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 10 - November 5, 2007)

Last Week’s Results School NEC Pct. Overall Pct. Streak Home Away Neutral Saturday, November 3 1. Albany 4-0 1.000 6-3 .667 W5 3-1 3-2 0-0 MONMOUTH 47, SAINT FRANCIS (PA) 17 2. Central Conn. St. 4-1 .800 6-3 .667 W1 4-1 2-2 0-0 ALBANY 45, ROBERT MORRIS 17 3. Wagner 3-2 .600 6-3 .667 W1 3-2 3-1 0-0 CENTRAL CONN. ST. 49, SACRED HEART 33 Monmouth 3-2 .600 3-5 .375 W2 0-2 3-3 0-0 WAGNER 28, La Salle 0 5. Robert Morris 2-3 .400 3-6 .333 L5 1-3 2-3 0-0 NEC team in CAPS. Home Team underlined 6. St. Francis (PA) 1-4 .200 1-7 .125 L1 0-5 1-2 0-0 7. Sacred Heart 0-5 .000 3-7 .300 L2 2-3 1-4 0-0 This Week’s Schedule Saturday, November 10 NEC Football Offensive Player of the Week CENTRAL CONN. ST. at Stony Brook 1:00 pm David McCarty, Albany ALBANY at MONMOUTH 1:00 pm So., TB, 6-0, 190, Gansevoort, NY/LaSalle Institute SACRED HEART at ROBERT MORRIS 1:00 pm SAINT FRANCIS (PA) at WAGNER 1:00 pm McCarty scored three times and racked up 228 yards of offense in helping Albany remain the lone undefeated team in NEC play. The sophomore tailback rushed 27 times for 167 yards and two touchdowns NEC team in CAPS during the Great Danes’ 45-17 victory over Robert Morris. McCarty’s other touchdown came on Albany’s longest pass play since 2001 as the sophomore took a second-quarter screen pass 61 yards into the end NEC Offensive Player of the Week zone. McCarty’s 228 all-purpose yards were the most by a Great Dane since 10/23/04. Saturday’s win Sep. 4 Jason Butler, Wagner Sep. 10 Vinny Esposito, Albany marked the third consecutive game, and fifth this season, that UA tailback has eclipsed the 100-yard rushing Sep. 17 Jo Jo Freeman, Central Conn. St. mark. Sep. 24 Alvin Hill, Robert Morris Oct. 1 Jason Butler, Wagner Oct. 8 Dave Sinisi, Monmouth Oct. 15 Jason Butler, Wagner NEC Football Defensive Player of the Week Oct. 22 David McCarty, Albany Victor D’Arrigo, Central Connecticut State Oct. 29 Dave Sinisi, Monmouth Nov. 3 David McCarty, Albany So., LB/SS, 5-10, 200, , NY/Hargrave Military D’Arrigo made a game-high and career-high 12 tackles in Central Connecticut State’s 49-33 conference NEC Defensive Player of the Week Sep. 4 Mark Sheehan, Albany victory over Sacred Heart that allowed CCSU to stay close behind Albany in the NEC standings. The Sep. 10 Dave Casale, Albany sophomore linebacker notched one tackle for a loss and forced a first-quarter fumble that led to the Sep. 17 Chad Wengert, Robert Morris Sep. 24 John Wilson, Sacred Heart Blue Devils’ third touchdown of the day. D’Arrigo was the main cog in a defensive effort that allowed Oct. 1 John Wilson, Sacred Heart Sacred Heart to score only once on six first-half possessions en route to a 35-6 score at the break. Oct. 8 Robert Brown, Wagner Oct. 15 Ernie Greywacz, Central Conn. St. Oct. 22 Blair Smart, Central Conn. St. Oct. 29 Matthew Parker, Saint Francis (PA) NEC Football Special Teams Player of the Week Nov. 3 Victor D’Arrigo, Central Conn. St. Jason Fralicker, Albany NEC Special Teams Player of the Week Sr., K, 5-10, 190, North Tonawanda, NY/North Tonawanda Sep. 4 Piotr Czech, Wagner Fralicker’s special teams tackling was as good as his kicking during Albany’s 45-17 league win over Sep. 10 Michael Walser, Robert Morris Sep. 17 Piotr Czech, Wagner Robert Morris, a victory that allowed the Great Danes to remain the lone unbeaten team in conference Sep. 24 Mike Wall, Albany Oct. 1 Piotr Czech, Wagner play. The senior kicker opened the game’s scoring by connecting on his only field goal attempt, a 33- Oct. 8 Al Phillips, Wagner yarder, and was 6-for-6 on PATs. Fralicker made four tackles, three of which were unassisted, on kickoff Oct. 15 Piotr Czech, Wagner Oct. 22 Daniel Bocanegra, Albany coverage. Two of Fralicker’s solo tackles stopped preseason all-NEC return specialist Mario Hines from Oct. 29 Mike Wall, Albany going the distance. Nov. 3 Jason Fralicker, Albany NEC Rookie of the Week Sep. 4 Dale Fink, Sacred Heart NEC Football Rookie of the Week Sep. 10 Dale Fink, Sacred Heart Dale Fink, Sacred Heart Sep. 17 Myles Russ, Robert Morris Sep. 24 Nick Schirtzinger, Robert Morris Fr., QB, 6-4, 200, Swansea, IL/Althoff Catholic Oct. 1 Ryan Shepard, Saint Francis (PA) Fink threw for 222 yards and three touchdowns on 25-of-47 passing in Sacred Heart’s setback at Central Oct. 8 Bobby Giles, Monmouth Oct. 15 Scott Lewis, Saint Francis (PA) Connecticut State. After not being intercepted on Saturday, the rookie quarterback has only been picked Oct. 22 Dale Fink, Sacred Heart off five times this year and has tossed a league-leading 20 touchdowns. He is completing 63.3 percent Oct. 29 Matthew Parker, Saint Francis (PA) Nov. 3 Dale Fink, Sacred Heart of his passes this season and boasts the conference’s third-best passer efficiency rating at 145.7. NEC Football Notes: WEEK TEN (10) (through games of Nov. 3) NEC Notebook Albany remained the lone undefeated team in NEC play, By The Numbers upping its record to 4-0... Central Connecticut State kept close behind, moving to 4-1... CCSU’s win means that the Blue Devils and Great Danes will face each 150.33 rushing yards per game other with the conference title and a bid to the Gridiron Classic there for the taking in New Britain, CT on 11/17... Wagner senior running back is the fifth best average in the nation Jason Butler (Syracuse, NY/Henninger) used a 280-yard day to increase his all- and it belongs to Wagner’s Jason But- purpose average to 200.00 yards per game, third-best in the nation... Monmouth junior ler. The senior running back ran for a running back Dave Sinisi (Cedar Grove, NJ/Cedar Grove) is right behind Butler, ranking fourth in DI FCS with 197.13 all-purpose yards per contest... Butler (150.33) career-high 269 yards and three and Sinisi (125.00) also rank fifth and tenth, respectively, in rushing yards per game... touchdowns on 26 carries against La The NEC’s leading scorer, Sinisi sits fourth amongst the national scoring leaders with Salle. Butler has rushed for at least 100 12.75 points per game... Albany remains the lone team in the entire nation to have not yards in all nine of the Seahawks’ yet lose a fumble this season... the Great Danes have taken care of the ball en route to a +1.56 turvover margin average that ranks seventh in DI FCS... Albany senior kicker games. Jason Fralicker’s (North Tonawanda, NY/North Tonawanda) 33-yard field goal during the first quarter of the Great Danes’ 45-17 victory over Robert Morris tied his own single-season program record of 13... Fralicker is three off tying the NEC record for tackles by Albany kicker Jason single-season field goals (16), which was set in 2000 by Sacred Heart’s Tim Redican... 4 Wagner senior kicker/punter Piotr Czech (Keyport, NJ/Keyport) is second behind Fralicker in the Great Danes’ 45-17 win Fralicker with 12 successful field goal attempts this season, but Czech leads Fralicker over Robert Morris. The senior kicker and the NEC in converting 92.3 percent (12-13) of his FG attempts... CCSU continues to rank amongst the country’s top five in rushing offense, sitting in fourth with 288.78 yards made three solo stops including two per game. that prevented preseason all-NEC re- turner Mario Hines from going all the NEC Weekly Review: Albany Remains Undefeated in NEC Play; way. CCSU, Monmouth, and Wagner Grab Week Ten Wins Albany (6-3, 4-0 NEC) remained in the driver's seat, moving closer to its first NEC title since 2003. The Great Danes are the lone remaining unbeaten in league play after concluding their home schedule with a 45-17 victory over Robert Morris (3-6, 2-4 597 yards gained on the ground NEC) on NEC TV. Second-place inhabitant Central Connecticut State (6-3, 4-1 NEC) over the past three games by Sacred stayed closely behind by outscoring Sacred Heart (3-7, 0-5 NEC), 49-33, at Arute Field in New Britain, CT. Monmouth won for the second straight week, triumphing at Saint Heart’s Jason Payne. The senior run- Francis (PA) (1-7, 1-4 NEC), 47-17. Wagner used another huge rushing day from ning back amassed 207 yards on 28 senior Jason Butler (Syracuse, NY/Henninger) to win the lone non-league contest carries this past Saturday at CCSU, fol- of the week, a 28-0 rout of La Salle (MAAC). lowing up his 183-yard effort vs. SFPA Albany sophomore tailback Dave McCarty (Gansevoort, NY/LaSalle Institute) posted and another 207-yard day vs. Marist. his fifth 100-yard rushing game this season, totaling 228 yards of offense and three touchdowns. In addition to 167 yards on the ground, McCarty was on the receiving end of Albany's longest pass play since 2001 as he scored on a 61-yard screen pass. 61 yards is the distance of NEC Of- Central Connecticut State senior quarterback Ryan Holmes (Union, NJ/Union) was fensive Player of the Week David 9-for-9 passing for 141 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 52 yards and another McCarty’s second-quarter touchdown score. The Blue Devils step out of conference for a home date with Stony Brook next week before closing out their regular season schedule at home against Albany in two reception. The 61-yard screen pass weeks with a chance to earn a share of the NEC title. Sacred Heart senior running was Albany’s longest pass play since back Jason Payne (Cortlandt Manor, NY/Walter Panas) notched his second 200- 2001. yard rushing day in three weeks, tallying 207 and two touchdowns on 28 carries. Payne has gained 597 yards on the ground over his last three games. Sacred Heart rookie quarterback Dale Fink (Swansea, IL/Althoff Catholic) completed 25-of-47 passes for 222 yards and three scores. 