Pictured Above: Otis Wright during his 83-yard kickoff return for a touchdown (Photo by Dave Saffran)

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HIGHLIGHTS / POST-GAME PRESS CONFERENCE

Staten Island, NY – Wagner dropped a 31-16 decision to Monmouth in the 2015 home opener tonight at Hameline Field.
 
The Seahawks, who had a bye last week following a season-opening loss at Football Bowl Championship (FBS) Rice on September 5, fall to 0-2 while the Hawks improve to 1-2 on the season.
 
Wagner's first touchdown came on an 83-yard fourth-quarter kickoff return by senior Otis Wright (Fort Lauderdale, FL/Dillard). For the speedy 5-10, 180-pound Wright, it was his third career kickoff return for a touchdown. The electrifying return by Wright cut the deficit to 31-10. 
 
Senior quarterback Chris Andrews (Queens, NY/St. Joseph's/Valley Forge) was Wagner's leading rusher with 11 carries for 64 yards while Wright finished with 57 yards on the ground on 12 carries. Through the air, the mobile, left-handed Andrews completed 11-of-20 passes for 112 yards.
 
Sophomore quarterback Alex Thomson (Keyport, NJ/Keyport) came on late in the game and led Wagner on a sharp eight play, 69-yard drive in 1:37, which capped by the 6-4, 220-pounder's second career touchdown pass, a four-yard score to fifth-year senior wide receiver Anthony Carrington (Toms River, NJ/Toms River North)with 49 seconds remaining in the game.The two-point try failed, which crafted the final score at 31-16. 
 
On the drive, Thomson completed 5-of-6 passes for 62 yards with a long completion of 29 yards to junior wide receiver Lloyd Smith (Willingboro, NJ/Valley Forge). Thomson also showed good speed in rushing the ball two times for 16 yards.

For the Wagner defense, senior linebackers Stephon Font-Toomer (Bethlehem, PA/Liberty) and Greg Hilliard (Brockton, MA/Suffield Academy/UMass) paced the Seahawks with six tackles apiece.
 
Monmouth quarterback Cody Williams completed 23-of-34 passes for 243 yards ith his favorite target being wide receiver Darren Ambush who wound up with seceb receptions for 117 yards. Hawks' running back Lavon Chaney tallied a team-high 66 yards rushing on 20 carries. 

The Seahawks are next in action on Saturday, September 26 when they host the Leopards of Lafayette at 6:00 p.m. on Homecoming.

NOTES
Wright's Third Career Kickoff Return For TD
For senior Otis Wright, his 83-yard kickoff return for a touchdown marked third of his career. As a true freshman during Wagner's march to the 2012 Northeast Conference (NEC) championship, Wright returned a pair of kickoffs for touchdowns, one going for 90 yards vs. Robert Morris (10/27) and the other 89 yards vs. these same Monmouth Hawks (9/15). These explosive plays helped the speedy 5-10, 180-pound Floridian earn First-Team All-NEC honors as a return specialist after averaging 27.7 yards.  
 
Thomson Tosses Second Career TD Pass
For Alex Thomson, his four-yard fourth-quarter touchdown pass to Anthony Carrington marked the second career TD pass of his career as he hit Lloyd Smith on a 50-yard score.  In two career games, Thomson has completed 75 percent (10-of-15) of his passes for 239 yards and two touchdowns.
 
Howard First Career INT
Sophomore defensive back Kemani Howard (Rochester, NY/Wilson Magnet) came up with the first interception of his career when he picked ff Monmouth quarterback Cody Williams in the end zone to squelch a Hawk scoring opportunity. 

Local Rival
Wagner and Monmouth have played one another every year since the Hawks' program began in 1993 and were NEC rivals from 1996, the year the conference was formed, until 2012. An independent in 2013. Monmouth is currently competing in its second season in the Big South Conference. 

 Follow Wagner Athletics on Twitter (@WagnerAthletics) for all the latest news and updates on the athletic department and @Wagner_Football for all the latest news pertaining to Wagner Football and first-year head coach Jason Houghtaling @HossWagner #CHAOSonthehill. Seahawk athletics can also be followed on Instagram (@wagnerathletics)