League Notes
The Northeast Conference kicked off its 2008-09 television package in a big way this weekend, featuring the 10th-ever installment of the Steel City Showdown. With Robert Morris meeting cross-town rival Duquesne for the first time since the latter joined the Northeast Conference this season, those watching on TV saw an intense rivalry take on additional meeting. In a back-and-forth affair full of exciting plays and momentum swings, Robert Morris prevailed, 34-27, to reclaim Pittsburgh’s DI FCS bragging rights and notch its first league win this season. ... In a rematch of last year’s regular season finale that crowned the 2007 NEC champions, defending champ Albany outlasted 2007 runner-up Central Connecticut State, 24-22. Playing before a home crowd for the first time since Nov. 3, 2007, Albany denied CCSU on a game-tying two-point conversion attempt with under one minute remaining in regulation. The loss was the Blue Devils’ first in four games, while the Great Danes remain undefeated over their previous eight NEC contests. ... Monmouth became the first NEC team to notch three league wins this season when it defeated Wagner, 31-17, on Grymes Hill. The win was the Hawks’ fourth straight following an 0-and-3 start to the season, while Wagner has dropped three consecutive games after its 2-and-1 beginning. ... Sacred Heart continues to roll, avoiding a road block at Saint Francis (PA). The Red Flash had beaten the Pioneers in three of the past four seasons, but Paul Gorham’s club negated that recent trend with a 41-24 victory. Sacred Heart is 6-0 for the first time since 2001 when it last won the NEC title.
Running With the Best in FCS
A year after four Northeast Conference teams produced 1,200-yard rushers that each ranked amongst the nation's top 20, five NEC running backs currently stand amongst the top-eight rushers in Division I FCS this season. Monmouth junior Dave Sinisi (Cedar Grove, NJ/Cedar Grove), Robert Morris sophomore Myles Russ (Boca Raton, FL/West Boca) Central Connecticut State junior James Mallory (Buffalo, NY/Kenmore West), Albany junior David McCarty (Gansevoort, NY/LaSalle Institute), and Sacred Heart senior Evin Jones (Pennsauken, NJ/Roman Catholic [PA]) are all on pace for 1,000-yard seasons (Sinisi has already accomplished the feat) as their yards-per-game averages place them in elite company. Sinisi (157.29 ypg) ranks third in all of D-I FCS, but his 1,101 total rushing yards are tops in the nation. Russ ranks fourth overall (145.00 ypg), Mallory (141.3 ypg) sixth, Jones seventh (135.33 ypg), and McCarty (135.17 ypg) eighth.
6-and-0 Pioneers Flawless in Protecting Fink
For the sixth straight game, Sacred Heart’s offensive line has kept sophomore quarterback Dale Fink (Swansea, IL/Althoff Catholic) from falling to the turf. In addition to remaining the lone undefeated Northeast Conference team after a 41-24 triumph at Saint Francis (PA), the Pioneers remain the league’s only member to not allow a quarterback sack this season. The unit -- made up of senior left tackle Ryan Arroyo (Roebling, NJ/Florence Twp.), sophomore left guard Justin Smith (Binghamton, NY/Binghamton), freshman center Dylan Larson (Barnegat Light, NJ/Southern), sophomore right guard Dan Plunkett (Quincy, MA/Catholic Memorial), junior right tackle Abel Malae (Pacifica, CA/Terra Nova) -- has also paved the way for 175.2 yards rushing per game thus far this season.
SHU Recipe: Score the Most, Give Up the Least
Sacred Heart has won its first six games this season, including two conference dates, and there is no mystery behind the Pioneers’ success. Sacred Heart currently boasts the Northeast Conference’s top-ranked scoring offense (34.5 ppg) and scoring defense (20.5 ppg). The perfect Pioneers have scored a league-high 28 touchdowns, 15 of which have come from the arm of quarterback Dale Fink (Swansea, IL/Althoff Catholic) who leads the NEC in that category. Conversely, the Pioneers have allowed a league-low 16 touchdowns against, highlighted by a pass defense that has allowed only six scores through the air to lead the conference.