62, 58 were the length (in yards) of back-to-back scoring plays in this Monmouth junior tailback Dave Sinisi (Cedar Grove, NJ/Cedar Grove) followed up his 192-yard rushing performance in last week's win over CCSU with 187 yards on 24 week’s Monmouth-Saint Francis (PA) carries against Saint Francis (PA). Sinisi's one-yard touchdown dive that opened the game. SFPA QB George Little hooked up game's scoring midway through the first quarter marked the 20th straight game the with WR Antoine Rivera for a 62-yard preseason all-NEC back has found paydirt. Red Flash junior receiver Antoine Rivera (Willingboro, NJ/Willingboro) caught five balls for 106 yards and two touchdowns, TD pass late in the third quarter. On but the Monmouth defense intercepted first-year starting quarterback George Little Monmouth’s ensuing possession, QB (Pittsburgh, PA/Duquesne) three times. Brett Burke found WR Adam San Miguel for 58 yards and a touchdown. Butler reached the 100-yard rushing mark for the ninth time this season, amassing a season-high 269 yards on the ground in 26 attempts against a beleaguered La Salle defense. The senior found paydirt three times to help stop Wagner's two-game skid. NEC Football Notes: NEC in the NCAA (Rankings) (through games of Oct. 29) Three NEC Teams Ranked in TSN Mid-Ma- Ind. Category Rank Player Statistics Rushing 5 Jason Butler, WC 150.33 yds/g jor Top 10 Poll 10 Dave Sinisi, MU 125.00 yds/g Northeast Conference members Albany, Central Passing Efficiency 20 Dale Fink, SHU 145.7 rating Connecticut State, and Wagner all appear in the latest Receiving Yards (Avg) 17 Antoine Rivera, SFPA 90.75 yds/g edition of Sports Network Mid-Major Top 10 Poll. All All-Purpose Yards 3 Jason Butler, WC 200.00 yds/g three were in last week’s poll, and the latter two 4 Dave Sinisi, MU 197.13 yds/g managed to improve their standing this week. Passing (Completions) 20 Brett Burke, MU 19.38 completions/g Receiving Yards (Total) 25 Antoine Rivera, SFPA 726 yards Albany remained in third with the highest ranking of any NEC team. CCSU jumped up Scoring 4 Dave Sinisi, MU 12.75 pts/g a spot to sixth after its 49-33 win over Sacred Heart, while Wagner leaped up two Points Responsible For 12 Dale Fink, SHU 15.75 pts/g places to eighth after a 28-0 shutout of La Salle. T-18 Dave Sinisi, MU 13.50 pts/g Field Goals T-11 Jason Fralicker, UA 1.44/g (13 total) Posed to join the NEC as a football member in 2008, the sit in the No. T-19 Piotr Czech, WC 1.33/g (12 total) 9 slot. Punting 17 Nick Schirtzinger, RMU 41.96 yds/punt Punt Returns 5 Mario Hines, RMU 13.87 yds/return Tackles 2 Scott Lewis, SFPA 13.43 tackles/g The Sports Network I-FCS Mid-Major Poll (Week of 11/5) 15 Chad Wengert, RMU 11.00 tackles/g School (First Place Votes) Record Points Prev. T-19 Bryan Brand, WC 10.67 tackles/g 1. (33) 9-1 330 1 Solo Tackles 25 Scott Lewis, SFPA 5.13 tackles/g 2. San Diego Toreros 8-1 293 2 Sacks 4 Robert Brown, WC 1.06/g (9.5 total) 3. 6-3 237 3 8 Mark Sheehan, UA 0.86/g (6.0 total) T-15 Mark Szymanski, RMU 0.75/g (6.0 total) 4. Morehead State 7-2 223 6 Tackles for loss T-16 Robert Brown, WC 1.50/g (13.5 total) 5. 7-2 202 5 Interceptions T-4 Al Phillips, WC 0.67/g (6 total) 6. Central Conn. St. Blue Devils 6-3 149 7 Passes Defended T-3 Al Phillips, WC 1.78/g (16 total) 7. 6-4 103 4 T-12 Ayo Falae, MU 1.38/g (11 total) 8. Wagner Seahawks 6-3 90 10 T-14 Mike Niklos, RMU 1.33/g (12 total) 9. Duquesne Dukes 5-3 74 9 Team Category Rank School Statistics 10. Davidson Wildcats 5-4 68 8 Rushing Offense T-4 Central Conn. St. 288.78 yds/g 22 Albany 207.11 yds/g Others receiving votes (in order of points): Stony Brook 32, Total Offense 14 Central Conn. St. 424.67 yds/g Monmouth 9, Robert Morris 2, Valparaiso 2. Scoring Offense 21 Central Conn. St. 32.22 pts/g Rushing Defense 13 Albany 112.9 yds/g 24 Wagner 124.6 yds/g Passing Defense 1 Robert Morris 134.56 yds/g The Duquesne Watch 12 Wagner 160.56 yds/g 20 Monmouth 167.63 yds/g Total Defense 10 Wagner 285.11 yds/g The ten-time MAAC champion Duquesne Dukes 23 Central Conn. St. 319.00 yds/g are set to begin competition in the NEC when Scoring Defense 7 Wagner 14.1 pts/g the 2008 season commences. Below is a look at 21 Albany 19.3 pts/g how DU is faring in their final MAAC season. Net Punting 7 Wagner 37.23 yds/punt 11 Robert Morris 36.41 yds/punt 17 Albany 35.18 yds/punt Punt Returns 2 Sacred Heart 16.78 yds/return Overall Record: 5-3 17 Robert Morris 11.53 yds/return MAAC Standing: T-2nd (1-1) Kick Returns 16 Albany 24.34 yds/return Turnover Margin 7 Albany +1.56/g Mid-Major Ranking: 9th T-20 Monmouth +1.00/g Latest Result: L, 28-23 at Iona on 10/27 Fumbles Recovered T-15 Robert Morris 11 Up Next: 11/10 vs. La Salle T-15 Albany 11 Passes Had Intercepted 7 Central Conn. St. 4 T-18 Wagner 5 NEC in NCAA Rankings cont. T-18 Albany 5 Team Category Rank School Statistics Fumbles Lost 1 Albany 0 3rd Down Defense 22 Albany 34.1% (43-126) T-7 Monmouth 4 4th Down Defense 9 Monmouth 25.0% (2-8) T-23 Wagner 6 T-4 Albany 25.0% (4-16) Sacks T-3 Albany 3.33/g T-14 Monmouth 33.3% (5-15) T-13 Robert Morris 2.89/g T-14 Wagner 33.3% (3-9) 20 Wagner 2.67/g Time of Possession 13 Central Conn. St. 32:43 Tackles for loss T-18 Albany 7.78/g 22 Albany 31:48 3rd Down Conversions 22 Sacred Heart 44.1% (56-127) 25 Central Conn. St. 43.3% (55-127) 4th Down Conversions T-2 Central Conn. St. 73.3% (22-30) T-15 Albany 62.5% (10-16) NEC Football Archived Notes: More Archived Notes: Running Wild In Week Nine SFPA Freshman Linebacker Spends Two Weeks Atop Entire Nation Saint Francis (PA) freshman linebacker Scott Lewis (South Fork, PA/Bishop Week Nine saw five NEC running backs post 100-yard McCort) found himself leading Division I FCS in tackling for two straight weeks (10/ rushing performances with Monmouth junior Dave 15 and 10/22). The sole leader the week of 10/15, Lewis was tied for the national Sinisi (Cedar Grove, NJ/Cedar Grove), Sacred lead the following week with Bethune Cookman’s Ronnie McCullough at 13.83 stops Heart senior Jason Payne (Cortlandt Manor, NY/ per game. Walter Panas), Albany sophomore Dave McCarty (Gansevoort, NY/LaSalle Institute), Wagner senior Jason Butler (Syracuse, NY/ Lewis currently sits second in the nation, averaging 13.25 stops per game. He also Henninger), and Central Connecticut State junior Jo Jo Freeman (Philadelphia, ranks 25th in DI FCS with 5.13 solo stops per contest. PA/Pomfret School) all managing the feat. Big rushing days have been plentiful around the league this season with each of these five backs reaching the 100-yard Fortunately for the Red Flash, Lewis is one of three talented rookie linebackers. plateau on numerous occasions. Below is a quick individual look at each. Ryan Shepard (Kittanning, PA/Kittanning) already has one NEC Rookie of the Week award to his credit, while Matthew Parker (Darlington, PA/Blackhawk) is Can’t Stop Sinisi this week’ NEC Defensive Player and Rookie of the Week. Sinisi led all NEC backs with 192 rushing yards on 26 carries in a 51-36 win at CCSU this past Saturday, nearly reaching the 200-yard mark for the second time this season. Sinisi only needed 18 rushes to rack up exactly 200 yards and three touchdowns in a 49-8 NEC victory over Sacred Heart earlier in the season. The former NEC Rookie of Albany’s Rashad Barksdale and Andre Coleman Join List of NEC the Year is averaging 116.14 rushing yards per game, which places him 14th amongst Player in NFL the national leaders. Sinisi’s 14 rushing TDs are twice as many as the NEC’s second- Former Albany defensive back Rashad Barksdale has been claimed off waivers by the ranking player in that category. ’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' The Butler Did It Again, Again, Again... defensive end Andre Coleman has been signed to the San Diego Chargers’ practice Butler’s 116 yards on 25 carries in Saturday’s setback to Albany marked the senior’s squad. eighth straight 100-yard rushing game. With 1,084 rushing yards already this season, Butler became the first Wagner player to hit the 1,000-yard mark in a single season Barksdale becomes the second NEC player in as many years to earn his way onto an since Rick Sarille gained 1,337 yards in 1999. His 135.50 yards per game average NFL opening day roster. Former Monmouth standout receiver Miles Austin made the ranks sixth nationally amongst all DI FCS rushers. final cut for the Dallas Cowboys last September en route to a solid rookie campaign. Bringing the Payne The former three-time all-NEC player return 29 kickoffs for 753 yards in the regular Payne ran wild for the second straight week, amassing 183 yards and a touchdown on season, but had his most memorable moment in the playoffs. In a wild card game the ground in 22 attempts. A week ago, Payne produced the highest rushing total of against Seattle, Austin became the first Dallas player to bring back a kick for a any NEC back thus far in 2007 when he tallied 207 yards and two touchdowns on 31 touchdown. carries in a 41-34 victory over Marist. Payne’s 72. yards per carry averages is tops in the conference. 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 Senator McCarty positioned at left cornerback on the defensive unit. Coleman signed as a free agent McCarty has been running rampant in ’s capital region with his latest with the Chargers following the draft. He went through training camp, then was performance yielding 125 yards and one TD on 23 carries in the Great Danes’ 24-10 released two days ago, and now has been assigned to the team’s eight-man practice win at Wagner. McCarty now has four 100-yard rushing performances this season with the three others all exceeding 140 yards. He posted a career high last week with 170 squad. yards and two touchdowns on only 15 attempts in a rout of Saint Francis (PA) on his way to earning NEC Offensive Player of the Week honors. “It feels good and there is a sense of relief to make the Chiefs’ 53-man roster,” said Barksdale, who can become the first UAlbany player to see action in an NFL regular- Jumping Jo Jo season game. “I now have a chance to officially prove myself. This is an opportunity Freeman has not garnered an extreme amount of individual attention due to CCSU’s that I will take full advantage of, without a doubt.” multi-faceted rushing attack, but the junior running back ranks fifth in the NEC with 80.2 rush yards per contest. He posted his third 100-yard game of the season, and fifth Barksdale joined the UAlbany program as a walk-on in August 2006 after playing on of his career, rushing 19 times for 130 yards and two TDs against Monmouth. the Great Danes’ squad. He immediately worked his way into the starting cornerback position 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 program’s upset wins over Lehigh and Delaware.

