League Notes
Defending NEC champion Albany took a successful first step in its title defense, winning its NEC opener at Duquesne, 33-23, in what was the Great Danes’ eighth straight road game dating back to last season. Albany is the only Division I team (FBS or FCS) to not have played a home date yet this season, starting with five consecutive road affairs (four of which came against CAA members). A week after ending defending Pioneer League champion Dayton’s 10-game win streak, Duquesne became the latest victim of Albany’s seven-game win streak in NEC play. ... Central Connecticut State, the team that finished one spot behind the Great Danes in last season’s standings after falling to the champs on the final day, joined Albany in winning its first league affair of 2008. Following back-to-back wins over North Carolina Central (Sept. 20) and Delaware State (Sept. 27), the Blue Devils ran their win streak to three with a 35-10 triumph over Wagner. ... Sacred Heart is off to a 5-and-0 start, winning five consecutive contests for the first time since head coach Paul Gorham took over the program for the 2004 season. After four non-league wins to kick off the season, the Pioneers won their NEC opener over Robert Morris, 31-28, thanks to a 35-yard field goal by junior Joe Schroeder (Jackson, NJ/Jackson Memorial) with 5:52 remaining in regulation. ... Monmouth won its second NEC contest in as many weeks by defending its home field against Saint Francis (PA). The Hawks have dropped only one of 13 meetings with the Red Flash since the league’s inception in 1996.
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, four NEC running backs currently stand amongst the top-seven rushers in Division I FCS this season. Monmouth junior Dave Sinisi (Cedar Grove, NJ/Cedar Grove), 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 as their yards-per-game averages place them in elite company. Sinisi (160.67 ypg) ranks third in all of D-I FCS, Mallory (147.8 ypg) fifth, McCarty (142.0 ypg) sixth, and Jones (137.0 ypg) seventh.
5-and-0 Pioneers Provide Premium Protection
For the fifth 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 31-28 triumph over Robert Morris in their NEC opener, 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 174.5 yards rushing per game thus far this season.
Senator McCarty Elected to Weekly NEC Post
Since bursting onto the scene last season, Albany junior tailback David McCarty (Gansevoort, NY/LaSalle Institute) has brought six weekly awards back to the Capital Region. His latest accolade came on the heels of his 230-yard rushing performance in the conference opener at Duquesne (Oct. 4), a 33-23 win. McCarty notched his first weekly award of 2008 after scoring the winning touchdown in Albany’s overtime triumph at Hofstra on Sept. 13. McCarty is averaging 142.0 yards per game this season through Albany’s first five games, all on the road, against stiff competition (Massachusetts, Hofstra, New Hampshire, Delaware, and Duquesne). McCarty’s first career outburst came early last season in a 23-20 win at 2007 Patriot League champ Fordham. The all-NEC tailback gained 143 yards against the Rams, but yielded the conference’s weekly offensive honor to teammate quarterback Vinny Esposito (Demarest, NJ/Northern Valley). Rushing 15 times for 170 yards and two touchdowns in a rout of conference foe Saint Francis (PA) on October 20, 2007, McCarty grabbed his first-ever NEC weekly honor. He went on to win four of the last five NEC Offensive Player of the Week awards given during conference play, including the season’s final week when he used 247 yards on 19 carries to power the Great Danes to victory over Central Connecticut State in the NEC title game.
We Don't See This Too Often
The Northeast Conference's 13-year football history has not seen many performances like the three that unfolded during Week Six, two of which came in Albany's 33-23 victory at Duquesne. The Dukes' sophomore linebacker Nathan Totino (Pittsburgh, PA/Seton-La Salle) became the first NEC athlete to make 23 tackles in a game since 2001 when, ironically, Monmouth's Aaron Edwards reached that number against Albany (Nov. 3, 2001). Despite Totino's effort, Albany junior tailback David McCarty (Gansevoort, NY/La Salle Institute) rushed 37 times for 230 yards to tie former Great Dane Nicholas Bazan for the 11th-most yards in NEC single-game history. The game was McCarty's first against NEC competition since the 2007 regular season finale when he ran for 247 yards in a title-clinching victory at Central Connecticut State. Matching McCarty's career high of 247 yards from the last November, Monmouth junior running back Dave Sinisi (Cedar Grove, NJ/Cedar Grove) tied his fellow preseason all-NEC selection for the fourth-highest total in the history of league play. Rushing 30 times for a program-record 247 yards and four touchdowns during Monmouth's rout of Saint Francis (PA), Sinisi set a Hawks' single-game record in yards per carry (7.7).
