Mercyhurst Lakers at Central Connecticut Blue Devils
· NCAA - Football
Olson, Howard power Central Connecticut to NEC crown beating Mercyhurst 35-28
Brady Olson threw for three touchdowns and Elijah Howard ran for two scores and Central Connecticut clinched the Northeast Conference title beating Mercyhurst 35-28 on Saturday.
Olson threw an 8-yard touchdown to Howard with 11:14 left in the fourth quarter after a six-play, 12-yard drive set up by the Blue Devils' defense. Eric Jackson tackled running back Brian Trobel to force a fumble that Dylan Jones recovered for the short field.
Despite 10-play and nine-play drives by Mercyhurst on their last two possessions, Central Connecticut's defense managed both times to prevent the Lakers from scoring.
Adam Urena threw an 11-yard touchdown to Taylor Wright-Rawls with 2:03 left in the third quarter to bring Mercyhurst into a tie at 28.
Howard ran for 163 yards on 25 carries for the Blue Devils (8-4, 6-1).
Trobel ran for 166 yards on 25 carries and two touchdowns for Mercyhurst (5-7, 4-3).
The win marks Central Connecticut State’s second consecutive FCS Championship berth.
In its first season carrying a full NEC slate, Mercyhurst entered Saturday's game in contention of winning a share of the regular-season title.
How To Watch
How can I watch Mercyhurst Lakers vs. Central Connecticut Blue Devils?
- TV Channel: Lakers at Blue Devils 2021 College Football, week 13, is broadcasted on NEC Front Row.
- Online streaming: Sign up for Fubo.
Scoring Summary
 |
TD | 1st Period 13:05 | Elijah Howard 22 Yd Run (Jack Hennessey Kick) |
 |
TD | 1st Period 10:05 | Dylan Evans 5 Yd Run (Max Young Kick) |
|
TD | 1st Period 4:14 | Brian Trobel 2 Yd Run (Max Young Kick) |
|
TD | 1st Period 0:51 | Elijah Howard 4 Yd Run (Jack Hennessey Kick) |
|
TD | 2nd Period 7:30 | Brian Trobel 63 Yd Run (Max Young Kick) |
|
TD | 2nd Period 1:54 | Michael Trovarelli 15 Yd pass from Brady Olson (Jack Hennessey Kick) |
|
TD | 3rd Period 11:17 | Donny Marcus 17 Yd pass from Brady Olson (Jack Hennessey Kick) |
|
TD | 3rd Period 2:03 | Taylor Wright-Rawls 11 Yd pass from Adam Urena (Max Young Kick) |
|
TD | 4th Period 11:14 | Elijah Howard 8 Yd pass from Brady Olson (Jack Hennessey Kick) |
Statistics
 MERC |
 CCSU |
|
|---|---|---|
| 24 | 1st Downs | 25 |
| 6-14 | 3rd down efficiency | 7-14 |
| 1-4 | 4th down efficiency | 2-3 |
| 457 | Total Yards | 421 |
| 188 | Passing | 221 |
| 17/36 | Comp/Att | 22/35 |
| 5.2 | Yards per pass | 6.3 |
| 269 | Rushing | 200 |
| 32 | Rushing Attempts | 36 |
| 8.4 | Yards per rush | 5.6 |
| 6-56 | Penalties | 8-69 |
| 1 | Turnovers | 2 |
| 1 | Fumbles lost | 1 |
| 0 | Interceptions thrown | 1 |
| 29:45 | Possession | 30:15 |
Game Information
Location: New Britain, CT
Attendance: 2,015 · Capacity:
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