WATCH | Live Stats | Game Notes

Brookville, NY - The Wagner College football team will conclude Northeast Conference (NEC) play against LIU on Saturday, with kickoff set for 12 pm.
 
Wrapping Up The Conference Schedule
 
Wagner enters Saturday's contest with a 3-3 mark in NEC action. A win would give Wagner its first winning season in conference play since 2016, when Wagner finished 4-2 in league play.
 
Running Game Shines
 
The Seahawks rushed for a season-high 226 yards against Duquesne, the most since rushing for 376 yards against Merrimack in 2021.
 
Individually, junior Rickey Spruill went for 136 yards on the ground, while sophomore Zachary Palmer-Smith ran for 88 yards. Spruill became the first Wagner running back to gain 100 yards on the ground in consecutive games since 2018, when All-American Ryan Fulse closed out the season with two straight 100-yard games.
 
Palmer-Smith's 66-yard touchdown run was the longest touchdown rush by a Seahawk since Ryan Fulse ran for a 79-yard score in the season finale against Robert Morris in 2018.
 
For his efforts, Spruill was named an NEC Prime Performer.
 
The Magic Formula
 
Wagner's three wins this season have followed a clear pattern. The Seahawks are undefeated on the season when leading at halftime. With another interception by Junior Wily against Stonehill, Wagner extended its streak of being undefeated under head coach Tom Masella when Wily picks off the opposing quarterback.
 
Staying Disciplined
 
With 48 penalty yards per game, the Seahawks lead the NEC and sit at 32nd in the country.
 
The Cookie Jar
 
The Seahawks have nine interceptions this year, tied for 23rd in the country and second in the NEC. Wagner has recorded three interceptions in one game twice this season. Additionally, the Seahawks are tied for 17^th in the country with two defensive touchdowns.
 
Halftime Adjustments
 
Wagner has not allowed a point in the third quarter in three consecutive games. The Seahawks held both Central Connecticut and Stonehill scoreless throughout the entirety of the second half.
 
Ricci Gets Another One 
 
For the second consecutive week, freshman Zachary Ricci recorded an interception. Ricci joins Junior Wily as the second Seahawk with multiple interceptions on the season.
 
The Series
 
In the Division I era, the Seahawks and Sharks only met in 2019, 2021, and 2022 with Wagner leading the series 2-1. Both teams have defended their respective home field in each game.
 
Last year, Wagner never trailed throughout the entirety of the contest and scored two defensive touchdowns to pick up a 37-26 victory, the first victory under head coach Tom Masella.
 
In 2019, graduate student quarterback Christian Alexander-Stevens completed 27-of-36 passes for 267 yards, ran for two scores and threw for another, and the Wagner defense recorded six sacks while allowing just 18 net rushing yards en route to a 24-14 victory over the Sharks.
 
In 2021, both teams went into the half tied at 14-14, before the Sharks pulled away for the 28-14 win in the second half.
 
Scouting The Sharks
 
LIU enters Saturday's matchup with a 3-2 record in conference play and 3-6 overall record. The Sharks recently earned a last-minute victory over Saint Francis U, with tight end Owen Glascoe earning NEC Player of the Week honors.
 
Next Up
 
The Seahawks will wrap up the 2023 regular season with a Senior Day matchup against Division II member Post University on Saturday, November 18, with kickoff set for 12 pm at Hameline Field.