NORTH EASTON (Interstat) — Brett Griffis accounted for four touchdowns and Central Connecticut pulled away from Stonehill for a 31-7 victory in an NCAA Football Championship Division game on Saturday at W.B. Mason Stadium. The announced attendance was 1,337. Central Connecticut improved to 6-3. Stonehill dropped to 4-6. The Blue Devils scored seven points in the first quarter, 10 in the second, seven in the third and seven in the fourth. The Skyhawks scored all seven of their points in the first quarter and were held scoreless the rest of the way. Central Connecticut finished with 31 points despite missing two field goals. Central Connecticut’s defense made key stops in the second half.

Stonehill struck first when Aidan Garrett capped a drive with a 2-yard touchdown run in the first quarter, and Domenic Scalese added the extra point. Central Connecticut answered behind Griffis, who scored on a 1-yard run in the second quarter and later found Gabriel Wiggins for a 51-yard touchdown in the fourth. Jack Hennessey converted the extra points after both scores. Hennessey also missed a 31-yard field goal in the second quarter, and his 51-yard attempt in the third quarter was blocked by Aaziah Scott. Griffis added a 32-yard run in the third quarter. The Blue Devils controlled the line of scrimmage and finished with 31 points despite the missed kicks. Central Connecticut’s defense limited Stonehill to seven points and forced a turnover. The Skyhawks moved the ball at times but could not finish drives. Stonehill’s best chance to add points came in the first quarter, but the Skyhawks managed only seven points the rest of the way. Central Connecticut’s defense tightened in the second half, allowing Stonehill to cross midfield only sparingly. The Blue Devils also generated pressure on O’Connell, finishing with multiple quarterback hurries and a sack.

Griffis finished 21 of 27 for 286 yards and three touchdowns and ran six times for 18 yards and another score. Jack O’Connell of Stonehill completed 11 of 28 passes for 111 yards and ran four times for 17 yards. Julian Amankwah had five tackles and a sack for the Skyhawks. Sammy Johnson punted twice for 64 yards for Central Connecticut. Garrett carried 14 times for 64 yards and a touchdown. Shane Eason ran once for seven yards. Shawn Corchado caught two passes for 35 yards. Cole Clarke caught three passes for 33 yards. Khalil Wilson caught one pass for 18 yards and made one tackle. An’Tiyan Neal caught two passes for 14 yards. Alijah Turner caught two passes for nine yards and returned four kickoffs for 63 yards. Jaylin Baker caught one pass for two yards. Ma’Hkai Wilson made nine tackles and one quarterback hurry. Deandre Goodson made six tackles and one quarterback hurry. Jordan Irvine made six tackles and one sack. Tyler Bannon made six tackles and one quarterback hurry. Jack Hennessey handled kicking duties for Central Connecticut. Adjatay Abegesah made five tackles and one quarterback hurry. Griffis’s favorite target was Wiggins, who caught four passes for 92 yards and a touchdown. Smith added 102 rushing yards on 16 carries. Trovarelli and Pardo each caught a touchdown pass.

Christopher Gill made four tackles for Stonehill. Trevon Baxter and Mohamed Toure each made three tackles. Spencer Davila made two tackles. Aaziah Scott made two tackles, one quarterback hurry and blocked a field goal. Mo Seide, Phoenix Sward, Tre Rankin, Marquan Saddler Jr., Langdon Laws and Gene Townsel each made one tackle. Domenic Scalese handled kicking duties. Logan Chenette punted seven times for 313 yards. Deonte Douglas made three tackles for Central Connecticut. Davon Smith Jr. ran 16 times for 102 yards and caught two passes for 19 yards. John Manning IV ran five times for 32 yards. Isaac Stopke ran once for 14 yards and caught three passes for eight yards. Gabriel Wiggins ran six times for 14 yards, caught four passes for 92 yards, returned one kickoff for 27 yards and scored a touchdown. Michael Trovarelli caught five passes for 73 yards and a touchdown. David Pardo caught three passes for 45 yards and a touchdown. Donovan Wadley caught one pass for 26 yards and returned one kickoff for 64 yards. Elijah Daniels caught one pass for 18 yards. Damani Williams caught two passes for five yards. Jacob Staton made six tackles. Amir Proctor made five tackles. Mykhi Davis made three tackles. Daren Omoregie made three tackles and intercepted a pass. Jarrett Serate had one quarterback hurry. LaZaryus Toombs made three tackles and three quarterback hurries. Navon Mitchell and JJ Gibson each made two tackles.

Central Connecticut entered the game after a 49-14 home win over Robert Morris. The Blue Devils had won four of their previous five games, including a 42-20 win over New Haven, a 43-40 win at Mercyhurst, a 51-14 win over American International and a 45-14 win over Wagner. Their three losses this season came against Montana State, Toledo and South Dakota. Stonehill had won two of its previous three games, including a 34-28 home win over Mercyhurst and an 18-14 win at Long Island. The Skyhawks also had a 28-7 win at Sacred Heart and a 21-3 win at New Haven earlier in the season. Stonehill’s losses came against Duquesne, Ohio, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Bryant. Central Connecticut improved to 6-3 with the win. Stonehill fell to 4-6. Central Connecticut will next play at Long Island before hosting Duquesne. Stonehill will play at Robert Morris before hosting Wagner. The game was played in front of 1,337 fans at W.B. Mason Stadium.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Central Connecticut 35, Stonehill 31. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Central Connecticut with a 66.4 percent probability to win.