Joe Cool
Sacred Heart junior placekicker Joe Schroeder (Jackson, NJ/Jackson Memorial) hadn't had many chances before head coach Paul Gorham called his name during the fourth quarter of Saturday's NEC opener against Robert Morris. The junior kicker had only one prior field goal attempt, a 24-yard make at Iona (Sept. 20), after seven attempts all of last season. Despite the lack of familiarity in the pressure spot, Schroeder calmly nailed a 35-yard try to break a 28-28 tie with 5:52 remaining in regulation and sink the Colonials.
Two Touch(downs)
Central Connecticut State wide receiver Jermaine Roberts twice touched the ball during Saturday's 35-10 NEC victory over Wagner and the senior twice scored. Following an interception from senior defensive end Ernie Greywacz (New Canaan, CT/New Canaan), Roberts caught an 18-yard strike from senior quarterback Aubrey Norris (Staten Island, NY/Hargrave Military) for the Blue Devils' first score. With CCSU clinging to a 21-10 lead early in the fourth quarter, Roberts' turn came up again. This time, the senior wide receiver scored on a 16-yard reverse play thanks to a lead black from junior tight end Greg Grochowski (Bristol, CT/Bristol Eastern). Roberts has scored through the air and on the ground in the same game on one other occasion. He had a 28-yard run and 66-yard reception for touchdowns in CCSU's 43-7 victory at Saint Francis (PA) on Oct. 6, 2007.
Finally…Home Sweet Home
Opening its season with five consecutive road dates, Albany will finally play in front of its home crowd at Alumni Field this Saturday (Oct. 11) when it hosts Central Connecticut State in what stands as a rematch of last season's NEC title game. The Great Danes are the lone Division I program (FBS or FCS) without a home date until October. Nebraska stands as the opposite of UAlbany with five consecutive home dates before playing Texas A&M on the road this Saturday. The Great Danes' run of eight straight away games covers 4,504 miles, including a round trip of 958 miles to Pittsburgh last week.
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 enjoyed a bye and will return to action at Marist (Oct. 11). Playing the third of six scheduled NEC opponents this season last time out, Bryant returned a first-quarter punt for a touchdown and capitalized off an interception on Wagner’s ensuing possession to take a 14-7 lead. Bryant, which fell at home to five-time NEC champ Monmouth (30-17) last week (Sept. 20), is now 3-2 overall. 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 prior to their date with Monmouth.
Week Six (6) By The Numbers
7.7 yards per carry for Monmouth’s Dave Sinisi during his record 247-yard rushing performance in the Hawks’ league win over Saint Francis (PA). Carrying the ball 30 times, Sinisi set a pair of single-game program records that both date back to the Hawk’s inaugural football campaign of 1994.
163+92= Duquesne tight end Sean Bunevich’s receiving yardage total for the past two weeks. After catching three passes for a then-career-high 92 yards in a win over Dayton (Sept. 27), the junior set career best in receptions (8) and receiving yards (163) against Albany. Gaining 122 first-half yards, Bunevich’s entire second half output came on a 41-yard scoring strike in the fourth quarter.
30 of Evin Jones’ 187 rushing yards came on a 3rd-and-1 situation with under 3:00 to play during Sacred Heart’s 31-28 NEC victory over Robert Morris. With the Pioneers clinding to a three-point lead, Jones allowed Sacred Heart to run off the remaining 3:38 on the clock and end the game at Robert Morris’ 15-yard line.
44.9 yards per punt averaged by Albany’s Chris Lynch during a seven-kick day. Two of the senior’s seven punts traveled more than 50 yards, including a 68-yard quick kick that was the 10th-longest in program annals.
