PITTSBURGH, Pa. - The Long Island University football team (2-5) moved to 2-0 in conference play Saturday, rallying past Duquesne University after trailing 14-3 in the second quarter and scoring the final 14 points of the game.
Sam Slade provided both of LIU's touchdowns, catching a nine-yard pass from
Luca Stanzani late in the first half before scoring on a five-yard run in the fourth quarter to put the Sharks ahead for good.
Will Johnson opened the scoring with a 43-yard field goal in the first quarter, which Duquesne answered with a pair of rushing touchdowns to take a 14-3 lead. LIU cut the deficit to four points when Stanzani connected with Slade with 1:48 remaining in the second quarter.
Stanzani finished 10-for-13 passing for 156 yards and a touchdown, while Slade accounted for 41 yards from scrimmage and both LIU scores. The Sharks totaled 272 yards of offense, including 116 on the ground.
Defensively,
Ryan Maxwell in the first quarter and
Trey Watkins in the fourth quarter to help close out the game both intercepted two passes.
Rafael Fasolino and
Noah Livingston forced two fumbles, and
Marquacious Wright and
Kareem Vessup each recorded a sack while limiting Duquesne to 14 points on the day.
With the win, LIU improved to 2-5 overall and 2-0 in conference play. The Sharks are scheduled to return to action Saturday, Oct. 17, when they travel to Staten Island, NY, to face Wagner College at 5 p.m. in another NEC matchup.
