MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. (Interstat) — A dominant first half and a key defensive touchdown propelled Central Connecticut to a 24-12 victory over Robert Morris on Saturday at Joe Walton Stadium.

The Blue Devils (3-3) built a commanding lead by scoring 14 points in the first quarter and never looked back, despite a late push from the Colonials (1-4) in the fourth quarter.

Central Connecticut’s offense was efficient from the opening drive. Quarterback Brady Olson, a 6-foot-4, 200-pound sophomore from Bellingham, Massachusetts, engineered a methodical opening series, culminating in a 34-yard touchdown pass to Donovan Wadley. Olson finished the game 19 of 34 for 187 yards and a touchdown, adding 19 yards on the ground.

The Blue Devils’ ground game quickly extended their lead. Running back Elijah Howard, a 5-11, 175-pound defender from Chattanooga, Tennessee, broke free for a 29-yard touchdown run late in the first quarter. Howard was the workhorse for Central Connecticut, amassing 131 rushing yards and a touchdown on 16 carries.

The Colonials’ offense, led by quarterback Cooper Panteck, struggled to find consistency against a stout Blue Devils defense. Panteck, a 6-5, 190-pound Strongsville, Ohio native, was intercepted twice. The second interception proved catastrophic for Robert Morris, as Central Connecticut linebacker Devon Anderson picked off a Panteck pass and returned it 55 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter, extending the lead.

Robert Morris finally found the end zone in the fourth quarter after a quarterback change. Jake Wolfe, a 6-1, 195-pound signal-caller from Mckees Rocks, Pennsylvania, entered the game and connected with Chaz Middleton on a 6-yard touchdown pass. Wolfe later guided another scoring drive, capped by a 7-yard touchdown run from Donta Whack.

The Colonials attempted a two-point conversion after each score but failed on both attempts, leaving them 12 points behind. Central Connecticut sealed the game with a 35-yard field goal from Jack Hennessey with 4:24 remaining.

Middleton was a bright spot for the Robert Morris offense, hauling in nine receptions for 186 yards and a touchdown. The Colonials’ comeback attempt fell short as their season record dropped to 1-4.

The victory brings Central Connecticut back to .500 on the season at 3-3. The Blue Devils’ defense was instrumental, generating two turnovers and holding the Robert Morris offense in check for the majority of the contest. The final score of 36 combined points fell well under the pregame over/under line of 42.5, and the result was an upset, as Robert Morris had been installed as a 10-point favorite. Interstat’s game simulator had projected a much closer final score of Central Connecticut 34, Robert Morris 32.