Football Set for Home Opener
The Blue Devils will host Lehigh at 12 p.m. Saturday.
Saturday, September 8, 2012 marks the beginning of a new era in Central Connecticut Athletics.
The Blue Devils (0-1) will host the #14/16 Mountain Hawks of Lehigh (1-0) in the 2012 home opener. The game will be the first at the newly expanded Arute Field, which now boasts a seating capacity of 5,500 and a state-of-the-art video board.
To avoid long lines on game day, fans should purchase tickets online through CCSUTickets.com. The new online home for tickets to CCSU football and men's and women's basketball features single game and season ticket packages. Fans can buy online, print their ticket at home and then proceed directly to the gate upon arriving at Arute Field.
The last time the Blue Devils and Mountain Hawks met on the football field, CCSU pulled off the upset knocking off Lehigh, 28-21, on the road. Lehigh has never played the Blue Devils at Arute Field.
Listen Live - Fox Sports Radio 1410 AM and the iHeart Radio App
Watch Live - NEC Front Row
Here are some notes on the Blue Devils heading into Week Two:
Today's Game
The Blue Devils host #14/16 Lehigh in the home opener of their 74th season of college football. These programs have met just twice prior to today and the series stands even at 1-1. The last meeting was the opening weekend of the 2009 season. The Blue Devils went on the road that day and topped the Mountain Hawks, 28-21. The only other meeting came in 2001, that year Lehigh earned a 58-10 victory. This will be the first time that CCSU and Lehigh play at Arute Field.
Arute Field
Central Connecticut has been playing football on Arute Field since the 1950s and the field has occupied its current location since the 1960s. The current incarnation has been in use since the 2000 season and has been a kind home for the Blue Devils, especially of late, with a 24-5 record under head coach Jeff McInerney. Today, the latest renovations to the field are officially completed and the facility now boasts a capacity of 5,500 and a state-of-the-art video board. The new additions make Arute Field one of the premier facilities in the Northeast Conference and New England.
Opener at #17 Stony Brook • L, 49-17
The Blue Devils opened the 2012 season on Saturday, September 1, at #17 Stony Brook. The Seawolves built a 21-3 lead and eventually won the game 49-17. Here are some notes from the opening contest:
• Junior quarterback Andrew Clements posted his first 100-yard rushing game in the loss. He ran for 103 yards and two touchdowns.
• Senior kicker Juan Duque connected on a 37-yard field goal and a pair of extra points at Stony Brook. The field goal was the second longest of his career.
• Freshman Aaron Berardino had four tackles and an interception in the game. He was named NEC Rookie of the Week for his Performance.
Berardino, Rookie of the Week
Freshman Aaron Berardino was named Northeast Conference Rookie of the Week on Monday afternoon. The Windsor, CT, native had four tackles and an interception in Central's loss to Stony Brook. The interception ended the Stony Brook drive and on the ensuing possession the Blue Devils punched in their first touchdown of the season.