STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Wagner football begins NEC play on Saturday, October 11, hosting Mercyhurst on Hameline Field. Kickoff is set for 12:00 p.m., streaming live on NEC Front Row with Marc Ernay and Ray Martel on the call.
This matchup marks the first-ever meeting between the Seahawks and the Lakers.
Mercyhurst (2-4, 1-0 NEC) enters its first full football season as a member of both the NEC and the Division I ranks. Last year, the Lakers played four NEC opponents as part of their transition from the Division II Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference, finishing 1-3 in those contests.
The Lakers opened the 2025 campaign with a road loss at RV Youngstown State before defeating New Haven, followed by setbacks against three ranked FCS opponents — Sacramento State, Montana State, and South Dakota State. The Lakers most recently earned their first NEC win over LIU, 22-13.
Quarterback Adam Urena leads the NEC with 140 completions and 1,435 passing yards through six games, along with eight touchdowns and eight interceptions. Mercyhurst was picked to finish seventh in the NEC Preseason Poll.
Wagner (1-4, 0-0 NEC) opens conference play with three straight home games following a bye in Week 6. The Seahawks closed non-conference action with an 18-13 comeback win over Norfolk State on September 27, powered by 397 yards of total offense — including 214 on the ground.
Graduate student Andre Hines Jr. led all rushers with 108 yards and a touchdown, while senior Jordan Barton threw for 183 yards and two scores. Freshman Malik Redd paced the receivers with three catches for 89 yards and a touchdown, and junior Jeremiah Colclough added six receptions for 53 yards. Defensively, graduate student Akil Lampley tallied a team-high 10 tackles and an interception, while senior Sam Martin added seven stops.
Wagner was picked to finish fifth in the NEC Preseason Coaches' Poll, the program's highest selection since 2020.
Following Saturday's contest, Wagner will welcome defending NEC champion Central Connecticut State for Homecoming Weekend on Saturday, October 18.
