20072007 FOOTBALLFOOTBALLFOOTBALL NN EWSEWS && NN OTESOTES 200 Cottontail Lane, Vantage Court North, Somerset, NJ 08873 Football Contact: Ralph Ventre, Asst. Director of Communications Phone: 732-469-0440/Fax: 732-469-0744 • www.northeastconference.org E-Mail: [email protected] Albany • Central Connecticut State • Monmouth • Robert Morris Sacred Heart • Saint Francis (PA) • Wagner NEC Football Football Facts & Figures (Week 8 - October 22, 2007)

Last Week’s Results School NEC Pct. Overall Pct. Streak Home Away Neutral Saturday October 20 1. Central Conn. St. 3-0 1.000 5-2 .714 W3 3-0 2-2 0-0 ALBANY 58, SAINT FRANCIS (PA) 21 Albany 2-0 1.000 4-3 .571 W3 2-1 2-2 0-0 CENTRAL CONN. ST. 21, WAGNER 13 3. Wagner 3-1 .750 5-2 .714 L1 2-1 3-1 0-0 Duquesne 17, ROBERT MORRIS 14 4. Robert Morris 2-2 .500 3-5 .375 L4 1-3 2-2 0-0 SACRED HEART 41, Marist 34 5. Monmouth 1-2 .333 1-5 .167 L1 0-2 1-3 0-0 NEC team in CAPS. Home Team underlined 6. Sacred Heart 0-3 .000 3-5 .375 W1 2-2 1-3 0-0 St. Francis (PA) 0-3 .000 0-6 .000 L6 0-4 0-2 0-0 This Week’s Schedule Saturday, October 27 NEC Football Offensive Player of the Week SAINT FRANCIS (PA) at SACRED HEART 1:00 pm Dave McCarty, Albany ALBANY at WAGNER 1:00 pm So., TB, 6-0, 190, Gansevoort, NY/La Salle Institute MONMOUTH at CENTRAL CONN. ST. 1:00 pm McCarty rushed for a career-high 170 yards and two touchdowns on only 15 carries in Albany’s road rout ROBERT MORRIS, idle of Saint Francis (PA). The sophomore tailback helped his team remain unbeaten in league play by NEC team in CAPS averaging 11.3 yards per carry, which includes his 63-yard scoring scamper that opened the second half. Moving from flanker into the backfield during the off-season, McCarty has rushed for more than 140 NEC Offensive Player of the Week yards on three occasions this season. He tallied 157 yards and 143 yards in wins over Stony Brook and Sep. 4 Jason Butler, Wagner Fordham, respectively. Sep. 10 Vinny Esposito, Albany Sep. 17 Jo Jo Freeman, Central Conn. St. Sep. 24 Alvin Hill, Robert Morris NEC Football Defensive Player of the Week Oct. 1 Jason Butler, Wagner Oct. 8 Dave Sinisi, Monmouth Blair Smart, Central Connecticut State Oct. 15 Jason Butler, Wagner Jr., LB, 5-11, 225, Stamford, CT/Stamford Oct. 22 Dave McCarty, Albany Smart takes over the honor that teammate Ernie Greywacz claimed last week. The junior linebacker was NEC Defensive Player of the Week at the center of CCSU’s stifling defensive effort in Saturday’s win at Wagner. Smart made 13 total tackles, Sep. 4 Mark Sheehan, Albany 10 of the solo variety, as the Blue Devils held Wagner to 225 yards of total offense and forced the Sep. 10 Dave Casale, Albany Sep. 17 Chad Wengert, Robert Morris Seahawks to punt on each of their first nine possessions. Smart made two tackles for a loss in sending Sep. 24 John Wilson, Sacred Heart Wagner to its first NEC defeat. Oct. 1 John Wilson, Sacred Heart Oct. 8 Robert Brown, Wagner Oct. 15 Ernie Greywacz, Central Conn. St. Oct. 22 Blair Smart, Central Conn. St. NEC Football Special Teams Player of the Week NEC Special Teams Player of the Week Daniel Bocanegra, Albany Sep. 4 Piotr Czech, Wagner Jr., FL, 6-1, 195, Daly City, CA/Junipero Serra Sep. 10 Michael Walser, Robert Morris Bocanegra returned three punts for a total of 80 yards in Albany’s road victory over NEC opponent Saint Sep. 17 Piotr Czech, Wagner Sep. 24 Mike Wall, Albany Francis (PA). His most impressive return of the day came late in the first quarter when he brought a punt Oct. 1 Piotr Czech, Wagner back 53 yards to set up a Great Danes’ touchdown. The junior flanker, who moved from Oct. 8 Al Phillips, Wagner Oct. 15 Piotr Czech, Wagner following last season, also caught two balls for 23 yards on offense. Oct. 22 Daniel Bocanegra, Albany NEC Football Rookie of the Week NEC Rookie of the Week Dale Fink, Sacred Heart Sep. 4 Dale Fink, Sacred Heart Fr., QB, 6-4, 200, Swansea, IL/Althoff Catholic Sep. 10 Dale Fink, Sacred Heart Sep. 17 Myles Russ, Robert Morris Fink returned to early season form on Saturday in what was his second start back after missing three Sep. 24 Nick Schirtzinger, Robert Morris weeks with an ankle injury. The freshman signal caller completed 82 percent of his passes (18-22) for Oct. 1 Ryan Shepard, Saint Francis (PA) Oct. 8 Bobby Giles, Monmouth 204 yards and three touchdowns in the Pioneers’ 41-34 win over Marist. In addition to throwing for Oct. 15 Scott Lewis, Saint Francis (PA) Oct. 22 Dale Fink, Sacred Heart three scores, Fink was on the receiving end of a six-yard touchdown pass during a second-quarter halfback option play . Fink sits seventh in all of Division I FCS with a 167.9 passer efficiency rating. NEC Football Notes: WEEK EIGHT (8) (through games of Oct. 22) NEC Notebook Central Connecticut State dropped Wagner from the top By The Numbers spot in the NEC standings by handing the Seahawks their first league loss, 21-13, at Wagner Stadium.... CCSU (3- 0) and Albany (2-0) sit atop the conference... the Blue 236 career tackles for Robert Mor- Devils host defending NEC Champion Monmouth this Saturday in a NEC TV Game, which is slated to kick off at 11:00 am EST (check local ris senior linebacker Chad Wengert. listings for broadcast info)... CCSU rides the nation’s fifth-longest home win streak (11 The preseason all-NEC selection ranks games) into the game... the Blue Devils have won 17 of their last 18 home affairs... eighth in program history after making preseason favorite Albany visits Wagner... Jason Payne’s (Cortlandt Manor, NY/ a game-high 17 stops at Duquesne on Walter Panas) performance in Sacred Heart’s 41-34 win over Marist marked the third straight week the NEC has seen a 200-yard rushing day... Payne finished with a career Saturday. Wengert also produced two high 207 yards and two touchdowns on 31 carries... last week, Wagner’s Jason Butler sacks, a forced fumble, and a pass (Syracuse, NY/Henninger) ran times for 201 yards and four touchdowns... prior to break-up. that, Monmouth junior tailback Dave Sinisi (Cedar Grove, NJ/Cedar Grove) racked up 200 yards in the Hawks rout of SHU... Sinisi and Monmouth were idle this week, but the Butler was practicing his regular routine... Wagner’s senior posted his yards are the most gained on seventh straight 100-yard game, running for 108 yards and two TDs on 26 attempts... 207 Albany is the lone remaining team in all of DI FCS to not lose a fumble this season... the the ground by any NEC player this year. Great Danes are amongst the nation’s best in turnover margin (+1.43), tied for tenth... Sacred Heart senior Jason Payne the NEC is home to three of the nation’s top-10 punting teams... Wagner (sixth), Robert Morris (seventh), and Albany (eighth) represent the conference amongst the leaders in needed 31 carries to reach that total in net punting yardage. Saturday’s win over Marist. It marks the third straight week an NEC back had NEC Week Eight Review: CCSU and Albany Remain Unbeaten in a 200-yard day. League Play; Sacred Heart Gets Offensive with Marist Central Connecticut State (5-2, 3-0 NEC) held on for a 21-13 road victory over Wagner (5-2, 3-1 NEC) in what was a battle of conference unbeatens. Albany (4-3, yards was the longest play in any 2-0 NEC) remained unbeaten in league play, rolling past Saint Francis (PA) (0-6, 82 0-3 NEC), 58-21. Sacred Heart (3-5) snapped a five-game slide, hanging on to beat NEC game on Saturday. It came cour- Marist in a 41-34 affair. Robert Morris (3-5) could not complete its comeback bid, tesy of Central Connecticut State rookie falling at cross-town rival Duquesne (5-2), 17-14. Josue Paul. With the Blue Devils cling- Freshman wide receiver Josue Paul's (Delray Beach, FL/Pope John Paul II) 82- ing to a one-point lead late in the fourth yard touchdown run with remaining was enough to put away Wagner on Grymes Hill. quarter, Paul took a reverse handoff to The NEC's top rushing team, CCSU amassed 257 yards on the ground with numerous ball carriers making contributions. Seahawks' senior running back Jason Butler the house. (Syracuse, NY/Henninger) turned in his seventh straight 100-yard game, rushing for 108 yards and two touchdowns on 26 carries. Both touchdowns came in the fourth quarter, which began with Wagner trailing 14-0. 