Clark"s late fumble return lifts Central Connecticut over St. Francis

In a thrilling Northeast Conference opener on Saturday, Central Connecticut secured a 27-20 victory over St. Francis (Pa.) in Loretto, Pennsylvania. The game was marked by significant plays, including a crucial fumble return by Kimal Clark, who scored the winning touchdown with just 1:45 left on the clock. This decisive moment came after Adrian Mejia stripped the ball from DeMarcus McElroy, setting the stage for Clark's 18-yard return. The match saw the Red Flash initially take the lead with a remarkable 97-yard run by McElroy, the longest rushing play for the program since 2021. However, Central Connecticut responded effectively, with Brady Olson connecting with Michael Plaskon for an 11-yard touchdown just before halftime, giving the Blue Devils a 20-14 advantage. St. Francis managed to tie the game at 20 when Fran Brown Jr. recovered a fumble in the end zone after a mishap by Central Connecticut late in the third quarter. The game was characterized by back-and-forth scoring, including a 94-yard kickoff return by DaMario Crawford for St. Francis and two field goals by Jack Barnum for Central Connecticut. Ultimately, the Blue Devils improved their record to 2-1 overall and 1-0 in the conference, while the Red Flash fell to 1-2 and 0-1. The game highlighted the competitive nature of the Northeast Conference and showcased the resilience of Central Connecticut in securing a late-game victory.