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WEEK 8 NEC ROOKIE OF THE WEEK: Zach Bonini, Central Connecticut, Punter, Redshirt Freshman, 5-10, 220 lbs., Enfield, CT/Enfield, Week 8 Stats: 207 punting yards, 5 punts, 41.4 yards per punt, 1 inside-20, 1 touchback, 1 50+ yards,...Bonini handled the punting duties for Central Connecticut on Saturday at Wagner, where he helped the defending champs craft a 24-17 come-from-behind overtime victory to remain undefeated in NEC play at 3-0. The local product from Enfield, CT booted five punts for a total of 207 yards to average 41.4 yards per attempt. In addition, Bonini placed one punt inside the 20-yard line while his game- and career-long 65-yard punt - his second 50-plus yarder of the season - resulted in a touchback. Bonini is the second Blue Devil to earn NEC/Atlantic Tomorrow's Office Rookie of the Week honors as he joins kicker Jack Hennessey, who garnered the award after opening weekend. - NEC Football

(DS#999 K) rFr/2029

K Zach Bonini, Central Connecticut
News Source: NEC Football
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10/19/25 - Brady Olson, rSr/2026, Central Connecticut, 6-3, 200 (DS#999 QB) + More +

Quarterback Brady Olson rushed for an 11-yard touchdown in overtime and Central Connecticut State beat Wagner 24-17 on Saturday night. Elijah Howard rushed to the 11-yard line to start the extra period, setting up Olson's game-winning run. Wagner's Jordan Barton threw an incomplete pass on fourth-and-6 to end it. Olson completed 25 of 45 passes for 251 yards and threw two interceptions. He added 35 yards rushing for Central Connecticut State (5-3, 3-0 Northeast Conference). Howard ran for 69 yards on 20 carries with a touchdown. Barton finished with 198 yards on 20-of-36 passing with a touchdown and an interception for Wagner (1-6, 0-3 Northeast Conference), which has lost six of their last seven games. The Blue Devils have won 100 NEC games, the most of any league member since the conference started in 1996. - AP College Football

(DS#999 QB) rSr/2026

QB Brady Olson, Central Connecticut
News Source: AP College Football
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10/14/25 - Malachi Wright, Sr/2026, Central Connecticut, 6-0, 230 (DS#999 ILB) + More +

WEEK 7 NEC DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Malachi Wright, Central Connecticut, Linebacker, Senior, 6-1, 230 lbs., West Haven, CT/West Haven/Choate Rosemary Hall,...Week 7 Stats: 15 tackles (4 solo), 0.5 tackles-for-loss,...Wright set a career high in tackles on Saturday in Central Connecticut's 24-12 victory at Robert Morris. Registering a game-best 15 stops, including four solo tackles, the senior linebacker helped the Blue Devils remain unbeaten in league play at 2-0 with their sixth-straight triumph against an NEC competitor. In addition, Wright, who hails from West Haven, CT, added 0.5 tackles-for-loss to his stat line. Keeping the Colonials off the scoreboard for the entire first half, Central Connecticut's defense has shut out NEC competitors in six of eight quarters this season and has allowed just 19 points (9.5 ppg) in that stretch. On the season, Wright is tied for third in the conference in tackles per game (7.2), while his 0.42 sacks per contest are tied for seventh. This is his first NEC/Atlantic Tomorrow's Office Defensive Player of the Week award this year, and the third for a Blue Devil as Chris Jean is a two-time honoree (Sept. 15, Sept. 22). - NEC Football

(DS#999 ILB) Sr/2026

ILB Malachi Wright, Central Connecticut
News Source: NEC Football
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10/11/25 - Brady Olson, rSr/2026, Central Connecticut, 6-3, 200 (DS#999 QB) + More +

Devon Anderson's 55-yard interception return for a touchdown highlighted a dominant defensive effort as Central Connecticut defeated Robert Morris 24-12 on Saturday. Brady Olson threw for 187 yards and a touchdown, and Elijah Howard rushed for 131 yards and a score for the Blue Devils (4-3, 2-0 NEC), who built a 14-0 first-quarter lead and never trailed. Olson connected with Donovan Wadley on a 34-yard touchdown late in the first quarter, then Howard broke a 29-yard run less than five minutes later. Anderson's interception return early in the third stretched the lead to 21-0 and Jack Hennessey's 35-yard field goal in the fourth sealed it.