Champion vs. Challenger
Defending Northeast Conference champion Albany has naviagted its way past the first two obstacles in its title defense, winning at first-year league member Duquesne and outlasting 2007 NEC runner-up Central Connecticut State before a home crowd. Next up for the Great Danes is the league’s hottest team, and arguably biggest surprise. After a winless conference showing last year, Sacred Heart has opened its season with six consecutive victories with the two latest coming against NEC competition. The 6-and-0 Pioneers, who are the league’s lone remaining undefeated team, have quite a challenge on their hands when they host battled-tested Albany in a marquee matchup in Week Eight (Oct. 18). The game, which will be played at SHU’s Campus Field, means Albany will play an undefeated team in the second half of the season for the sixth time as a Division I FCS program. Interestingly, the Great Danes have lost four of the previous five times that scenario has occurred, including twice to Sacred Heart.
Tedesco Takes Over Receiving Record Book
A week after claiming sole possession of Sacred Heart’s all-time touchdown reception record, junior receiver Steve Tedesco (Mission Viejo, CA/Trabuco Hills) took over first place on the program’s career recpetions list. Tedesco, who has 22 career touchdown receptions after two more at Saint Francis (PA), caught six passes for 71 yards (all in the second half) to surpass former teammate Corey Bundy (2004-07) in all-time grabs. Tedesco (125) is three ahead of the second-place Bundy (122).
Rombach Proves Ready
Duquesne experienced something in Saturday’s defeat at Robert Morris that would have made most head coaches hold their breath. Starting quarterback Connor Dixon (South Park, PA/South Park) left the game after suffering a left forearm injury on a 13-yard run with 6:04 left in the first quarter. Dukes’ head coach Jerry Schmitt had the luxury of calling upon junior quarterback Kevin Rombach (Harrisburg, PA/Central Dauphin), a former all-MAAC selection, to take over the signal calling duties. Despite taking only one snap under center this season prior to the unexpected call, Rombach cooly, and quickly, put up the game’s first points by completing his first pass to senior receiver Alex Roberson (Waynesboro, GA/Curtis Baptist) for 31 yards and a touchdown on a fouth-down-and-four situation. Rombach completed 6-of-9 passes for 80 yards in a little over one quarter of play in the first half before misfiring on three third-quarter passes and giving way for Dixon’s return.
We Don't See This Too Often ... Only Two Weeks in Row
The Northeast Conference's 13-year football history has not seen many rushing performances like the two that unfolded during Week Six when Monmouth junior running back Dave Sinisi (Cedar Grove, NJ/Cedar Grove) tallied a program-record 247 yards (tied for fourth-best in league play history) and four touchdowns on 30 carries and Albany junior tailback David McCarty (Gansevoort, NY/La Salle Institute) rushed 37 times for 230 yards (11th-most all-time in NEC play). Apparently, Robert Morris sophomore tailback Myles Russ (Boca Raton, FL/West Boca) didn’t think that was enough. A week after McCarty and Sinisi dented the all-time single-game list, Russ jumped up to sixth on the chart with 246 rushing yards on a program-record 37 carries in a 34-27 victory over Duquesne. On his way to the third-greatest rushing total in Robert Morris’ history, Russ had 16 carries that resulted in either a touchdown or first down.
Finally…Home Sweet Home
Opening its season with five consecutive road dates, Albany finally played in front of its home crowd at Alumni Field during Saturday’s (Oct. 11) conference victory over Central Connecticut State. The Great Danes were the lone Division I program (FBS or FCS) without a home date until October. Nebraska contrasts UAlbany with five consecutive home dates before having played at Texas A&M.
Keeping Tabs on Bryant
Poised to begin Northeast Conference competition in 2012 when its completes the NCAA-mandated reclassification process, Bryant is currently in transition from Division II to core NEC membership. In becoming acclimated with its future league, Bryant is on the schedules of six of the eight current NEC football programs.
After earning its first victory over a Division I FCS program in six tries when it stunned Wagner, 24-14, in Staten Island, NY on Sept. 27, Bryant could make it two in a row. Returning from a bye week, the Bulldogs lost, 34-7, at Marist (Oct. 11) to drop to 3-3 overall on the year. Their only losses have come to DI FCS members (Monmouth, CCSU, Marist). After dropping a 42-35, season-opening decision at 2007 NEC runner-up Central Connecticut State, the Bulldogs rebounded with back-to-back victories over Merrimack and Southern Connecticut State. Playing the fourth of six scheduled NEC teams this season, Bryant will host Robert Morris on Saturday (Oct. 18).
