Conference

Central Connecticut State tailback Justise Hairston helped the Blue Devils capture the biggest win in school history with a 17-13 victory over No. 13 ranked Georgia Southern - winners of six I-AA National Championships. Hairston, a transfer from Rutgers University and this week's NEC Offensive Player of the Week, rushed for 106 yards on 18 carried, returned five punts/kickoffs for 49 yards and assisted in the Blue Devils ball control attack. Hairston's teammate, linebacker Chris Stimmel is the NEC Defensive Player of the Year for leading CCSU with 12 tackles, while adding a key first quarter interception and posting a tackle-for-loss. CCSU's defense did not allow Georgia Southern a score on six second-half possessions. The NEC Special Teams Player of the Week is Sacred Heart returner Evin Jones. Jones broke a Pioneer school record with a 90-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. The NEC Rookie of the Week award goes to Albany backup quarterback Frank Blasinsky. In relief of Albany's starting signal caller, the true freshman was 9-for-16 passing for 108 yards and a touchdown.