Robert Morris (1-5, 0-1) broke through in the final quarter when backup quarterback Jake Wolfe hit Chaz Middleton for a 6-yard touchdown, followed by Donta Whack's 7-yard scoring run on the next drive. The Colonials' two failed conversions kept it a two-score game. The Blue Devils' defense limited Robert Morris to 75 rushing yards and had two interceptions. Central Connecticut finished with 350 total yards and held the ball for nearly 31 minutes. Wolfe and starter Cooper Panteck combined for 334 passing yards for Robert Morris, while Middleton caught seven passes for 145 yards and a touchdown. - AP College Football

(DS#999 QB) rSr/2026

QB Brady Olson, Central Connecticut
News Source: AP College Football
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10/09/25 - Brady Olson, rSr/2026, Central Connecticut, 6-3, 200 (DS#999 QB) + More +

WEEK 6 NEC OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Brady Olson, Central Connecticut, Quarterback, Senior, 6-4, 205 lbs., Bellingham, MA/Milford (UMass), Week 6 Stats: 28-for-40, 323 passing yards, 4 passing touchdowns, 0 interceptions, 58 rushing yards, 6 carries, 1 rushing TD,...Olson shredded Sacred Heart's defense to the tune of a career-high 323 passing yards and four touchdown throws, including a game-clinching 25-yard pass to reigning NEC Offensive Player of the Year Elijah Howard in overtime, on Saturday. The senior was running on all cylinders in the 42-35 triumph, accounting for each of the Blue Devils' five touchdowns after adding a rushing score with 2:54 left to play in the fourth quarter. Most impressively, Olson, who completed 28-of-40 passes and had a career-best 58 rushing yards on six carries to his count, did not commit a turnover for the fifth time this season.

His 300-passing yard outing was the first for a Blue Devil since current CFL quarterback Jake Dolegala threw for 341 against Robert Morris on Oct. 16, 2018. A native of Bellingham, MA, Olson boasts the league's best touchdown/interception ratio with 11 touchdown throws and just one pick in six games. He is averaging 213.0 passing yards per game to rank third in the conference, while his 11 touchdown passes are good for third in the circuit. This is Olson's first NEC/Atlantic Tomorrow's Office Offensive Player of the Week honor, and the first for a Blue Devil quarterback since Aaron Winchester was a three-time recipient of the award in 2019. - NEC Football

(DS#999 QB) rSr/2026

QB Brady Olson, Central Connecticut
News Source: NEC Football
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10/09/25 - Jack Hennessey, rFr/2029, Central Connecticut, 5-10, 185 (DS#999 K) + More +

WEEK 6 NEC SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Jack Hennessey, Central Connecticut, Kicker, Redshirt Freshman, 5-10, 190 lbs., Endwell, NY/Maine-Endwell, Week 6 Stats: 2-2 FG (26, 22 yards), 4-4 PAT, 4 kickoffs, 54.2 yards per kickoff,...For the sixth time this season, Hennessey was perfect in each of his six scoring opportunities on Saturday. The redshirt freshman used his right foot to rack up 10 points for the second time this year and lead the Blue Devils to a thrilling 35-28 overtime defeat of in-state rival Sacred Heart. Converting on each of his four PATs, Hennessey kicked a 26-yard field goal in the opening seconds of the second quarter to make it a 10-0 Central Connecticut lead. He then hit a 22-yarder eight minutes later to extend his team's advantage to 13-0. In addition, Hennessey split the Blue Devils' kickoff duties, where he averaged 54.0 yards on four attempts. Sinking 1.17 field goals per game on a league-best .875 conversion rate, the Endwell, NY native has scored 40 points this season to rank sixth in the circuit. This is Hennessey's first NEC/Atlantic Tomorrow's Office Special Teams Player of the Week award. - NEC Football

