THE WAGNER SERIES:
Today's game represents the 19th meeting between Wagner and Iona with the Seahawks holding a commanding 16-2 lead.  This marks the seventh straight season the two teams square off.  Wagner has won 10 of the last 11 meetings and is undefeated at 5-1 at Mazzella Field over that same span.  Iona snapped its skid with a 17-14 overtime thriller last season with P/K Chris Lofrese knocking a 19 yard field goal through the Mazzella Field uprights for the win.  Iona's only other win in the series came in its MAAC Championship year of 1993 during the regular season. The two teams played twice that year with Wagner avenging the loss in the ECAC Bowl later on in the season.   

SCOUTING THE SEAHAWKS:   
Head coach Walt Hameline enters his 28th season at the helm of the Seahawk program and with nearly 200 wins to his credit (186-97-2 overall record), he has shaped a winning program with strong recruits who are eager to win.  In order to succeed in 2008, Hameline has to replace three key elements from last year's team: All-American kicker/punter Piotr Czech, cornerback/return specialist and ECAC All-Star Al Phillips, as well as Northeast Conference Offensive Player of the Year, running back Jason Butler.  The quartback position is up in the air with the return of two-year starter senior Matt Abbey and Adam Farnsworth, a transfer from Iowa.  Abbey has thrown for 3,221 yards and 21 TDs in his career and went 114-for-236 for 1,592 yards, nine touchdowns and six interceptions in 2007.  Farnsworth hasn't seen much of the field since high school as he didn't play in his two years Iowa.  He played one season at Snow Commnity College in Utah after attending Weber High School (UT) where he earned All-State, Honorable Mention All-Region and First-Team All-Area honors as a senior.  He completed 140-of-265 passes for 1,435 yards and 13 touchdowns during his senior season, with seven interceptions.  Butler was a one-man wrecking crew on the ground with 1,713 yards on 316 carries and 12 touchdowns in 2007.  Senior halfback Rodney Davis gained 331 yards and scored twice on the ground will battle for primary back duties with Freshman Prince Young and junior workhorse Shane Smith from the University of Central Florida.  On the receiving core, the Seahawks have talent and experience at tight end in senior Carlos Barthelemy, sophomore Morgan Mizell and Senior Pete Zagorski, a transfer from Rutgers.  Wagner returns its second and third-leading receivers, respectively, in junior Lon Woods, 449 yards and four TDs, and senior Kyle Trueblood, 20 catches for 232 yards.  Sophomore Tyrone Collins comes of an 11 catch, 143 yards freshman year.  Czech was the best kicker in NEC history and got recognized by playing preseason football with the Baltimore Ravens.  Senior Eric Ortiz won the job out of fall practice as the place kicker and sophomore newcomer Kyle Muir will handle the punting duties.

TREKKING COMMON GROUND:   
The Gaels and Wagner share four common opponents on their 2008 schedule.  Iona will face Sacred Heart next week followed by Stonehill (10/4), at Marist (10/25), and Bryant (11/15).  Wagner fell at Stonehill last week and complete their schedule facing Marist next week followed by Bryant (9/27), and at Sacred Heart (10/31).

TAG TEAM BACK AGAIN?
Rookie RB Andrew Nass made his debut last week and along with senior RB Craig Sutera sent a message to Iona's opponents that the running game is still alive and well in New Rochelle.  The Gaels ground attack racked up 126 of Iona's 208 yards of total offense.  Nass scored his first career touchdown in the fourth quarter and had 11 carries for 21 yards.  Sutera led all rushers with 13 carries for 59 yards including a 35-yard TD scamper in the first quarter.  The Gaels effectively used a pair of backs last season with Dane Samuels and Rudy Arcara.  Samuels and Arcara combined for 160 yards in their opening weekend in 2007 against Delaware Valley.

IT IS HIGH...IT IS FAR...IT'S DOWNED AT THE SIX YARD LINE:
Sophomore P/K Robert Woods was named defensive and special teams player of the week by the coaching staff for his tremendous debut as Iona's punter.  Woods booted nine punts for 372 yards, averaging 41.3 yards/punt.  He placed four inside the 20 yard line including a 78-
yard punt from his own endzone that fell dead at the Delaware Valley six yard line.

A LIPSKI BY ANY OTHER NAME:
Junior LB Andrew Lipski had a stellar rookie season back in 2006 as he was named MAAC Rookie of the Year and to Don Hansen's Football Gazette NCAA 1-FCS Mid-Major All-America Second Team.  His older brother Adam was MAAC Defensive Player of the Year in 2007 and led the team in tackles with 100.  Andrew battled injury for much of 2007, but was still able to pile up 30 tackles in just four games.  He came back strong in his 2008 debut to lead all Gaels with 17 tackles in the win over Delaware Valley. 

MARIANI NAMES PLAYERS OF THE WEEK:
For the 2008 Season, Iona College Football Head Coach Fred Mariani will announce his selections for the weekly awards. These awards will recognize an Offensive, Defensive, and Special Teams Player of the Week as well as a Rookie of the Week.  Senior RB Craig Sutera, Sophomore P/K Robert Woods and freshman RB Andrew Nass claimed Offensive, Defensive/Special Team, and Rookie of the week respectfully.  Sutera set the pace for the 2008 season scoring Iona's first touchdown on a 35 yard run in the first quarter of Saturday's 27-19 win over Delaware Valley. Sutera finished the day with 13 carries for 59 yards, averaging 4.5 yards per carry, and his touchdown. He was part of rushing attack that accounted for 126 of the Gaels' 208 total yards.
   
Woods had a strong debut as he took over the punting and place-kicking duties this season after the graduation of Chris Lofrese. Woods made a name for himself by booting a 78 yard punt, a new Iona College record, that pinned Delaware Valley at its own 6 yard line. He finished the day with nine punts for 372 yards, an average of 41.3 yards/punt. He placed four inside the 20 yard line. Woods went 3-of-4 on extra points.

Nass had a breakout game in his first start for the Maroon & Gold. Nass was third on the team in rushing behind Sutera and QB Nick Rossetti with 11 carries for 31 yards. He scored his first collegiate touchdown with a 15 yard run with 3:15 remaining in the fourth quarter to help Iona seal the win in the season opener. Nass also grabbed two passes for 30 yards.

LET'S GET IT STARTED:
Another season started with a victory for Iona, who improved to 13-18 in its opening game since elevating to varsity status in 1978.  Since joining NCAA I-FCS in 1993, the Gaels are 8-8 in the fi rst game of the year and under Mariani, the Gaels are 7-4, winning seven of their last nine openers: 2000 - Iona 56, Canisius 2; 2001 - Iona 27, Canisius 24; 2002 - Iona 14, Siena 7; 2003 - Iona 19, Siena 14; 2004 - Montclair State 42, Iona 27; 2005 - Iona 21, Montclair State 14 OT; 2006 - Montclair State 21, Iona 7; 2007 - Iona 14, Delaware Valley 12.