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Staten Island, NY - The Wagner College football team will continue Northeast Conference (NEC) play this Saturday, when the Seahawks take on Saint Francis U at Hameline Field, with kickoff set for noon on NEC Front Row.
Marzola Earns Weekly Honor
Senior punter Bailey Marzola of the Wagner College football team earned NEC Special Teams Player of the Week honors, the league announced on Monday.
This marks the third straight week that a Seahawk has won an NEC weekly honor, as Marzola joins graduate student Justin Reilly and senior Josh Brown as the third weekly honoree of the season. Wagner becomes the first team in NEC history to have two punters earn NEC Special Teams Player of the Week honors in the same season, as Brown won the award for his efforts at FAU.
In Saturday's game against Columbia, Marzola punted five times for a total of 255 yards, including a career-long 67 yard punt, which is also Wagner's longest boot of the season. Marzola pinned the Lions inside their own 20-yard line once and had two punts of over 50 yards on the day.
Bonelli Dominates Again
Sophomore Jaylen Bonelli led the Seahawks with a career-high 11 catches for 114 yards and a touchdown against Columbia. For his performance, Bonelli earned NEC Prime Performer honors.
The 11 receptions were the most by a Seahawk since Jeremiah Lorick's 11 catches in 2019 against LIU.
The reigning NEC Rookie of the Year is 16th in the country with 497 receiving yards on the season and is tied for 11th nationally with five receiving touchdowns.
Cady Leads The Way
Graduate student quarterback Jake Cady shined against Stonehill with three passing touchdowns in the first half against the Skyhawks and added 207 yards through the air against Columbia.
Cady is 15th in the country with 12 passing touchdowns, which leads the NEC. Cady is also 24th in the nation in points responsible for per game (13), and 24th nationally in passing yards per completion (11.95).
Wagner has at least one touchdown pass in every game this season.
The Series
Saturday's game will be the 33rd meeting between Wagner and SFU, with the Seahawks holding a 22-10 advantage in the all-time series. In 2016, the Seahawks were the only team to defeat eventual NEC Champion SFU. In 2018, senior wide receiver D'Erren Wilson tossed an 18-yard touchdown pass to senior tight end
Chris Woodard with six seconds left to play to complete a nine-play, 65-yard drive, lifting Wagner to a remarkably improbable and exhilarating 23-22 comeback victory over Saint Francis U in a game that the Seahawks led most of the way.
Last season, Wagner fell 31-7 in Loretto.
Spruill Closing In On Milestone
Senior running back Rickey Spruill is closing in on 2,000 rushing yards for his career. Spruill sits at 1,980 career rushing yards and is 42nd nationally with 5.77 yards per carry. The senior is on pace to break into the Top-10 for rushing yards in Wagner history by the end of the season.
Defense Stands Tall
Wagner's defense continues to be ranked nationally in multiple categories.
Wagner is 18th nationally in total defense at 307.1 yards per game. Allowing 158.7 yards per game through the air, the Seahawks are 11th nationally in pass defense.
At 22.3 points per game, Wagner leads the NEC and is 27th nationally in scoring defense.
As a team, Wagner has intercepted seven passes on the season, which is 17th in the country and leads the NEC. Senior Christian Davis is 18th nationally with 0.4 interceptions per game.
The Seahawks' red zone defense is 23rd nationally at 73.1%.
Opportunity Awaits
A win on Saturday would give Wagner its fourth victory of the season during the month of October for the first time since 2016.
Martin Provides A Spark
One of the most prolific kick returners in the country, junior Sam Martin ranks 26th nationally with 308 combined kick return yards.
Spreading The Wealth
Seven weeks into the season, eight different Seahawks have a touchdown reception, which is already more than last season's total of six different receivers with at least one touchdown.
The Key
In all three victories this season, Wagner has scored on its first possession, scored at least one rushing touchdown, has had more than 300 yards of total offense, and allowed 10 points or less on defense. All three victories have either had Jaylen Bonelli or Rickey Spruill eclipse the century mark in yardage.
Scouting The Red Flash
Saint Francis U enters Saturday's game with a 2-4 record and is 0-2 in NEC action. Earlier this season, the Red Flash earned the program's first-ever win over an FBS opponent with a 23-17 victory over Kent State.
Next Up
Wagner will face FBS member UMass on Saturday, October 26, with kickoff set for 3:30 pm.
