STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. – Wagner football dropped its home opener on Saturday afternoon, falling 21-10 to Marist (2-1, 0-0 PFL) at Hameline Field.
The Red Foxes opened the scoring late in the first quarter with a 14-yard passing touchdown. Wagner responded just before the end of the quarter, as graduate student running back Andre Hines Jr. capped a 75-yard drive with a two-yard touchdown run to even the score at 7-7.
The Seahawks grabbed their only lead of the day midway through the second quarter on a 41-yard field goal from freshman Nicholas Romero, making it 10-7. On the ensuing kickoff, however, Marist broke free for a 99-yard return touchdown that swung momentum back to the visitors heading into halftime with a 14-10 advantage.
Both defenses controlled the third quarter, as Wagner's front totaled four sacks and forced a fumble to keep the Red Foxes in check. The Seahawks twice moved the ball inside Marist territory but were unable to capitalize.
Marist sealed the game late in the fourth, with a nine-play, 71-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown pass, pushing the margin to 21-10 with 4:38 left.
Wagner finished with 298 yards of total offense, including 242 on the ground. Hines led all rushers with 106 yards and a touchdown, while sophomore quarterback Jack Stevens added 59 rushing yards. Stevens also threw for 56 yards, with junior Jeremiah Colclough hauling in five catches for 33 yards.
On defense, senior Sam Martin paced the Seahawks with eight tackles, while graduate student Luke Jakubauskas tallied 1.5 tackles for loss, a sack, and a fumble recovery. Sophomore Ethan Appolon added a sack and a forced fumble.
The Seahawks (0-3, 0-0 NEC) will hit the road for a battle with Central Michigan on Saturday, September 20. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. in Mount Pleasant, Mich.