2 INTs by Central Connecticut State DE Ernie Greywacz over the past two weeks, which have yielded two Blue Devils’ victories. After picking off a pass in a 28-10 road victory over Delaware State (Sept. 27), Greywacz intercepted his second pass this season in the first quarter of Saturday’s 35-10 win over Wagner to give CCSU a short field (35 yards) en route to its first score of the game.
Team-by-Team Notes
Albany (2-3, 1-0 NEC)
Last Game: ALBANY 33, DUQUESNE 23 (Pittsburgh, PA - Rooney Field)
Next Game: October 11 vs. CENTRAL CONNECTICUT STATE, 1:00 pm (Albany, NY - Alumni Field)
• UAlbany posted a 33-23 victory over Duquesne on Oct. 4, the team's eighth consecutive road game dating back to last year. … The Great Danes, who have won eight of 10 NEC openers since joining the league in 1999, pulled away from the Dukes with two fourth-quarter touchdown passes by QB Vinny Esposito (Demarest, NJ/Northern Valley). The junior hit Tim Bush (Saratoga Springs, NY/Saratoga Springs) with a five-yard throw for a 26-17 advantage with 8:15 remaining. Esposito threw a career-high three TD passes, tying the program's top mark against an NEC opponent. The Great Danes have won seven in a row in league play and 11 of their last 12. … UAlbany's defense forced a season-high five turnovers (2 fumbles, 3 interceptions) and held Duquesne to 54 net rushing yards. The Great Danes turned in their highest interception total since Oct. 28, 2006. … FS Dave Casale (Troy, NY/Troy) made nine tackles, including six unassisted, and picked off his fourth career pass. ILB Justin Brancaccio (Rockaway, NJ/Morris Knolls) forced one fumble and recovered another, each leading to touchdowns. … TB David McCarty (Gansevoort, NY/LaSalle Institute) ran 37 times for 230 yards, tying the fifth-highest single-game total in school history. McCarty, who scored on a 24-yard reception in the second quarter, accounted for a career-high 270 all-purpose yards. His rushing total is the sixth highest by an FCS player this season. McCarty, who ranks sixth among the national rushing leaders at 142.0 per game, became the eighth player in UA annals to eclipse the 2,000-yard plateau and is now seventh with 2,211. McCarty has reached the end zone in 13 consecutive games. … RB Colin Simmons (Manlius, NY/Fayetteville-Manlius) scored his first career touchdown on a 2-yard run in the first quarter. FB Justin Petersen (Palmerton, PA/Palmerton) also scored for the first time on a 2-yard pass in the final period. … P Chris Lynch (Lindenhurst, NY/Lindenhurst) booted a 68-yard quick kick against Duquesne and has 28 punts of 50-plus yards during his career. … DT Tom Pandolf (Holbrook, NY/Sachem) and DE Mike Kelly (West Long Branch, NJ/Red Bank Catholic) were active on the defensive line. Pandolf had seven tackles and one PBU, while Kelly made seven tackles and 1.5 sacks. … The Great Danes, who are the lone FBS or FCS program to have not played a home game this season, make their University Field debut on Oct. 11th against Central Connecticut State. Nebraska is the opposite of UAlbany with five consecutive home dates before playing Texas A&M on the road this Saturday. The Great Danes' run of eight straight away games covers 4,504 miles, including a round trip of 958 miles to Pittsburgh last week.
