Robert Morris’ five-game winning streak was snapped and Central Connecticut won at least a share of the Northeast Conference title and the conference’s automatic berth into the NCAA Playoffs with a 49-28 victory over the Colonials at Arute Field on Saturday.
CCSU pulled ahead with 21 points in the third quarter after the game was level at the halftime break. In total, the Blue Devils scored four unanswered touchdowns in the second half to build a 42-14 lead before the Colonials closed the gap with two late George Martin touchdown passes.
Robert Morris can still win a share of the conference title with a win over Sacred Heart on Saturday and a Central Connecticut loss to Duquesne.
The Dukes also dropped a game in New England, falling 20-16 to Bryant. Duquesne found the end zone just once against the Bulldogs, on a 1-yard A.J. Hines plunge in the fourth quarter, otherwise relying on three Mitch Maczura field goals.
Hines had 103 yards and Mark Allen rushed for 119, but the Duquesne passing attack has not been the same since Daniel Parr was lost to injury. Brett Brumbaugh was 14 of 23 for 139, but had two interceptions.
The Dukes needed to win and have RMU beat Central Connecticut to force a possible three-way conference tie, but didn’t come through on either leg of that gambit.
Both games on Saturday will kick off at noon. The Dukes and Blue Devils are at Rooney Field on the Bluff and RMU will host Sacred Heart at Joe Walton Stadium.