Coleman, a 6-foot-3, 274-pound defensive end from Buffalo, N.Y., was named to The Sports 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 hits for a loss and 6.0 sacks. He spearheaded a defense that ranked fourth nationally among Division I FCS teams in points allowed (13.0 ppg) and total defense (240.8 ypg).

Four NEC Teams Start Season with TSN I-FCS Mid-Major Top-10 Ranking Four Northeast Conference football teams found their name in a familiar place on Wednesday - The Division I FCS Mid-Major Top 10. The Sports Network released the NEC Preseason Poll preseason edition of its weekly mid-major poll one day before the NEC kicks off its Albany Earns Preseason Favorite Moniker Once Again 12th season on the gridiron. In search of its first conference title since 2003, Albany earned the top spot in the Northeast Conference preseason football poll. The Great Danes edged out defending Defending conference champion Monmouth, preseason favorite Albany, Robert Morris champion Monmouth for top billing in the poll, conducted by the league’s head coaches. , and Central Connecticut State were all amongst the ranked teams, and all four were The preseason rankings, along with the NEC preseason all-conference team, were an- included in the final poll of 2006. nounced as a prelude to the league’s 12th football season.

Both Monmouth and Albany earned one first place vote, but it was the Great Danes In 2006, the NEC enjoyed the best year in league history with Albany and Central owning the league's highest ranking with the No. 3 spot. Monmouth was right behind Connecticut State becoming the first conference teams to be ranked in Sports Network in fourth. Both teams kick off the 2007 campaign on Saturday with Albany traveling FCS Top-25 poll as league members secured a number of victories over perennial playoff to Colgate and the Hawks visiting Maine. teams.

Set to open its season Thursday night at Towson, Central Connecticut State was sixth Albany also earned the moniker of preseason favorite last year, but the Great Danes in the poll followed by Robert Morris in seventh. The Colonials play host to No. 9 finished the 2006 campaign tied for second with a 5-2 NEC record. The Great Danes Dayton this Saturday afternoon. received three first-place votes as did Monmouth, which captured its fifth league title last year and represented the NEC in the inaugural Gridiron Classic. Robert Morris Sitting atop the rankings is San Diego, the champion of inaugural Gridiron Classic. pulled in one first-place vote and finished tied for third in the poll with Central Connecti- The Toreros defeated Monmouth last December to claim the crown. cut State. Wagner landed in fifth with Sacred Heart and Saint Francis (PA) rounding out the preseason selections in a tie for sixth. Ready to begin NEC play when the 2008 season commences, Duquesne found itself ranked fifth.

Former SHU Linebacker Jon Corto Signs to Practice Squad Former linebacker Jon Corto has been signed to the Buffalo Bills practice squad for the upcoming 2007 season announced Sunday on the team's website. Corto, an Orchard Park, NY native, signed with the Bill's as an undrafted free agent after attending the team's rookie minicamp in May.

