NEW BRITAIN, Conn. – The Wagner College football team will hit the road for an NEC battle against two-time defending conference champion Central Connecticut State on Saturday, Oct. 3. Kickoff is set for noon at Arute Field, with live coverage on NEC Front Row and the RYZ Sports Network, featuring Bruce Biel and Marc Robbins on the call.

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First and Ten

Both teams enter Saturday's matchup coming off a bye week.

Wagner (1-3, 0-1 NEC) most recently fell at ACC member California, 49-7, on Sept. 19.

Sophomore quarterback Benjamin Newman finished 15-of-31 passing for 86 yards and one touchdown while adding a 23-yard rush.

Freshman Shawn James led the Seahawks on the ground with 36 yards on eight carries. Senior Jeremiah Colclough and graduate student Derek Burrell each recorded three receptions for 24 yards, while sophomore Malik Redd finished with three catches for 20 yards and a touchdown.

Defensively, senior Shamar Williams led Wagner with 10 tackles, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Juniors Julio Tatis and Brendan Leal, along with Evan Dukes, each added six tackles.

Senior Karlos Grier totaled 103 kickoff return yards on four attempts, including a 51-yard return in the opening quarter.

Following Week 3, Williams was named an NEC Prime Performer for his efforts.

The Series

Saturday's matchup marks the 38th all-time meeting between the two programs, with CCSU leading the series, 21-16. Wagner's last victory over the Blue Devils came in 2016.

In last season's meeting, the Blue Devils defeated the Seahawks on Staten Island, 24-17, in overtime.

In the last meeting in New Britain in 2024, the Blue Devils prevailed, 24-14.

Scouting the Blue Devils

Coming off a bye week, CCSU enters Saturday's game at 0-3, most recently falling to No. 1 Montana State, 35-30, on Sept. 19.

The Blue Devils began their season with a 59-20 loss to South Dakota before falling to Toledo, 63-10.

CCSU ranks second in the NEC in rushing yards per game at 111.7.

Following Week 3, quarterback Brett Griffis was named NEC Offensive Player of the Week, Jacob Staton earned NEC Defensive Player of the Week honors and Davon Smith Jr. earned his second NEC Rookie of the Week honor of the season.

Defensive back Chris Jean was named to the Stats Perform FCS Preseason All-America First Team.

The Blue Devils were picked to finish first in the 2026 NEC Preseason Coaches' Poll. CCSU finished the 2025 season with an 8-5 overall record and a 6-1 mark in conference play to earn its second consecutive NEC title.

CCSU is led by head coach Adam Lechtenberg, who is in his fourth season at the helm. Lechtenberg has earned NEC Coach of the Year honors in each of the last two seasons.

Through Sept. 26, the Blue Devils have played the eighth-toughest schedule in the FCS.

Masella's CCSU Connection

Wagner head coach Tom Masella served as the head coach at CCSU for two seasons from 2004-05.

Under Masella, the Blue Devils won back-to-back NEC championships while posting a 15-6 overall record and a perfect 9-0 mark in conference play.

Preseason 2026

Wagner was selected fourth in the 2026 NEC Preseason Coaches' Poll, the program's highest preseason ranking since 2019.

Five Seahawks were named to the 2026 Preseason All-NEC Team: senior defensive lineman Logan Barnes, redshirt sophomore defensive lineman Ethan Appolon, senior defensive back Shamar Williams, senior running back Sekou Kamau and senior offensive lineman Malik Wilson.

Wagner will play 12 games this season, including seven conference contests, five home games and two matchups against FBS opponents.

The Captains

Ahead of the season, senior defensive lineman Logan Barnes and junior quarterback Jack Stevens were selected by their teammates to serve as team captains.

Barnes was named a captain for the second consecutive season, while Stevens earned the honor for the first time.

What's Next

Following Saturday's matchup, Wagner returns to Grymes Hill for a non-conference game against Princeton on Saturday, Oct. 10. Kickoff is set for noon on Hameline Field as the Seahawks host Family Fun Fest, with live coverage on NEC Front Row and SI TV.