Staten Island, NY (Sports Network) - It might have been easy to overlook
Wagner considering a Northeast Conference program had never won an FCS playoff
game.
But Wagner never trailed on Saturday while it forced five turnovers in a 31-20
victory over Patriot League champion Colgate in the first round.
The Seahawks, who improved to 9-3 with a ninth straight win, were playing in
their first postseason game since 1988, when the team competed at the Division
III level.
The third team to represent the NEC in the playoffs, the Seahawks will travel
to No. 2 seed Eastern Washington for a second-round matchup Dec. 1.
Wagner's defense stifled Colgate's dangerous rushing attack, led by
quarterback Gavin McCarney and running back Jordan McCord, by holding the
Raiders to just 296 yards of offense and only 177 rushing yards. McCarney and
McCord both rushed for touchdowns, however.
Wagner jumped out to a 14-0 lead in the game's first 17 minutes behind a Nick
Doscher touchdown pass and a Dominique Williams rushing touchdown. Doscher
only threw for 95 yards, but tossed two touchdowns and completed 11-of-19
passes while he added 91 rushing yards and one touchdown.
Williams finished with 106 rushing yards and one touchdown on 21 carries,
moving into fourth place on the Seahawks' all-time rushing list. He has rushed
for 100 or more yards in 20 of his 31 career games.
The Seahawks didn't commit a turnover, leaving them with just one in their
last nine games.
The defense forced five turnovers from McCarney - three fumbles and two
interceptions - and held Colgate's fifth-ranked FCS rushing offense (294 yards
per game) and third-ranked FCS scoring offense (41 points per game) well in
check.
Colgate ended its season with a 8-4 record. Their 20 points were the lowest
total for the team this season.
GAME NOTES:
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