Week Seven (7) By The Numbers
276 yards by which Robert Morris sophomore Myles Russ has already surpassed his rookie rushing total. His 246-yard performance, which ranks third in program annals and sixth in the history of NEC play, during Saturday’s Steel City Showdown put Russ at 870 yards (7.0 ypc) for the season on 125 attempts. As a freshman, Russ rushed 155 times for 594 yards (3.8 ypc).
4+3= Monmouth tailback Dave Sinisi’s touchdown total over the past two games, both NEC victories. The Hawks’ all-time touchdown leader followed up his four-touchdown day vs. Saint Francis (PA) by scoring on runs of 15, 32, and 22 yards at Wagner to bump his career total 46, 10 more TDs than anyone in Hawks’ history.
40 touchdown passes have been thrown by Sacred Heart quarterback Dale Fink over his first 15 collegiate games. The sophomore signal caller completed 20 of 31 passing attempts including four for scores in Saturday’s road win over Saint Francis (PA) to tie the Pioneers’ all-time TD record. Fink’s 40 scoring strikes equal Justin Holtfreter’s total in 22 games during 2000 and 2001.
14 consecutive outings during which Albany tailback David McCarty has scored a touchdown. Although the junior runner eclipsed the 100-yard rushing mark for the 11th time in 12 games, his streak was kept alive through the air. McCarty converted a 3-and-18 situation by taking a screen pass 72 yards for a third-quarter TD. His 96 yards receiving (3 catches) are a career best.
29 times the chains moved for Robert Morris in its 34-27 home victory over cross-town rival Duquesne. The Colonials’ 29 first downs tied a program record set at Stony Brook on Oct. 2, 2004. Robert Morris moved the chains at a record rate while tailback Myles Russ carried the ball a program-record 37 times.
Team-by-Team Notes
Albany (3-3, 2-0 NEC)
Last Game: ALBANY 24, CENTRAL CONNECTICUT STATE 22 (Albany, NY - Alumni Field)
Next Game: October 18 At SACRED HEART, 1:00 pm (Fairfield, CT- Campus Field)
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UAlbany held off Central Connecticut State, 24-22, in the Great Danes' home debut at University Field on Oct. 11. The Great Danes had played their previous eight games on the road, including five in a row to begin this year's schedule. UAlbany has won eight straight and 12 of its last 13 in conference play. The Great Danes have been involved in six NEC games decided by three points or less since joining the league in 1999. … QB Vinny Esposito (Demarest, NJ/Northern Valley) helped end a streak of five consecutive losses in home openers by passing for two touchdowns and running for another score. Esposito, who had his third-best passing day with 254 yards, tied an NEC mark by an Albany QB with 17 completions. … WR Jason Poore (North Hoosick, NY/Hoosick Falls Central) hauled in the first scoring pass of his career, an 11-yarder with three seconds remaining in the opening half. Poore finished with four receptions for 47 yards. … Esposito hooked up with TB David McCarty (Gansevoort, NY/LaSalle Institute) on a 72-yard screen pass for a touchdown in the third quarter that wiped out a third-and-18 situation. The pass play tied the 15th-longest from scrimmage in program annals and proved to be the winning score. McCarty, who extended his touchdown streak to 14 consecutive games, accounted for 197 all-purpose yards. The junior rushed for 101 yards on 28 carries and has reached the century mark in 11 of his last 12 starts. McCarty is tied for seventh among the FCS national leaders in all-purpose yards (176.5 ypg) and is eighth in rushing (135.2 ypg). McCarty has climbed to fifth among the school's career leaders in both rushing yards (2,312) and all-purpose yards (2,830). … ILB Justin Brancaccio (Rockaway, NJ/Morris Knolls) had a team-high 11 tackles and made three big defensive plays, including a break-up of a two-point conversion pass with 55 seconds remaining. … DT Tom Pandolf (Holbrook, NY/Sachem) registered a career-high 10 tackles and set up a second-quarter touchdown by sacking QB Hunter Wanket and forcing a turnover near midfield. … DE Eddie Delaney (Holtsville, NY/Sachem East) made his first start as a redshirt freshman for the injured Tony Sparano (Colleyville, TX/Grapevine). Delaney, who was born without a left hand and wears an insulin pump to control his diabetes, made a career-best four tackles. … DT Trevor Anderson (Warnersville, NY/Cobleskill-Richmondville) and ILB/DE Marc Wargo (East Windsor, NJ/Hightstown) also had career games with six and four tackles, respectively. … P Chris Lynch (Lindenhurst, NY/Lindenhurst) made his first field goal, a 19-yarder against Central Conn. State, since the final game of the 2004 campaign. Lynch's punt, off a quick-kick formation, bottled up CCSU at their own 4-yard line with 30 seconds left. UAlbany will play an undefeated team in the second half of the season for the sixth time as a Division I FCS program when the Great Danes travel to Sacred Heart (6-0) on Oct. 18. UAlbany has lost four of the previous five times when that scenario occurs, including twice to Sacred Heart.
