Phillips’ interception started the dance party on Staten Island this past Saturday. The senior cornerback picked off a third-down pass late in the fourth quarter to secure Wagner’s 23-17 victory over Duquesne and send the Seahawks to the NCAA FCS playoffs. Phillips totaled seven tackles and two pass break-ups in addition to the game-sealing interception as Wagner won its first-ever Northeast Conference crown. Five of his seven stops were of the solo variety and the veteran defensive back made two drive-stunting tackles in the first half. On a 3rd-and-3 play midway through the first quarter, Phillips stopped the Duquesne ball carrier two yards shy of the sticks to force the Dukes to settle for a 51-yard field goal attempt. The native Staten Island, who began his collegiate career at Syracuse, helped derail Duquesne’s first drive of the second quarter. He wrapped up receiver Sean Brady after a three-yard gain on 2nd-and-9 and the Dukes were forced to punt two downs later.