Robert Morris posted a thrilling win over Patriot League member Lafayette in the lone non-league game on the Week 5 docket. Albany scored the most-notable NEC victory by rolling past what was formerly a 3-1 Monmouth team at home. Sacred Heart, Duquesne, and Wagner also posted conference wins.
Robert Morris 31, Lafayette 28
Robert Morris built a 28-7 lead, but needed a 33-yard field goal from Greg Langer to break a 28-28 tie with 00:19 left in the fourth quarter and down Patriot League member Lafayette. Making him home season debut, Colonials’ quarterback Jeff Sinclair passed for 201 yards and rushed for 84 more. He was responsible for all three of Robert Morris’ offensive touchdowns (2 pass, 1 rush). The Colonials opened the game’s scoring on a fumble recovery for a touchdown by Mike Neilson 6:58 into the first quarter.
Albany 55, Monmouth 24
Albany scored five touchdowns of 44 yards or more to roll past Monmouth in what began as a battle of two 3-1 teams. The host Great Danes produced 511 yards of total offense in the 55-24 victory that moved the defending NEC champion’s league record to 2-0. Quarterback Will Fiacchi threw for 248 yards and two touchdowns for Albany, while Drew Smith carried the bulk of the load in the running game by going for 109 yards on 18 carries. Kevin Chillis had a 77-yard touchdown run on a fake punt play and Presley Beauvais capped the scoring with a 67-yard burst late in the fourth quarter. Monmouth’s Kyle Frazier passed for 274 yards and two touchdowns, but was intercepted thrice.
Duquesne 24, Saint Francis (PA) 21
Charlie Leventry nailed a 20-yard field goal with 00:32 remaining in regulation to complete a fourth-quarter comeback and send Duquesne to a NEC victory over Keystone State rival Saint Francis on Homecoming Weekend at Rooney Field. The winning kick capped an 11-play, 66-yard drive by the Dukes, who had tied the game when Larry McCoy scored a touchdown from three yards out with 6:54 left in the fourth quarter. Senior running back Keion Wade scored all three of the Red Flash’s touchdowns on runs of two, five, and two yards.
Wagner 31, Bryant 21
Wagner overcame a remarkable effort from Bryant receiver Jordan Harris and held off the Bulldogs in a 31-21 home victory. The host Seahawks received 314 yards of total offense from quarterback Nick Doscher and another 106 yards on the ground from running back Dominique Williams. Bryant took a 14-10 lead on a 54-yard touchdown reception by Jordan Harris with 10:17 remaining in the third quarter. Harris, who finished with nine catches for 201 yards and two touchdowns, had given Bryant a 7-0 lead earlier in the contest when he hauled in a 38-yard scoring pass 13 second into the second quarter. Following Harris’ second score of the day, Wagner’s Nick Doscher answered by tossing touchdown passes of five and 70 yards to send the Seahawks into the final quarter with a 24-14 advantage.
Sacred Heart 34, Central Connecticut 21
Sacred Heart prevailed in the Constitution State rivalry game for a second consecutive season. The Pioneers downed Central Connecticut on Homecoming Weekend at Campus Field in a game that aired live on Fox College Sports Atlantic and ESPN3. Stepping in for an ill Tim Little, SHU quarterback Luke Wischnowski completed 12 of 16 pass attempts for 86 yards and a touchdown. Keshaudas Spence enjoyed his best day as a collegian, rushing for 123 yards and a score on 10 carries. Sacred Heart jumped out to a 24-3 halftime lead and extended that to a 27-3 advantage on a 20-yard field goal 6:45 into the third quarter. Central Connecticut cut the deficit to 27-15 on two touchdown catches by Deven Baker, but would get no closer.