STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. – The Wagner College football team will welcome Southern Connecticut State University to Hameline Field on Saturday, Sept. 5. Kickoff is set for 12 p.m., with live coverage on NEC Front Row and SI TV featuring Marc Ernay and Ray Martel on the call.

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First and Ten

Wagner enters Saturday's matchup looking to bounce back from a 28-7 season-opening loss to NEC foe Robert Morris on Aug. 29 on Hameline Field.

The Seahawks' lone score came on a 40-yard interception return by junior Julio Tatis, who earned NEC Prime Performer honors following his performance. Tatis also added four tackles on the afternoon.

Defensively, redshirt freshman Wes Johnston led Wagner with six tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss, while junior Brendan Leal also recorded six stops. Senior Shamar Williams contributed an interception and a pass breakup.

On offense, redshirt sophomore Matt Morad paced the ground game with 32 rushing yards, while redshirt junior Zion Fowler-El led the receiving corps with four catches for 30 yards.

As a team, Wagner was held to 97 yards of total offense and six first downs. Robert Morris finished with 285 total yards, 13 first downs, and six sacks in the victory.

The Series

Saturday's meeting marks the first all-time matchup between the Seahawks and the Owls.

This will be Wagner's first time facing a Division II opponent since defeating Post University, 48-21, on Nov. 18, 2023.

SCSU last played a Division I opponent on Oct. 11, 2025, falling to Delaware State, 70-23.

Scouting the Owls

Saturday's contest marks the season opener for SCSU.

The Owls compete at the NCAA Division II level in the NE10. SCSU finished the 2025 season with an overall record of 4-6 while going 4-3 in conference play. SCSU is led by head coach Joe Loth in his second season.

Senior running back Kieran Falzon was named First Team All-NE10 last season after compiling 1,227 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns. Falzon was also named to the D2Football.com Elite 100 Watch List ahead of the 2026 season.

During conference play, the Owls scored the fourth-most points per game in the NE10 last season (24.1) while allowing the third-most points per game (29.3).

Wagner-SCSU Connection

SCSU defensive coordinator Frank Forcucci coached alongside Wagner head coach Tom Masella during the 2003 season at UMass. Masella served as the defensive coordinator while Forcucci coached the defensive line and outside linebackers.

Masella was then hired as the head coach at Central Connecticut State, where Forcucci joined the staff for two seasons (2004-05). During that span, the Blue Devils captured two NEC Championships.

Masella was later hired as the head coach at Fordham, where Forcucci spent three seasons as defensive coordinator. The Rams won the 2007 Patriot League title during their time together.

The Owls currently have three former Seahawks on their roster: senior linebacker Peter Kempsey (2023-24), graduate student wide receiver Seth Westover (2021), and sophomore linebacker Chase Halfkenny (2025).

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 and 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. It marks the ninth time in program history the Seahawks will face two FBS teams in the same season.

The Captains

Ahead of the season, senior defensive lineman Logan Barnes and junior quarterback Jack Stevens were chosen by their teammates to serve as team captains. Barnes was selected as a captain for the second consecutive season.

New Coaches on Staff

Ahead of the season, Masella announced the additions of Ross Ragonesi, who will serve as linebackers coach, and Josh McClurg, who will serve as outside linebackers coach.

Know Before You Go

Blackout and Staten Island Appreciation Day is the theme for Saturday's game. Join us as we recognize the local groups, businesses, season ticket holders, and community partners that help make Staten Island special. Wear black and pack the stands!

Gates open at 10 a.m., with tailgating in Tailgate Alley beginning at 9 a.m.

Fans can purchase game tickets and access to Tailgate Alley here.

New for 2026, Wagner Athletics is proud to offer beer and wine sales inside Wagner College Stadium throughout the season. Beer will be available for $5 and wine for $9. Guests must be 21 years of age or older to purchase alcoholic beverages. Sales will conclude at the end of the third quarter.

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Make your game day experience even more memorable by purchasing a videoboard message. Fans can submit an approved message to be displayed on the stadium videoboard during the game. For more information, click here.

For questions, please email athletics.marketing@wagner.edu.

What's Next

The Seahawks will head to Harrisonburg, Va., for a matchup with Sun Belt Conference member James Madison on Saturday, Sept. 12. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. at Bridgeforth Stadium, with live coverage available on ESPN+.