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SCSU Football Places Four On All-NE10 Teams

Football

SCSU Football Places Four On All-NE10 Teams

Southern Connecticut State University football placed four student-athletes on the 2024 Northeast-10 Conference All-Conference teams, as announced by the NE10 on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024. E'Lijah Gray was named to the NE10 First Team while Michael Strachan and Joe DiGello were named to the NE10 Second Team. Daniel Benzi was named to the NE10 All-Rookie Team.

Gray turned in another outstanding season for the Owls and earned his second NE10 First Team nod in as many seasons in New Haven. Gray led the NE10 in rushing for the second-straight season as he totaled 1,049 yards on 204 carries for a 5.1 yard per carry average as well as 104.9 yards per game. Gray found the end zone eight times and also totaled 183 receiving yards and seven return yards for a total of 1,239 all-purpose yards, which was good for third in the conference. Gray hit 100 yards and also scored a touchdown in six of the 10 games he played this season. His top performances included a season-best 204 yards rushing against Post and a three-touchdown day against American International. In two seasons, he's totaled 2,003 yards on 374 carries (5.4 ypc) with 13 touchdowns.

DiGello earned his third-straight All-NE10 honor after being named to the Second Team in 2022 and the First Team in 2023. The Owls' senior linebacker totaled 68 tackles, including 33 solo and 35 assisted, with seven tackles for loss with four sacks. DiGello also had six quarterback hurries, four pass breakups, a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries – ranking in the top 10 in the NE10 in each category. DiGello's top game of the year came against New Haven when he accumulated 13 tackles and a hurry. Against Pace, he had seven tackles, a sack, three hurries and a pass breakup. For his career, he has accumulated 221 tackles including 128 solo and 93 assisted, as well as 34 tackles for a loss and 14.5 sacks. He also has four career interceptions, 18 passes defended, five forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

Strachan had a breakout season for the Owls at tight end, hitting career highs in games played, receptions, yards and touchdowns. Strachan finished the year with 13 catches for 125 yards with four touchdowns, ranking among the NE10 Tight End leaders in all categories. Against AIC on Sept. 13, Strachan had four catches for 41 yards with two touchdown catches. He also found the end zone at Saint Anselm and at home against Pace.

Benzi had an outstanding freshman campaign as the Owls' place kicker. Among all NE10 kickers, Benzi ranked fourth with 45 points, averaging 4.5 per game. The first-year Owl was 33-for-35 on point-after attempts and converted on 4-of-5 field goals. On Oct. 14, Benzi earned NE10 Rookie of the Week honors after hitting on 4-of-4 point-after attempts and also converted a 34-yard field goal against Post.  
 
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Players Mentioned

Joe DiGello

#8 Joe DiGello

OLB
6' 2"
Senior
E

#24 E'Lijah Gray

RB
5' 8"
Senior
Daniel Benzi

#37 Daniel Benzi

PK/P
5' 10"
Freshman

Players Mentioned

Joe DiGello

#8 Joe DiGello

6' 2"
Senior
OLB
E

#24 E'Lijah Gray

5' 8"
Senior
RB
Daniel Benzi

#37 Daniel Benzi

5' 10"
Freshman
PK/P