Seahawks Defense Dominates in 14-0 Victory Over Saint Francis
On a sunny afternoon at Hameline Field, the Wagner Seahawks displayed defensive mastery, shutting out Saint Francis 14-0 to capture their first NEC shutout since 2012. In a game defined by tenacious defense, Wagner improved to 4-4 overall and 2-1 in conference play, marking their best record by the end of October since 2016.
The Seahawks set the tone early, with graduate quarterback Jake Cady leading an efficient offense, connecting with Christian Tait on a 23-yard touchdown late in the first quarter. It wasn't long before Wagner doubled their lead. Early in the second quarter, Cady found Chase Stafford for a 31-yard score, pushing the lead to 14-0.
From there, Wagner’s defense took center stage. Their aggressive front seven overwhelmed the Red Flash, recording an astounding eight sacks. Luke Jakubauskas, Logan Barnes, and Jorel Liverpool contributed 1.5 sacks each, while Justin Reilly anchored the defense with eight tackles and two tackles for loss. The Seahawks also forced two crucial interceptions, courtesy of Jayden Brown and Justin Smith, sealing the victory.
Saint Francis, despite their best efforts, struggled to find offensive rhythm throughout the afternoon. The Red Flash managed just 187 total yards and were limited to a mere 23 rushing yards, unable to break through a relentless Wagner defense that now boasts a six-quarter scoreless streak. While the Red Flash have had moments of brilliance this season, particularly in their victory over FBS Kent State, their 0-3 conference record reflects a team still searching for consistency and answers outside of their incredible defense.
Jaylen Bonelli’s 91 yards through the air and Cady's 290-yard performance on 24-38 passing provided just enough cushion for the Seahawks. The offense did their part and scored enough points to put another notch in the win column for Staten Island’s team, but it was truly Wagner's defense that carried the day. They relentlessly pressured the Saint Francis backfield, forcing hurried throws and stifling any chance of a comeback.
Despite the loss, Saint Francis should be commended for their resilience. The Red Flash defense kept Wagner off the scoreboard in the second half and showed (if you pardon the pun) flashes of promise, particularly in pass defense. Though this game ended in defeat, Saint Francis will look to regroup. This is a team that was able to step up and punch above them to the next weight class earlier in the season. We haven’t seen the last of the Red Flash.
Next, Wagner faces an exciting challenge as they travel to face FBS opponent UMass on October 26. Meanwhile, Saint Francis will aim to bounce back in their next NEC contest against RMU, with hopes of reigniting their season. A rivalry game like this will often do just that.
