STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. – The Wagner College football team earned its first NEC victory of the season on Saturday afternoon, defeating RV Duquesne 24–13 on Hameline Field.
After forcing a punt on Duquesne's opening drive, Wagner (2–6, 1–2 NEC) struck first midway through the first quarter as sophomore quarterback
Jack Stevens connected with freshman
Malik Redd for a six-yard touchdown, capping a 10-play, 45-yard drive. The score marked the first touchdown Duquesne had allowed in the first half of an NEC game this season.
Duquesne (5–4, 3–1 NEC) answered early in the second quarter on a 29-yard touchdown pass to even the score at 7–7, but Wagner responded with 10 straight points before halftime. Freshman kicker
Nicholas Romero drilled a 24-yard field goal to regain the lead, and Stevens added a six-yard rushing touchdown with under two minutes remaining in the half to give the Seahawks a 17–7 advantage.
The Dukes pulled within 17–13 late in the third quarter on a short touchdown run, but Wagner's defense stood tall the rest of the way, holding Duquesne scoreless over the final 16 minutes. Graduate student running back
Andre Hines Jr. sealed the victory with a 24-yard touchdown run with 1:55 remaining in the fourth quarter.
Wagner dominated the run game, rushing for 249 yards and finishing with 311 yards of total offense. Hines led the ground attack with 90 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries, while Stevens added 44 yards and one score. Redshirt-senior
Malik Cooper contributed 54 rushing yards, highlighted by a 40-yard burst that helped set up the Green & White's game-sealing scoring drive.
Through the air, Stevens completed 10-of-13 passes for 62 yards and one touchdown, connecting with seven different receivers. Freshman
Richard Perkins Jr. led the group with 19 receiving yards, while Redd's first-quarter touchdown marked his second score of the season.
Defensively, senior
Sam Martin led Wagner with 10 tackles, while junior
Armani Itote and graduate student
Akil Lampley added six apiece. Senior
Jayden Brown recorded a key interception late in the fourth quarter to seal the win, while junior
Ethan Appolon and freshman
Kahmari Valentine each added sacks as the Seahawks tallied five tackles for loss. Junior
Shamar Williams also added an interception.
The victory marks Wagner's first over Duquesne since 2014.
Wagner returns to action next Saturday, November 1, traveling to face Saint Francis U for a 1:00 p.m. kickoff in Loretto, Pennsylvania.
