Holmes Earns NEC Honor

Freshman defensive back Tyrell Holmes was named the Northeast Conference football rookie of the week on Monday.  Holmes and the Blue Devils topped Southern Connecticut 35-21 on Saturday afternoon, winning their 15th straight home game.

Holmes received his first career start in his first game as a Blue Devil.  The former two-time All-State selection at Connecticut's Bristol Eastern High School made quite a splash in his collegiate debut, recording seven tackles (2 solo, 5 assist) and intercepting a pass during the Blue Devils' 35-21 victory. 

Holmes made six of his seven tackles in the second half to help Central hold off a pesky Owls' offense.  He denied Southern in a red zone opportunity late in the third quarter when he picked off Kevin's Lynch's pass at the three-yard line on a 2-and-9 play. 

He added a fourth-quarter pass break-up to his line, too. Holmes played well against the run, making a trio of stops in which he limited the ball carrier to two yards or fewer.

Holmes and the Blue Devils return to action on Saturday night at James Madison at 6 p.m.