By Chris Robbins
Stonehill Football lost a close one on Senior Day to Central Connecticut State on Saturday.
Stonehill started their day slow on offense, struggling to move the ball on their first two possessions. Central started their day with an impressive 18 play, 75-yard touchdown drive, that took up 10 minutes and 17 seconds of the first quarter.
The Skyhawks struggles on offense continued as the second quarter began and had to punt it back to Central. Central tried to keep their offense hot after that incredible drive, but Sophomore cornerback Nigel Henderson came up with a huge play, getting his first interception of the season.
Stonehill’s offense looked to respond but the Blue Devils defense held strong, setting up a 49-yard field goal attempt for Senior kicker Danny Hurley. With the wind to his back, Hurley wound up and made what would be a career-long kick for the kicker in his final home game.
Central responded with another long touchdown drive, this one lasting 15 plays and taking up eight minutes and six seconds. Stonehill’s rough day on offense continued when Junior quarterback Jack O’Connell threw an interception on the second play of their next drive, giving Central great field position right before halftime.
Central moved the ball all the way to the one-yard line and things were looking bleak for Stonehill with just seven seconds to go before halftime. That is until Sophomore linebacker Charles Battaglia stepped up and saved a touchdown, forcing a fumble and giving Stonehill the football as time expired at halftime to keep the Central lead at 14-3.
The Blue Devils got the ball first to start the second half and were quickly stopped by Stonehill’s defense. The Skyhawks needed a positive start to their second half, and they delivered with their first touchdown of the game caught by Senior wide receiver Jake Newsham.
Stonehill kept their momentum rolling through the third quarter putting together another touchdown drive, with O’Connell throwing his second touchdown pass of the game this time to Junior Chase Miller to take their O’Connell had a great performance in the second half that was unfortunately cut short after he took a big hit to the head after scrambling at the start of the fourth quarter.
Central’s offense was quiet all half until they strung together a huge touchdown drive to retake a 21-17 lead with 8 minutes left to play. With the injury to O’Connell and a deeply injured QB room, the Skyhawks had to turn to Freshman QB Drew Eason.
This was Eason’s first time seeing the field for Stonehill and put together a strong drive. The drive stalled for Stonehill when Eason was stripped of the ball and Central was able to recover.
Stonehill was able to get the ball back with just under two minutes to go but were stopped quickly by Central’s defense, giving them the ball back and allowing them to end the game.
Although it wasn’t the outcome the team would have wanted on Senior Day, plenty of seniors made their impact in their final game on campus.
Stonehill Sophomore Charles Battaglia earned his third NEC Rookie of the Week award after another great performance finishing with 13 tackles and a forced fumble. The Skyhawks will play their final two games of the season both on the road playing Lafayette College on Nov. 16 and Robert Morris on Nov. 23.
Kommentare