The Northeast Conference released its regular season football awards on Wednesday, Nov. 22, and the Central Connecticut State University Blue Devils were well represented.
Seven Blue Devils came away with All-NEC selections, including three on the All-NEC first team.
Junior Dan Toatley, a team captain for Central, was voted a first-team defensive lineman after a dominant season in the trenches.
Toatley, from Trenton, New Jersey, led the NEC with 0.55 sacks per game, totaling six on the year. He also finished the season with 12 tackles for loss and 52 total tackles while playing in all 11 games for CCSU.
Always a team player, Toatley downplayed the award in favor of another honor.
“Although I am very pleased and excited to receive this award, the best accomplishment I received this season was being nominated a captain by my fellow teammates,” Toatley said. “Being able to lead those guys every Saturday was truly an honor.”
Joining Toatley on the first-team defense was sophomore safety Kimal Clark.
A native of Lackawanna, New York, Clark paced the NEC in total tackles with 89, 53 being solos. The tackling machine showed his versatility in Central’s secondary all season, coming up with three interceptions.
The season’s final game, on Nov. 18 against Saint Francis University, was the cherry on top of Clark’s season. He amassed 15 total tackles en route to earning NEC Prime Performer honors.
Central’s third first-teamer was Southington, CT product kicker Jack Barnum.
Barnum’s season as kicker was statistically one of the best in all of NCAA football. He tied the program record for field goals made in a season with 13 and paced the NEC in both field goal percentage, at 72.2%, and points per game, at 6.3.
Barnum attributed his year-long success to the special teams unit, as well as the coaching staff.
“It could not have been done without Cole Escoto, Aidan Clark, and the line always allowing the operation to be successful,” Barnum said. “I am thankful for Coach Lechtenberg, always trusting in my abilities and giving me plenty of opportunities throughout the season.”
In addition to Toatley, Clark, and Barnum, four Blue Devils were voted on the second team.
Sophomore running back Elijah Howard made the second-team offense. Howard ran for 990 yards on the year and ranked third in the NEC in all-purpose yards.
Senior offensive lineman Reis Spicer joined Howard on the second team. Spicer anchored an offensive line that allowed Howard to enjoy his breakout season. Spicer’s line ranked tenth in the nation in pass protection, allowing just 1.27 sacks per game.
Senior linebacker Luquay Washington made the second team. Despite missing four games at the beginning of the season, Washington had a huge impact down the stretch, capped off by a 52-yard interception return for a touchdown in the season’s final game.
Finally, junior punter Aidan Clark found himself as the second-team punter. Clark averaged 39.8 yards per punt, good for second in the NEC, and placed 13 kicks inside the 20-yard line. He also served as Barnum’s holder and was a crucial piece in the Blue Devils’ special teams unit.
