Members from the Stephen Siller foundation will be on hand as we honor all those who died in the September 11 attacks as well as all of the families affected on this day. All first responders were invited to join in during pre-game ceremonies and a moment of silence will be held before the game.
DID YOU KNOW?
The matchup between Wagner and Concordia will mark the first time that the Seahawks have ever played a team from the state of Michigan.
ABOUT CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL
The Concordia University Cardinals compete in the most competitive conference in the NAIA that is the Mid-States Football Association (MSFA). Since 2011, four of the past five NAIA National Champions have come from the MSFA—three of which came from Concordia's own Mideast League (Saint Xavier in '11, Marian in '12 and '15). While the fierce opponents won't allow the wins to come easy, it gives all success more validity when it comes from nationally recognized programs. Concordia is led by Lonnie Pries who is in his fourth year as head football coach and athletic director. When Pries first came to Concordia Ann Arbor, it was a winless varsity program in its infancy. Each year that Pries has been at the helm, Concordia has improved its record, culminating at a five win season last year. The 2015 season was highlighted by a comeback win at Siena Heights and an upset of fifth-ranked Saint Xavier. Last season six, Cardinals earned Al- Conference Honors by the MSFA under Pries. Before accepting the position at CUAA, Pries had been the head football coach of his alma mater, Concordia University Chicago (CUC), since 2006, where he led the Cougars to two Northern Athletics Conference (NAC) championships and made an NCAA III playoff appearance in 2012. Prior to heading back to his alma mater, Pries coached a combined 13 years at St. John Lutheran High School in Ocala, Florida and Milwaukee Lutheran High School in Wisconsin. He was given the task of rebuilding both of the school's programs. An All-Conference defensive end for for Concordia Chicago from 1989-1992, he earned his B.A. in Secondary Education/English from Concordia University Chicago and his M.S. in Education-Counseling from Concordia University Wisconsin in 2001. He and his wife Jennie are the parents of Kaylie, Aliyah, and Layne.
CARDINALS OFF TO 1-0 START IN 2016 WITH WIN OVER 24th-RANKED ST. AMBROSE
Davenport, IA - Quarterback Seth Suida and wide receiver Herman Mason connected early and often, helping the Cardinals secure a 35-16 upset win over 24th-ranked St. Ambrose University (SAU), which entered the contest ranked 24th in the NAIA top 25. The game began with the Cardinal defense forcing a quick punt from SAU handing the momentum to Suida and the offense. Just four plays later, CUAA had a 7-0 lead. Joe Conner highlighted the drive with a 32-yard run and Mason provided the score on a 13-yard reception from Suida. Linebacker Andrew O'Hara set the Cards up for another quick score when he intercepted the Bees on the very first play of the next drive. At the 10:48 mark in the first quarter Suida and Mason connected for a touchdown for the second time in the game—this time on a quick slant from the two-yard line. The Cardinals' third TD of the first quarter came two possessions later when Suida took a 45-yard keeper to the end zone stunning the St. Ambrose defense which helped Concordia build a 28-10 halftime lead en route to the 35-16 win. Suida completed 16 of 25 passes for 121 yards with four touchdowns while also leading team with 108 yards gained on the ground. Joe Conner had seven carries for 43 yards in his first game as a Cardinal while Mason finished the game with seven receptions for 45 yards.
