Football falls in season opener at Division I Central Connecticut

NEW BRITAIN, Connecticut – The American International College football team opened the 2023 season at Division I Central Connecticut State University, falling 44-0 on Saturday, September 2.

AIC is 0-1 on the season.

The Blue Devils opened the scoring on their first drive, kicking a 48-yard field goal to go ahead 3-0 at 3:48. AIC countered with a seven-play drive, but stalled in Central Connecticut territory, and the hosts needed just five plays to travel 65 yards for the game's first touchdown.

After an AIC punt, the Blue Devils once again went downfield, and on the first play of the second quarter pushed the ball over the goal line. They would tack on two more field goals and another touchdown prior to halftime to take a 30-0 lead into the break.

AIC played a stronger third quarter defensively, forcing a turnover on downs and a pair of punts to keep the home team off the board. The Blue Devils threatened early in the fourth, pushing to the AIC three, but Kyle Lane knocked the ball free from the hands of Blue Devils quarterback C.J. Duell, with Aaron Jones recovering the fumble.

Ultimately, Central Connecticut did score twice more for the 44-0 final.

AIC's top offensive threat was Sidiki Kone, who had 16 carries for 70 yards, and also led the team with three catches for 33 yards to generate 103 total yards of offense. Jaylen Encarnacion led the defense with eight tackles, while Marcus Thomas and Benjamin Smaw each took down six; Lane had five tackles and a pass breakup in addition to the forced fumble.

AIC opens Northeast-10 Conference play and hosts its first home football game on 2023 on Saturday, September 9 at 7:00 p.m. when Franklin Pierce University visits Ronald J. Abdow Field.