Staten Island, NY – The Wagner College football team took a 7-0 lead on a 17-yard touchdown reception by junior
Naiem Simmons before falling 27-7 against Saint Francis U on Saturday evening in the Northeast Conference (NEC) opener for both teams.
At the conclusion of the game, Simmons was the recipient of the James Robb Memorial Trophy, which is annually presented to the outstanding offensive player at Homecoming while
Titus Leo earned the Nick Lia Memorial Trophy, which is awarded to the Seahawks' outstanding defensive player.
Simmons hauled in two catches for 18 yards on the day, while Leo was tied for the team lead with eight tackles along with one tackle for loss.
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.
Junior
Julian Jordan led the Seahawks with three catches for 41 yards, while graduate student
Chris Collier rushed for a team-high 57 yards.
Defensively, fifth-year senior
Tre Vallar joined Leo with eight tackles, while juniors
Travis Laster and
Justin Reilly had seven tackles apiece.
After the Seahawks took the lead in the first quarter, Saint Francis U receiver Makai Jackson returned the ensuing kickoff 79 yards for a touchdown to tie the game.
The Red Flash took the lead in the second quarter before outscoring the Seahawks 13-0 in the second half to earn the victory and improve to 1-2 on the season.
Jackson led the Red Flash with 11 catches for 117 yards and two total touchdowns.
Following the bye week, the Seahawks will travel to FBS member Syracuse on October 1.