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.

Corto played for the Pioneers from 2003-06 and finished as the program's second all- time leading tackler with 300 stops. He finished his senior season earning Division I-AA Mid-Major All-American honors after recording a team leading 104 tackles (54 solo).

The former collegiate linebacker has made the transition to saftey in the NFL.

Corto is the second Pioneer to make his way onto an NFL roster. Former wide receiver DeVeren Johnson (2001) was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the 2001 NFL Draft and spent that season on the team's practice squad. Duquesne Ready to Begin NEC Play in 2008 Duquesne University accepted an invitation to join the Northeast Conference as an associate member in the sport of football, it was announced this past January by NEC Commissioner Brenda Weare. Duquesne begins competition within the NEC once the 2008 season commences.

"We are excited to add a football program the caliber of Duquesne," said Weare. "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."

With the addition of Duquesne, NEC football sponsorship will reach eight in 2008. Central Connecticut State, Monmouth, Robert Morris, Sacred Heart, Saint Francis (PA) and Wagner are full-time NEC members who sponsor football, and are joined by associate member Albany, which joined the league in 1999. Duquesne began as a Football Bowl Subdivision team in 1902 and won a pair of New Years Day Bowl games (1934 Festival of Palms and 1937 Orange) before the program was disbanded following the 1950 season. DU returned at the Club level prior to the 1969 season and won a National Club Championship in 1973. The Dukes competed at the NCAA Division III level from 1979-92 before moving up to the FCS in 1993. NEC Week-by-Week Review: yards, but the SFPA ground game never got going against Albany's tough defense. NEC Week Nine Review: Albany, Monmouth, and Saint Francis In his second game back after missing three weeks with an ankle ailment, freshman (PA) Pick Up NEC Wins; Great Danes All Alone in First Place quarterback Dale Fink (Swansea, IL/Althoff Catholic) completed 18-of-22 passes There was no shortage of offense in the first Northeast Conference television game of for 204 yards and three touchdowns in Sacred Heart's impressive offensive showing the season. In the rain and in front of a national audience, defending league champion against Marist. Fink, a two-time NEC Rookie of the Week prior to his injury, was also Monmouth (2-5, 2-2 NEC) ended Central Connecticut State’s (5-3, 3-1 NEC) on the receiving end of a six-yard touchdown pass. SHU senior running back Jason 11-game home win streak, 51-36. NEC preseason favorite Albany (5-3, 3-0 NEC) Payne (Cortlandt Manor, NY/Walter Panas) ran all over the Red Foxes' defense moved into sole possession of first place with its 24-10 victory at Wagner (5-3, 3- for 207 yards and two TDs. The Pioneers owned a 41-14 lead early in the fourth 2 NEC). Albany will have its turn on television next week when the Great Danes host quarter, but Marist made the final tally a much closer one with three late Steve Robert Morris, who was idle this week. Saint Francis (PA) (1-6, 1-3 NEC) broke McGrath touchdown passes. into the win column during its visit to Campus Field where the Red Flash downed host Sacred Heart (3-6, 0-4 NEC), 35-30. 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 Monmouth and Central Connecticut State combined for 1,077 yards of total offense, touchdown receptions. Hocker, an All-American, finished with seven catches for 68 finishing seven yards shy of a new NEC record. Monmouth junior tailback Dave yards, scoring on nine-yard and 15-yard plays. Colonials' freshman tailback Myles Sinisi (Cedar Grove, NJ/Cedar Grove) made certain at least one record was Russ (Boca Raton, FL/West Boca) collected 22 of his 116 rushing yards on a third- broken, racking up six touchdowns (five rushing, one receiving) to set the new quarter touchdown scamper. league standard. Sinisi’s monster day included 192 rushing yards on 26 carries to go along with four receptions for 86 yards. NEC Week Seven Review: The Butler Did It Again as Wagner Rolls to 3-0 in League; Albany and CCSU Also Perfect The Hawks’ senior receiver Adam San Miguel (North Bergen, NJ/St. Peter’s Wagner continued its impressive start to conference play, upping its first-place Prep) became the third player in school history to eclipse 2,000 career receiving record to 3-0 with a 45-16 rout of defending NEC Champion Monmouth. Albany yards. The other two are both playing in the professional ranks; Miles Austin is on the cruised in its NEC opener, rolling past Sacred Heart 38-7 on Homecoming at Alumni Dallas Cowboys’ 53-man roster and Will Holder is a member of the Arena Football Field. Central Connecticut State is right on Wagner's heels after extending the League’s New York Dragons. San Miguel caught five balls for 45 yards and now has nation's sixth-longest current home winning streak with a 16-10 decision over Robert 2,022 career yards receiving. CCSU junior running back Jo Jo Freeman (Philadelphia, Morris. The Blue Devils are now 2-0 in league competition. Future NEC member PA/Pomfret School) ran for 130 yards and two scores on 19 attempts in the loss, Duquesne outlasted Saint Francis (PA), 24-17, at De Gol Field in Loretto, PA. which put a halt to the nation’s fifth-longest current win streak. Wagner (5-1, 3-0 NEC) ran all over the defending champion Hawks (1-5, 1-2 NEC) Albany sophomore tailback David McCarty (Gansevoort, NY/LaSalle Institute) thanks to senior running back Jason Butler's (Syracuse, NY/Henninger) sixth tallied 125 yards and one touchdown on the ground, helping the Great Danes’ to their straight 100-yard day. Butler rushed 31 times for 201 yards and four touchdowns, fourth straight victory. Albany’s strong special teams effort and playmaking defense amassing the largest single day rushing total in the NEC thus far this season. allowed the Great Danes’ to control the field position battle throughout. Wagner senior running back Jason Butler (Syracuse, NY/Henninger) posted his eighth Albany (3-3, 1-0 NEC) received a nice passing effort from sophomore quarterback straight 100-yard rushing performance, racking up 116 yards on 24 attempts. Despite Vinny Esposito (Demarest, NJ/Northern Valley) in a big victory over Sacred Butler’s contributions, Wagner finished with 93 total rushing yards. Heart (2-5, 0-3 NEC). Freshman quarterback Dale Fink (Swansea, IL/Althoff Catholic) returned to the Pioneers' line-up after missing the previous three weeks Saint Francis (PA) freshman linebacker Matthew Parker (Darlington, PA/ with an injury. The two-time NEC Rookie of the Week was 17-of-24 for 107 yards and Blackhawk) returned an interception 61 yards for a touchdown to increase the Red a touchdown through the air. Flash lead to 35-10 with 10:27 to play in the game. The pick was Parker’s second of the day to go along with seven tackles. SFPA sophomore signal caller George Little CCSU (4-2, 2-0 NEC) is now 17-1 in its last 18 home games after the Blue Devils (Pittsburgh, PA/Duquesne) tossed two touchdowns in the winning effort. The rushed a program record 75 times for 344 yards against Robert Morris (3-4, 2-2 Pioneers’ freshman quarterback Dale Fink (Swansea, IL/Althoff Catholic) threw NEC). Blue Devils junior defensive end Ernie Greywacz (New Canaan, CT/New for 289 yards and three touchdowns, two of which came in the fourth quarter. Sacred Canaan) stopped two late RMU drives with a sack and an interception to seal the Heart fell victim to a number of mistakes including four turnovers (two fumbles, two victory. interceptions) and 173 yards in penalties. SFPA (0-5, 0-2 NEC) pulled within seven points late when sophomore quarterback George Little (Duquesne, PA/Duquesne) tossed a short TD pass with 3:44 to play, NEC Week Eight Review: CCSU and Albany Remain Unbeaten in but the Red Flash could not get any closer. Duquesne will begin competition in the League Play; Sacred Heart Gets Offensive with Marist NEC when the 2008 season commences. The ten-time MAAC champions are 4-2 Central Connecticut State (5-2, 3-0 NEC) held on for a 21-13 road victory over overall. Wagner (5-2, 3-1 NEC) in what was a battle of conference unbeatens. Albany (4-3, 2-0 NEC) remained unbeaten in league play, rolling past Saint Francis (PA) (0-6, NEC Week Six Review: NEC Backs Run Wild in Wins; Albany 0-3 NEC), 58-21. Sacred Heart (3-5) snapped a five-game slide, hanging on to Uses Last-second FG to Win Week's Lone Non-NEC Game beat Marist in a 41-34 affair. Robert Morris (3-5) could not complete its come- Monmouth and Wagner used big individual rushing performances to capture NEC road back bid, falling at cross-town rival Duquesne (5-2), 17-14. victories. Junior tailback Dave Sinisi (Cedar Grove, NJ/Cedar Grove) piled up 200 rushing yards and three touchdowns on only 17 carries in the Hawks’ 49-8 rout of Freshman wide receiver Josue Paul's (Delray Beach, FL/Pope John Paul II) 82- Sacred Heart. Senior running back Jason Butler (Syracuse, NY/Henninger) came yard touchdown run with remaining was enough to put away Wagner on Grymes Hill. away with his fifth straight 100-yard rushing performance, amassing 129 yards on 32 The NEC's top rushing team, CCSU amassed 257 yards on the ground with numerous attempts in the Seahawks’ 20-13 win at Robert Morris. Four different Blue Devils ball carriers making contributions. Seahawks' senior running back Jason Butler rushed for touchdowns in Central Connecticut State’s NEC opener, a 43-7 win at Saint (Syracuse, NY/Henninger) turned in his seventh straight 100-yard game, rushing Francis (PA). Albany won the lone non-conference game on the slate, edging Stony for 108 yards and two touchdowns on 26 carries. Both touchdowns came in the fourth Brook, 24-23, on senior kicker Jason Fralicker’s (North Tonawanda, NY/North quarter, which began with Wagner trailing 14-0. Tonawanda) 19-yard field goal with nine seconds left on the gameclock.