22 occasions on which Albany line- Great Danes' sophomore tailback Dave McCarty (Gansevoort, NY/ LaSalle Insti- backer Colin DIsch recorded at least 10 tute) rushed for over 140 yards for the third time this season, amassing a career-high tackles in a game. The two-time NEC 170 to go with two scores in Albany's rout at Saint Francis (PA). Red Flash junior receiver Antoine Rivera (Willingboro, NJ/Willingboro) caught five balls for 126 Defensive Player of the Year made 10 yards, but the SFPA ground game never got going against Albany's tough defense. stops on Saturday in what was his re- turn to the lineup following a three- In his second game back after missing three weeks with an ankle ailment, freshman week absence. He now ranks third in quarterback Dale Fink (Swansea, IL/Althoff Catholic) completed 18-of-22 passes for 204 yards and three touchdowns in Sacred Heart's impressive offensive showing league history with 378 career tackles. against Marist. Fink, a two-time NEC Rookie of the Week prior to his injury, was also on the receiving end of a six-yard touchdown pass. SHU senior running back Jason Payne (Cortlandt Manor, NY/Walter Panas) ran all over the Red Foxes' defense 167.9 is Dale Fink’s passer effi- for 207 yards and two TDs. The Pioneers owned a 41-14 lead early in the fourth quarter, but Marist made the final tally a much closer one with three late Steve ciency rating. The Sacred Heart fresh- McGrath touchdown passes. man quarterback ranks seventh in the nation with that mark. He earned his Poised to begin competing in the Northeast Conference once the 2008 season com- mences, Duquesne edged future conference rival RMU thanks to two Bruce Hocker third NEC Rookie of the Week award this touchdown receptions. Hocker, an All-American, finished with seven catches for 68 season after throwing for 204 yards on yards, scoring on nine-yard and 15-yard plays. Colonials' freshman tailback Myles 18-of-22 passing in SHU’s home win. Russ (Boca Raton, FL/West Boca) collected 22 of his 116 rushing yards on a third- quarter touchdown scamper. NEC Football Notes: NEC in the NCAA (Rankings) (through games of Oct. 22) SFPA Freshman Linebacker Continues to Ind. Category Rank Player Statistics Rushing 6 Jason Butler, WC 138.29 yds/g Top Entire Nation 23 Dave Sinisi, MU 103.50 yds/g Saint Francis (PA) freshman linebacker Scott Lewis Passing Efficiency 7 Dale Fink, SHU 167.9 rating (South Fork, PA/Bishop McCort) found himself Receiving Yards (Avg) 10 Antoine Rivera, SFPA 94.83 yds/g leading Division I FCS in tackling for the second straight All-Purpose Yards 7 Jason Butler, WC 188.40 yds/g week. The sole leader last week, Lewis is tied for the 16 Dave Sinisi, MU 167.00 yds/g national lead with Bethune Cookman’s Ronnie McCullough at 13.83 stops per game. Passing (Completions) 20 Brett Burke, MU 19.83/g Receiving Yards (Total) 25 Antoine Rivera, SFPA 569 yards In Saturday’s 58-21 loss to preseason NEC favorite Albany, Lewis led the Red Flash in Scoring 10 Dave Sinisi, MU 10.0 pts/g tackles for the fourth straight week by making 18. Field Goals T-10 Piotr Czech, WC 1.57/g (11 total) T-10 Jason Fralicker, UA 1.57/g (11 total) Fortunately for the Red Flash, Lewis is one of three talented rookie linebackers. Punting 16 Nick Schirtzinger, RMU 42.13 yds/punt Ryan Shepard (Kittanning, PA/Kittanning) already has one NEC Rookie of the Punt Returns 7 Mario Hines, RMU 13.87 yds/return Week award to his credit and has 45 tackles in six games. Matthew Parker (Darlington, Kickoff Returns 13 Dieuseul Joseph, UA 28.11 yds/return PA/Blackhawk) has 50 takedowns in his first six collegiate games. T-24 Al Phillips, WC 26.20 yds/return Tackles T-1 Scott Lewis, SFPA 13.83 tackles/g 14 Chad Wengert, RMU 11.00 tackles/g Three NEC Teams Ranked in TSN Mid-Major Top 10 Poll 19 John Wilson, SHU 10.38 tackles/g Northeast Conference members Central Connecticut State, Albany, and Wagner all 21 Bryan Brand, WC 10.14 tackles/g appear in the latest edition of Sports Network Mid-Major Top 10 Poll. All three were T-25 Jordan Howard, RMU 9.75 tackles/g in last week’s poll, but only CCSU remained in the same position. Sacks 5 Robert Brown, WC 1.14/g (8 total) T-20 Mark Szymanski, RMU 0.71/g (5 total) CCSU stayed in third, earning the highest ranking of an NEC team. Albany moved up Tackles for loss T-12 Robert Brown, WC 1.64/g (11.5 total) two spots to fourth after its convincing 58-21 win over Saint Francis (PA), while Interceptions T-3 Al Phillips, WC 0.71/g (5 total) Wagner fell two spots to seventh after its loss to CCSU. Passes Defended 2 Al Phillips, WC 2.67/g (14 total) T-6 Mike Niklos, RMU 1.50/g (12 total) Posed to join the NEC as a football member in 2008, the moved up to the number five slot. Team Category Rank School Statistics Rushing Offense 5 Central Conn. St. 289.7 yds/g The Sports Network I-FCS Mid-Major Poll (Week of 10/22) Rushing Defense 13 Central Conn. St. 111.3 yds/g School (First Place Votes) Record Points Prev. 16 Wagner 113.6 yds/g Passing Defense 6 Robert Morris 140.75 yds/g 1. San Diego Toreros (30) 7-0 300 1 9 Monmouth 146.33 yds/g 2. Dayton Fliers 7-1 266 2 16 Central Conn. St. 163.86 yds/g 3. Central Conn State Blue Devils 5-2 236 3 Total Defense 4 Central Conn. St. 275.14 yds/g 4. 4-3 192 6 13 Wagner 297.14 yds/g 5. Duquesne Dukes 5-2 150 7 Scoring Defense 5 Wagner 14.7 pts/g 6. 5-3 131 4 19 Robert Morris 19.4 pts/g Net Punting 6 Robert Morris 37.79 yds/punt 7. Wagner Seahawks 5-2 110 5 7 Wagner 37.69 yds/punt 8. 5-2 100 8 8 Albany 37.62 yds/punt 9. Morehead State Eagles 5-2 89 9 Punt Returns 2 Sacred Heart 22.50 yds/return 10. Davidson Wildcats 4-3 55 NR 23 Robert Morris 11.56 yds/return Kick Returns 17 Wagner 23.75 yds/return Others receiving votes (in order of points): Stony Brook 10, Robert 23 Albany 23.19 yds/return Morris 3, Jacksonville 3, Monmouth 2, Valparaiso 2. Turnover Margin T-10 Albany +1.43/g Fumbles Recovered T-6 Robert Morris 11 T-14 Albany 9 Passes Had Intercepted T-3 Central Conn. St. 2 T-3 Wagner 2 The Duquesne Watch T-17 Albany 4 Passing Efficiency 24 Central Conn. St. 140.40 rating The ten-time MAAC champion Duquesne Dukes Fumbles Lost T-1 Albany 0 are set to begin competition in the NEC when T-11 Monmouth 3 the 2008 season commences. Below is a look at Sacks T-3 Albany 3.43/g (24 total) how DU is faring in their final MAAC season. Tackles for loss T-19 Albany 7.86/g (5 total) Sacks Allowed T-9 Central Conn. St. 0.86/g (6 total) 3rd Down Conversions T-9 Sacred Heart 45.5% (45-99) 4th Down Conversions 3 Central Conn. St. 83.3% (20-24) Overall Record: 5-2 T-23 Albany 61.5% (8-13) 4th Down Defense 9 Monmouth 25.0% (2-8) MAAC Standing: T-1st (1-0) 13 Albany 30.0% (3-10) Mid-Major Ranking: 5th T-15 Wagner 33.3% (2-6) Latest Result: W, 17-14 vs. Duquesne on 10/20 Time of Possession 5 Central Conn. St. 33:35 25 Albany 31:46 Up Next: 10/27 at Iona NEC Football Notes: chance to officially prove myself. This is an opportunity that I will take full advantage of, without a doubt.” (through games of Oct. 22) NEC To Televise Two Football Games Barksdale joined the UAlbany program as a walk-on in August 2006 after playing on the Great With the Northeast Conference beginning its 12th football Danes’ squad. He immediately worked his way into the starting cornerback position season, the league announced plans to televise a pair of games on Northeast regional outlets. after not competing in football since high school. A native of Hudson, N.Y., Barksdale accounted for 37 tackles, three interceptions and three pass break-ups, and played a major role in the The first game airs on October 27th when defending NEC champion Monmouth travels to Central program’s upset wins over Lehigh and Delaware. Connecticut State. FSN- will broadcast the contest live at 11:00 am. On November 3rd, NEC preseason favorite Albany will play host to Robert Morris for a 1:00 pm kickoff to air on FSN- Coleman, a 6-foot-3, 274-pound defensive end from Buffalo, N.Y., was named to The Sports Pittsburgh and Time Warner Albany (TW3). These games will reach over 12 million households in the Northeast, plus those satellite subscribers nationally with multi-sport packages. Network and Football Gazette Mid-Major All-America first-team units. He was chosen first-team All-Northeast Conference for the second straight year as a senior, when he totaled 42 tackles, 13.0 The 2007 season marks the fifth straight that the NEC has aired football games as part of its extensive hits for a loss and 6.0 sacks. He spearheaded a defense that ranked fourth nationally among regional sports package. This coming winter, the league will air over 20 men’s and women’s Division I FCS teams in points allowed (13.0 ppg) and total defense (240.8 ypg). games.