ABOUT CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY
Concordia University Ann Arbor (CUAA) is a private, liberal arts university located on a 187-acre campus in Ann Arbor, Mich., and is comprised of approximately 1,000 undergraduate students. Established in 1963, CUAA is affiliated with the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, CUAA's undergraduate program oand ffers over 50 majors and 50 minors, with degrees in church work, education, business, the arts, communication and the sciences. CUAA offers accelerated and graduate degrees for adult learners through the School of Adult and Continuing. In July, 2013, CUAA entered into a unique alliance with Concordia University Wisconsin (CUW) that is beneficial to both schools. CUW broadens its reach into a new geographical area, while CUAA strengthens its enrollment, marketing, and administrative support to continue providing LCMS higher education to students in the Great Lakes region. The land upon which Concordia University stands was once home to the Chippewa, Ottawa, Pottawatomie, Huron, and Miami nations. In 2001, Concordia College officially became Concordia University Ann Arbor (CUAA). The university is accredited by NCA, the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, and was among the first colleges to be accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) under the new 2000 standards. In 1917, philanthropist Harry Boyd Earhart, whose interests focused on education, religion and charity, purchased the property. In the late 1950's, the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod began a search for a site to build a college. They purchased the Earhart estate in the early 1960's, began construction, and Concordia College, Ann Arbor was dedicated as a junior college in 1963. That same year, Concordia was granted the right to award the Associate of Arts degree by the State of Michigan. In 1976 the State approved the expansion of the College to a four-year institution with the right to award the Bachelor of Arts degree.
ABOUT THE NAIA
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), headquartered in Kansas City, Mo., is a governing body of more than 250 small athletics programs that are dedicated to character-driven intercollegiate athletics. A total of 86 NAIA members compete in football. Since 1937, the NAIA has administered programs and championships in proper balance with the overall college educational experience. The student-athlete is the center of all NAIA experiences. Each year more than 60,000 student-athletes have the opportunity to play college sports at NAIA member institutions. The seed of the NAIA began in 1937 with the tipoff of a men's basketball tournament in Kansas City that has become the longest running event in college basketball. Out of the tournament grew the NAIA, an association that has been an innovative leader. The NAIA was the first collegiate athletics association to invite historically black institutions into membership and the first to sponsor both men's and women's national championships. In 2000, the NAIA reaffirmed its purpose to enhance the character building aspects of sport. Through Champions of Character, the NAIA seeks to create an environment in which every student-athlete, coach, official and spectator is committed to the true spirit of competition through five core values. In 2010, the association opened the doors to the NAIA Eligibility Center, where prospective student-athletes are evaluated for academic and athletic eligibility. It delivers on the NAIA's promise of integrity by leveling the playing field, guiding student-athlete success, and ensuring fair competition.
STANFORD OFFICIALLY ON NEW YORK JETS' ACTIVE ROSTER, WILLIAMS ADDED TO PRACTICE SQUAD
Former Wagner football standout Julian Stanford will open the 2016 NFL season on the active roster of the New York Jets while his former Seahawk teammate, running back Dominique Williams, has been added to the team's practice squad. First-Team All-Northeast Conference (NEC) selection in 2011, the 6-2, 230-pound linebacker began his NFL career as an undrafted free agent with Jacksonville in 2012 and played in 16 games with six starts for the Jaguars as a rookie. The Bloomfield, CT native also played 18 games in 2013-14 with the Detroit Lions and had two stints in 2015 on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' practice squad before coming to the Jets' practice squad Dec. 1. Williams, who has spent time on the practice squads of the Minnesota Vikings and the Arizona Cardinals, ended his storied Wagner career (2009-13), ranks third all-time in both rushing yards (4,435) and scoring (276 points). In 43 career games, he rushed for 42 touchdowns and snared four touchdown catches as a receiver out of the backfield, while rushing for 100 yards or more on 26 occasions.
A LOOK BACK AT WEEK ONE WIN OVER SAINT ANSELM
CAREER DAY FOR RB DENZEL KNIGHT
Junior running back
Denzel Knight (Rochester, NY / Salisbury School) rumbled for a career-high 147 yards rushing on 16 carries, highlighted by a 37-yard touchdown jaunt in the fourth quarter in leading Wagner to a convincing 38-16 victory over Saint Anselm in front of 2,414 fans under the lights at Hameline Field on Thursday night. The 6-2, 220-pound Knight had four runs of 10 yards or more and totaled 95 second-half yards on 12 carries as the Seahawks exploded for 21 fourth-quarter points in outscoring the Hawks 28-6 following the intermission. In addition, the Knight also caught one pass for 11 yards on the evening.
