Central Connecticut’s defense makes 7 interceptions to earn NEC’s bid to FCS playoffs

By The Associated Press

NEW BRITAIN, Conn. (AP) — Elijah Howard ran for 110 yards on 25 carries and scored two touchdowns and Central Connecticut beat Duquesne 21-14 to claim the Northeast Conference’s automatic bid to the FCS playoffs. Howard provided the game-winning score running it in from the 6, then threw the 2-point conversion to quarterback Brady Olson to make it 21-14 with 13:44 left in the fourth quarter. The Blue Devils’ defense sealed the game when it stymied the Dukes on their final three possessions.