“We’re happy to be able to feature four of our top football programs in this year’s package,” said Four NEC Teams Start Season with TSN I-FCS Mid-Major Top-10 Brenda Weare, NEC Commissioner. “Both Monmouth and Central Connecticut State were both Ranking ranked nationally last year and should be in the NEC title hunt once again in 2007. Albany topped Four Northeast Conference football teams found their name in a familiar place on Wednesday - the NEC preseason coaches’ poll, while Robert Morris is expected to be a strong contender.” The Division I FCS Mid-Major Top 10. The Sports Network released the preseason edition of its Paul Dottino enters his fifth season as the play-by-play voice of NEC football. He is also a member of weekly mid-major poll one day before the NEC kicks off its 12th season on the gridiron. the NEC basketball broadcast team and the beat reporter for 1050 ESPN Radio in New York and for Sirius' NFL Radio Channel. Steve Jackson - Hofstra’s all-time leading receiver - will Defending conference champion Monmouth, preseason favorite Albany, Robert Morris , and provide color analysis. Eric Singer is the Producer of NEC football telecasts. Central Connecticut State were all amongst the ranked teams, and all four were included in the final poll of 2006.

Both Monmouth and Albany earned one first place vote, but it was the Great Danes owning the NEC Football On Television league's highest ranking with the No. 3 spot. Monmouth was right behind in fourth. Both teams kick off the 2007 campaign on Saturday with Albany traveling to Colgate and the Hawks visiting Monmouth Maine. at Central Connecticut State Set to open its season Thursday night at Towson, Central Connecticut State was sixth in the poll followed by Robert Morris in seventh. The Colonials play host to No. 9 Dayton this Saturday October 27, 11:00 am afternoon. Fox Sports New York and FCS Atlantic Sitting atop the rankings is San Diego, the champion of inaugural Gridiron Classic. The Toreros Robert Morris at Albany defeated Monmouth last December to claim the crown. November 3, 1:00 pm Ready to begin NEC play when the 2008 season commences, Duquesne found itself ranked fifth. Fox Sports Pittsburgh and Time Warner 3 Former SHU Linebacker Jon Corto Signs to Practice Squad Former linebacker Jon Corto has been signed to the Buffalo Bills practice Albany’s Rashad Barksdale and Andre Coleman Join List of NEC squad for the upcoming 2007 season announced Sunday on the team's website. Corto, an Orchard Player in NFL Park, NY native, signed with the Bill's as an undrafted free agent after attending the team's rookie Former Albany Rashad Barksdale has been claimed off waivers by the National minicamp in May. Football League’s Kansas City Chiefs and has joined the team’s 53-man roster for this Sunday’s NFL opener against the Houston Texans, while former Great Danes' defensive end Andre Coleman has He played three games for the Bills during the preseason before being cut on Tuesday when the team needed to get their roster down to 75 players. been signed to the San Diego Chargers’ practice squad. Corto played for the Pioneers from 2003-06 and finished as the program's second all-time Barksdale becomes the second NEC player in as many years to earn his way onto an NFL opening leading tackler with 300 stops. He finished his senior season earning Division I-AA Mid-Major day roster. Former Monmouth standout receiver Miles Austin made the final cut for the Dallas All-American honors after recording a team leading 104 tackles (54 solo). Cowboys last September en route to a solid rookie campaign. The former three-time all-NEC player return 29 kickoffs for 753 yards in the regular season, but had his most memorable moment in the The former collegiate linebacker has made the transition to saftey in the NFL. playoffs. In a wild card game against Seattle, Austin became the first Dallas player to bring back a kick Corto is the second Pioneer to make his way onto an NFL roster. Former wide receiver DeVeren for a touchdown. Johnson (2001) was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the 2001 NFL Draft and spent that season on the team's practice squad. Barksdale, who was drafted last spring by the Philadelphia Eagles in the sixth round, was released on Saturday. The Chiefs then picked him up the following day where his positioned at left cornerback Duquesne Ready to Begin NEC Play in 2008 on the defensive unit. Coleman signed as a free agent with the Chargers following the draft. He went Duquesne University accepted an invitation to join the Northeast Conference as an through training camp, then was released two days ago, and now has been assigned to the team’s associate member in the sport of football, it was announced this past January by NEC eight-man practice squad. Commissioner Brenda Weare. Duquesne begins competition within the NEC once the 2008 season commences.