Great Danes' sophomore tailback Dave McCarty (Gansevoort, NY/ LaSalle Insti- Sinisi broke touchdown runs of 99, 41, and two yards to extend his nation-leading tute) rushed for over 140 yards for the third time this season, amassing a career-high (FBS and FCS) touchdown streak to 17 games. Freshman running back Bobby Giles 170 to go with two scores in Albany's rout at Saint Francis (PA). Red Flash junior (Burlingston, NJ/Burlingston) was also a huge part of Monmouth’s 593 yards of receiver Antoine Rivera (Willingboro, NJ/Willingboro) caught five balls for 126 total offense, rushing 16 times for 116 yards. Sacred Heart senior Jason Payne (Cortlandt Manor, NY/Walter Panas) gained most of his 123 net rushing yards on Cwalinski threw for 274 yards (19-for-26 passing), 164 of which went to Hill. Reigning two big scampers of 71 and 53 yards. The win is the first of the season for the Hawks NEC Defensive Player of the Week Chad Wengert (Kempton, PA/Kutztown) led the (1-4, 1-1 NEC), while SHU drops to 2-4 overall, 0-2 in league play. Colonials in tackles with 11. Defensive backs Mike Niklos (Columbus, OH/Bishop Watterson) and James Kazil (Georgetown, PA/South Side) each made an interception Wagner senior cornerback Al Phillips (Hialeah, FL/American), a preseason all-NEC for the NEC-leading Colonials. selection, changed the complexion of the game by bringing back a kickoff for a touchdown with his team trailing 10-0. The Seahawks took a 14-13 lead into the Sacred Heart running back Jason Payne (Cortlandt Manor, NY/Walter Panas) lockerroom following Rodney Davis’ (Bristol, PA/Neshaminy) TD run 50 seconds produced 139 yards of total offense and a touchdown, but Duquesne tailback Greg prior to halftime. All-NEC kicker Piotr Czech (Keyport, NJ/Keyport) added two Hough provided the difference with an eight-yard TD scamper in overtime. The second-half field goals to seal the win, which moved Wagner to 4-1 overall, 2-0 in the Pioneers will have an opportunity for revenge next year when this game becomes an NEC. Robert Morris is now 3-3 overall with the loss and 2-1 in league play. annual event upon Duquesne’s admittance into the NEC Football league. Central Connecticut State moved to 3-2 overall, 1-0 in NEC play, behind 302 yards of Omar Johnson’s (Edgewater Park, NJ/Burlington City) touchdown dive tied the rushing offense. In all, 11 players carried the ball for the Blue Devils with quarterback Aubrey Norris (Staten Island, NY/Hargrave Military) leading the way with 81 game at 7-7 midway through the second quarter, but No. 2 Montana outscored Albany yards on seven rushes. Senior running back Anthony Richards (Parlin, NJ/Bishop 28-7 the rest of the way. It was the second straight week that the Great Danes fell to McCarrick) gained 152 yards on the ground for the Red Flash, who fell to 0-4 overall, a ranked opponent. 0-2 in the NEC. In the first ever game between an NEC team and a Division I FBS school, Central Stepping up in the absence of two-time NEC Defensive Player of the Year Colin Disch Connecticut State stumbled at Western Michigan, 51-14. The nation’s top rushing (North Plainfield, NJ/North Plainfield), junior saftey Dave Nicomini (Newton, offense managed 196 yards on the ground against the Broncos, who appeared in the NJ/Kittatinny) made 13 tackles to help the Great Danes up their record to 2-3 and International Bowl last season. complete the toughest non-conference schedule in the league. Sophomore tailback Dave McCarty (Gansevoort, NY/LaSalle Institute) amassed 157 yards of rushing Monmouth outgained Stony Brook, but three Hawks’ turnovers proved costly in the and two touchdowns on 18 attempts. Seawolves’ 21-15 victory. Monmouth tailback Dave Sinisi (Cedar Grove, NJ/ Cedar Grove) extended his nation-leading touchdown streak to 15 games when he dove in NEC Week Five Review: Wagner Prevails in Lone NEC Game of the end zone early in the fourth quarter. Week Behind Czech’s Record Day Wagner prevailed, 18-15, over Sacred Heart in the lone NEC game on the week five Week Three Review: Robert Morris Starts 2-0 in League Play, docket thanks to a Piotr Czech (Keyport, NJ/Keyport) fourth-quarter field goal, his Wagner and CCSU Win Non-League Games third of the afternoon. The conference came up empty-handed in the three non-league Robert Morris earned its second conference win in as many weeks, while Wagner matchups. Monmouth was unable to repeat what Albany accomplished last year when added a non-conference victory over Marist to its resume on Saturday afternoon. the Great Danes marched out of Delaware, the ninth-ranked team at the time, with a Central Connecticut State ran its home winning streak to ten with by defeating South- 17-10 upset win. The Hawks fell, 42-7, to the No. 12 Blue Hens. Saint Francis (PA) ern Connecticut under the lights. Albany was unable to tame the No. 19 Hostra Pride was hit hard by Liberty, 68-10. Robert Morris was unable to pick up its fourth straight at home. Earlier in the day, Sacred Heart stumbled at Iona. victory, tripping at home to VMI, 40-13. Robert Morris (2-1, 2-0 NEC) is off to a 2-0 start in NEC play after doubling up intra- The Seahawks received a fourth straight 100-yard rushing performance from senior running back Jason Butler (Syracuse, NY/Henninger) on their way to the NEC state rival Saint Francis (PA), 28-14, at Joe Walton Stadium. The win comes one week victory, which snapped a seven-game conference losing skid. Butler amassed a after the Colonials opened conference play by picking up a last-minute road win at career-best 157 yards on a career-high 37 carries to pace the Wagner offense. Czech’s defending league champion Monmouth thanks to two second-half field goals from NEC perfect three-for-three field-goal kicking performance moved him into first place all- Special Teams Player of the Week Michael Walser (Thornville, OH/Sheridan). time in Seahawks’ history with 36 career makes. Wagner (2-1, 0-0 NEC) rebounded from last week’s overtime loss by marching past Playing its highest ranked opponent ever, Monmouth could not keep pace with Delaware. Marist, 24-14, on Homecoming Day at Wagner Stadium. Seahawks’ signal caller Matt The Blue Hens responded with 28 unanswered points following Hawks’ tailback Dave Abbey (La Canada, CA/St. Francis) threw two first-half touchdown passes as Wagner Sinisi (Cedar Grove, NJ/Cedar Grove) first-quarter touchdown. Sinisi scored a jumped out to a 24-0 advantage. All-NEC kicker and punter Piotr Czech (Keyport, NJ/ rushing TD for the 16th straight game, the nation’s longest current streak. Keyport) made a Marist comeback nearly impossible by constantly pinning the Red The Red Flash received a solid performance from first-year starting QB George Little Foxes deep in their own territory. Czech, who connected on his lone field goal attempt (Duquesne, PA/Duquesne), but were overwhelmed by Liberty. Little threw for 193 of 39 yards, placed six of his nine punts inside the opponents’ 20. He averaged 40.0 yards and a touchdown on 20-for-33 passing. 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 Iona, in stopping VMI’s tri-option attack. The Keydets rushed for 443 yards. 34-10. The Pioneers, who entered the game at 2-0 for the first time since 2003, saw Iona quarterback Nick Rossetti throw four touchdowns in front of his home crowd . NEC Week Four Review: Robert Morris Wins Third Straight, SHU quarterback and two-time NEC Rookie of the Week Dale Fink (Swansea, IL/ Albany and CCSU Fall to Tough Foes Out West Althoff Catholic) completed 25-of-38 passes for 223 yards, but was picked off twice. Preseason all-NEC quarterback Erik Cwalinski (Jacobsburg, OH/Shadyside) threw a 45-yard strike to receiver Alvin Hill (New Kensington, PA/Plum), setting up Karey Central Connecticut State (2-1, 0-0 NEC) gained more than 320 yards on the ground for 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 straight. the second straight week in clobbering So. Connecticut, 56-34, at Arute Field. Junior Going for a third win on the young season, Sacred Heart was derailed in overtime by running back Jo Jo Freeman (Philadelphia, PA/Pomfret School) accounted for Duquesne, 30-23. Albany and Central Connecticut State fell to formidable non- 147 of CCSU's 358 rushing yards and three TDs. conference opponents out west, while Stony Brook edged Monmouth out on Long Island, NY. A week after rushing for 315 yards in a winning effort at Fordham, Albany (1-2, 0-0 NEC) only managed 225 yards of total offense against the nationally-ranked Pride. All- NEC kicker Jason Fralicker (North Tonawanda, NY/North Tonawanda) made two field goals for the Great Danes.

