 first downs. Duell threw for 235 yards and two touchdowns on an extremely efficient 17-25 passing, while adding 41 yards rushing on seven attempts.
He was aided on the ground by junior running back Malik Thomas’s 13 carries for 80 yards and a touchdown, sophomore “Swiss Army Knife” Elijah Howard’s 10 carries for 50 yards and a touchdown, and junior wide receiver Davion Johnson’s three carries for 53 yards. Johnson was also the game’s leading receiver, totaling 103 yards on six catches.
Junior WR Isiah Williams was not far behind, logging six catches of his own for 61 yards and a touchdown, while junior WR Paul Marsh, Jr. hauled in Duell’s other touchdown pass.
“This is what the program needs,” Duell said. “It’s a fresh start and we’re onto something new. Coach Lechtenberg has done a great job of bringing a new atmosphere to the team, and everyone has bought in. This is awesome for the program.”
Not to be outdone by the offense, CCSU’s stifling defense pitched a dominant shutout, allowing just 158 yards of total offense and 11 first downs from American International.
Junior defensive end Ahmad Craig led the way for the Blue Devils, sacking American International’s QB twice.
Following his lead was junior defensive lineman Jalen Howard with a sack of his own, as well as a half-sack each for sophomore linebacker Malachi Wright, junior DL Dan Toatley, redshirt freshman LB Austin Pszczolkowski, and sophomore DL Sharod Watkins.
Central put a stamp on the performance with 10 combined tackles for loss, seven pass breakups, and four QB hurries.
To put a bow on the special night for CCSU, sophomore kicker Jack Barnum had himself a night. Barnum was perfect from the field, hitting all three of his field goals and adding five extra points. This is nothing new, Barnum said.
“It’s the same thing every time,” Barnum said. “Me, Cole [Escoto], Aiden [Clark], holder and snapper, we just go through the same thing. When they put it on a platter for you, you just gotta put it through the pipes.”
As the game went on, it was no secret that this CCSU Blue Devils team was firing on all cylinders. From offense, to defense, to special teams. It was all for one common goal, defensive standout Ahmad Craig said.
“I feel like we were really locked in as a team,” Craig said. “We knew we had to come out here and make a statement, with it being Coach Lechtenberg’s [first] game. We owe the world to that man… We love him, and we were gonna come out here and play like it and show the fans that we’re a new CCSU team.”