“It feels good and there is a sense of relief to make the Chiefs’ 53-man roster,” said Barksdale, who "We are excited to add a football program the caliber of Duquesne," said Weare. can become the first UAlbany player to see action in an NFL regular-season game. “I now have a "Football is an integral sport in the NEC, and the addition of Duquesne will strengthen our reputation as an emerging Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) league." Uses Last-second FG to Win Week's Lone Non-NEC Game Monmouth and Wagner used big individual rushing performances to capture NEC With the addition of Duquesne, NEC football sponsorship will reach eight in 2008. road victories. Junior tailback Dave Sinisi (Cedar Grove, NJ/Cedar Grove) piled Central Connecticut State, Monmouth, Robert Morris, Sacred Heart, Saint Francis up 200 rushing yards and three touchdowns on only 17 carries in the Hawks’ 49-8 rout (PA) and Wagner are full-time NEC members who sponsor football, and are joined by of Sacred Heart. Senior running back Jason Butler (Syracuse, NY/Henninger) associate member Albany, which joined the league in 1999. came away with his fifth straight 100-yard rushing performance, amassing 129 yards Duquesne began as a Football Bowl Subdivision team in 1902 and won a pair of New on 32 attempts in the Seahawks’ 20-13 win at Robert Morris. Four different Blue Years Day Bowl games (1934 Festival of Palms and 1937 Orange) before the program Devils rushed for touchdowns in Central Connecticut State’s NEC opener, a 43-7 win was disbanded following the 1950 season. DU returned at the Club level prior to the at Saint Francis (PA). Albany won the lone non-conference game on the slate, edging 1969 season and won a National Club Championship in 1973. The Dukes competed at Stony Brook, 24-23, on senior kicker Jason Fralicker’s (North Tonawanda, NY/ the NCAA Division III level from 1979-92 before moving up to the FCS in 1993. North Tonawanda) 19-yard field goal with nine seconds left on the gameclock. NEC Preseason Poll Sinisi broke touchdown runs of 99, 41, and two yards to extend his nation-leading Albany Earns Preseason Favorite Moniker Once Again (FBS and FCS) touchdown streak to 17 games. Freshman running back Bobby Giles (Burlingston, NJ/Burlingston) was also a huge part of Monmouth’s 593 yards of In search of its first conference title since 2003, Albany earned the top spot in the total offense, rushing 16 times for 116 yards. Sacred Heart senior Jason Payne Northeast Conference preseason football poll. The Great Danes edged out defending (Cortlandt Manor, NY/Walter Panas) gained most of his 123 net rushing yards on champion Monmouth for top billing in the poll, conducted by the league’s head two big scampers of 71 and 53 yards. The win is the first of the season for the Hawks coaches. The preseason rankings, along with the NEC preseason all-conference (1-4, 1-1 NEC), while SHU drops to 2-4 overall, 0-2 in league play. team, were announced as a prelude to the league’s 12th football season. Wagner senior cornerback Al Phillips (Hialeah, FL/American), a preseason all- In 2006, the NEC enjoyed the best year in league history with Albany and Central NEC selection, changed the complexion of the game by bringing back a kickoff for a Connecticut State becoming the first conference teams to be ranked in Sports Net- touchdown with his team trailing 10-0. The Seahawks took a 14-13 lead into the work FCS Top-25 poll as league members secured a number of victories over peren- lockerroom following Rodney Davis’ (Bristol, PA/Neshaminy) TD run 50 seconds nial playoff teams. prior to halftime. All-NEC kicker Piotr Czech (Keyport, NJ/Keyport) added two second-half field goals to seal the win, which moved Wagner to 4-1 overall, 2-0 in the Albany also earned the moniker of preseason favorite last year, but the Great Danes NEC. Robert Morris is now 3-3 overall with the loss and 2-1 in league play. finished the 2006 campaign tied for second with a 5-2 NEC record. The Great Danes received three first-place votes as did Monmouth, which captured its fifth league Central Connecticut State moved to 3-2 overall, 1-0 in NEC play, behind 302 yards of title last year and represented the NEC in the inaugural Gridiron Classic. Robert rushing offense. In all, 11 players carried the ball for the Blue Devils with quarterback Morris pulled in one first-place vote and finished tied for third in the poll with Aubrey Norris (, NY/Hargrave Military) leading the way with 81 Central Connecticut State. Wagner landed in fifth with Sacred Heart and Saint yards on seven rushes. Senior running back Anthony Richards (Parlin, NJ/Bishop Francis (PA) rounding out the preseason selections in a tie for sixth. McCarrick) gained 152 yards on the ground for the Red Flash, who fell to 0-4 overall, 0-2 in the NEC. NEC Week-by-Week Review: Stepping up in the absence of two-time NEC Defensive Player of the Year Colin Disch NEC Week Seven Review: The Butler Did It Again as Wagner (North Plainfield, NJ/North Plainfield), junior saftey Dave Nicomini (Newton, Rolls to 3-0 in League; Albany and CCSU Also Perfect NJ/Kittatinny) made 13 tackles to help the Great Danes up their record to 2-3 and Wagner continued its impressive start to conference play, upping its first-place complete the toughest non-conference schedule in the league. Sophomore tailback record to 3-0 with a 45-16 rout of defending NEC Champion Monmouth. Albany cruised Dave McCarty (Gansevoort, NY/LaSalle Institute) amassed 157 yards of rushing in its NEC opener, rolling past Sacred Heart 38-7 on Homecoming at Alumni Field. and two touchdowns on 18 attempts. Central Connecticut State is right on Wagner's heels after extending the nation's sixth-longest current home winning streak with a 16-10 decision over Robert Morris. NEC Week Five Review: Wagner Prevails in Lone NEC Game of The Blue Devils are now 2-0 in league competition. Future NEC member Duquesne outlasted Saint Francis (PA), 24-17, at De Gol Field in Loretto, PA. Week Behind Czech’s Record Day Wagner prevailed, 18-15, over Sacred Heart in the lone NEC game on the week five Wagner (5-1, 3-0 NEC) ran all over the defending champion Hawks (1-5, 1-2 NEC) docket thanks to a Piotr Czech (Keyport, NJ/Keyport) fourth-quarter field goal, his thanks to senior running back Jason Butler's (Syracuse, NY/Henninger) sixth third of the afternoon. The conference came up empty-handed in the three non- straight 100-yard day. Butler rushed 31 times for 201 yards and four touchdowns, league matchups. Monmouth was unable to repeat what Albany accomplished last amassing the largest single day rushing total in the NEC thus far this season. year when the Great Danes marched out of Delaware, the ninth-ranked team at the time, with a 17-10 upset win. The Hawks fell, 42-7, to the No. 12 Blue Hens. Saint Albany (3-3, 1-0 NEC) received a nice passing effort from sophomore quarterback Francis (PA) was hit hard by Liberty, 68-10. Robert Morris was unable to pick up its Vinny Esposito (Demarest, NJ/Northern Valley) in a big victory over Sacred fourth straight victory, tripping at home to VMI, 40-13. Heart (2-5, 0-3 NEC). Freshman quarterback Dale Fink (Swansea, IL/Althoff Catho- lic) returned to the Pioneers' line-up after missing the previous three weeks with an The Seahawks received a fourth straight 100-yard rushing performance from senior injury. The two-time NEC Rookie of the Week was 17-of-24 for 107 yards and a running back Jason Butler (Syracuse, NY/Henninger) on their way to the NEC touchdown through the air. victory, which snapped a seven-game conference losing skid. Butler amassed a career-best 157 yards on a career-high 37 carries to pace the Wagner offense. CCSU (4-2, 2-0 NEC) is now 17-1 in its last 18 home games after the Blue Devils rushed Czech’s perfect three-for-three field-goal kicking performance moved him into first a program record 75 times for 344 yards against Robert Morris (3-4, 2-2 NEC). Blue place all-time in Seahawks’ history with 36 career makes. Devils junior defensive end Ernie Greywacz (New Canaan, CT/New Canaan) stopped two late RMU drives with a sack and an interception to seal the victory. Playing its highest ranked opponent ever, Monmouth could not keep pace with Delaware. The Blue Hens responded with 28 unanswered points following Hawks’ SFPA (0-5, 0-2 NEC) pulled within seven points late when sophomore quarterback tailback Dave Sinisi (Cedar Grove, NJ/Cedar Grove) first-quarter touchdown. George Little (Duquesne, PA/Duquesne) tossed a short TD pass with 3:44 to play, Sinisi scored a rushing TD for the 16th straight game, the nation’s longest current but the Red Flash could not get any closer. Duquesne will begin competition in the streak. NEC when the 2008 season commences. The ten-time MAAC champions are 4-2 overall. The Red Flash received a solid performance from first-year starting QB George NEC Week Six Review: NEC Backs Run Wild in Wins; Albany Little (Duquesne, PA/Duquesne), but were overwhelmed by Liberty. Little threw goal attempt of 39 yards, placed six of his nine punts inside the opponents’ 20. He for 193 yards and a touchdown on 20-for-33 passing. averaged 40.0 yards per punt with a long of 63 and no touchbacks.

