Northeast Conference Football Weekly Release (9/19) 9/19/2016 Click Here for PDF Release NEC Offensive Player of the Week: Marcus Bagley, SFU NEC Defensive Player of the Week: Christian Kuntz, DUQ NEC Special Teams Player of the Week: Kevin Lazo, BRY NEC Rookie of the Week: AJ Hines, DUQ Previous NEC Releases: Week 2 | Week 1 | Preseason Poll Release | #NECFB on ESPN3 Schedule NEC OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK MARCUS BAGLEY, SAINT FRANCIS RB, Jr., 5-11, 230 lbs., Cleveland Heights, OH/Cleveland Heights WEEK 3 STATS: 222 yards from scrimmage, 33 carries, 220 rush yards, 6.7 ypc Bagley carried the Red Flash to a road win over Ivy League member Columbia, producing the highest single-game rushing total by a Division I FCS player thus far this season. Averaging 6.7 yards per carry, the junior tailback became the first SFU player to exceed the 200-yard rushing mark since September 13, 2014. Spearheading the Red Flash’s significant edge in time of possession (35:59 to 24:01), Bagley carried 33 times for a career-high 220 yards during the 13-9 victory. It was the fourth 100-yard rushing performance of his career. The junior running back accounted for four bursts of at least 15 yards, including a 39-yard scamper that set up a field goal on the team’s first possession. Bagley, who totaled 222 yards from scrimmage, also made one reception for two yards. NEC DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK CHRISTIAN KUNTZ, DUQUESNE LB, Sr., 6-2, 228 lbs, Pittsburgh, PA/Chartiers Valley WEEK 3 STATS: 9 total tackles (5 solo), 6.0 TFL, 3.0 sacks, 1 FF, 1 QBH, 1 PBU Kuntz was practically unblockable during a dominant defensive effort against fellow 2015 NCAA FCS playoff participant Dayton. The senior linebacker made 6.0 tackles for a loss, including 3.0 sacks, in Duquesne’s 34-20 victory at Rooney Field. In addition to totaling nine tackles, Kuntz logged one forced fumble, one quarterback hurry and one pass break-up. He led a defense that grounded the Flyers, limiting them to nine first downs and 201 yards of total offense. Kuntz, who led Division I FCS in tackles for loss last season, is currently tied for second place amongst national leaders. NEC SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK KEVIN LAZO, BRYANT DL, So., 6-1, 270 lbs., Pembroke Pines, FL/West Broward WEEK 3 STATS: 2 field goals blocked Lazo put his paw on a pair of kicks, twice denying field goal attempts by Brown during Saturday’s Ocean State clash in Smithfield. The sophomore lineman’s efforts led to the game’s first touchdown. With Brown attempting a 40-yard field goal midway through the opening quarter, Lazo stuffed the kick and teammate Charles Wingate ran the ball 60 yards to paydirt. Lazo struck again in the second quarter with Brown looking to cut into Bryant’s 21-14 lead. The native Floridian, who also recorded five tackles in the game, blocked a 24-yard chip shot 2:11 before halftime. NEC ROOKIE OF THE WEEK AJ HINES, DUQUESNE RB, Fr., 5-11, 220 lbs., Wilson, NC/Fike WEEK 3 STATS: 29 carries, 189 rush yards, 2 TD, 6.5 ypc Hines and the Dukes ran all over regional rival Dayton in a 34-20 victory. Coming off a three-touchdown performance in a win over Bucknell, the rookie running back rushed 29 times for 189 yards and two touchdowns against the Flyers. Hines, who averaged 6.5 yards per carry, accounted for the highest single-game rushing output by a DU freshman since Larry McCoy (the program’s all-time rushing leader) 195 yards at Nicholls State on Sept. 12, 2009. Hines’ first touchdown run, a 10-yarder, cut Duquesne’s deficit to 20-15 with 00:37 remaining in the first half. That run was set up by his own 20-yard run on the previous play. His second touchdown, a 37-yard scamper, gave the Dukes’ a 14-point cushion with 7:33 left in the contest. Nine of Hines’ 29 totes resulted in first downs, including four on Duquesne’s final scoring drive. AROUND THE NEC IN SEVEN SENTENCES BRYANT is the NEC team leader in passing offense (288.0 yards per game) and senior quarterback Dalton Easton owns