By Andrew Guindon
NEFJ Correspondent

NEW HAVEN – Yale defeated Central Connecticut 23-22 in a nail-biting victory that came down to the final minute inn a battle of the Nutmeg state on Saturday.

The Bulldogs were able to hold off a final-minute Blue Devil offensive push. Yale defensive back Da’Quan Gonzales was able to deflect Central Connecticut quarterback Brady Olson’s pass to prevent a conversion on fourth down.

Prior to Gonzales’ crucial pass breakup, Olson connected almost 40 yards deep down the left sideline to running back Elijah Howard, who made a diving one-handed catch to break into Yale territory.

Both offenses were stalled by great defensive play halfway through the fourth quarter after a hot start. One of the most notable plays came from linebacker Inumidun Ayo-Durojaiye, who broke into the backfield and forced a tackle for loss, leading to a Central Connecticut punt.

After the Blue Devils opened the fourth quarter with a 19-yard touchdown catch by Isaac Boston, which gave Central Connecticut their first lead of the game, Yale needed a response.

With 9:30 left in the game, defensive back Joshua Tarver intercepted an Olson pass, which would set the Bulldogs up for a touchdown score to regain the lead 23-22. Yale quarterback Grant Jordan connected with tight end Luke Foster for 19 yards on a slant route.

Yale advances to 2-1 on the season; Central Connecticut falls to 2-3.

“Josh made a great play,” said Yale head coach Tony Reno. “That was a moment that we wanted on defense, and that actually turned into better offense…Luke [Foster] made a great cut to get open.”

The third quarter was highlighted by great defensive play from both teams. Central Connecticut’s secondary did an outstanding job of covering Yale’s receivers. The Blue Devils’ defensive line was also able to generate a lot of pressure to make Jordan uncomfortable. The Yale defensive line was able to penetrate the pocket and force Olson to use his legs.

However, the Bulldogs had a difficult time containing the Blue Devils’ run game, which allowed kicker Jack Barnum to hit two field goals, helping Central Connecticut chip into Yale’s lead 17-16.

Yale held a 10-3 lead over Central Connecticut entering the second quarter and showed signs of slowing down on the defensive end.

Within the first two minutes, running back Jamir Robertson found a soft spot in Yale’s zone coverage over the middle of the field, and took an Olson pass 49 yards to the end zone to tie the game at 10.

Following the score, defense once again took over. On 3rd-&-9 at the Central Connecticut 41-yard line, Jordan was forced to roll out and throw out of bounds after Blue Devil linebackers Malachi Wright and Gavin Taylor broke through the line of scrimmage.

With 5:48 left in the second quarter, Olson was hit as he threw the ball, and it ended up in the hands of Yale cornerback Breylan Thompson. Following Thompson’s interception, running back Josh Pitsenberger broke open on an outside run and took the ball 64 yards to the end zone to put Yale back on top 17-10.

The beginning of the first quarter was highlighted by field goals from both teams to start the game at a 3-3 score. With just over two minutes to go in the first quarter, Jordan was forced out of the pocket and high-pointed the ball 23 yards to WR Mason Shipp, who lept between the defenders. That play set up Jordan for a 4-yard touchdown run to go up 10-3.

“It was just great to be back out there with my teammates,” Jordan said on returning from injury. “It was good to get back in rhythm playing again.”