Bobcats remain undefeated with 35-30 comeback win over Central Connecticut

A sea of 21,557 fans in pink appeared in the Bobcat Stadium Saturday afternoon, as MSU took on Central Connecticut State University (CCSU) for the second home game of the 2026 season.

MSU Bobcat Football outscored the CCSU Blue Devils 35-30 on Sept. 19 for the annual Pack the Place in Pink game, leading the Bobcats into their fourth 2026 season win and 18th consecutive win. 

The first quarter was barren, with neither team scoring.

The second quarter picked up the pace. The teams traded touchdowns that ended tied 7-7 at halftime. 

MSU’s running back Adam Jones rushed for 122 yards on 18 carries and caught six passes for 92 yards, giving him 214 yards from scrimmage for the ‘Cats, who withstood a late Blue Devils touchdown before they ran out the clock.

"We needed to find a way to run the football and stabilize [the offense]," MSU Head Coach Brent Vigen said. "It took much longer than I would have hoped, but ultimately Adam was able to pop some runs, run real hard both on that side and the receiving side." 

CCSU led 21-7 in the third quarter after Blue Devil quarterback Brett Griffis threw a 42-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Elijah Daniels and defensive back Navon Mitchell returned a fumble 42 yards for a score just 18 seconds later. 

MSU answered with quarterback Justin Lamson's 9-yard touchdown pass to tight end Rocky Lencioni, then MSU tied the game at 21 when Lamson found wide receiver Dane Steel for a 31-yard score with only 33 seconds left in the quarter. 

Jones broke a 32-yard touchdown run on third-and-three early in the fourth to give MSU a 28-21 lead. The drive started after a 36-yard punt return by wide receiver Taco Dowler.

CCSU’s kicker Jack Hennessey's 45-yard field goal set the margin to 28-24, but Jones answered with a 13-yard touchdown run with 4:10 left in the quarter. 

CCSU’s Griffis hit wide receiver Damani Williams for a 15-yard touchdown with 54 seconds remaining, but the two-point try failed. The Blue Devils onside kick also failed, and the Bobcats ran out the clock. 

Lamson completed 23 of 29 passes for 239 yards and two touchdowns, with one interception. MSU outgained CCSU 413 yards to 355 and sacked Griffis four times, two of them by defensive end Seth Brock. 

Griffis was 18 of 30 for 228 yards and two touchdowns and added a two-yard rushing score in the second. Running back Davon Smith Jr. ran for 92 yards on 19 carries.

The Blue Devils were penalized 14 times for 66 yards. In the second quarter, three false starts pushed CCSU from first-and-goal at the MSU two back to the 17. Griffis then fumbled while being sacked, and defensive end Blaine Downing recovered for the Bobcats. MSU was flagged five times for 38 yards.

Despite the Bobcats’ struggles on the field, athletes kept their heads up and kept playing.

"I do think there's an incredible belief on this team," Vigen said. "There's incredible belief in our guys. And that doesn't mean you're always going to play well, but it means you're going to keep fighting." 

The Bobcats are undefeated for the 2026 season with a 4-0 winning streak. The ‘Cats are at the top of the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), according to the National Collegiate Athletic Association's FCS Coaches Poll.

MSU will host Northern Arizona University for the Homecoming game on Saturday, Sept. 26 at 8:30 p.m.

To keep up with MSU Bobcat Football, visit https://msubobcats.com/sports/football.