(DS#999 K) rFr/2029

K Jack Hennessey, Central Connecticut
News Source: NEC Football
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09/30/25 - Jadon Turner, rSr/2026, Central Connecticut, 5-09, 170 (DS#999 RB) + More +

WEEK 5 NEC SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Jadon Turner, Central Connecticut, Return Specialist/Running Back, Graduate Student, 5-9, 170, Rochester, NY/Irondequoit (Stony Brook),...Last Week's Stats: 160 kickoff return yards (38-yard long), 5 kickoff return, 32.0 yards per kickoff return...Turner tacked on even more kickoff return yards to his league-leading count on Saturday after he covered 160 yards on five returns in a heartbreaking 35-28 defeat to Dartmouth. With that total yardage, which marked the fourth-most by an FCS return specialist in a game this season, the Rochester, NY native boosted his season total to 280 yards, a number that ranks 10th in the nation.

In the opening quarter, Turner ran a punt that was caught on Central Connecticut's six-yard line 26 yards to set up a nine-play, 68-yard touchdown drive that gave the Blue Devils a 14-7 advantage over the Big Green. Later in the game, the graduate student logged a 38-yard kickoff return that currently stands as the fifth-longest by an NEC player this year. The Preseason All-NEC return specialist is averaging 28.0 kickoff return yards per game to rank second in the conference. This is the first NEC/Atlantic Tomorrow's Office Special Teams Player of the Week award of 2025, and the second of his career, for the 2024 All-NEC second teamer. - NEC Football

(DS#999 RB) rSr/2026

RB Jadon Turner, Central Connecticut
News Source: NEC Football
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09/23/25 - Chris Jean, rSo/2028, Central Connecticut, 5-09, 180 (DS#999 CB) + More +

WEEK 4 NEC DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Christopher Jean, Central Connecticut,...Defensive Back, Redshirt Sophomore, 5-10, 180 lbs., Rochester, NY/Rochester,...Last Week's Stats: 7 solo tackles, 2 interceptions, 1 pass breakup, 1 blocked field goal...Jean was a menace on the gridiron once again in Central Connecticut's last-second defeat to Merrimack on Saturday. Posting seven tackles, the redshirt sophomore defensive back came away with two impressive interceptions in the second and third quarters to push his season total to three, a mark that leads the NEC. In addition, Jean recorded a pass breakup in the third quarter that forced a turnover on downs on a Merrimack 4th-and-8 at the Blue Devils' 36-yard line. His biggest play of the game came in the final quarter. With his team facing a 13-7 deficit, Jean blocked a 28-yard field goal and recovered the ball with 3:25 left. The ensuing offensive possession led to the Blue Devils' go-ahead touchdown. The Rochester, NY native also leads the NEC in pass breakups (4), while his 6.0 tackles per game are good for 15th overall. He is the first player to repeat as NEC/Atlantic Tomorrow's Office Defensive Player of the Week this year. - NEC Football

(DS#999 CB) rSo/2028

CB Chris Jean, Central Connecticut
News Source: NEC Football
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09/23/25 - Elijah Howard, rSr/2026, Central Connecticut, 5-10, 176 (DS#999 RB) + More +

WEEK 4 NEC OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Elijah Howard, Central Connecticut,...Running Back, Senior, 5-10, 185 lbs., Knoxville, TN/The Baylor School (Virginia Tech),...Last Week's Stats: 92 rushing yards, 16 rushes, 2 rushing touchdowns, 15 receiving yards, 1 reception...Howard fueled Central Connecticut's impressive fourth-quarter comeback at Merrimack with a pair of rushing scores on Saturday. With his team facing a 13-0 deficit heading into the final stanza, the NEC's reigning Offensive Player of the Year put the Blue Devils on the board with a 21-yard touchdown scamper at the 9:23 mark before he gave his team the lead on a score with 1:32 left to play. The Warriors would deliver the final blow, though, as they claimed the win with a 19-yard field goal in the final seconds of the game. On the evening, Howard finished with 107 all-purpose yards, including 92 rushing yards on 16 carries. Among league leaders, the Knoxville, TN native is fourth in rushing yards per game (59.7) and second in rushing touchdowns (3). This is his first NEC/Atlantic Tomorrow's Office Offensive Player of the Week award, and the first for a Blue Devil this season. - NEC Football