The Colonials passed for 203 yards and ran for anther 157, but they had little success Sacred Heart (2-1, 0-0 NEC) missed out on its opportunity to start 3-0, tripping at in stopping VMI’s tri-option attack. The Keydets rushed for 443 yards. Iona, 34-10. The Pioneers, who entered the game at 2-0 for the first time since 2003, NEC Week Four Review: Robert Morris Wins Third Straight, saw Iona quarterback Nick Rossetti throw four touchdowns in front of his home Albany and CCSU Fall to Tough Foes Out West crowd at Mazzella Field. SHU quarterback and two-time NEC Rookie of the Week Dale Fink (Swansea, IL/Althoff Catholic) completed 25-of-38 passes for 223 yards, Preseason all-NEC quarterback Erik Cwalinski (Jacobsburg, OH/Shadyside) threw a 45-yard strike to receiver Alvin Hill (New Kensington, PA/Plum), setting up but was picked off twice. Karey Murray’s touchdown plunge with 20 seconds remaining which lifted Robert Morris to a 9-8 victory at Morehead State. The Colonials are now winners of three Central Connecticut State (2-1, 0-0 NEC) gained more than 320 yards on the ground straight. Going for a third win on the young season, Sacred Heart was derailed in for the second straight week in clobbering So. Connecticut, 56-34, at Arute Field. overtime by Duquesne, 30-23. Albany and Central Connecticut State fell to formidable Junior running back Jo Jo Freeman (Philadelphia, PA/Pomfret School) accounted non-conference opponents out west, while Stony Brook edged Monmouth out on Long for 147 of CCSU's 358 rushing yards and three TDs. Island, NY. A week after rushing for 315 yards in a winning effort at Fordham, Albany (1-2, 0-0 Cwalinski threw for 274 yards (19-for-26 passing), 164 of which went to Hill. Reigning NEC) only managed 225 yards of total offense against the nationally-ranked Pride. NEC Defensive Player of the Week Chad Wengert (Kempton, PA/Kutztown) led the Colonials in tackles with 11. Defensive backs Mike Niklos (Columbus, OH/Bishop All-NEC kicker Jason Fralicker (North Tonawanda, NY/North Tonawanda) made Watterson) and James Kazil (Georgetown, PA/South Side) each made an two field goals for the Great Danes. interception for the NEC-leading Colonials. Week Two Review: RMU Takes First NEC Tilt, Albany Tops Sacred Heart running back Jason Payne (Cortlandt Manor, NY/Walter Panas) Fordham produced 139 yards of total offense and a touchdown, but Duquesne tailback Greg Three NEC teams picked up out-of-conference wins on Saturday, while the first Hough provided the difference with an eight-yard TD scamper in overtime. The conference tilt of the season went to Robert Morris. Pioneers will have an opportunity for revenge next year when this game becomes an annual event upon Duquesne’s admittance into the NEC Football league. The Colonials marched out of West Long Branch, NJ with a last-minute, 20-17 come- Omar Johnson’s (Edgewater Park, NJ/Burlington City) touchdown dive tied the back victory over the defending NEC champion . Michael Walser’s game at 7-7 midway through the second quarter, but No. 2 Montana outscored Albany (Thornville, OH/Sheridan) field goal, his second of the day, with 47 seconds 28-7 the rest of the way. It was the second straight week that the Great Danes fell to remaining was the difference for RMU. a ranked opponent. Albany linebacker Trevor DuPont (Victor, NY/Victor Central) forced a Fordham In the first ever game between an NEC team and a Division I FBS school, Central fumble with under two minutes remaining to seal the Great Danes’ 23-20 victory over Connecticut State stumbled at Western Michigan, 51-14. The nation’s top rushing the Patriot League foe. With three tackles, fellow linebacker Colin Disch (North offense managed 196 yards on the ground against the Broncos, who appeared in the Plainfield, NJ/North Plainfield) became the Great Danes’ all-time leading tackler International Bowl last season. surpassing Josh Bazan. Disch —the two-time NEC Defensive Player of the Year— Monmouth outgained Stony Brook, but three Hawks’ turnovers proved costly in the now has 356 career stops. Albany’s ground attack produced 337 yards, 143 from Seawolves’ 21-15 victory. Monmouth tailback Dave Sinisi (Cedar Grove, NJ/ Cedar sophomore tailback David McCarty (Gansevoort, NY/LaSalle Institute). That Grove) extended his nation-leading touchdown streak to 15 games when he dove in individual rushing total was the most by an Albany back since Marcus Allen gained the end zone early in the fourth quarter. 149 yards in last season’s 24-13 triumph at Sacred Heart (10/14/06).

Week Three Review: Robert Morris Starts 2-0 in League Play, Sacred Heart used its ground attack to roll over La Salle, 54-14, at Campus Field in Wagner and CCSU Win Non-League Games Fairfield, CT. The Pioneers rushed for 319 yards with four players amassing at least Robert Morris earned its second conference win in as many weeks, while Wagner 60 yards apiece. SHU quarterback Dale Fink (Swansea, IL/Althoff Catholic), last added a non-conference victory over Marist to its resume on Saturday afternoon. week’s NEC Rookie of the Week, threw for three touchdowns on only nine total Central Connecticut State ran its home winning streak to ten with by defeating passing attempts. Southern Connecticut under the lights. Albany was unable to tame the No. 19 Hostra Pride at home. Earlier in the day, Sacred Heart stumbled at Iona. Central Connecticut State opened its home schedule with 527 yards of total offense in a 45-7 victory over Merrimack. The Blue Devils outgained their guests by 489 yards, Robert Morris (2-1, 2-0 NEC) is off to a 2-0 start in NEC play after doubling up intra- allowing Merrimack only 38 total yards and three first downs. state rival Saint Francis (PA), 28-14, at Joe Walton Stadium. The win comes one week after the Colonials opened conference play by picking up a last-minute road win at Morehead State scored the go-ahead touchdown with 4:05 remaining to spoil Saint defending league champion Monmouth thanks to two second-half field goals from NEC Francis’ (PA) season opener at De Gol Field in Loretto, PA. Red Flash quarterback Special Teams Player of the Week Michael Walser (Thornville, OH/Sheridan). George Little (Duquesne, PA/Duquesne) threw for 290 yards and a touchdown in his first career start under center. Wagner (2-1, 0-0 NEC) rebounded from last week’s overtime loss by marching past Marist, 24-14, on Homecoming Day at Wagner Stadium. Seahawks’ signal caller Iona kicker Chris LoFrese’s 19-yard field goal sent Wagner to a 17-14 overtime loss Matt Abbey (La Canada, CA/St. Francis) threw two first-half touchdown passes as at Mazzella Field in New Rochelle, NY. The Gaels’ win was their first in ten previous Wagner jumped out to a 24-0 advantage. All-NEC kicker and punter Piotr Czech tries against Wagner, and it marked only the second time in 12 games that the (Keyport, NJ/Keyport) made a Marist comeback nearly impossible by constantly pin- Seahawks fell to an opponent from the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. Wagner ning the Red Foxes deep in their own territory. Czech, who connected on his lone field tailback Jason Butler (Syracuse, NY/Henninger) carried the ball 29 times for 134 yards in the loss. 2007 NEC Football Schedule/Results

Albany Central Connecticut State Monmouth Robert Morris (4-3, 2-0 NEC) (5-2, 3-0 NEC) (1-5, 1-2 NEC) (3-5, 2-2 NEC)

