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:
College Football News
Schrager: Top 5 potential 1st-rounders to watch this weekend
Peter Schrager goes through his top five potential first-round picks to watch during the first round of the College Football Playoff.
College Football Playoff, bowl game odds, money line, spreads and totals
Betting odds and lines for every bowl game, and matchup in the College Football Playoff.
What are the keys to an Alabama win over Oklahoma?
Josh Pate, Jordan Rodgers and Greg McElroy discuss their keys to an Alabama win over Oklahoma.
Ole Miss, Pete Golding focused on CFP after Lane Kiffin's departure
After weeks of speculation and turmoil, the Rebels and their new coach are eager to get back on the field.
2026 FCS semifinals preview: Montana-Montana State, Illinois State-Villanova
Montana-Montana State rivalry, Villanova-Illinois State matchup make for intriguing final four.