Week Two Review: RMU Takes First NEC Tilt, Albany Tops Fordham Three NEC teams picked up out-of-conference wins on Saturday, while the first confer- ence tilt of the season went to Robert Morris.

The Colonials marched out of West Long Branch, NJ with a last-minute, 20-17 come- back victory over the defending NEC champion . Michael Walser’s (Thornville, OH/Sheridan) field goal, his second of the day, with 47 seconds re- maining was the difference for RMU.

Albany linebacker Trevor DuPont (Victor, NY/Victor Central) forced a Fordham fumble with under two minutes remaining to seal the Great Danes’ 23-20 victory over the Patriot League foe. With three tackles, fellow linebacker Colin Disch (North Plainfield, NJ/North Plainfield) became the Great Danes’ all-time leading tackler surpassing Josh Bazan. Disch —the two-time NEC Defensive Player of the Year— now has 356 career stops. Albany’s ground attack produced 337 yards, 143 from sophomore tailback David McCarty (Gansevoort, NY/LaSalle Institute). That individual rush- ing total was the most by an Albany back since Marcus Allen gained 149 yards in last season’s 24-13 triumph at Sacred Heart (10/14/06).

Sacred Heart used its ground attack to roll over La Salle, 54-14, at Campus Field in Fairfield, CT., rushing for 319 yards with four players amassing at least 60 yards apiece. SHU quarterback Dale Fink (Swansea, IL/Althoff Catholic), last week’s NEC Rookie of the Week, threw for three touchdowns on only nin total attempts.

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, allowing Merrimack only 38 total yards and three first downs.

Morehead State scored the go-ahead touchdown with 4:05 remaining to spoil Saint Francis’ (PA) season opener at De Gol Field in Loretto, PA. Red Flash quarterback George Little (Duquesne, PA/Duquesne) threw for 290 yards and a touchdown in his first career start under center.

Iona kicker Chris LoFrese’s 19-yard field goal sent Wagner to a 17-14 overtime loss at Mazzella Field in New Rochelle, NY. The Gaels’ win was their first in ten previous tries against Wagner, and it marked only the second time in 12 games that the Seahawks fell to an opponent from the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. Wagner tailback Jason Butler (Syracuse, NY/Henninger) carried the ball 29 times for 134 yards . 2007 NEC Football Schedule/Results

Albany Central Connecticut State Monmouth Robert Morris (6-3, 4-0 NEC) (6-3, 4-1 NEC) (3-5, 3-2 NEC) (3-6, 2-3 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. W, 51-36 10/13 at Central Conn. St. L, 16-10 10/27 at Wagner W, 24-10 10/27 Monmouth L, 51-36 11/3 at St. Francis (PA) W, 47-17 10/20 at Duquesne L, 17-14 11/3 Robert Morris W, 45-17 11/3 Sacred Heart W, 49-33 11/10 Albany 1:00 pm 11/3 at Albany L, 45-17 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 (3-7, 0-5 NEC) (1-7, 1-4 NEC) (6-3, 3-2 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 W, 35-30 10/20 Central Conn. St. L, 21-13 10/20 vs. Marist W, 41-34 11/3 Monmouth L, 47-17 10/27 Albany L, 24-10 10/27 St. Francis (PA) L, 35-30 11/10 at Wagner 1:00 pm 11/3 La Salle W, 28-0 11/3 at Central Conn. St. L, 49-33 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 (6-3, 4-0 NEC) Last Game: Albany 45, Robert Morris 17 Next Game: November 10 at Monmouth

• UAlbany equaled its longest winning streak as a Division I FCS program with a 45-17 victory over Robert Morris ... the Great Danes also won five in a row to begin the 2001 campaign … fourteen seniors made their final home appearance at University Field … the Great Danes are averaging 37.8 points and 407.2 total yards over the last five games, while allowing 15.6 points and 310.4 yards … UAlbany had no turnovers for the fifth time this season and are ranked seventh among the FCS national leaders in turnover margin (+1.56 pg) … TB David McCarty (Gansevoort, NY/LaSalle Institute) rushed for 167 yards and two touchdowns, plus caught a 61-yard scoring pass in the second quarter 9/1 at Colgate L, 13-11 … McCarty accounted for 228 all-purpose yards, the highest total by a UAlbany player since 10/23/04 … the sophomore ranks 22nd 9/8 at Fordham W, 23-20 nationally in rushing at 106.1 yards per game … McCarty became the first Great Dane to score three TDs in a game since Nov. 19, 2005 9/15 Hofstra L, 28-13 9/22 at Montana L, 35-14 … TB Omar Johnson (Edgewater Park, NJ/Burlington City) ran for a season-high 70 yards and scored multiple touchdowns for the 10/6 Stony Brook W, 24-23 seventh time in his career … Johnson, who reached the end zone on a runs of two and 18 yards, climbed to sixth in career rushing TDs (23) 10/13 Sacred Heart W, 38-7 and ninth in scoring with 144 points on the program's all-time charts … TB Justin Gannon (Sussex, NJ/Vernon Township) added 46 10/20 at St. Francis (PA) W, 58-21 yards on the ground and his first TD as a collegian … PK Jason Fralicker (North Tonawanda, NY/North Tonawanda) tied his own 10/27 at Wagner W, 24-10 single-season record with his 13th field goal of the season, a 33-yarder in the first quarter … Fralicker, who also made a career-high four 11/3 Robert Morris W, 45-17 tackles on special teams, has the eighth-best single-season scoring mark with 67 points … the Great Danes, who are ranked 13th among 11/10 at Monmouth 1:00 pm 11/17 at Central Conn. St. 12:00 pm the FCS leaders in rushing defense, held their sixth opponent this season under the 100-mark as RMU had 64 net yards … ILB Colin Disch (North Plainfield, NJ/North Plainfield) had a team-high eight tackles with one sack to lead the way … Disch is third on the NEC's all- time tackles list with 390 … S Dave West (Toms River, NJ/Toms River North) had an all-around day with four tackles, one pass break- up, a blocked punt and caused a fourth-quarter interception … S Dave Nicomini (Newton, NJ/Kittatinny Regional) totaled seven tackles and has reached the 50-mark in a season for the third straight year … DT Tom Pandolf (Holbrook, NY/Sachem) made a season-high five tackles with a ½ sack, while OLB Aaron Scott (Tampa, FL/Robinson) had a career-best five tackles … QB Vinny Esposito (Demarest, NJ/Northern Valley Regional) owns the fourth-best single-season passing total in UAlbany annals with 1,428 yards … DE Mark Sheehan (Waterford, NY/Catholic Central) made his first start last Saturday since suffering a knee injury one month ago … Sheehan leads the team in sacks with 6.0 for minus-48 yards … DT Trevor Anderson (Warnersville, NY/Cobleskill-Richmondville) has totaled three or more tackles in five consecutive outings. Central Connecticut State (6-3, 4-1 NEC) Last Game: Monmouth 51, Central Connecticut State 36 Next Game: November 3 vs. Sacred Heart