league-high marks for passing yards (866) and passing touchdowns (8) through the season’s first three games. CENTRAL CONNECTICUT broke into the win column against Bowie State by dominating the ground game, outrushing its opponent by a 248-to-13 margin, and posting its highest point total (44) since a 52-17 win over Wagner on Nov. 2, 2013. DUQUESNE, which owns a 23-2 home record against non-conference opponents during head coach Jerry Schmitt’s tenure, extended its Rooney Field win streak to eight straight games (dating back to the 2015 season) by defeating Dayton, 34-20, in Week 3. ROBERT MORRIS, which returns home for a Week 4 bout with Malone following back-to-back road games, features the NEC’s top-ranked Red Zone Defense (8-for-14 / .571) having limited the opposition to five touchdowns over 14 trips inside the RMU 20-yard line. SACRED HEART, which is off to a 3-0 start for the third time in the last four seasons, has not allowed any second-half points thus far this season and owns the league’s second-ranked scoring defense (11.3 ppg). SAINT FRANCIS was victorious in its first-ever meeting with an Ivy League member, scoring on its opening possession and never trailing in a 13-9 win over Columbia in New York City. WAGNER will put its 2-0 record on the line against Boston College (FBS) in Week 4, marking the second time ever that the Seahawks have faced an ACC member (Syracuse – 2013). STEPPING UP Wagner will play its first of two Division I FBS opponents this season when it visits ACC member Boston College on Week 4 (Sept. 24). The Seahawks, who also have a date with FBS Independent Massachusetts (Oct. 29), have played more FBS games (5) than any NEC program. Central Connecticut and Duquesne are the only other league members to have faced a FBS opponent before. NEC teams are 0-7 all-time in such contests. NEC vs. FBS Results 2015 – Brigham Young 70, WAGNER 6 2015 – Rice 56, WAGNER 16 2014 – Buffalo 38, DUQUESNE 28 2014 – Florida International 34, WAGNER 3 2013 – Syracuse 54, WAGNER 0 2012 – Florida Atlantic 7, WAGNER 3 2007 – Western Michigan 51, CCSU 14 RED FLASH ROAD WARRIORS Saint Francis will play its fourth consecutive road game when it visits CAA member Albany (Sept. 24). The Red Flash, who have already visited Montana, Towson and Columbia, are only one of two FCS teams to play the season’s first four games on the road (South Carolina State). Saint Francis has owned halftime leads in each of the first three contests. FINE LINES (WEEK 3) The following players earned “NEC Prime Performer status” after accounting for noteworthy statistiscal accomplishments. Here are some fine stat lines... CHRISTIAN KUNTZ (DUQUESNE) The reigning NEC Defensive Player of the Year logged 6.0 tackles for a loss in the Dukes’ win over Dayton and is tied for second amongst national TFL leaders this season after topping all of Division I FCS in 2015. MARCUS BAGLEY (SAINT FRANCIS) The junior tailback recorded his fourth-ever 100-yard rushing performance during the Flash’s win at Columbia, setting career highs in carries (33) and rush yards (220). AJ HINES (DUQUESNE) The rookie rusher followed up his award-winning performance against Bucknell by running for 189 yards and two TD against Dayton. SOLOMON LEAENO (SAINT FRANCIS) The hybrid defender logged 10 tackles, 2.5 sacks and a fumble recovery in a 13-9 road win. WAYNE CAPERS (DUQUESNE) The preseason all-NEC selection led the Dukes in receiving during their Week 3 win, catching eight balls for 143 yards and one TD. BRENDEN LYTTON (CCSU) The veteran running back amassed 143 all-purpose yards, including 99 yards rushing, and scored three TD in a win over Bowie State. NATE CHAVIOUS (SACRED HEART) Averaging 7.8 yards per attempt, the veteran ball carrier rushed for 125 yards and two TD in a 31-6 triumph over Marist. DA’JON LEE (SAINT FRANCIS) The Flash freshman totaled 9 tackles, including 3.0 TFL, and forced a fumble at Columbia. CJ PARVELUS (SACRED HEART) Leading SHU in tackles for the second week in a row, the linebacker made eight stops and 1.5 TFL against Marist.