Central Connecticut State (4-1, 1-0 NEC)
Last Game: CENTRAL CONNECTICUT STATE 35, WAGNER 10 (New Britain, CT- Arute Field)
Next Game: Octobert 11 at ALBANY, 1:00 pm (Albany, NY - Alumni Field)
• After winning three of four non-league contests to start the year, Central Connecticut State won its Northeast Conference opener by defeating Wagner, 35-10, on Arute Field in New Britain. Junior quarterbacks Aubrey Norris (Staten Island, NY/Hargrave Military) and Hunter Wanket (Rancho Santa Fe, CA/Palomar JC) were a combined 8-of-12 passing for 171 yards passing and three touchdowns to lead the CCSU offense. Norris hooked up with junior receiver Nick Colagiovanni (Plainville, CT/Milford Academy) on a milestone-eclipsing 69-yard touchdown connection in the fourth quarter. The 69 yards made Colagiovanni the 11th player in Blue Devil history to reach 1,000 career receiving yards, moving his career mark to 1,020 yards on 67 receptions. … Colagiovanni's only other grab at Arute Field this season went for 70 yards in the season-opening win over Bryant (Aug. 30). … Senior Jermaine Roberts (Bridgeport, CT/Bridgeport Central) caught a touchdown pass and ran for another score in the Blue Devils' victory over Wagner. It is the first time someone has accomplished that feat since Roberts, himself, did it at St. Francis (PA) last season. He had scores on a 28-yard run and a 66-yard reception in the 43-7 Blue Devil win on Oct. 6, 2007. … After adding a one-yard TD plunge that extended CCSU's lead over Wager, senior captain Josh Vargas (Los Angeles, CA/Santa Monica) has touchdowns in four out of the five CCSU games this season. He entered the year with one career touchdown. … Wagner held junior running back James Mallory (Buffalo, NY/Kenmore West) under 100 rushing yards for the first time this season. Despite his 100-yard games streak ending with his 75-yard total, Mallory over the fifth-highest yards-per-game average (147.8) in DI FCS. On pace to become the seventh Blue Devil to reach 1,000 yards in a single season, Mallory is averaging 5.6 yards per carry. … Senior defensive end Ernie Greywacz (New Canaan, CT/New Canaan) made an interception and sack versus Wagner. He now has two of each on the season, leading the team in interceptions. … Since 2004, CCSU is 25-2 when scoring 25 or more points and 29-4 when scoring at least 20. During the span, Central Connecticut is 21-0 when scoring first, including a12-0 home mark. … The Blue Devils are averaging 30.5 points per game during the Jeff McInerney era. The Blue Devils have scored 20 or more 17 times and 30 or more 13 times. … The Blue Devils are averaging 238 yards per game on the ground. They are ranked first in the NEC and ninth in the nation in rushing offense. … CCSU has 39 tackles for loss on the season. The Blue Devils lead the NEC and are 16th in the nation in that category. Senior captain Michael Bailey (Yonkers, NY/Gorton) leads the team with 5.5 TFL for -26 yards.
Duquesne (2-2, 1-1 NEC)
Last Game: ALBANY 33, DUQUESNE 23 (Pittsburgh, PA - Rooney Field)
Next Game: October 11 at ROBERT MORRIS, 12:00 pm, on NEC-TV (FSN-Pittsburgh), (Moon Township, PA - Joe Walton Stadium)
• Duquesne became the seventh consecutive NEC member to fall to Albany after the Great Danes went 6-0 in winning the conference title last season. ... Albany tailback David McCarty's 230 yards rushing (on 37 carries) were the most against Duquesne since Iona's Ralph Saldiveri ran for 248 yards on 31 attempts in a 62-50 win over the Dukes on Oct. 23, 1999. ... Duquesne, which had given up just two sacks in its first three games, saw Albany dump quarterback Connor Dixon (South Park, PA/South Park) five times. ... Sophomore linebacker Nathan Totino (Pittsburgh, PA/Seton-La Salle), extended his double-digit tackles streak to four games with a game- and career-high 23 stops (13 solo). Totino eclipsed his previous career high of 16 (10 solo) tackles set in the season opener at Bucknell in racking up the most tackles of any athlete in NEC play since 2001. Totino, who is averaging a team-high 15.0 tackles per game, also forced a fumble and recovered an onside kick late in the game. ... Junior tight end Sean Bunevich (North Ridgeville, OH/North Ridgeville), who caught three passes for a then career-high 92 yards last week against Dayton, set career highs in catches (8) and receiving yards (163) against Albany. Bunevich, who entered the game with nine catches in DU's first three games, had seven catches for 122 yards in the first half. ... Dixon threw touchdown passes of 42 and 41 yards on his way to 21-of-46 passing for 338 yards. Dixon, who entered the game with just two interceptions in his first 104 attempts, was picked off three times. ... Junior tailback Cleodis Williams (Carlisle, PA/Carlisle), who ran for 65 yards on 17 carries, saw his streak of consecutive 100-yards games snapped at two. ... Freshmen linebackers Chidozie Oparanozie (Pittsburgh, PA/The Linsley School (WV)) - who has been named NEC Rookie of the Week twice this season - and Wiley Brown (Waldorf, MD/Fork Union Military Academy) finished with 11 and 12 tackles, respectively, for the Dukes.
