LIU pulls away in second half against Wagner for second win in a row
LIU's Owen Glascoe scores on a 19-yard pass from Camden Orth to take a 7-0 lead in the first quarter on the way to a 28-14 victory over Wagner on Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021. Credit: Jim McIsaac
What transpired Saturday afternoon at Durrell "Bronko" Pearsall Field at Bethpage Federal Credit Union Stadium on the campus of Long Island University in Brookville was not aesthetically pleasing. Nothing about it was artistic. Nor was it effortless.
Rather, the LIU Sharks’ 28-14 win over the Wagner Seahawks was an ode to determination and tenacity.
"We try to talk about resilience," LIU coach Jonathan Gill said. "And try to talk about having the will to play, outhit, out-execute, and outhustle your opponent."
And the Sharks may be getting rewarded for their efforts. Following five losses to start the season, LIU has won two straight — both in Northeast Conference play — to improve to 2-5 overall and 2-2 in the NEC.
"We’re playing with a lot more confidence," said quarterback Camden Orth, who completed 22 of 34 passes for 187 yards and three touchdowns. "We just got to keep going."
Following a sloppy first half, the Sharks’ generosity evaporated, as did any hopes the Seahawks had of winning their first game since a 28-14 triumph over LIU on Sept. 28, 2019.
Midway through the third quarter. Orth capped a seven-play, 69-yard drive by finding Derick Eugene for 6 yards in the back left corner of the end zone to put the Sharks ahead 21-14.
Jonathan Debique #2 of LIU runs the ball in the second half against Wagner at Hickox Field on Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021. Credit: Jim McIsaac
Three series later, Jonathan Debique powered through for a 3-yard touchdown run that made it 28-14 with 10:02 left in the game.
"We could feel that we were wearing them down," said Debique, who rushed for 92 of LIU’s 165 yards on the ground. The running back noted the Sharks’ offensive linemen were emphatic that LIU was breaking Seahawks defenders’ wills. "They could feel it. They [were] confident. They were ready to go. They could feel the next big run coming."
With a two-touchdown lead, LIU’s defense was able to focus all of its attention on Wagner quarterback Guenson Alexis, who was sacked five times while finishing 10-for-19 for 76 yards. He did run 26 times for 51 yards and two touchdowns.
"We knew what they were going to come out and try to do," said linebacker Dom Barbuto, who had a game-high nine tackles (eight solos). "In the second half, we were just doing our job, and when the time came he [wanted] to scramble out of the pocket, we were there to wrap him up."
And take the ball away from him, as Alexis’ fumble on the Sharks’ 3-yard line recovered by safety Larry Elder with 3:35 left on the clock essentially closed it out.
