Photo by Larry Levanti
WATCH | LIVE STATS | Game Notes
Staten Island, NY - The Wagner College football team will take on Delaware State at Hameline Field on Saturday, October 2, at 5:00 pm, as the Seahawks look for their first win of the season. Saturday's game will be part of Wagner College's Wagner Weekend celebration.
Last Time Out
The Seahawks took an early 7-0 lead and trailed just 17-7 at the half before falling 41-7 to Temple at Lincoln Financial Field last Saturday.
After receiving the opening kickoff, head coach
Tom Masella kept the offense on the field twice on fourth down during the first drive of the game.
On the first attempt, freshman quarterback
Guenson Alexis, who made the first start of his collegiate career, found graduate student
Jeremiah Lorick for 11 yards. Four plays later, freshman running back
Rickey Spruill broke free for a 50-yard gain to set the Seahawks up with first down and goal to go on the Owls' one-yard line.
From there, Alexis called his own number, sneaking into the end zone to give the Seahawks the lead.
Robb And Lia Trophies Up For Grabs
A Wagner Homecoming tradition will continue on Saturday when two Seahawks are selected to receive special awards for outstanding play. The James Robb Memorial Trophy is annually presented to the outstanding offensive player at Homecoming 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, who was killed in the Vietnam War. An outstanding defensive player and team captain, the Staten Island native was a graduate of Curtis High School. Today, the Robb Trophy goes to the offensive MVP, with the game's defensive MVP taking home the Lia Trophy.
Head Coach
Tom Masella won the Lia Trophy in 1979.
Run Rickey, Run
Freshman Running Back
Rickey Spruill is making a name for himself. Spruill led all players with 73 yards rushing against Temple last Saturday and is up to 199 yards rushing in three games this season.
The first-year Seahawk is second in the Northeast Conference (NEC) in yards per rush, with 5.24 yards per carry, which is also good for 4th in the FCS among freshmen.
Hall Of Fame Day
On Saturday, Wagner will induct the 2021 Seahawk Hall of Fame class, which is comprised of: Paul Nuzzolese (Class of 1960, Baseball/Football), Krystle Petty (Class of 2003, Softball), Courtney Pritchard (Class of 2004, Men's Basketball), and John Sciarra (Class of 2006, Football).
These former Seahawk greats were selected on the merit of their athletic prowess and overall impact on Wagner Athletics.
Let's Go For It
Under head coach
Tom Masella, the Seahawks have been efficient this season when going for it on fourth down. Four weeks into the season, the Seahawk offense ranks 16th in the nation in fourth down conversion percentage, succeeding on 77.8% of fourth down attempts, which is also first in the NEC.
Joe On The Spot
Graduate student
Joe Schmidt has recovered two muffed punts on the season. The Staten Island native recovered fumbles in Wagner's season-opener at Buffalo and last Saturday at Temple.
No player in the FCS has more than two fumble recoveries on the season.
Applying Pressure
Led by reigning NEC Defensive Player of the Year
Titus Leo, the Seahawks' front seven has been putting pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Against the Owls, Wagner combined for two sacks and five tackles for loss. Overall, Wagner is second in the NEC in sacks (2.00 per game) and tackles for loss (5.5 per game).
Efficient Air Attack
Wagner's offense continues to be efficient through the air. The Seahawks are 28th in the FCS and second in the NEC in yards per completion, gaining 13.03 yards per catch.
Scouting The Hornets
Delaware State comes into Saturday's matchup with a 1-3 record on the season. The Hornets are 0-3 on the season against Division I opponents, with their lone win of the season coming against Division II member Bowie State. Last Saturday, Delaware State fell to fellow NEC member Merrimack, 47-10.
Saturday's matchup marks the first-ever meeting between the Seahawks and Hornets.
The Schedule
The final non-conference game of the season will be played on October 9, when the Seahawks travel across New York City to take on Fordham.
Five conference games will round out the 2021 schedule, with home contests against Bryant (October 23), Merrimack (November 6), and Duquesne (November 20), as well as road matchups at LIU (October 30) and Sacred Heart (November 13).