Monmouth (3-3, 2-0 NEC)
Last Game: MONMOUTH 42, SAINT FRANCIS (PA) 15 (West Long Branch, NJ - Kessler Field)
Next Game: October 11 at WAGNER, 1:00 pm (Staten Island, NY - Wagner College Stadium)
• Monmouth extended its winning streak to three games with a 42-15 victory over Saint Francis (PA) at home on Saturday (Oct. 11). The Hawks now are 14-2 all-time against the Red Flash, including a perfect 8-0 home mark. … Running back David Sinisi (Cedar Grove, NJ/Cedar Grove) broke the MU single game rushing record with a 247-yard performance on 32 carries. On a 50-yard fourth-quarter burst, Sinisi broke former Hawk Jim Varick's record of 228 rushing yards (against Sacred Heart in 1994). His 7.7 yards per carry were also a Monmouth single-game record, eclipsing Ralph O'Neil's 1994 mark. With 40 career rushing touchdowns, four of which came this past Saturday, Sinisi ranks fifth amongst the NCAA's active career leaders. … Monmouth junior linebacker Jeff Brady (East Aurora, NY/St. Francis) led the Hawks with eight tackles and 1.5 sacks against the Red Flash. … Senior tight end John Nalbone (Lawrenceville, NJ/Lawrence) had a career-high 91 yards on six catches. Nalbone is now eighth all-time in reception yardage at Monmouth with 793 yards. … Fifth-year senior kicker Fred Weingart (New Egypt, NJ/New Egypt) was six-for-six on the day in extra points, attempting his 100th career PAT after Nick Romeo's (Wayne, NJ/Wayne Hills) six-yard TD reception in the third quarter. … Romeo had a career day in punt returns, finishing with six returns for 126 yards, including a career-high 57-yard return. In addition to his career-long, the junior had returns of 33 yards, 19 yards, 10 yards and 7 yards. Romeo had more punt return yards in Saturday's win than the Hawks managed in all of 2007 (109) and was only eight yards off of Billy Faulkner's 2002 record. … One week after scoring his first career rushing TD, junior wideout Rodney Salomon (Marlboro, NJ/Marlboro [Maine]) nabbed his first career receiving touchdown, a two-yard pass from Brett Burke (Wall, NJ/Wall) in the fourth quarter. … After averaging almost 90 yards in penalties in the last two games, Monmouth had only four penalties for 46 yards against the Red Flash. … The Hawks will next travel to Wagner to face the Seahawks on Staten Island to continue a series during which the visiting team has won the last four games in the series.
Robert Morris (1-4, 0-2 NEC)
Last Game: SACRED HEART 31, ROBERT MORRIS 28 (Fairfield, CT - Campus Field)
Next Game: October 11 vs. Duquesne, 12:00 pm , on NEC-TV (FSN-Pittsburgh), (Moon Township, PA - Joe Walton Stadium)
• Robert Morris dropped its fourth straight game, and second consecutive league affair. The Colonials have started 0-2 in Northeast Conference play for the first time in program history. ... Senior quarterback Erik Cwalinski (Jacobsburg, OH/Shadyside) finished 19-of-31 passing for 260 yards, a pair of touchdowns, and an interception. Eclipsing the 200-yard passing mark for the fourth time in five games this season, Cwalinski upped his career total to 5,803 yards to take over third place all-time in Robert Morris history. In four career games against Sacred Heart, Cwalinski completed 59.3 percent (67-for-113) of his passes for 1,057 yards, eight touchdowns, and three picks. ... Sophomore halfback Myles Russ (Boca Raton, FL/West Boca) notched back-to-back 100-yard rushing performances for the first time in his career thanks to 126 yards on 16 carries against the Pioneers, an average of 7.9 yards per rush. Russ is averaging 7.1 yards per carry in 2008. ... Sophomore wide receiver T.J. Green (Stamford, CT/Milford Academy) had a triumphant return to the Nutmeg State, leading the Colonials with seven catches for 90 yards, both career highs. ... Freshman flanker James O'Quinn (Vandergrift, PA/Kiski Area) finished with three catches for 62 yards and a score and leads RMU with an average of 22.2 yards per catch this season. ... Junior safety Michael Landers (Springdale, PA/Springdale) paced the Colonials with 10 tackles against Sacred Heart and also recorded his third interception of the year. ... Penalties continue to haunt Robert Morris, as the club was penalized 14 times for 134 yards against the Pioneers. The Colonials rank last in the league penalties (43), penalty yards (482), and average penalty yards per game (96.4). ... RMU looks to snap its slide Saturday (Oct. 11) when it hosts Duquesne at Joe Walton Stadium in a game that will be televised live on FSN-Pittsburgh.