Central Connecticut State (4-2, 1-1 NEC)
Last Game: ALBANY 24, CENTRAL CONNECTICUT STATE 22 (Albany, NY - Alumni Field)
Next Game: Octobert 18 vs. DUQUESNE, 1:00 pm (New Britain, CT - Arute Field)
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Central Connecticut State fell a two-point conversion short of completing a second-half comeback and forcing overtime in a 24-22 loss at Albany. After a 14-yard touchdown hook-up between junior quarterback Hunter Wanket (Rancho Santa Fe, CA/Palomar JC) and classmate Tyler Rossnagle (Sarasota, FL/Booker) with 55 seconds remaining in regulation, Wanket's pass to junior Nick Colagiovanni (Plainville, CT/Milford Academy) fell incomplete on the ensuing two-point attempt. … Wanket, currently is his first season as a Blue Devil, enjoyed a career passing day at Albany. The junior QB, who splits signal calling duties with junior Aubrey Norris (Staten Island, NY/Hargrave Military), went 16-of-24 passing for 198 yards and a touchdown. It was the first time a Blue Devil completed at least 15 passes in a game since Norris totaled 17 completions in a victory at Sacred Heart (Nov. 5, 2007). … Sophomore kicker Joe Izzo (Southington, CT/Southington), who had only one career field goal attempt prior to visiting Albany, nailed all three of his three-point tries (24, 36, 26) against the Great Danes. It was the first time a Blue Devil kicker made three or more field goals in a game since Derek Pearson connected on three against Monmouth on Oct. 29, 2005. … Junior James Mallory (Buffalo, NY/Kenmore West) reached the 100-yard rushing mark for the fifth game this season, totaling 109 on 26 carries against the Great Danes. Averaging 5.3 yards per carry with 848 yards in 159 attempts, Mallory is the sixth-leading rusher in Division I FCS. … The Blue Devils are averaging 225 yards per game on the ground. They are ranked first in the NEC and 10th in the nation in rushing offense. … CCSU has 49 tackles for loss on the season with senior captain Mike Cooke (Brooklyn, NY/Lackawanna JC) making a team-high seven hits for loss (-26 yards). The Blue Devils lead the NEC and are ninth in the nation in that category. … Central Connecticut has an NEC-high 17 sacks. The Blue Devils rank 17th nationally with 2.80 sacks per game. … Sophomore Jeff Marino (New Britain, CT/New Britain) continues to lead the Blue Devils in tackles. His game-high 11 stops against Albany put him at 49 for the season. Marino, who has double-digit tackle performances in three games this season, has been the team's leading tackler in four of the last five outings. … Central Connecticut's 33 wins since 2004 are the fifth most victories among New England, New York and New Jersey FCS schools. Only New Hampshire, UMass, Harvard and Monmouth have more. … The Blue Devils are averaging 30.2 points per game during the Jeff McInerney era. The Blue Devils have scored 20 or more 18 times and 30 or more 13 times.
