WATCH | Live Stats | Game Notes
New Britain, CT - The Wagner College football team will continue Northeast Conference (NEC) action with a pivotal matchup against Central Connecticut on Saturday at noon on NECFrontRow.
The Home Stretch
Wagner sits at 2-1 in NEC action, which is currently good for third place. The Seahawks are just one game behind Duquesne and Robert Morris, who are 3-0 to lead the way going into the month of November. Wagner is 2-1 in league play for the second consecutive season after a 2-0 start last year.
In 2012, Wagner earned its first-ever NEC title. After an 0-3 start, Wagner won nine straight games and became the first NEC team ever to win a game in the FCS playoffs. Two years later, the Seahawks earned a share of the NEC title in 2014.
Wagner has won four games going into the month of November for the first time since 2016.
Masella's Homecoming
For the second consecutive week, head coach Tom Masella will face a familiar foe. Apart from helping the Seahawks to a league title in 2012, Masella helped CCSU to NEC Championships in 2004 and 2005. In two seasons at CCSU, Masella compiled a15-6 overall record and 11-3 conference mark, winning two championships in the process.
The Series
Saturday's contest will be the 36th meeting between these longtime rivals, with CCSU leading the series 19-16. CCSU has won the last six matchups against Wagner, including a 17-3 victory at Hameline Field last year. During the last six meetings, the teams have combined for 310 points, highlighted by a 51-45 four-overtime classic on Staten Island in 2017.
Defense Sets The Tone
Wagner's eight sacks against Saint Francis U two weeks ago were the fifth-most by an FCS team in a game this season.
Averaging 2.67 sacks per game, the Seahawk defense is 20th in the country in sacks per contest while sitting 19th nationally with 6.7 tackles for loss per game.
Sophomore Zachari Ricci's interception on the first play from scrimmage against UMass raised Wagner's season total to 10, which is 10th nationally.
Wagner is 10th in the country in total defense at 295.9 yards per game, 10th in passing yards allowed at 156 yards per game, and 24th nationally at 21.2 points per game.
Cady Leads The Way
Graduate student Jake Cady led Wagner with 290 passing yards on 24-38 accuracy and two touchdowns against Saint Francis U in Wagner's last conference game.
Cady is 21st nationally with 14 touchdown passes, while sitting 29th in points responsible for (90).
Spruill Eclipses Milestone
Senior running back Rickey Spruill eclipsed 2,000 rushing yards against UMass, becoming the 11th running back in Wagner history to reach that mark.
Sitting at 2,077 career rushing yards, Spruill needs 12 more rushing yards to pass both Jason Butler and Nick Doscher to move into ninth all-time in rushing.
Spruill averages 5.52 yards per carry, good for 50th in the nation.
Bonelli's Impressive Season Continues
Sophomore Jaylen Bonelli once again led Wagner with 91 receiving yards against Saint Francis U before missing Saturday's game at UMass. Bonelli is 27th in the country with 588 receiving yards and 27th in the country with five receiving touchdowns on the season.
The Key
Wagner has allowed 10 points or less in all four victories this season and has led after every quarter in each victory. Wagner is 3-0 on the year when allowing less than 100 yards rushing. The Seahawks are 4-1 when scoring first and 4-1 when having more total yards than their opponent.
Martin Provides A Spark
Junior Sam Martin is 26th in the country with 23.5 yards per kick return and 36th nationally with 329 kick return yards on the season.
Spreading The Wealth
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.
Scouting The Blue Devils
CCSU enters Saturday's game with a 3-5 record and a 1-1 mark in NEC action. Most recently, the Blue Devils fell 24-21 at LIU.
Next Up
Following the bye week, Wagner will finish the 2024 regular season with a game against Duquesne and home contest against LIU.
