Central Connecticut tops Stonehill 21-17 in NEC title race

College sports

Skyhawks quarterback Jack O’Connell completed 11 of 20 passes for 166 yards and two touchdowns with one interception.

WB Mason Stadium in Stonehill. Barry Chin/Globe Staff

By Associated Press

November 9, 2024 | 6:16 p.m.

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NORTH EASTON, Mass. (AP) — Brady Olson found Donnie Marcus with a 30-yard touchdown pass early in the fourth quarter to propel Central Connecticut State to a 21-17 victory over Stonehill on Saturday to keep the Blue Devils in contention for a Northeast Conference title.

The Blue Devils (5-5) are now tied with Robert Morris, who lost to Duquesne 31-6 on Saturday, with a 4-1 record in league play. The Dukes are alone in first place at 5-0. Central Connecticut hosts the Colonials on Saturday, followed by Duquesne in the regular season finale a week later.

Ricky Ortega scored from the 1 in the first quarter and after Danny Hurley kicked a 49-yard field goal to put Stonehill on the board, Elijah Howard capped a 15-play, 73-yard drive, carrying the final eight yards for the touchdown. But Stonehill managed to hold on to the goal line as time expired, putting Olson on the goal line as time expired, forcing a fumble in the process.

The Skyhawks came roaring back to take the lead in the third quarter on two touchdown passes from Jack O’Connell – shooting 15 yards to Jake Newsham, then 14 yards to Chase Miller – to take a 17-14 lead heading into the fourth quarter. .

Howard finished with 70 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries to lead the Blue Devils. Olson completed 10 of 16 passes for 110 yards with one touchdown and one interception.

O’Connell completed 11 of 20 passes for 166 yards and two touchdowns with one interception. The Skyhawks managed just 75 rushing yards on 28 attempts.