The Central Connecticut State Blue Devils will host the Dartmouth Big Green at Arute Field on Saturday, Sept. 27, for its annual homecoming game. Kickoff is set for noon on NEC Front Row.
The Blue Devils enter the matchup with a 2-2 record, most recently falling to the Merrimack Warriors, 16-14, on Sept. 20. Warriors’ kicker Carlton Thai made a kick from 19 yards out to seal the game, after costly penalties hurt the Blue Devils late.
Dartmouth comes in at 1-0 after a victory over the New Hampshire Wildcats. Running back D.J. Crowther powered the offense, running for 143 yards and three touchdowns, while wide receiver Grayson O’Bara added six receptions for 106 yards.
Senior quarterback Brady Olson has been consistent through the last three games for CCSU, leading the team to a 2-1 record, throwing for 614 yards, four touchdowns and one interception. His lone interception was against Merrimack early in the second quarter, which set up the Warriors’ game-winning field goal.
Running back Elijah Howard leads Central with 179 rushing yards, and wide receiver Dave Pardo leads with 171 receiving yards.
Junior quarterback Grayson Saunier was efficient in Dartmouth’s opener, throwing for 244 yards with one interception while completing 73% of his passes. He also added 37 rushing yards and a touchdown. In last year’s meeting with CCSU, he scored twice on the ground.
Last season, the Blue Devils defeated the Wagner Seahawks 24-14 in their homecoming game, led by Olson’s 182 yards and two total touchdowns, while the defense racked up six sacks, including three by lineman Dan Toatley. The victory helped jump-start the Blue Devils’ run to the FCS Playoffs.
The Blue Devils and Big Green have met three times, beginning in 2014. Dartmouth leads the all-time series 3-0, including last year’s 20-16 win. CCSU looks to bounce back, while Dartmouth aims to stay unbeaten.
Central has tightened up on the defensive side of the ball since allowing 59 points to UConn in week one, allowing an average of nine points over the last three weeks. Meanwhile, Dartmouth allowed 20 points to New Hampshire but also had two takeaways and forced multiple turnovers on downs.
Time of possession may prove pivotal. The Blue Devils lost the time of possession battle 36:19 to 23:41 against Merrimack. Dartmouth controlled the clock in its win over.
Turnovers will also be key, as giveaways were costly for CCSU in its most recent outing.