QUARTERBACK ALEX THOMSON SPARKLESJunior quarterback
Alex Thomson (Keyport, NJ/ Keyport) passed for 176 yards and a touchdown and also scored on a 59-yard run in sparking Wagner to an impressive 38-16 opening night victory over Saint Anselm. For the evening, Thomson, finished 17-of-31 through the air, both career highs. After forcing the Hawks into a three and out and Wagner on top 17-10 early in the fourth quarter, the 6-5, 225-pound Thomson took off on a nifty 59-yard touchdown run on a 2nd-and-10 from his own 41 yard line. On a designed pass play, the Jersey Shore native stepped up in the pocket and then pulled the ball, dashed up the left sideline, before cutting back to the middle of the field, aided by a downfield block from junior wide receiver
John Williams (Sewell, NJ / Washington Township/Lackawanna JC [PA]). The career-long 59-yard Thomson jaunt extended the Seahawk lead to 24-10 with 13:50 remaining in the game.
McKINNON FINISHES JUST SIX YARDS SHY OF CENTURY MARK
With the game tied at 10-10, the second half was a scoreless defensive stalemate until senior running back
Matthias McKinnon (Albany, NY/ Bishop Maginn/Jireh Prep [NC]) barreled into the end zone from five yards out, en route to an eight-carry, 94-yard night, with just eight seconds remaining in the third quarter. This score capped a 12-play, 63-yard drive and gave the Seahawks the lead for good at 17-10. Included in his 94-yard rushing output was a game-high 43-yard fourth quarter run up the left sideline.
DEFENSE, DEFENSEThe Seahawks outscored the Hawks 28-6 in the second half in breaking open a game that was tied 10-10 at halftime. Not to be lost among the many offensive superlatives on this night was a virtuoso defensive effort, particularly in the second half. The only points allowed by the Seahawks following the halftime break came on the very last play of the game, when Saint Anselm quarterback Yianni Gavalas tossed a 15-yard touchdown pass to Kyle Hill and fourth down as time expired. In the second half, the stingy Seahawk defense held the Hawks to just 166 yards from scrimmage. Sophomore inside linebacker
Quintin Hampton (Moultrie, GA / Colquitt County) led the Wagner defensive charge with a game-high 10 tackles, including seven solo stops , while senior cornerback
Tiquan Garner (Brookville, NY/ Long Island Lutheran) responded to his first start with nine tackles and two pass breakups. Also recording career highs in tackles for the Green & White were junior free safety
Jesse Flaherty (Oceanport, NJ/ The Peddie School) and sophomore inside linebacker
Santoni Graham (Arlington, VA/ Fork Union Military Academy), who recorded eight and five stops, respectively.
SUPERLATIVESThe 147 yards gained by Knight are the most by a Seahawk since October 26, 2013, when Dominique Williams ran for 177 yards on 33 carries vs. Georgetown. The 488 yards of total offense are the most by Wagner since October 2, 2010 when the Seahawks churned out 460 yards in a 29-21 victory over Bryant.
HOSS ON THE WIN
"Great to get a win," said second-year head coach
Jason Houghtaling. "We came out in the first half and had to deal with some adversity and our guys responded really positively and with real energy. I think we played extremely hard, which was great to see. I thought the defense really came alive in the second half," he added. "Tony (coordinator
Tony Brinson) changed up some calls at halftime, but what was really important was the way everyone stayed together. I thought we hit harder and played harder after halftime."
Follow Wagner Athletics on Facebook (facebook.com/WagnerAthletics), Twitter (@wagnerathletics), Instagram (@wagnerathletics) and YouTube (@WagnerSeahawks) for all the latest news and updates on the athletic department. Follow @Wagner_Football for all the latest news pertaining to Wagner Football and second-year head coach Jason Houghtaling (@HossWagner). Be sure to follow @WagnerGameday on Twitter for all live in-game updates. #CHAOSonthehill.