Sacred Heart (5-0, 1-0 NEC)
Last Game: SACRED HEART 31, ROBERT MORRIS 28 (Fairfield, CT - Campus Field)
Next Game: October 11 at SAINT FRANCIS (PA), 1:00 pm (Loretto, PA - DeGol Field)
• The Pioneers continued their unbeaten streak, moving to 5-0 this season with a 31-28 win over visiting Robert Morris in their NEC opener on Homecoming Weekend. SHU is riding its longest winning streak under head coach Paul Gorham. The Pioneers won four straight under Gorham during the 2004 campaign, his first on the SHU sidelines. … SHU won its NEC opener for the second time under Gorham and snapped a two-game slide to the Colonials. The Pioneers now own a 6-5 lead in the all-time series with RMU. … The win snapped an 11-game NEC losing streak that dated back to the 2006 season. The Pioneers went 0-6 last season in league play following a 1-5 mark in 2006. … The Pioneers hit the 30-point mark for the third time this season as they piled up 378 yards of offense, 209 of which came on the ground. SHU cashed in on four of five red-zone chances. SHU converted its first red-zone opportunities before running off the game's final seconds on the Robert Morris 15-yard line. ... Senior running back Evin Jones (Pennsauken, NJ/Roman Catholic [PA]) carried the ball a career-high 33 times for 187 yards, second only to his 210-yard night against Assumption in the 2008 opener. Jones capped the Pioneers opening drive with a one-yard plunge, his team-leading seventh touchdown on the season. Jones is averaging 6.2 yards per carry and 137.0 yards per game. … Under the guidance of assistant coach Kevin Bolis, the Pioneer front-five were again stellar, not allowing a sack of quarterback Dale Fink (Swansea, IL/Althoff Catholic) for the fifth consecutive outing. Sacred Heart is the lone NEC team this season to have not surrendered a sack. … Wide Receiver Steve Tedesco (Mission Viejo, CA/Trabuco Hills) made two touchdown grabs to move past DeVeren Johnson (2000-01) into first place all-time in SHU history with 20 touchdown catches. Tedesco caught five balls for 56 yards in the win and stands three catches shy of passing former teammate Corey Bundy (2004-07) for first place on the program's all-time receptions list. … Second-year starting quarterback Dale Fink (Swansea, IL/Althoff Catholic) kept his completion percentage in good standing on Saturday, going 17-of-25 passing. On the year, he is completing 68.5% of his throws (102-149-6) with 11 TDs. … Junior Brian Friedman (Point Pleasant, NJ/Point Boro) got into the act of tossing touchdowns on Saturday, hooking-up with Tedesco on a 25-yard strike on a third-quarter halfback pass. Friedman was looking for his second late in the third when he hit QB Dale Fink on trick play that came up short of the goal line. It was the second career touchdown throw for Friedman who hooked-up with Fink on a halfback toss in last season's win over Marist. … Junior linebacker Chansler Davis (Islip Terrace, NY/East Islip) recorded his team-leading fourth sack on Saturday while sophomore Brian Flumere (Milford, MA/Milford) got his third and forced a fumble in the win.