Duquesne (2-3, 1-2 NEC)
Last Game: ROBERT MORRIS 34, DUQUESNE 27 (Moon Township, PA - Joe Walton Stadium)
Next Game: October 18 at CENTRAL CONNECTICUT STATE, 1:00 pm (New Britatin, CT - Arute Field)
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Duquesne lost to Robert Morris for the first time in four meetings between the two Pittsburgh-based programs. The loss evens the all-time series at 5-5. ... Robert Morris tailback Myles Russ' 246 yards on 37 carries were the most by an opposing runner since Iona's Ralph Saldiveri carried 31 times for 248 yards against the Dukes in 1999. Russ' total was the second-highest by a DU opponent since Duquesne moved to the FCS level in 1993. ... Sophomore quarterback Connor Dixon (South Park, PA/South Park) left the game with a left forearm injury following a 13-yard run with 6:04 left in the first quarter. He returned with 4:33 remaining in the half. ... Junior quarterback Kevin Rombach (Harrisburg, PA/Central Dauphin), who had taken one snap from under center this season, threw a 31-yard touchdown pass to Alex Roberson (Waynesboro, GA/Curtis Baptist) on his first play. The TD, which was Rombach's first pass attempt of the season, came on a fourth-and-four play. Rombach completed 6-of-9 passes for 80 yards in a little over one quarter of play in the first half. He played the first series of the second half and was 0-of-3 as the Dukes went three-and-out. ... Eight different receivers combined for Duquesne's 19 total receptions. ... Sophomore linebacker Nathan Totino (Pittsburgh, PA/Seton-La Salle), extended his double-digit tackles streak to five games with a game-high 14 stops (five solo). Totino, who entered the game averaging an FCS-best 15.0 tackles per game, saw his season average "dip" to 14.8 stops per contest. … Freshman linebacker Chidozie Oparanozie (Pittsburgh, PA/The Linsley (WV) School) finished with 11 tackles (five solo) for his second-straight double-digit tackle game. The two-time NEC Rookie of the Week has 31 total tackles in his past three games.
Monmouth (4-3, 3-0 NEC)
Last Game: MONMOUTH 31, WAGNER 17 (Staten Island, NY - Wagner College Stadium)
Next Game: October 25 vs. CENTRAL CONNECTICUT STATE, 1:00 pm (West Long Branch, NJ - Kessler Field)
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Monmouth improved to 4-3 with a conference win over Wagner in Staten Island last weekend. The Hawks are now in first place in the Northeast Conference with a 3-0 record and have won four straight contests after starting the season 0-3. The visitors have won the last five matchups in the series between Wagner and MU. … Monmouth's David Sinisi (Cedar Grove, NJ/Cedar Grove) rushed for 137 yards and three touchdowns on 16 carries for an impressive 8.8 yards per rush. The redshirt senior now has rushed for over 100 yards in six of seven games this season. He scored on runs of 15, 32 and 22 yards, and now has 13 touchdowns on the season and is closing in on the Monmouth record of 19 total touchdowns in a season, which he set in 2007. Sinisi's performance pushed him past the 1,000-yard mark for the season (1,101), which is just the third time in school history a Monmouth player has reached that prestigious plateau. … The Hawks, who entered into the game first in the country in third down conversions, converted 10-of-16 (62 %) third-down opportunities. … Captain Ayo Falae (Newark, NJ/Barringer) led the Hawks in tackles in their win over Wagner, finishing with a career-high-tying nine takedowns. Six of Falae's tackles were of the solo variety, including a six-yard hit for loss on a run. … Monmouth converted its first fourth-down attempt of the season with Brett Burke (Wall, NJ/Wall) hitting Chris Kiley (Point Pleasant, NJ/Point Boro) for six yards on a fourth-and-four. … Monmouth senior kicker Fred Weingart (New Egypt, NJ/New Egypt) was perfect kicking extra points for the sixth time this season, hitting four PATs. He also drilled a 42-yard field goal to give the Hawks a third-quarter lead, upping his season conversion rate to four-of-five. Weingart successfully kicked his 100th career extra point for the Hawks after Sinisi's touchdown in the third quarter. He now has182 career points in a Hawk uniform, which ranks the fifth-year senior fifth all-time. … Kiley finished with a career-high 58 yards in receptions on six catches. … The Hawks were +1 in turnover margin, recovering a fumble and intercepting Wagner quarterback Matt Abbey once. … Monmouth is off next week but returns home on Oct. 26, when they host Central Connecticut State.