• Central Connecticut used an explosive first half to take a 35-6 lead and put the game away early in a 49-33 victory at home over Sacred Heart... The Blue Devils' win sets up a winner-take-all game on 11/17 at home vs. Albany… Albany, still undefeated in NEC play, comes to 8/30 at Towson L, 20-10 9/8 Merrimack W, 45-7 New Britain with the winner of the game earning a bid to the Gridiron Classic, which will be held at the home of the Pioneer Football League 9/15 Southern Conn. St. W, 56-34 champion on 12/1... CCSU enters the game having won 12 of its last 13 at home and 13 of 14 at home against NEC opponents… Prior to its 9/22 at Western Michigan L, 51-14 showdown with Albany, the Blue Devils host former NEC member Stony Brook (Independent) this week (11/10)… Central Connecticut 10/6 at St. Francis (PA) W, 43-7 scored first in Saturday's win improving its record to 17-0 since the beginning of the 2004 season when scoring first… Senior quarterback 10/13 Robert Morris W, 16-10 Ryan Holmes (Union, NJ/Union) led a stellar offensive attack, going a perfect 9-or-9 in the air passing for 141 yards and a pair of 10/20 at Wagner W, 21-13 10/27 Monmouth L, 51-36 touchdowns in the win... He also rushed 10 times for 52 yards and a third score on the night to lead a Blue Devil offense that racked up 479 11/3 Sacred Heart W, 49-33 offensive yards… On the final play of the first half, Holmes connected on a fake field goal by hitting tight end Tyler Rossnagle (Sarasota, 11/10 at Stony Brook 1:00 pm FL/Booker) from 20 yards out for the fifth TD of the half… CCSU scored TDs on five of six possessions in the half, including the first four... 11/17 Albany 12:00 pm Freshman safety Victor D'Arrigo (Staten Island, NY/Hargrave Military) posted a career-high and game-high 12 tackles, including one or a loss and a forced fumble… D'Arrigo and the CCSU defense allowed Sacred Heart to score only once on six first-half possessions… Five of the Pioneers' first six drives lasted six plays or less and they managed only 162 first half yards including only 37 on the ground. Monmouth (2-5, 2-2 NEC) Last Game: Monmouth 51, Central Connecticut State 36 Next Game: November 3 at Saint Francis (PA)

• Monmouth earned its third win of the season, downing Saint Francis (Pa.), 47-17, on the road… The Hawks have scored a total of 161 points in the last four games, marking just the third time in school history that MU has scored that many points in that time span… Monmouth running back David Sinisi (Cedar Grove, NJ/Cedar Grove) became the second Monmouth back to tally 1,000 yards in a season, after racking up 187 yards and a touchdown on the ground in the win… Sinisi also threw a touchdown pass and had 264 yards of total offense… 9/1 at Maine L, 21-14 The game marked the fifth 100-yard rushing performance for the redshirt sophomore… Monmouth quarterback Brett Burke (Wall, NJ/ 9/8 Robert Morris L, 20-17 Wall) enjoyed a career-high three touchdown passes, including two to Adam San Miguel (North Bergen, NJ/St. Peter's Prep)… Burke 9/22 at Stony Brook L, 21-15 9/29 at No. 12 Delaware L, 42-7 finished with 234 yards on 18-of-31 passing and threw for over 200 yards in the fourth straight game… San Miguel had his first 100-yard 10/6 at Sacred Heart W, 49-8 receiving game of the season after making seven catches for 134 yards… San Miguel also had a pair of touchdowns, including scores of 10/13 Wagner L, 45-16 58 and 47 yards… Fullback Marion Easley (Somerville, NJ/Somerville) had his first career touchdown, a five-yard run in the second 10/27 at Central Conn. St. W, 51-36 quarter… Tight end John Nalbone (Lawrenceville, NJ/Lawrence) scored his second touchdown of the season on a pass from Sinisi… 11/3 at St. Francis (PA) 1:00 pm Nalbone finished with three catches for 29 yards…. Wide out Steve Dowens (Lincroft, NJ/Middletown South) had three catches, but all 11/10 Albany 1:00 pm 11/17 Duquesne 12:00 pm in clutch spots… Dowens earned first downs on third down, fourth down and caught his first career TD pass in the fourth quarter… Punter Jack Daniels (Franklin Lakes, NJ/Don Bosco Prep) landed both of his punts inside the Red Flash 20 yard line… Kicker Fred Weingart (New Egypt, NJ/New Egypt) had a career-high 11 points on five extra points and two field goals (36, 32)… The Hawks amassed 463 yards of offense on the day and were a perfect six-for-six in the redzone… Monmouth was also 10-of-16 on third down, its best effort to date… SFPA was 6-of-18 on third down… Monmouth had nine tackles for a loss, two sacks and three interceptions in the game… The MU defense Monmouth Continued... held Saint Francis to 2-of-5 scoring in the red zone… Linebacker Larry Hudson (Somers Point, NJ/Mainland Regional) led the Hawks with seven tackles on the day… Linebacker T.J. Cerezo (Stanhope, NJ/Lenape Valley Reigonal) had two tackles, a sack and two pass breakups against the Red Flash… Redshirt freshman Joe Cella (Jackson, NJ/Jackson Memorial) had his first career interception, returning it 61 yards deep into SFPA territory… Kevin Walsh (Mt. Laurel, NJ/Lenape) and Derek Bischoff (Succasunna, NJ/Roxbury) each had interceptions in the game… Defensive end Chris Reed (Stewartstown, PA/Yorktown Catholic) had six tackles, including two for a loss… Monmouth faces first-place Albany this Saturday (11/10) in West Long Branch, NJ.

Robert Morris (3-6, 2-3 NEC) Last Game: Albany 45, Robert Morris 17 Next Game: November 10 vs. Sacred Heart

• Robert Morris closed out a three-game road trip by dropping its fifth straight game, a 45-17 loss at Albany ... Robert Morris has now dropped three straight to Albany with the Great Danes owning a 5-4 edge in the all-time series ... The 45 points allowed by the Colonials against Albany is the most an NEC program has scored against RMU in school history, eclipsing the 44 Sacred Heart posted in a 44-31 Pioneer victory on 10/ 22/01 ... The 28-point victory is the largest margin of victory for either club in the all-time series ... Junior quarterback Erik Cwalinski (Jacobsburg, OH/Shadyside) finished 19-for-37 passing for 223 yards, two touchdowns and an interception ... Senior flanker Julian Ellison (Pittsburgh, PA/Carrick) finished with career highs in receptions (6) and receiving yards (116) while also hauling in a 23-yard touchdown pass ... Ellison is the 18th different Colonial to post a 100-yard receiving game in school history ... Ellison owns 10 catches for 183 yards and two touchdowns over the last two games ... Senior flanker Mario Hines (Ecorse, MI/Ecorse), who missed RMU's previous game at 9/1 Dayton L, 23-12 Duquesne (10/20/07) due to a shoulder injury, returned to the starting lineup and finished with 120 all-purpose yards, including three 9/8 at Monmouth W, 20-17 receptions for 45 yards ... Hines bumped his season total in all-purpose yards to 1,039 ... Freshman tight end Sean McElhinny's (McDonald, 9/15 St. Francis (PA) W, 28-14 PA/South Fayette) three-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter was the first catch of his career ... Senior split end Alvin Hill (New 9/22 at Morehead St. W, 9-8 Kensington, PA/Plum) caught three balls for 17 yards, bumping his season total in receptions to 30 for 432 yards ... Hill is the 11th different 9/29 Virginia Military L, 40-13 10/6 Wagner L, 20-13 Colonial in school history to post at least 30 receptions in a season ... The Colonial ground game accumulated just 64 yards rushing on 28 10/13 at Central Conn. St. L, 16-10 attempts, an average of 2.3 yards per carry ... Sophomore halfback Raphael Johnson (Clinton, MD/Charles H. Flowers) led all Colonial 10/20 at Duquesne L, 17-14 runners with five carries for 31 yards ... Freshman halfback Myles Russ (Boca Raton, FL/West Boca), coming off his first career 100-yard 11/3 at Albany L, 45-17 rushing game, was held to 15 yards on 12 carries ... Senior linebacker Chad Wengert (Kempton, PA/Kutztown) upped his career total in 11/10 Sacred Heart 1:00 pm tackles to 247 thanks to 11 stops against the Great Danes, good enough to rank seventh all-time at Robert Morris ... Wengert leads RMU with 99 tackles in 2007, a total that ranks sixth in the Colonial single-season records ... Wengert now owns eight career double-digit tackle games ... Senior linebacker Jordan Howard (Uniontown, OH/Lake) pushed his total on the 2007 campaign in tackles to 88, which ranks ninth in the single-season records ... Sophomore safety Nathan Argenta (Greensburg, PA/Greensburg Central Catholic) established a career high in tackles by tying for game-high honors with Wengert with 11 ... Robert Morris recorded seven sacks against Albany, all of which came in the first half, and leading the way was sophomore linebacker Adam Lawrence (Big Run, PA/Dubois) with a pair ... Joining Adam Lawrence with sacks on the afternoon were Wengert, Howard and sophomore defensive lineman Andy Walton (New Waterford, OH/ Crestview) with half a sack each, senior defensive lineman Kelvern Grant (Ft. Lauderdale, FL/Hallendale) with one and-a-half and sophomore defensive lineman Mark Szymanski (Cadogan, PA/Ford City) and junior defensive lineman Shannon Smoot (Columbus, OH/Bishop Hartley) with one each ... Robert Morris finished with 287 yards of total offense but were just 4-of-14 on third-down conversions (28.5 percent) ... Junior Michael Walser's (Thornville, OH/Sheridan) 41-yard field goal in the second quarter improved him to a perfect 3-for-3 in attempts 40 yards or longer ... Freshman Nick Schirtzinger (Hurricane, WV/Hurricane) averaged 39.8 yards on four punts ... Robert Morris closes out its 2007 campaign this Saturday (11/10) when it welcomes Sacred Heart to Joe Walton Stadium.