Date Opponent Time Date Opponent Time Date Opponent Time Date Opponent Time 9/1 at Colgate L, 13-11 8/30 at Towson L, 20-10 9/1 at Maine L, 21-14 9/1 Dayton L, 23-12 9/8 at Fordham W, 23-20 9/8 Merrimack W, 45-7 9/8 Robert Morris L, 20-17 9/8 at Monmouth W, 20-17 9/15 Hofstra L, 28-13 9/15 Southern Connecticut W, 56-34 9/22 at Stony Brook L, 21-15 9/15 St. Francis (PA) W, 28-14 9/22 at Montana L, 35-14 9/22 at Western Michigan L, 51-14 9/29 at No. 12 Delaware L, 42-7 9/22 at Morehead St. W, 9-8 10/6 Stony Brook W, 24-23 10/6 at St. Francis (PA) W, 43-7 10/6 at Sacred Heart W, 49-8 9/29 Virginia Military L, 40-13 10/13 Sacred Heart W, 38-7 10/13 Robert Morris W, 16-10 10/13 Wagner L, 45-16 10/6 Wagner L, 20-13 10/20 at St. Francis (PA) W, 58-21 10/20 at Wagner W, 21-13 10/27 at Central Conn. St. 12:00 pm 10/13 at Central Conn. St. L, 16-10 10/27 at Wagner 1:00 pm 10/27 Monmouth 12:00 pm 11/3 at St. Francis (PA) 1:00 pm 10/20 at Duquesne L, 17-14 11/3 Robert Morris 1:00 pm 11/3 Sacred Heart 5:00 pm 11/10 Albany 1:00 pm 11/3 at Albany 1:00 pm 11/10 at Monmouth 1:00 pm 11/10 at Stony Brook 1:00 pm 11/17 Duquesne 12:00 pm 11/10 Sacred Heart 1:00 pm 11/17 at Central Conn. St. 12:00 pm 11/17 Albany 12:00 pm NEC Games in Bold NEC Games in Bold NEC Games in Bold NEC Games in Bold

Sacred Heart Saint Francis (PA) Wagner (3-5, 0-3 NEC) (0-6, 0-3 NEC) (5-2, 3-1 NEC)

Date Opponent Time Date Opponent Time Date Opponent Time 8/30 at Assumption W, 41-20 9/8 Morehead State L, 21-14 8/31 at Western Conn. St. W, 20-7 9/8 La Salle W, 54-14 9/15 at Robert Morris L, 28-14 9/8 at Iona L, 17-14 (OT) 9/15 at Iona L, 34-10 9/29 at Liberty L, 68-10 9/15 at Marist W, 24-14 9/22 Duquesne L, 30-23 (OT) 10/6 Central Conn. St. L, 43-7 9/29 Sacred Heart W, 18-15 9/29 at Wagner L, 18-15 10/13 Duquesne L, 24-17 10/6 at Robert Morris W, 20-13 10/6 Monmouth L, 49-8 10/20 Albany L, 58-21 10/13 at Monmouth W, 45-16 10/13 at Albany L, 38-7 10/27 at Sacred Heart 1:00 pm 10/20 Central Conn. St. L, 21-13 10/20 vs. Marist W, 41-34 11/3 Monmouth 1:00 pm 10/27 Albany 1:00 pm 10/27 St. Francis (PA) 1:00 pm 11/10 at Wagner 1:00 pm 11/3 La Salle 1:00 pm 11/3 at Central Conn. St. 5:00 pm 11/17 at LaSalle 1:00 pm 11/10 St. Francis (PA) 1:00 pm 11/10 at Robert Morris 1:00 pm NEC Games in Bold 11/17 at Jacksonville 12:00 pm NEC Games in Bold NEC Games in Bold Albany (3-3, 1-0 NEC) Last Game: Albany 58, Saint Francis (PA) 21 Next Game: October 27 at Wagner

• Albany has won three straight following a 58-21 victory at Saint Francis on Oct. 20 … the Great Danes scored their most points in a conference game since joining the NEC in 1999, and tied another mark for touchdowns (8) … TB David McCarty (Gansevoort, NY/ LaSalle Institute) rushed for a career-high 170 yards and two TDs in less than three quarters of play … McCarty, who moved from flanker to tailback last spring, has three 100-yard rushing games this season … UAlbany's offense pounded out 334 net rushing yards, the highest total since Oct. 30, 2004, and produced its top scoring mark since Oct. 4, 2003 … TB Omar Johnson (Edgewater Park, NJ/ Burlington 9/1 at Colgate L, 13-11 City) added 44 yards on the ground and scored on a 6-yard blast in the fourth quarter … Johnson is now seventh in career rushing 9/8 at Fordham W, 23-20 touchdowns (20) and tied for seventh in scoring (126 points) on the program's all-time charts … FL Daniel Bocanegra (Daly City, CA/ 9/15 Hofstra L, 28-13 9/22 at Montana L, 35-14 Junipero Serra) ripped off a 53-yard punt return in the first quarter, the longest by a Great Dane since 1999 … Bocanegra, who accounted 10/6 Stony Brook W, 24-23 for 112 all-purpose yards, had the most punt return yards (80) by a UAlbany player in a conference game … SE Irani DeAraujo (Queens, 10/13 Sacred Heart W, 38-7 NY/Choate Rosemary Hall Prep) scored his first career touchdown, an 8-yard reception in the third quarter … UAlbany's defense held 10/20 at St. Francis (PA) W, 58-21 Saint Francis to a season-low 35 net rushing yards, the fourth opponent under the 100-mark this season … OLB Trevor DuPont (Victor, 10/27 at Wagner 1:00 pm NY/Victor Central) reached the end zone on a 25-yard interception return on the second play from scrimmage … ILB Colin Disch (North 11/3 Robert Morris 1:00 pm Plainfield, NJ/North Plainfield) made a season-high 10 tackles, the 22nd time he has reached double figures as a collegian … Disch 11/10 at Monmouth 1:00 pm 11/17 at Central Conn. St. 12:00 pm moved to third on the NEC's career tackles chart with 378 … DT Trevor Anderson (Warnersville, NY/Cobleskill-Richmondville) had a career-high six tackles, including one of his team's three sacks in the contest … CB Ross Bertrand (Stratford, CT/Stamford) and OLB Chris Simpson (Victor, NY/Victor Central) posted career-highs in tackles with five apiece … Michael Dungey (Rochester, NY/ Irondequoit) played in his 40th career game last Saturday … Dungey, who has moved to defensive end from his tackle position due to injuries, recorded his 10th sack in an UAlbany uniform ... the Great Danes, who had no turnovers for the fourth time this year last week, are ranked 10th nationally with a +1.43 margin … PK Jason Fralicker (North Tonawanda, NY/North Tonawanda) moved into a tie for 14th among the program's career scoring leaders with 116 points (44-45 PATs, 24-36 FGs) … QB Vinny Esposito (Demarest, NJ/ Northern Valley Regional) already has the seventh-best single-season passing total with 1,252 yards

Central Connecticut State (5-2, 3-0 NEC) Last Game: Central Connecticut State 21, Wagner 13 Next Game: October 27 vs. Monmouth