Robert Morris (2-4, 1-2 NEC)
Last Game: ROBERT MORRIS 34, DUQUESNE 27 (Moon Township, PA - Joe Walton Stadium)
Next Game: October 18 at Bryant, 1:00 pm (Smithfield, RI - Bulldog Stadium)
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Robert Morris snapped a four-game losing streak with a 34-27 victory over cross-town rival Duquesne. A total of 3,942 were in attendance for the game, the fourth sellout and overall largest crowd in the four-year history of Joe Walton Stadium. ... The win helped Robert Morris tie the all-time series with the Dukes, 5-5, although it marked the first meeting between the two rivals as members of the Northeast Conference. ... The Colonials finished with 440 yards of total offense, one yard shy of their season high set at Sacred Heart (Oct. 4). ... RMU tied the single-game school record with 29 first downs against the Dukes, matching the 29 it had in a 31-24 win at Stony Brook (Oct. 2, 2004). ... RMU improved to 8-5 all-time when the score is tied at halftime. ... For just the second time this season the Colonials held an advantage in time of possession, holding the ball for 33:17 compared to 26:43 for Duquesne. RMU is 2-0 in 2008 when it possesses the ball longer than its opponents. ... RMU finished 9-for-15 in third down situations, a 60-percent success rate that marks a season high. ... Senior quarterback Erik Cwalinski (Jacobsburg, OH/Shadyside) finished 13-for-21 passing for 165 yards, two touchdowns and an interception, completing at least two passes to four different receivers. Thanks to his performance against Duquesne, Cwalinski bumped his career total in passing yards to 5,968, surpassing former Wagner quarterback John Sciarra (2004-05) into fifth place in the NEC career annals. ... Senior tight end Regis Flowers (Irwin, PA/Norwin) hauled in the eventual game-winning touchdown catch with a 22-yard reception in the fourth quarter and finished with three catches for 49 yards. ... Sophomore wide receiver T.J. Green (Stamford, CT/Milford Academy) finished with three receptions for 29 yards and a score. ... Robert Morris was led defensively by sophomore linebacker Alex DiMichele (Pittsburgh, PA/Sto-Rox), who recorded 11 tackles (two solo) and a quarterback hurry. It marks the fifth time in six games DiMichele has recorded double-digit tackles. ... Sophomore defensive back James Snider (Newark, DE/Valley Forge Military Academy) posted four solo tackles among his seven stops on the afternoon. Also recording seven tackles against the Dukes were junior linebackers Adam Lawrence (Big Run, PA/Dubois Area) and Robert Williams (Randallstown, MD/Baltimore Polytechnic). Lawrence recorded RMU's lone sack of the afternoon. ... Robert Morris closes out its 2008 non-conference schedule by traveling to Smithfield, RI, for a tilt against Bryant this Saturday.
Sacred Heart (6-0, 2-0 NEC)
Last Game: SACRED HEART 41, SAINT FRANCIS (PA) 24 (Loretto, PA - DeGol Field)
Next Game: October 18 vs. Albany, 1:00 pm (Fairfield, CT - Campus Field)
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The Pioneers' unbeaten streak hit six to start the season thanks to a 41-24 win at Saint Francis (PA). The Pioneers are now 2-0 in the NEC for the first time since 2003. … The win gave head coach Paul Gorham 21 career wins on the SHU sideline, tying him with former coach Jim Fleming (2000-01) for the program's all-time lead. … The Pioneers now own an 8-5 lead in the all-time series with the Red Flash and are 5-2 on the road. … SHU returns home for a battle with defending NEC Champion Albany on Saturday in what is sure to be the highlight of Sacred Heart's "Family Weekend" activities. The Pioneers and Great Danes are both tied atop the NEC standings at 2-0. UAlbany leads the series 8-2 with seven straight wins. … The Pioneer offensive attack, the NEC's top-ranked scoring offense, put up 40 points or more for the third time this season as they finished with 363 yards of total offense in the win. … The defense forced the Red Flash into three second-half turnovers that all led to points. … The Pioneers' offensive line remained the only NEC team to have not allowed a sack this season. … Senior running back Evin Jones (Pennsauken, NJ/Roman Catholic) carried the ball 28 times for 127 yards and his team-leading eighth touchdown of the season. Jones has now rushed for 100 yards or more in four of the six games this season. He has 812 yards this season, while averaging 5.8 yards per carry. … Junior Steve Tedesco (Mission Viejo, CA/Trabuco Hills) went the entire first half of Saturday's win without a single catch, but made six receptions for 71 yards and two scores after the break. After breaking the career receiving touchdown record last week, Tedesco (125) moved into first place all-time on the career receptions list past former teammate Corey Bundy (122). … Sophomore quarterback Dale Fink (Swansea, IL/Althoff Catholic) finished the day 20-of-31 for 214 yards with his four scoring strikes tying the Pioneer school record for TD throws in a game. In his short career, Fink has three times thrown for four touchdowns in a game. The sophomore signal caller completed passes to eight different receivers in the win. … Freshman Garry Coles (Southington, CT/Southington) returned three kickoffs for 98 yards, including a long of 48, to help SHU to an average starting field position of its own 47. … Junior kicker Joe Schroeder (Jackson, NJ/Jackson Memorial) hit a pair of booming field goals nailing a 45-yarder, a career-long by 10-yards, and a 42-yarder. … Defensively, sophomore Rashod Underwood (Baltimore, MD/Milford Mill) led the Pioneers with eight tackles, a forced fumble, and fumble recovery. … Junior Chansler Davis (Islip Terrace, NY/East Islip) recorded his team-leading fifth sack of the season.
