American International College

NEW BRITAIN, Connecticut - The American International College football team kept it close for a half, but Division I Central Connecticut State University ultimately won a 51-14 victory on Saturday, October 10.

AIC is now 2-4 overall.

The Blue Devils struck first, finishing an eight-play, 60-yard drive with a Brett Griffis run from three yards out, but AIC answered with a 13-play, 65 yard scoring drive of its own, keyed by a Christopher Washington 12-yard catch on a third-and-11 play as well as a 31-yard Hardley Gilmore catch, also on third-and-11. Ronjai Francis then caught a four-yard pass for the score.

The Blue Devils nearly got it back on their next play, but a 56-yard touchdown run was nullified by a holding call. The hosts scored anyway, with a 36-yard Damani Williams touchdown catch to lead 14-7 after one.

The home squad's lead expanded quickly after a strip sack gave CCSU possession at AIC's 17, and the Blue Devils took advantage with a two-play touchdown drive. They also scored on their next drive, going 67 yards to add another seven.

The game was threatening to get out of hand, but AIC pushed back; Gilmore made back-to-back big catches for 26 and 33 yards, pushing into CCSU territory, but AIC ultimately turned it over on downs in the red zone. However, the defense forced a punt and a penalty gave AIC the ball back on the home 23. This time, AIC finished the drive, with Jovanny Brown catching a pass in the end zone three plays later to cut the gap to 28-14 at halftime.

That turned out to be the last scoring for AIC; the Blue Devils added 17 points in the third to put the game out of reach and one more touchdown in the early fourth for the 51-14 final.

Gilmore made eight catches for 125 yards to lead the game; he has caught over 100 yards in each of AIC's six games this season and leads the NE10 with 707 yards and 38 receptions. 

Trey'von Holland led AIC's defense with eight tackles, seven of which were solo. Tra'Vion Singleton and Connor Dietz each made an interception as well. 

AIC heads back to Northeast 10 Conference play at Pace University on Saturday, October 17 at 1:00 p.m.