• Central Connecticut is off to a perfect 3-0 start in Northeast Conference play with its 21-13 win over Wagner on Staten Island, NY on Saturday afternoon… the win moves CCSU to a perfect 2-0 in road games in the NEC this season… the Blue Devils play their final three NEC games at home where they have won 12 straight vs. league opponents… that stretch begins Saturday when the Blue Devils host Monmouth in New 8/30 at Towson L, 20-10 Britain, CT… Saturday's win over Wagner marked the fourth straight victory for the Blue Devils in the all-time series… the win was also 9/8 Merrimack W, 45-7 the third straight for CCSU, all in league action… the 3-0 in NEC play is the second-best start in school history… CCSU won its first four 9/15 Southern Conn. St. W, 56-34 games in league play in 2004… at 5-2 the Blue Devils can clinch their fourth straight winning season with just one more victory… CCSU 9/22 at Western Michigan L, 51-14 10/6 at St. Francis (PA) W, 43-7 has not posted four straight winning seasons since 1965-71 when they ran off seven straight… the Blue Devils rushed for 257 yards in the 10/13 Robert Morris W, 16-10 game on Saturday marking the 13th time in 18 games since head coach Jeff McInerney took over the program that the Blue Devils have 10/20 at Wagner W, 21-13 rushed for 250 or more yards in a game… CCSU was 1-for-1 on fourth down conversions on Saturday moving them to an amazing 20-of-24 10/27 Monmouth 12:00 pm on fourth down conversions this season… Junior linebacker Blair Smart (Stamford, CT/Stamford) had his most successful game in a 11/3 Sacred Heart 5:00 pm 11/10 at Stony Brook 1:00 pm Blue Devil uniform, leading a CCSU defensive attack that helped CCSU top previously unbeaten Wagner... Smart registered a team-high 13 11/17 Albany 12:00 pm tackles including 2.5 for a loss… CCSU forced nine punts on the Seahawks' first nine possessions of the game before they were able to put the ball in the end zone… during those nine drives the Seahawks had six three-and-outs, one four-play and one five-play drive… the longest drive reached in that span amounted to just 39 yards… Wagner registered only 225 yards of total offense in the game. Freshman wide receiver Josue Paul (Delray Beach, FL/Pope John Paul II) made the most of his one offensive play… with the Blue Devils clinging to a 14-13 lead late in the final period, took a reverse hand off from quarterback Ryan Holmes (Union, NJ/Union) and ran 82 yards for the clinching touchdown… the play came on a 3-and-12 from the CCSU 18-yardline with Wagner hoping for one final offensive possession. Monmouth (1-5, 1-2 NEC) Last Game: Wagner 45, Monmouth 16 Next Game: October 27 at Central Connecticut State

• Monmouth was idle for the second week this year... the Hawks play at league-leading Central Connecticut State on Saturday in an NEC TV Game... junior tailback Dave Sinisi (Cedar Grove, NJ/Cedar Grove) has gone 18 consecutive games with a score, still the longest streak in the nation… the redshirt sophomore leads the Northeast Conference in scoring with 60 points on 10 touchdowns (9 rushing).

9/1 at Maine L, 21-14 9/8 Robert Morris L, 20-17 9/22 at Stony Brook L, 21-15 9/29 at No. 12 Delaware L, 42-7 10/6 at Sacred Heart W, 49-8 10/13 Wagner 1:00 pm 10/27 at Central Conn. St. 12:00 pm 11/3 at St. Francis (PA) 1:00 pm 11/10 Albany 1:00 pm 11/17 Duquesne 12:00 pm Robert Morris (3-5, 2-2 NEC) Last Game: Duquesne 17, Robert Morris 14 Next Game: November 3 at Albany

• Robert Morris dropped its fourth straight with a 17-14 loss at crosstown rival Duquesne ... Robert Morris has now dropped three straight to Duquesne, with the Dukes owning a 5-4 edge in the all-time series ... The Colonials have lost their last three games by a total of 17 points ... RMU is 2-4 against Duquesne at Rooney Field and have dropped four straight at the venue after winning the first two in the all-time series ... Four of the nine games between Robert Morris and Duquesne have been decided by five points or less ... Junior quarterback Erik Cwalinski (Jacobsburg, OH/Shadyside) finished 14-for-26 passing for 156 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions on the afternoon ... His lone touchdown pass with a 32-yard strike to senior flanker Julian Ellison (Pittsburgh, PA/Carrick) ... Ellison paced the RMU receiving corps with four catches for 67 yards ... Freshman halfback Myles Russ (Boca Raton, FL/West Boca) recorded his first 100-yard 9/1 Dayton L, 23-12 rushing game, recording 116 yards on 25 carries ... Russ also added a 22-yard touchdown run ... The 116 yards rushing by Russ Freshman 9/8 at Monmouth W, 20-17 became the first Colonial to rush for 100 yards in 19 games ... The 25 rushing attempts for Russ established a career high and also marked 9/15 St. Francis (PA) W, 28-14 9/22 at Morehead St. W, 9-8 the most by a Colonial halfback since Devin Wilson (2002-05) rushed 31 times for 116 yards in a 38-30 win over Wagner (10/8/05) ... Robert 9/29 Virginia Military L, 40-13 Morris finished with 310 yards of total offense, while Duquesne racked up 396 total yards ... The Colonials finished 4-for-11 in third-down 10/6 Wagner L, 20-13 conversions, while the Dukes were 8-for-17 ... Duquesne owned a 32:25 to 27:35 edge in time of possession ... The Colonial defense was paced 10/13 at Central Conn. St. L, 16-10 by senior linebacker Chad Wengert (Kempton, PA/Kutztown), who posted 17 tackles, including two sacks, and also recorded a forced 10/20 at Duquesne L, 17-14 11/3 at Albany 1:00 pm fumble, pass breakup and two quarterback hurries ... Sophomore safety Michael Landers (Springdale, PA/Springdale) notched a career- 11/10 Sacred Heart 1:00 pm high 14 takedowns, while senior linebacker Jordan Howard (Uniontown, OH/Lake) contributed 13 stops ... Wengert leads RMU with 88 tackles in 2007, a total that ranks eighth in the Colonial single-season records ... Wengert now owns seven career double-digit tackle games ... Over the last six games Wengert has averaged 13.0 tackles per contest (78 total) ... Sophomore safety Michael Landers (Springdale, PA/Springdale), who has earned his first three collegiate starts the past three weeks, owns 32 tackles over that span, an average of 10.7 per game ... Senior linebacker Jordan Howard (Uniontown, OH/Lake) has posted double-digit tackles in each of his last four games and owns 55 tackles (13.8 per game) over that span ... Freshman wide receiver Michael Blanchard (Miami, FL/Mater Academy) saw his first significant action of the season with the injury to flanker Mario Hines (Ecorse, MI/Ecorse) and finished with 59 all-purpose yards ... Blanchard finished with two catches for 22 yards, a rush for six yards and two kickoff returns for 31 yards ... Freshman Nick Schirtzinger (Hurricane, WV/Hurricane) finished with five punts for 196 yards, an average of 39.2 yards per punt ... Schirtzinger also posted two punts inside the Duquesne 20-yard line and one for a touchback ...Robert Morris now has a week off before closing out its three-game road trip when it visits Albany Saturday, 11/3, for a Northeast Conference tilt. Sacred Heart (2-5, 0-3 NEC) Last Game: Albany 38, Sacred Heart 7 Next Game: October 27 vs. Saint Francis (PA)

• The Pioneers avoided tying their longest losing streak under Head Coach Paul Gorham, six-straight, with a 41-34 win over on Saturday... The Pioneers also snapped a two-game Red Fox winning streak in the series with the win and closed out their non-conference schedule at 3-2… The 41 points marked the first time since 2001 that SHU has put up 40 or more points three times in a season. SHU scored 41 vs. Assumption and 54 vs. La Salle this year… Senior Jason Payne (Cortlandt Manor, NY/Walter Panas) recorded the first 200-yard rushing game since Ed Pricolo in 2005… Payne's 31 carries and 207 yards marked new career high's for the senior, while his two-touchdown 8/30 at Assumption W, 41-20 day was the second for him this season and in his career… Payne is creeping up the SHU all-time list for career rushing yards… He is 9/8 La Salle W, 54-14 currently in sixth at 1,806, just 22 yards out of fifth place (Jason Bonadies 2000-03)… senior wide receiver Corey Bundy (Selden, NY/ 9/15 at Iona L, 34-10 Newfield) had five catches for 83 yards in the win and became just the second Pioneer all-time to record 100 career receptions… Bundy 9/22 Duquesne L, 30-23 (OT) now has 104 career receptions and is second all-time behind Chris Wilkinson (1997-00) who holds the record at 112… He is now tied with 9/29 at Wagner L, 18-15 teammate Joey Henley (Kent, WA/Kentridge) with 16 career TD receptions, three behind DeVeren Johnson (2000-01) for the all-time 10/6 Monmouth L, 49-8 record… He also now sits second in reception yardage at 1,603 yards, again behind Johnson who had 1,748… senior safety John Wilson 10/13 at Albany L, 38-7 (Bloomfield, CT/Bloomfield) had double digit tackles for the fifth straight game… He is now 5th all-time with 279 career tackles… 10/27 St. Francis (PA) 1:00 pm 11/3 at Central Conn. St. 5:00 pm sophomore corner back Andre Isla (Brookhaven, NY/Bellport) recorded his first career interception in the win, picking off Marist QB 11/10 at Robert Morris 1:00 pm Steve McGrath and returning it 25 yards… Isla also added a pair of pass break-ups and three tackles to his game totals… Offensively, the Pioneers did an excellent job on first and second down, forcing only seven third down conversion situations all game… SHU converted on five... the Pioneers also scored on all four of their redzone chances… the Pioneers ran the ball for 237 yards, a season-high 6.2 yards per carry as a team… Defensively, this was the third-straight week SHU gave up over 500 yards of total offense allowing 526 yards from Marist… The Pioneers built a 41-14 lead in the third quarter but need to withstand a furious Marist rally in the fourth where the cut the lead to just seven, 41-34 in the closing minutes. Saint Francis (PA) (0-6, 0-3 NEC) Last Game: Albany 58, Saint Francis (PA) 21 Next Game: October 27 at Sacred Heart

