Devils Football Caps Season with Historic ECAC Win

A History-making Season for Devils Football

Senior wide receiver Connor Perez, #8, was named MVP of the James Lynah Bowl. (Photo: Sherry Saccoliti)

For the first time in program history, the FDU Devils football team won a bowl game as they topped Saint Vincent College, 38–19, in the 2021 Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division III James Lynah Bowl on November 20.

The team wrapped its momentous season with a 7–4 overall record, reaching the seven-win mark for just the second time in program history.

The last time Devils football won seven games or more was in 1993, when the team went 8–3 and ended the season in an ECAC Bowl Game.

Head Coach Jimmy Robertson — the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Coach of the Year — steered the Devils to victory after the team was picked to finish last in the MAC preseason poll.

“I am so proud of how our guys battled through adversity throughout the season. Day in and day out, they brought a great energy to practice, competed and pushed one another to be great. It’s all of the things they did throughout the week and off the field that translated to success on game day,” says Robertson.

This marked FDU’s third appearance in an ECAC Bowl Game. Previously, the Devils fell to Wesley College in 1993 and to Wilkes University in 1999.

“To win the first bowl game in FDU history is amazing. Our student-athletes invested and sacrificed a lot to get to this point. They love one another and did it for the guy next to them. We have a special group of guys in our program and that led to this special season. To do something that had never been done before at FDU is something our guys will talk about and remember for the rest of their lives,” Robertson says.

Graduate student quarterback Anthony Caserta led the Devils offense as he completed 22 passes for 220 yards and three touchdowns. Senior wide receiver Connor Perez and graduate student wide receiver Rory Sullivan accounted for the three touchdowns through the air, while Perez and graduate student running back Nicolas Santavicca both scored touchdowns on the ground. Graduate student, team captain and running back Alnazir Blackman led the Devils with 96 total yards rushing.

For his efforts, Perez, who posted eight catches, 122 receiving yards and three total touchdowns, was named most valuable player (MVP).