Somerset, NJ - Sophomore cornerback Torian Phillips (Staten Island, NY/Port Richmond) has been named the Northeast Conference (NEC) Defensive Player of the Week after he recorded a team-high seven solo tackles and came up with a huge interception to help Wagner post a thrilling 27-21 come-from-behind win over Sacred Heart last Saturday.
 
The victory put the brakes on the Seahawks' seven-game slide and improved Wagner's record to 2-7 on the season, 2-4 in NEC play.
 
Going up against the NEC's top-ranked pass offense, the 5-9, 180-pound Phillip totaled eight tackles, including 0.5 TFL, and made a touchdown-saving interception in the second quarter. Phillips set the tone from the start, limiting Sacred Heart receiver Garry Coles to a two-yard gain on the game's first play from scrimmage.  He put the Pioneers in a hole on their next possession, dropping running back Greg Moore for a five-yard loss on first-and-10. 
 
With Sacred Heart looking to add to a 14-7 lead in the final two minutes of the opening half, the transfer from Syracuse produced another key play that snuffed out the scoring threat as he stepped in front of a pass from quarterback Tim Little on second-and-goal from the six-yard line and returned it to Wagner's 40-yard line. 
 
Phillips has three interceptions on the season, which leads the Seahawks and tied for second in the NEC.

Phillips is the fourth Seahawk to receive a weekly honor from the NEC. Redshirt freshman cornerback Jarrett Dieudonne (Fort Lauderdale, FL/ Dillard) copped NEC Rookie of the Week honors following a big game vs. Georgetown (10/8). Sophomore running back Dominique Williams (Bridgeton, NJ/ Milford Academy) and junior linebacker Carl-Olivier Prime (Laval, Quebec/ The Kent School) were named Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, respectively following Wagner's 38-28 season-opening win over Saint Francis (PA).

The Seahawks will look to make it two wins in a row when they take to the road next week by travelling to Pittsburgh, PA for a Saturday, November 12 Noon contest vs. the Colonials of Robert Morris.