• Saint Francis (PA) fell victim to Albany's ground attack during their third straight conference loss, watching the Great Danes rush for 334 yards on 49 attempts… despite the defensive lapses, the Red Flash's offensive production hit a season high note at DeGol Field as they lit up the scoreboard for a 9/8 Morehead State L, 21-14 season-high 21 points… sophomore quarterback George Little (Duquesne,PA/Duquesne) had a career day, throwing for 283 yards and two TDs… 9/15 at Robert Morris L, 28-14 freshman Troy Eison (Shelton, CT/Shelton) and freshman Ryan Zarnich (Rochester, PA/Rochester) each hauled in their second career TD 9/29 at Liberty L, 68-10 receptions… Junior wideout Antoine Rivera (Willingboro, NJ/Willingboro), Saint Francis' leading receiver, caught five balls for 126 yards, the 10/6 Central Conn. St. L, 43-7 10/13 Duquesne L, 24-17 second highest total of his career… Rivera made a career long catch, as well, a 60-yard missile from Little early in the third quarter… Freshman 10/20 Albany 1:00 pm linebacker Scott Lewis (South Fork, PA/Bishop McCort) led the Red Flash in total tackles for the fourth straight outing… He duplicated last week's 10/27 at Sacred Heart 1:00 pm stats by making 18 stuffs (8 solo)… in addition, Lewis made 2.5 tackles for loss, equaling negative five yards… Lewis leads the nation in tackles for 11/3 Monmouth 1:00 pm the second straight week. Lewis' 83 total tackles in six games surpasses the total of SFPA's 2006 individual leader… The special teams unit recovered 11/10 at Wagner 1:00 pm 11/17 at LaSalle 1:00 pm a third-quarter onside kick; only the second onside kick to be recovered in the NEC this season… The Red Flash have lost six games in a row… Saturday's contest at DeGol Field ended a three-game home stand in Loretto, PA…. One home game remains (Homecoming vs. Monmouth on 11/3)… The Red Flash continue their NEC journey when they travel to Fairfield, CT to battle Sacred Heart on Saturday.

Wagner (5-2, 3-1 NEC) Last Game: Central Connecticut State 21, Wagner 13 Next Game: October 27 vs. Albany

• Faced with the daunting challenge of containing the No. 1 rushing offense in the NEC, the Seahawks needed all of their gang-tackling skills to try and keep the Central Connecticut State option-oriented attack in check… Led by four different players with 10 or more tackles, the Seahawks held CCSU to nearly 40 yards below their season average... CCSU came in averaging a whopping 295.2 yards per game on the ground… While the Blue Devils did finish with 257 yards on the ground, 82 came on one play, an end around in the late-going by WR Josue Paul… Senior LB Bryan Brand (Placerville, CA/Santa Barbara CC) led the Seahawk defense with a career-high 16 tackles, while junior 8/31 at Western Conn. St. W, 20-7 9/8 at Iona L, 17-14 LB Jason Haskins (Jackson, NJ/Matawan) added 13 stops… Senior DT Adrian Adderly (Carver Ranches, FL/MSGR Pace) and junior (OT) LB Jeremy Spinks (Tampa, FL/Chamberlain) totaled 10 tackles apiece… Coming off a season-high 518-yard offensive effort at Monmouth 9/15 at Marist W, 24-14 (that included a season-high 336 yards rushing), Wagner was held to its lowest offensive output of the season vs. a swarming CCSU defense, 9/29 Sacred Heart W, 18-15 which ranks No. 1 in the NEC… Wagner managed just 225 yards of offense, while being held to its second-lowest rushing day of the season 10/6 at Robert Morris W, 20-13 with 112 yards on 33 attempts... Senior RB Jason Butler (Syracuse, NY/Henninger) has now rushed for 968 yards on the season, needing 10/13 at Monmouth W, 45-16 10/20 Central Conn. St. L, 21-13 32 yards vs. Albany next week to reach the coveted 1,000-yard plateau… Butler is averaging 138.3 yards per game, which is sixth in the 10/27 Albany 1:00 pm nation among all FCS rushers, and 4.7 yards per carry... Butler needed six games this season to pass his entire 2006 rushing total of 735 11/3 La Salle 1:00 pm yards... A standout DB for two seasons, Butler was converted to RB prior to the 2006 campaign… In 17 career games at RB, Butler has 11/10 St. Francis (PA) 1:00 pm gained 1,703 yards and needs just 128 yards to enter the Wagner top-10 all-time rushing list… Tom Moore (1967-69) is currently in 10th 11/17 at Jacksonville 12:00 pm place on the Wagner all-time list with 1,831 yards rushing… with 144 more yards, Butler will enter the Wagner all-time top 10 for single- season rushing…. Senior WR Joe Kinard (Kingston, NY/Kingston), one of the most productive wide receivers in school history, had seven receptions for 57 yards vs. CCSU… A 2005 All-NEC first teamer, Kinard is ninth all-time in career receptions with 103 and needs four more to pass Bob Grady (106 receptions from 1974-76)… For the season, Kinard leads the Seahawks in receptions with 16 and is second on the team in receiving yards, behind only Lon Woods, who has 208 receiving yards… For his career, Kinard has 1,279 receiving yards and will be hard-pressed to enter the all-time top 10… Junior QB Matt Abbey (La Canada, CA/St. Francis) completed a season-high 14 passes vs. Central Connecticut State.... Abbey, who was 14-of-28 passing for 113 yards, had a previous season high of 12 completions vs. Marist (9/15).

NEC Football All-Time NEC Records NEC Champions • 1996-2006 vs. the competition School Record Pct. NEC Ov. 2007 NEC vs. Albany 41-16 .719 Year Champion Rec. Rec. Big Sky 0-1 Central Conn. St. 34-36 .486 1996 Robert Morris 3-1 9-2 Big South 0-2 Monmouth 45-25 .643 Monmouth 3-1 7-3 CAA 0-4 1997 Robert Morris 4-0 8-3 Division II 3-0 Robert Morris 47-23 .671 Division III 1-0 Sacred Heart 31-32 .492 1998 Robert Morris 4-1 4-6 Independent 1-1 St. Francis (PA) 8-62 .114 Monmouth 4-1 5-5 MAC (FBS) 0-1 Stony Brook 29-29 .500 1999 Robert Morris 7-0 8-2 MAAC 2-4 Wagner 34-37 .479 2000 Robert Morris 8-0 10-0 Patriot 1-1 2001 Sacred Heart 8-0 11-0 Pioneer 1-2 2002 Albany 6-1 8-4 2003 Monmouth 6-1 10-2 Albany 6-1 7-4 2004 Monmouth 6-1 10-1 Cent. Conn. St. 6-1 8-2 2005 Cent. Conn. St. 5-2 7-4 Stony Brook 5-2 6-5 2006 Monmouth 10-1 6-1