(DS#999 RB) rSr/2026

RB Elijah Howard, Central Connecticut
News Source: NEC Football
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09/23/25 - Brayden Hall, Jr/2027, Central Connecticut, 5-09, 175 (DS#999 CB) + More +

WEEK 3 NEC SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Brayden Hall, Central Connecticut,...Brayden Hall, Central Connecticut, Defensive Back, Junior, 6-0, 180 lbs., Chicago, IL/St. Rita's,...Last Week's Stats: 5 punt returns, 77 punt return yards (28-yard long), 15.4 yards per punt return,...Hall averaged 15.4 yards per punt return after finishing with 77 on five attempts in Central Connecticut's league-opening win over Saint Francis on Saturday. The only NEC returner to have 100-plus punt return yards to his name with 104 this season, Hall ranks first in the conference in punt returns (7) and average punt return yards (14.9). The defensive back also contributed two tackles to a Blue Devils' defense that held the Red Flash to seven points and negative yardage in the second half. This is his first-ever NEC/Atlantic Tomorrow's Office Special Teams Player of the Week award. - NEC Football

(DS#999 CB) Jr/2027

CB Brayden Hall, Central Connecticut
News Source: NEC Football
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09/23/25 - Chris Jean, rSo/2028, Central Connecticut, 5-09, 180 (DS#999 CB) + More +

WEEK 3 NEC CO-DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Christopher Jean, Central Connecticut,...Defensive Back, Sophomore, 5-9, 170 lbs., Rochester, NY/Rochester,...Last Week's Stats: 5 tackles (3 solo), 2 pass breakups, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery, 1 interception,...Jean, the reigning NEC Defensive Rookie of the Year, has picked up right where he left off in 2025. The sophomore defensive back helped backstop a defense that limited Saint Francis to just one score and negative yardage in the second half in both teams' NEC opener on Saturday. Stuffing the stat sheet with five tackles (3 solo), two pass breakups, one forced fumble, a fumble recovery and one pick, Jean led the Blue Devils to their fifth-straight win over an NEC opponent with the 31-7 decision.

He was on the ball early in the game, as his recovery on a muffed punt landed the Blue Devils on the Red Flash seven-yard line for their first offensive possession of the game. Central Connecticut went on to reach the scoreboard on that drive thanks to a one-yard touchdown catch by Elijah Howard. In addition, Jean's first interception of the year - and fifth of his career - came on a 3rd-and-18 on Saint Francis' own 15-yard line in the third quarter that resulted in a Donny Marcus touchdown on the ensuing drive. This is Jean's third NEC Defensive Player of the Week honor and his fifth weekly award from the conference. - NEC Football

(DS#999 CB) rSo/2028

CB Chris Jean, Central Connecticut
News Source: NEC Football
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09/16/25 - Jack Hennessey, rFr/2029, Central Connecticut, 5-10, 185 (DS#999 K) + More +

WEEK 1 NEC ROOKIE OF THE WEEK: Jack Hennessey, Central Connecticut,...Kicker, Redshirt Freshman, 5-10, 185, Endwell, NY/Maine-Endwell...Week 1 Stats: 2-2 FG (20, 29 yards), 1-1 PAT...Hennessey turned in a perfect 3-for-3 effort in each of his kicking attempts in Central Connecticut's season opener at FBS and in-state foe UConn on Saturday afternoon. The redshirt freshman registered his first career point early, as he helped give the Blue Devils a 7-0 edge just 2:06 after opening kickoff when he converted on the ensuing PAT that followed a touchdown from Elijah Howard. The Endwell, NY native went on to drill field goals from 20 and 29-yards out to finish with a team-leading seven points in his collegiate debut. - NEC Football

