The Central Connecticut State University football team defeated Delaware State University in the Blue Devils’ homecoming game on Saturday, Oct. 7, by a score of 51-44.
Central dominated on the ground, rushing for 497 yards as a team. Leading the way was sophomore running back Elijah Howard, who ran for 257 yards on 23 carries, highlighted by an 80-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter.
Howard attributed his big day to his offensive line.
“We knew the guys were going to come out and dominate up front. I just need a second, and they gave it to me the whole game,” Howard said. “I’m proud of the [offensive] line; I couldn’t do it without them.”
Aiding Howard in the run game was junior RB Malik Thomas with 113 yards and a touchdown, as well as sophomore quarterback Ricky Ortega, who added 78 yards and three touchdowns.
With week one starting QB C.J. Duell out for the season, sophomore Matt Jenner and Ortega split the quarterback duties.
Jenner completed six passes on the day for 56 yards and two touchdowns, while Ortega supplemented his performance on the ground with an additional three completions for 30 yards.
Jenner’s two touchdowns, both of which came in the first half, were caught by junior wide receivers Isiah Williams and Paul Marsh Jr. Williams opened up the scoring in the first quarter, while Marsh put the Blue Devils up 21-6 with seven seconds left in the first half.
While it wasn’t a banner day for the CCSU defense, the unit was stout in the first half, allowing just six points. They also stepped up in the fourth quarter, making a clutch stop to hold Delaware State to a field goal with 44 seconds left in the game.
The secondary made their presence known, with junior defensive back Kimal Clark and graduate student DB Tavian Montgomery each coming away with an interception. As a team, the Blue Devils added five pass deflections.
The pass rush was just as potent. They were led by junior defensive tackle Dan Toatley and sophomore linebacker Malachi Wright, with a sack each. Graduate student DT Shayne Manson and junior LB Jayden Anderson also combined for a sack.
Even with the win, Manson said he was not satisfied with the defensive performance.
“We let up way too many points,” Manson said. “Defense is what we pride ourselves on, and I can promise you we’re going to be drilling defense, defense, defense throughout this next week.”
QB Ricky Ortega was especially proud of the resilience the team showed, he said.
“We had a lot of adversity in the third quarter, but it was great to see our team keep fighting and keep believing in each other,” Ortega said.
Head coach Adam Lechtenberg had mixed feelings about his team’s day, he said.
“I’m happy we got the win, and I’m happy that we fought when we were facing adversity, but we have a lot of areas to improve if we’re going to be very good,” Lechtenberg said.
Overall, it was a triumphant homecoming for CCSU, complete with a win.
“No better feeling than winning,” Manson said.
