NEW BRITAIN, Connecticut - The American International College football team kept it close facing off against a Division I opponent before ultimately falling 34-7 to Central Connecticut State University in the team's 2025 opener on Saturday, September 6.

AIC is now 0-1 on the season.

The Yellow Jackets were able to generate a first down on the third play of the game, as Cephas Williams completed back-to-back four-yard passes to Deven Arthur and Brian LaFrance, but ultimately the drive stalled there and AIC was forced to punt. The host Blue Devils drove down the field, converting a fourth down in the red zone, but a bad snap on the next play cost them 14 yards. AIC's defense locked in and held them from there, and Central Connecticut had to settle for a field goal.

Although Bo Catherwood generated back-to-back first downs on AIC's next possession, with an 18-yard catch and a 13-yard run immediately following, the Yellow Jackets were stopped just into CCSU territory and once again punted. The home side fared worse, going three-and-out to start the second quarter, punting back to AIC.

AIC's next drive proved fruitful, although in an unexpected way. Arthur opened it up with a nice catch on a screen that he was able to turn into a 19-yard gain, but a sack and a penalty put AIC back to punt from their own 38. The end-over-end kick by Matthew Slojkowski bounced over the Blue Devils return man, and he tipped it on the way by, leading to a mad scramble that ended with Tra'Vion Singleton falling on the ball in the end zone for a touchdown. Santana Fonseca connected on the extra point, and AIC had a 7-3 lead over a stunned Blue Devils team just before the five-minute mark of the frame.

The home squad was able to shake off the miscue and respond quickly. A few medium-range plays set up for a 47-yard pass that would have gone for a touchdown but for a great effort to get a tackle by Marquis Lundy at the AIC five-yard-line; the Blue Devils punched it in on the ground on the next play anyway. 

After forcing AIC to go three-and-out, CCSU struck quickly again, with the first play after AIC punted landing for a 54-yard touchdown on a deep ball over the top.

The Yellow Jackets next drive was impressive, as AIC was able to move from deep in their own territory quickly thanks to long catches by Fatir Bell and Brian LaFrance. Connor Dietz then showed off his legs, converting a 4th-and-seven with a 19-yard run. He tried to do it again from the CCSU 20, but came up one yard short, and AIC turned it over on downs to go into halftime down 17-7.

That was as close as the Yellow Jackets were able to get to the end zone. The Blue Devils took advantage of a fumble deep in AIC territory early in the third to extend the lead to 24-7, and added a touchdown and a field goal in the fourth for the 34-7 final.

Mikai Gamble and Jakkai Stith tied for the team lead with nine tackles; Stith had three for losses, including a sack, and Derik Lopez also picked up his first career sack. Neither team had an interception.

AIC will open up Ronald J. Abdow Field at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 13 against Assumption University in a nonconference contest.