Saint Francis (PA) (0-5, 0-2 NEC)
Last Game: MONMOUTH 42, SAINT FRANCIS (PA) 15 (West Long Branch, NJ - Kessler Field)
Next Game: October 11 VS. SACRED HEART, 1:00 pm (Loretto, PA- DeGol Field)
• The Red Flash enjoyed their best passing output this season, but were unable to break into the victory column, falling, 42-15, at Monmouth. Second-year starter George Little (Duquesne, PA/Duquesne) went 32-of-58 passing for a season-high 322 yards, but Monmouth continued to be a menace to Saint Francis (PA). The Hawks have lost only once to teh Red Flash since the inception of NEC Football in 1996. Little accounted for SFPA’s first touchdown of the game, one-yard plunge. ... Little turned his best single-game effort without the help of all-NEC receiver Antoine Rivera (Willingboro, NJ/Willingboro), who was lost for the season when he suffered an injury against Marist (Sept. 13). ... Sophomore linebacker Matthew Parker (Darlington, PA/Blackhawk) came up with two big plays in addition to his 10 tackles (eight solo). The second-year linebacker picked off a pass and recovered a fumble for the Flash. Fellow sophomore backer Scott Lewis (South Fork, PA/Bishop McCort) led SFPA in tackles with 13, three for loss. ... Saint Francis (PA) renews its rivalry with fellow NEC member Sacred Heart this week, returning to DeGol Field where it will host the 5-and-0 Pioneers.
Wagner (2-3, 0-1 NEC)
Last Game: CENTRAL CONNECTICUT STATE 35, WAGNER 10 (New Britain, CT - Arute Field)
Next Game: October 11 vs. MONMOUTH, 1:00 pm (Staten Island, NY - Wagner College Stadium)
• Playing without the services of its top two running backs - freshman Prince Young (Neptune, NJ/ Brick Memorial) and junior Shane Smith (Susquehanna, PA/Milford) -- Wagner fell at Central Connecticut State. … The Seahawks received 86 yards rushing on seven carries by freshman RB Ryan Middleton (Winter Garden, FL/West Orange), who recorded scampers of 45, 21, and 15 yards, but erased some of his good deeds by fumbling away a prime scoring chance. The three backs who carried the ball for Wagner; Middleton, senior Rodney Davis (Bristol, PA/ Mansfield Univ.), and sophomore Jeremy Martinez (Brookhaven, NY/Bellport) combined to rush for 144 yards on 19 carries. … Wagner junior QB Adam Farnsworth (North Ogden, UT/ Univ. of Iowa) and senior QB Matt Abbey (La Canada, CA/St. Francis Academy) combined to go 24-of-42 passing for 232 yards. Farnsworth, who was shaken up in the second quarter and did not return, completed 13-of-20 passes for 130 yards, one TD, and one INT. Abbey was 4-for-4 for 31 yards on his first drive and wound up 11-of-22 for 102 yards. … Junior WR Tyrone Collins (Geneva, NY/Geneva) posted career highs in receptions (10) receptions and receiving yards (93) against Central Connecticut State. Junior WR Lon Woods (St. Petersburg, FL/J.P. Travella) complimented Collins' effort with seven receptions for 72 yards. … Junior punter Kyle Muir (Spencerport, NY/Syracuse Univ.) continued his fine season by averaging 38.3 yards over six punts vs. Central Connecticut State with a long of 44 yards. The left-footed Muir got consistent hang time on his punts, two of which were downed inside the Blue Devil 20-yard line. … Sophomore safety Stefen Gage (Syracuse, NY/Henninger), the Seahawks' second-leading tackler on the season with 43, continued his stellar play by recording six tackles, including for loss. Senior DT Adrian Adderley (Carver Ranches, FL/Monsignor Pace), and senior LBs Jason Haskins (Cliffwood Beach, NJ/ Kean Univ.) and Jeremy Spinks (Tampa, FL/ Chamberlain) recorded nine tackles apiece to lead the Seahawks defensively. Haskins leads the Seahawks in tackles (42) for the season. … Sophomore tight end Morgan Mizell (Mount Vernon, NY/ Fordham Prep) snared a first quarter seven-yard TD grab vs. CCSU, was the first TD reception of his career.