Loretto, Pa. (Oct. 6, 2007) - Saint Francis University changed up their offensive game plan Saturday afternoon by registering more net rushing yards than passing yards for the first time this season. Anthony Richards (Parlin, N.J./Cardinal McCarrick) (Parlin, N.J./Cardinal McCarrick) led the ground attack by rushing for a career high; carrying the ball 20 times for a staggering 152 yards en route to the Red Flash's second conference loss. Visiting Central Connecticut State reestablished their highest national ranking out of all seven Northeast Conference teams by rolling up 460 total yards in a 43-7 victory over Saint Francis.

Saint Francis' second conference tilt was highlighted by slipshod play on both sides of the ball when each club coughed up the ball four times. Central Connecticut State only lost the ball once as a result of those four fumbles, but SFU did not experience the same luck as their opponent, losing the ball three times; twice in CCSU's red zone.

For the fourth game in a row, Saint Francis' young linebacker corps represented the defensive stance valiantly. Scott Lewis (South Fork, PA/Bishop McCourt) (South Fork, Pa./Bishop McCort) left DeGol Field with the Blue Devils insignia tattooed in his chest after he tallied 18 total tackles on the day while one and a half of those tackles were for a loss of nine yards. He also caused a fumble and recorded a quarterback hurry. Lewis' freshman counterparts, Matthew Parker (Darlington, PA/Blackhawk) (Darlington, Pa./Blackhawk) and Ryan Shepard (Kittanning, Pa./Kittanning) (Kittanning, Pa./Kittanning) teed off on Central Connecticut State as well, chronicling ten and seven tackles, respectively.

Jude Yearwood (Elkridge, Md./Howard) (Elkridge, Md./Howard) also had a fine day for the special teams unit, returning five kickoffs for an aggregate of 127 yards.

Central Connecticut State opened the scoring on the very first drive of the game after Joshua Bentley (Pittsburgh, Pa/Schenley ) (Pittsburgh, Pa./Schenely) was flagged for a pass interference call on third and nine, maintaining CCSU's momentum. The Flash forced the Blue Devils to a fourth and two situation on their own 28-yard line, but a Jermaine Roberts endzone scamper kept CCSU's special teams unit at bay. Dennis Bien pushed the point after attempt right, holding the contest at 6-0 with 9:22 left in the first quarter.

After Yearwood returned the ball to SFU's 26, Anthony Richards (Parlin, N.J./Cardinal McCarrick) broke the longest play from scrimmage of the season for 65 yards, down to Central Connecticut State's eight-yard line. Three incomplete passes from George Little (Duquesne, Pa./Duquesne) (Duquesne, Pa./Duquesne) stalled the drive, leading to a blocked field goal attempt off the toe of Adam Sciulli (Pittsburgh, Pa/Central Catholic) (Pittsburgh, Pa./Central Catholic). CCSU assumed custody of the ball at Saint Francis' 13-yard line, and on the ninth running play in a row of CCSU's second offensive possession, Adrian Hull scampered in for the score on a seven yard option play. Bien's extra point broadened the Blue Devils lead to 13-0.

The two teams exchanged possessions, and at 8:44 of the second period, Sciulli's attempt to tie a career long from 39 yards out was blocked by Dominique Rose. CCSU's senior signal-caller Ryan Holmes struck Jay Roberts on a 66-yard heave for the touchdown two plays later. Bien missed his second PAT of the afternoon, keeping the lead at 19-0 in favor of the Blue Devils. Saint Francis went three-and-out on the swap over.

On the ensuing drive, the Flash had a chance at changing the momentum after Cortney Williams (Mount Holly, N.J./Rancocas Valley) (Mount Holly, N.J./Rancocas Valley) earned his first career interception, but he turned it over on the return after Jermaine Roberts scooped up the William's fumble on CCSU's 19-yard line. The turnover did not result in any points, but when SFU took over on their own 44-yard line, Richards lost the ball again on the second play of the drive. CCSU strong safety Victor D'Arrigo's fumble recovery led to a scoreboard change this time, though, when junior quarterback Aubrey Norris found Nick Colagiovannni on a 24-yard touchdown toss with 2:08 left to play in the second quarter. The Red Flash couldn't muster a scoring drive as the first half of play concluded in favor of Central Connecticut State, 26-0.

Saint Francis initiated the second half on a promising offensive charge, with the emphasis coming from three completions to the team leader in receptions, Antoine Rivera (Willingboro, NJ/Willingboro -BCIT) (Willingboro, N.J./Willingboro). Yet, another Richards' fumble on CCSU's six-yard line dashed all hopes of a score. Cornerback Marcus Dorsey added insult to injury by taking the turnover 41 yards the other way. The turnover gave way to a 25-yard field goal from Bien at the 5:40 mark of the third stanza, extending the lead to 29-0.

Saint Francis ran three unsuccessful plays on the subsequent effort, but junior punter Bobby Fuller (Mount Savage, Md/Beall) (Mount Savage, Md/Beall) clubbed a career long blast for 60 yards. On CCSU's offensive possession, the Blue Devils found themselves at another fourth and two juncture on the SFU 30, but an offsides call kept their scoring opportunity alive. Three plays later, Aubrey Norris made his way in for the score on the keeper from 20 yards out, expanding the 29 point lead to 36 after the extra try was successful.

Directly after the Red Flash went three-and-out, Fuller's punt was blocked by Lamont Tillery on Saint Francis' 21-yard marker. It only took the Blue Devils two plays to make it 43-0 for their sixth touchdown of the day, this time, from the efforts of a Jo Jo Freeman 19-yard scuttle with 10:22 remaining in the match. That score led to a perfect 5-for-5 red zone conversion performance from Central Connecticut State.

Junior Dan Hindman (Elizabeth, Pa. /Elizabeth Forward) (Elizabeth, Pa./Elizabeth Forward) recovered his first fumble off the likes of redshirt sophomore quarterback Zach Cavanaugh at the CCSU 18-yard line with 3:01 remaining. Ryan Zarnich (Rochester, Pa./Rochester Area) (Rochester, Pa./Rochester Area) earned his first catch of the season, a three-yard lob from Little, resulting in his first collegiate touchdown reception. Sciulli converted the extra point, but it was too little too late for the Red Flash as they dropped their fourth consecutive decision. Central Connecticut State's 43-7 victory over Saint Francis was a rebound from their 51-14 defeat in Kalamazoo, Mich. after they lost to Western Michigan last week.

“We had our concerns about this Central Connecticut State after they put up a ferocious battle against a Division I-FBS school,” head coach Dave Opfar commented. “We had a lot more success running the ball today which was encouraging to see, but our lack of mental toughness led to too many turnovers. We can't do that if want to compete against teams of that caliber.”

Saint Francis (0-4, 0-2) will remain in Loretto, Pa. at DeGol Field for next week's non-conference game against Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference member Duquesne. The contest is slated for 1pm. The Duquesne Dukes will join the Northeast Conference for the 2008 season as the eight member of the association.