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University of Massachusets Athletics
University of Massachusetts
3-2
Central Connecticut
2-4
Thellen And Defense Seal The Win Over CCSU, 42-26
October 08, 2011 | Football
Oct. 8, 2011
Box Score |
Photo Gallery 
AMHERST, Mass. - UMass scored 14 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to seal a 42-26 win over Central Connecticut State University. Wide receiver Jesse Julmiste started the fourth quarter scoring with a 90-yard kickoff return. Safety Darren Thellen returned the second of his career high two interceptions for 85-yards and the score.
With the victory UMass is now 3-2, while CCSU falls to 2-4.
In his second start of the season Quarterback Brandon Hill went 10-18 for 169-yards and a score. Passing attempt, completions and yards were all career highs for the redshirt freshman. He also set a career high long pass with a 58-yarder.
Tailback Jonathan Hernandez led the UMass ground attack with 20 rushes good for 87-yards and two touchdowns. This was his second multi-touchdown game of the season.
The Minutemen got on the board first capping off an 11-play 69-yard drive by scoring on a 20-yard field goal by Brendon Levengood.
The Blue Devils answered on their first drive scoring on a 1-yard run by quarterback Gunnar Jespersen.
UMass went on a 19-6 scoring run from the end of the first quarter all the way to half. Hernandez started the scoring with a 2-yard run with 1:23 left in the first. The scoring continued at the start of the second quarter when CCSU punter Steve Calitri kicked a bad snap out the back of the endzone for a UMass safety.
The Minutemen kept the momentum scoring on a 58-yard reception by tight end Emil Igwenagu. The score was the longest of the redshirt senior's career. He finished the game with 4 receptions for 99-yards.
The scoring in the first half finished with a 35-yard field goal by Levengood, and a 12-yard rush by CCSU's Chris Tolbert.
Out of the half UMass struck first scoring on a 27-yard touchdown by Hernandez, his second of the day, making it 28-13 Minutemen.
Central Connecticut answered with a 1-yard rush by Jespersen, his second of the game. Then scored again on a 4-yard reception by Raul DeBenedittis, making it 28-26 UMass. The Blue Devils failed on the 2-point conversion proving to be the deciding factor in the game.
The Minutemen take the field again on Oct. 15 as they head to Delaware to take on the Blue Hens. Then they are off to Gillette Stadium on Oct. 22 for the Colonial Clash against New Hampshire.
Team Stats
CCSU 0, UMASS 3
UMASS - B. Levengood 20 yd field goal 11 plays, 69 yards, TOP 5:09
CCSU 7, UMASS 3
CCSU - JESPERSEN, G. 1 yd run (DUQUE, Juan kick), 8 plays, 69 yards, TOP 3:42
CCSU 7, UMASS 10
UMASS - J. Hernandez 2 yd run (B. Levengood kick), 6 plays, 84 yards, TOP 2:54
CCSU 7, UMASS 12
UMASS - TEAM 29 yd safety
CCSU 7, UMASS 19
UMASS - E. Igwenagu 58 yd pass from B. Hill (B. Levengood kick) 4 plays, 70 yards, TOP 1:37
CCSU 7, UMASS 22
UMASS - B. Levengood 35 yd field goal 5 plays, 3 yards, TOP 2:03
CCSU 13, UMASS 22
CCSU - TOLBERT, Chris 12 yd run (DUQUE, Juan kickfailed), 7 plays, 72 yards, TOP 2:13
CCSU 13, UMASS 28
UMASS - J. Hernandez 24 yd run (B. Levengood kickblocked), 2 plays, 55 yards, TOP 0:23
CCSU 20, UMASS 28
CCSU - JESPERSEN, G. 1 yd run (DUQUE, Juan kick), 8 plays, 74 yards, TOP 3:17
CCSU 26, UMASS 28
CCSU - DEBENENDITTIS,R 4 yd pass from JESPERSEN, G. (TOLBERT, Chris rushfailed) 19 plays, 68 yards, TOP 7:51
CCSU 26, UMASS 35
UMASS - J. Julmiste 90 yd kickoff return (B. Levengood kick)
CCSU 26, UMASS 42
UMASS - D. Thellen 85 yd interception (B. Levengood kick)