Image courtesy of Dan Heary
By Rob Gullo
NEFJ Correspondent
NEW BRITAIN — Hosting Sacred Heart on Saturday afternoon at Arute Field, Central Connecticut State picked up a much-needed 41-35 overtime victory.
CCSU quarterback Brady Olson had a career game, accounting for all five of the Blue Devils’ touchdowns, throwing for a career-high four touchdown passes and rushing for a touchdown. Olson also set career-highs in passing yards (323) and rushing yards (58) in the win.
“We were banged up all week, it was going to have to be a gritty win,” said Olson following the overtime win. “Thankfully those guys up front stuck in there, they played their n*ts off all game, I’m proud of them.”
Tied 35-35 and having the ball first to begin overtime, Olson connected with running back Elijah Howard on a 25-yard score that would prove to be the game-winning score, with CCSU’s defense coming up with a turnover on downs on the next possession.
Olson credited his offensive linemen for a career day, which included three starting freshmen, due to injuries.
“It’s all thanks to the guys up front,” said Olson. “Without them, I’m nothing back there. They’ve had great protection. Great job picking it up for the running backs and great job to them for setting up plays, I’m really proud of them.”
CCSU (3-3) took a 13-0 lead with 6:47 left in the first half, as Olson threw a seven-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver David Pardo and kicker Jack Hennessey, hitting two field goals from 26 and 22 yards out.
The Pioneers (4-2) scored two touchdowns and gave up one before the game went into halftime. Sacred Heart quarterback John Michalski ran for a one-yard score and quarterback Jack Snyder hit Payton Rhoades on a 22-yard pass. Olson would throw his second touchdown of the game, connecting with wide receiver Michael Trovarelli on a 29-yard touchdown pass.
The Blue Devils entered halftime with a 20-14 lead.
A high-scoring second half began with Sacred Heart taking its first lead of the game as running back Trey Eberhart rushed in a nine-yard run put the Pioneers up 21-20 3:54 remaining in the third quarter.
Central retook the lead as Olson threw a 29-yard touchdown pass to running back Donny Marcus, giving the Blue Devils a 28-21 early into the fourth. A 15-yard touchdown run by Jack Snyder tied the game with 6:04 left in regulation.
Central retook the lead with 2:54 as Olson scampered for a nine-yard touchdown run, putting Central on top, 35-28. The Pioneers tied the game with 59 seconds as Snyder found receiver Jason Palmieri on a wide open 37-yard deep ball. With the game tied, 35-35, Central was unable to get down field to score, resulting in overtime.
On the first play of overtime, Olson found running back Elijah Howard on a 25-yard touchdown pass that gave them a 42-35 lead.
The Central defense came up big after the Pioneers got to the one-yard line as linebacker Malachi Wright and defensive back Eric Jackson had stuffs that resulted in negative yardage for Sacred Heart. Defensive back Brayden Hall defended the pass in the corner of the end zone, resulting in a defensive stand and 42-35 win in overtime for CCSU.
Following the win, the Blue Devils improved to 3-3 on the season, as Sacred Heart dropped to 4-2. More importantly for CCSU, they broke a two-game skid that included two last-minute losses to Merrimack and Dartmouth in back-to-back weeks.
CCSU coach Adam Lechtenberg said this week that his team needed to win a close game after their recent performances. He was proud of the effort his players gave, especially while being down a number of players.
“Sacred Heart played really hard, they’re well-coached, it was a hard battle,” said Lechtenberg. “They were 4-1 coming into the game. They won close games and we haven’t. We had to find a way to win a close game, this was huge for us.
“We had 15-20 guys out for/during the game. We were thin, we kept fighting, and I’m really proud of the effort our kids gave.”