Saint Francis (PA) (0-6, 0-3 NEC)
Last Game: SACRED HEART 41, SAINT FRANCIS (PA) 24 (Loretto, PA - DeGol Field)
Next Game: October 18 vs. WAGNER 1:00 pm (Loretto, PA - DeGol Field)
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The Red Flash could not secure their first win this season, dropping their second home game to Sacred Heart, 41-24. Saint Francis (PA) had won three of the previous four meetings with the Pioneers. ... Quarterback George Little (Duquesne, PA/Duquesne) was 18-of-28 passing for 204 yards and was intercepted twice. ... Back up quarterback Colton Sipe (Hummelstown, PA/Lower Dauphin) saw his first action on the year, going 3-of-7 for 65 yards and setting up a two-yard rushing touchdown by junior Calvin Williams (Cleveland, OH/Cleveland South). ... Punter Bobby Fuller (Mount Savage, MD/Beall) had another strong performance, punting 3 times for 136 yards (45.3 yards per punt) with a long of 53 yards. ... Saint Francis (PA) returns to action at DeGol Field against Wagner (Oct. 18). Both sides are in search of their first league win.
Wagner (2-4, 0-2 NEC)
Last Game: MONMOUTH 31, WAGNER 17 (Staten Island, NY - Wagner College Stadium)
Next Game: October 18 at SAINT FRANCIS (PA), 1:00 pm (Loretto, PA - DeGol Field)
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Wagner dropped its third consecutive contest, falling 31-17 to Monmouth. The home team has now lost the prior five meetings of this series. … Wagner's pass defense, which the game ranked tops in the NEC and fourth in the nation, limited Monmouth QB Brett Burke to 152 yards passing, but the Seahawks' struggles against the run continued. … Senior QB Matt Abbey (La Canada, CA/ St. Francis Prep), starting in place of the injured Adam Farnsworth (North Ogden, UT/Univ. of Iowa), continues to move up the ranks among Seahawk all-time passers. Abbey is third on the all-time Wagner completion list (296) and is 18 completions shy of second place. Abbey has thrown for 3,592 career yards, which rank him ninth on the Wagner all-time list. He needs 34 yards to move past Aaron Smith (1999-2001) for eighth place. Against Monmouth, Abbey connected on 13-of-24 passes and two TDS, both of which went to emerging sophomore WR Tyrone Collins (Geneva, NY/ Geneva). … For the season, Collins has 24 receptions for 219 yards. Collins is one of three Seahawk receivers who have snared more than 20 passes. … Junior WR Lon Woods (St. Petersburg, FL/ J.P. Taravella) leads the way with 30 receptions for 311 yards. For his career, Woods is up to 79 career receptions, which is 17 shy of the Wagner top 10 list. Woods eclipsed the 1,000-yard receiving mark for his career vs. Monmouth. His 59 receiving yards (on three catches) give him 1,025 for his career, 522 yards away from entering the Wagner top 10. … Defensively, senior LB Jason Haskins (Cliffwood Beach, NJ/ Matawan) had 10 tackles vs. Monmouth, including a team-high seven solo hits and forced a fumble. For the season, Haskins is tied for the team lead in tackles (54) with productive and consistent safety Stefen Gage (Syracuse, NY/Henninger). … Senior DE Robert Brown (Rome, NY/ Rome Free Academy), a third-team AP All-American and a first-team All-NEC selection last season, leads the Seahawks in tackles for loss with 8.5 (minus 26 yards) and sacks with 4.5 (minus 21 yards). … Senior PK Eric Ortiz (Oceanside, CA/ Vista) is 3-of-6 on field goal attempts and a perfect 15-of-15 on PATs. … Wagner next visits Saint Francis (PA) with each side looking for its first league win.