(DS#999 K) rFr/2029

K Jack Hennessey, Central Connecticut
News Source: NEC Football
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09/13/25 - Brady Olson, rSr/2026, Central Connecticut, 6-3, 200 (DS#999 QB) + More +

Brady Olson threw for 193 yards and two touchdowns, Donny Marcus added two rushing scores, and defending Northeast Conference champion Central Connecticut beat Saint Francis 31-7 on Saturday to begin league play for both teams. CCSU (2-1) improved to 25-7 in its series with Saint Francis (0-3). It marked the final matchup between the two teams as conference rivals as the Red Flash will begin the transition to Division III following the season.

The CCSU defense forced five turnovers, with two interceptions and three fumble recoveries. DB Christopher Jean had five tackles, an interception and a fumble recovery. The Blue Devils also held Saint Francis to 210 total yards and 11 first downs. Elijah Howard made two touchdown catches for CCSU, which has won seven consecutive home games. Donovan Wadley added 72 yards receiving on two grabs. Nick Whitfield Jr. was 13 of 26 for 159 yards with two interceptions for Saint Francis. Lukas Gilland had a 71-yard reception - marking the first time a freshman had a catch of 70-plus yards for Saint Francis since 2016. - AP College Football

(DS#999 QB) rSr/2026

QB Brady Olson, Central Connecticut
News Source: AP College Football
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09/06/25 - Brady Olson, rSr/2026, Central Connecticut, 6-3, 200 (DS#999 QB) + More +

Brady Olson threw for 247 yards and two touchdowns as Central Connecticut defeated Division II American International 34-7 on Saturday. The Blue Devils (1-1) scored twice in two minutes of game time to bring a 17-7 lead into the half. Trailing 7-3 midway through the second quarter, Davon Smith Jr. scored on a 5-yard run to give the Blue Devils the lead. Olson then connected with Donny Marcus for a 54-yard touchdown on the first play after the Blue Devils forced a three-and-out. The pass was the longest play of the game.

The Blue Devils managed 375 yards of total offense, were 2-for-9 on third downs, and converted on their only fourth-down attempt. Malachi Wright had nine total tackles, 2.5 sacks, and a forced fumble to pace the defense, and Derek Berlitz and Carter Banks each collected one sack. Tra'Vion Singleton recovered a muffed punt in the end zone for the Yellow Jackets' only score. AIC is 0-2 against Central Connecticut all-time, losing 44-0 in their last matchup in 2023. - AP College Football

(DS#999 QB) rSr/2026

QB Brady Olson, Central Connecticut
News Source: AP College Football
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11/21/22 - Nasir Smith, Sr/2023, Central Connecticut, 5-10, 212 (DS#101 RB) + More +

NOV 21 NEC CO-OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Nasir Smith, Central Connecticut, Running Back, Sr., 5-11, 220 lbs., Auburn, NY/Alfred, Week 12 Stats: 29 rushes, 218 rushing yards, 7.5 rushing yards per carry, 4 rushing TDs,...Smith ran for a career-high 218 yards to secure the NEC's rushing title in Central Connecticut's 39-13 win over Stonehill on Saturday. The Auburn, NY native carried the ball 29 times with four touchdowns. One play after converting on a fourth down, Smith opened the second half with a 15-yard run, which proved to be the go-ahead score. His third touchdown of the game from 10 yards out capped a 90-yard drive that put CCSU in front, 32-14, while his final score, a 30-yard run, put him over the 200-yard mark on the afternoon. Leading the conference in rushing yards per game (110.8), Smith finished tied for first in the conference with 14 touchdowns, while his 13 rushing scores were the most in the league. This is his first NEC Player of the Week honor of the season. - NEC Football

(DS#101 RB) Sr/2023

RB Nasir Smith, Central Connecticut
News Source: NEC Football
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