View Free Videostream on NECfrontrow.com I Live Stats I Live Media Stats

Game Notes

Staten Island, NY - The Wagner Seahawks(5-4, 3-1 NEC) look to remain alive in the three-team Northeast Conference (NEC) title chase when they host Duquesne (5-5, 1-3 NEC) today at Noon on Military Appreciation/Senior Day.

The Scenario
In addition to Wagner (3-1 NEC) hosting Duquesne today, Bryant (4-0 NEC) plays at Sacred Heart (4-1 NEC). In the NEC regular season finale on Nov. 22, Wagner plays at Bryant A Wagner victory over Duquesne this afternoon, coupled with a Bryant win at Sacred Heart, would result in the the winner of the Wagner-Bryant game being crowned 2014 NEC Champion.

Wagner-Duquesne: All-Time Series
This is the 10th all-time matchup between the schools and the Dukes hold a slim 5-4 edge in the all-time series. Last season, Duquesne posted a 34-7 home victory over the Seahawks and has won three of the last four meetings.  In NEC play, Duquesne holds a 4-2 lead. The teams have met in the postseason on one occasion. Prior to the formation of the NEC, the Seahawks and Dukes played in the ECAC-IFC Division 1-AA Bowl in Pittsburgh with the Dukes coming out on top, 44-20.

Duquesne was picked to finish second in the 2014 NEC Preseason Coaches Poll, while the Seahawks were tabbed fifth.  Duquesne got out to a 4-2 start this season but lost starting quarterback Dillon Buechel in a week seven loss to to Sacred Heart. In his absence, the Dukes have gone 1-2, dropping back-to-back NEC games to Saint Francis U (26-10) and Bryant (20-17). The Dukes are 5-5 overall and have played a tough non-conference slate, including competitive losses at FBS member Buffalo (31-28) and No. 15 Youngstown State (34-23).

Defense! Defense!
The Seahawks, who posted their second shutout of the season, a 20-0 win at Robert Morris, enter today's play ranked in the top three  in the NEC and in the top 15 nationally in three major defensive categories. Wagner enters the Duquesne game ranked No. 3 in the nation in rushing defense (85.2 yards/game-No. 1 NEC), No. 7 in total defense (281.2 yards/game-No. 2 NEC) and No. 12 in scoring defense (18.3-No. 3 NEC). Factored into those 18.3 points allowed per game are 14 points  in the 23-7 loss to Sacred Heart that came via two field goals that were returned for touchdowns. "I think the numbers speak for themselves," said Wagner head coach Walt Hameline. "I think we've become closer as a unit and become more confident. When things don't go right they keep playing and believe something good will happen."

Senior Day
Prior to kickoff of the Wagner-Duquesne game, the Seahawk football program will host a ceremony in honor of its 23 graduating seniors, a collection of young men who  are donning the Green & White  for the final time on Grymes Hill. Today, we also honor and salute the parents of our seniors whose sons will dedicate themselves to competition, for the final time on campus, in the name of Wagner College.

Wagner Celebrates Military Appreciation Day
Today's game between Wagner and Duquesne is Military Appreciation Day. All current and former United States Military members received free admission to today's game and proceeds from the game-day ticket sales will benefit the Wounded Warrior Project. Wagner football and military service have long been intertwined. Annually on Homecoming, two Wagner College football players are selected to receive special awards for outstanding play. The James Robb Memorial Trophy is presented to the outstanding offensive player, while the Nick Lia Memorial Trophy is awarded to the Seahawks' outstanding defensive player. Established in 1949, the Robb Trophy was named in memory of James Robb, a Seahawk gridiron star who was killed in action during World War II. It was presented to Wagner's outstanding individual player in the annual homecoming game until 1969. In that season, the Lia Trophy was introduced in honor of another Wagner football player, Nick Lia. The 1965 recipient of the Robb Trophy was killed in the Vietnam War. An outstanding defensive player and team captain, the Staten Island native was a graduate of Curtis High School. Each year, as a reminder of the tremendous and unselfish sacrifices that our veterans have made for this country and the global community, a Veteran's Day Remembrance is held at the Delta Nu Memorial, which is located next to the Spiro Sports Center here on the Wagner College campus The ceremony is sponsored by the Wagner College Alumni Association.

Fred C. Williamson ('64), Jr. To Serve As Honorary Captain
Marine Corps veteran Fred C. Williamson, Jr. will serve as Honorary Captain for the Wagner-Duquesne game. During a tour of duty in Vietnam, he was awarded two Silver Stars for valor and the Purple Heart for combat injuries. Williamson is a former Seahawk letterwinner ('64), 1963 team captain, and long-time Wagner Board of Trustee Member, who received an honorary doctorate degree from Wagner in 2011.

Jim Fagan ('71), U.S. Navy, Former Seahawk QB Was on Hand for Last Week's Veteran's Day Remembrance
Among those in attendance at last Friday's Veterans Day Remembrance was former Wagner quarterback Jim Fagan ('71). Prior to attending college, Fagan saw two years of active duty on the U.S.S. Intrepid Battleship and was in the U.S. Navy Reserves for another six years.

         Game Day Program Cover for Military Appreciation Day/Senior Day