Sacred Heart (3-7, 0-5 NEC) Last Game: Central Connecticut State 49, Sacred Heart 33 Next Game: November 10 at Robert Morris

• Sacred Heart lost its third-straight game to Central Connecticut Saturday night, 49-33… The Blue Devils now lead the all-time series, 6-4. SHU have just Robert Morris left on the schedule as they try to avoid just their second winless NEC season… Senior running back Jason Payne (Cortlandt Manor, NY/Walter Panas) finished with over 100 yards rushing for the third-straight game and posted his second 200-yard plus game of the year… He finished the game with 207 yards on 28 carries with two touchdowns in the loss… Payne went over the 1,000-yard 8/30 at Assumption W, 41-20 rushing mark for the season, entering his final collegiate game next Saturday with 1,097 yards on the year… He has nine touchdowns rushing 9/8 La Salle W, 54-14 9/15 at Iona L, 34-10 on the year… Payne moved into fifth place all-time with 19 career touchdowns scored and his 207 yards vaulted him into third place all- 9/22 Duquesne L, 30-23 time for career yardage at 2,196… Redshirt-freshman Quarterback Dale Fink (Swansea, IL/Althoff Catholic) threw three touchdowns in (OT) the loss… Fink hooked up with Steve Tedesco (Mission Viejo, CA/Trabuco Hills) for a pair of scores and hit his tight end Chris Rapp 9/29 at Wagner L, 18-15 10/6 Monmouth L, 49-8 (Ridgefield Park, NJ/Ridgefield Park) for his first career touchdown… Fink has 20 touchdown passes on the year, a mark that leads the 10/13 at Albany L, 38-7 NEC and is second in the SHU record book for TD tosses for a season… Tedesco has now caught a touchdown in four straight games and has 10/27 St. Francis (PA) L, 35-30 eight scores over that stretch… The sophomore wideout set a new school record for catches in a season, as he now has 56 receptions on the 11/3 at Central Conn. St. L, 49-33 year… His 11 touchdown grabs this year is two behind DeVeren Johnson (2001) for the school record… Senior wide receiver Corey Bundy 11/10 at Robert Morris 1:00 pm (Selden, NY/Newfield) became SHU's all-time reception's leader in the loss, pulling down six balls for 32 yards… Bundy passes Chris Wilkinson (1997-00) for career receptions with 116… Bundy is 68 yards away from becoming the all-time yardage leader as well. Saint Francis (PA) (1-7, 1-4 NEC) Last Game: Monmouth 47, Saint Francis (PA) 17 Next Game: November 10 at Wagner

• Saturday's Homecoming Game marked the largest crowd in the history of DeGol Field… the record crowd witnessed two touchdown receptions from Antoine Rivera (Willingboro, NJ/Willingboro); the first two-TD day of his career… Rivera finished with 5 catches for 106 yards, eclipsing the 100-yard mark for the fifth time this season… Sophomore QB George Little (Duquesne, PA/Duquesne) eclipsed 9/8 Morehead State L, 21-14 the 200-yard passing mark for the fourth time this season, tallying 204 yards on 12 completions despite being picked off three times… 9/15 at Robert Morris L, 28-14 9/29 at Liberty L, 68-10 Freshman running back Calvin Williams (Cleveland, OH/South) stepped in for injured Anthony Richards (Parlin, NJ/Cardinal 10/6 Central Conn. St. L, 43-7 McCarrick), running for 87 yards on 24 carries… The Red Flash rolled up 351 total yards on 73 plays; the highest offensive output from 10/13 Duquesne L, 24-17 the Flash in 2007… SFPA could not find an answer for the Monmouth attack, which amassed 463 yards and was a perfect 6-for6 in red zone 10/20 Albany L, 58-21 opportunities… The nation's second-leading tackler, freshman linebacker Scott Lewis (South Fork, PA/Bishop McCort) had his four- 10/27 at Sacred Heart W, 35-30 11/3 Monmouth L, 47-17 game streak of leading the Flash in tackles snapped by his freshman teammate Matthew Parker (Darlington, PA/Blackhawk)… Parker 11/10 at Wagner 1:00 pm led the Flash with 15 tackles… Kicker Adam Sciulli (Pittsburgh, PA/Central Catholic) converted his third field goal of the season; a 31- 11/17 at LaSalle 1:00 pm yarder in the third quarter… The Red Flash dominated the time of possession battle, with the final statistic reading 35:08 to 24:52 in favor of Saint Francis.

Wagner (6-3, 3-2 NEC) Last Game: Wagner 28, La Salle 0 Next Game: November 10 vs. Saint Francis (PA)

• With two games remaining in the season, Wagner is guaranteed to finish the 2007 campaign with a winning record… For 28th-year head coach , it marks the 21st time he has led the Seahawks to a winning season… He has also had four seasons where Wagner finished exactly at the .500 mark... Senior RB Jason Butler (Syracuse, NY/Henninger) ran for a career-high 269 yards on 26 carries, his ninth straight 100-yard performance, to lead Wagner to a 28-0 victory over La Salle… Butler raced 75 yards for a TD on Wagner's very first offensive play of the game and never looked back… Butler's ninth 100-yard game of the season eclipsed the Wagner record of eight 100- 8/31 at Western Conn. St. W, 20-7 9/8 at Iona L, 17-14 yard games in a season held by a pair of All-Americans, Terry Underwood (1988) and Rick Sarille (1996)... Butler also climbed into fourth (OT) place all-time among Wagner single-season rushing leaders with 1,353 yards… A defensive back his first two seasons at Wagner, Butler has 9/15 at Marist W, 24-14 now rushed for 2,088 career yards in only 20 games… Butler has moved up to fifth in the nation among all FCS players with 150.33 rushing 9/29 Sacred Heart W, 18-15 yards per game… He is also third in the nation all-purpose yardage at 200.00 per game… Butler has 13 receptions for 175 yards in addition 10/6 at Robert Morris W, 20-13 to 260 yards in kickoff returns, a 21.7 average… Junior defensive end Robert Brown (Rome, NY/Rome), who's now ranked fourth in the 10/13 at Monmouth W, 45-16 10/20 Central Conn. St. L, 21-13 nation in sacks per game (1.06) and 16th in the nation in tackles for loss per game (1.50), registered 1.5 sacks in helping to lead the 10/27 Albany L, 24-10 Seahawks to the shutout win… Senior LB Bryan Brand (Placerville, CA/Santa Barbara CC) is the Seahawks' leading tackler with 96 and 11/3 La Salle W, 28-0 has 7.0 tackles for loss on the year for minus 30 yards… Brand ranks 19th nationally in tackles per game with 10.67. 11/10 St. Francis (PA) 1:00 pm 11/17 at Jacksonville 12:00 pm

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