Conference

Wagner won on the road to move within one-half game of first place, which is currently occupied by idle Albany.  Steel City rivals Robert Morris and Duquesne both posted home victories over members the NEC’s Nutmeg State contingent.  Bryant spoiled Homecoming at Monmouth, knocking off the Hawks for the first time in five tries.

Wagner 31, Saint Francis (PA) 24
Wagner passed its post-bye week road test, holding on for a 31-24 win at Saint Francis and achieving the program’s first four-game win streak since 2009.  Nick Doscher passed for three touchdowns for the Seahawks, who carried a 31-17 lead into the fourth quarter and wound up spoiling Homecoming at DeGol Field.  Wagner’s Dominique Williams totaled 136 yards from scrimmage and scored twice.  Quarterback John Kelly ran for 109 yards and one touchdown to lead Saint Francis, the NEC’s leading rushing team.

Duquesne 35, Sacred Heart 3
Sean Patterson was responsible for all five of Duquesne’s touchdowns, running for three and throwing for a pair in a 35-3 NEC victory over Sacred Heart.  The preseason all-NEC quarterback hooked up with receiver Gianni Carter on touchdown tosses of 44 and 12 yards in leading the Dukes past the Pioneers for the fourth straight meeting.  Patterson opened the game’s scoring on a 14-yard run 2:02 into the second quarter, and that score would be all Duquesne’s defense ultimately needed.  Keyed by linebacker Dorian Bell’s 14 tackles and 4.0 sacks, the Dukes limited Scared Heart to 215 yards of offense, including only 92 rush yards on 35 carries.

Bryant 27, Monmouth 24
Jordan Brown rushed for 144 yards, the final four of which came of his game-winning touchdown burst with 2:19 to play.  Bryant’s preseason all-NEC rusher, who carried 22 times on the afternoon, also opened the game’s scoring with a17-yard jaunt in the first quarter.  The Bulldogs received a second straight 300-plus yard passing day from quarterback Mike Westerhaus (316 yards, 2 TD).  Bryant’s defense limited Kyle Frazier, the NEC’s leading passer to under 200 yards, and picked him off twice. K.B. Asante rushed for 94 yards and one touchdown for the Hawks.

Robert Morris 37, Central Connecticut 31
Robert Morris erased an eight-point fourth-quarter deficit to pick up its first league win of the season. The Colonials scored the game’s last two touchdowns, a 27-yard pitch-and-catch from Jeff Sinclair to Donte Jeter followed by a two-yard TD plunge by Deontae Howard with 1:50 remaining.  Central Connecticut received 377 all-purpose yards from running back Rob Holloman, who logged his first career 200-yard rushing day.