Stony Brook has momentum for playoff run
Stony Brook running back Miguel Maysonet (5) cuts back in the secondary for a long run in the first half. (Oct. 15, 2011) Credit: Joseph D. Sullivan
If momentum means anything, Stony Brook has kicked its football season into gear with four straight wins by an average score of 44-16. The Seawolves continue their drive to make the Football Championship Series playoffs for the first time with a conference game at 4 p.m. Saturday at LaValle Stadium against Coastal Carolina, which won a three-team tiebreaker for the Big South playoff berth last season.
Stony Brook coach Chuck Priore described the Chanticleers (4-3, 1-2 Big South) as "the most talented team we've played outside of UTEP and Buffalo in terms of athleticism and speed."
Chanticleers quarterback Aramis Hillary is the primary run-pass threat in a triple-option offense, but Stony Brook (4-3, 2-0) has shown marked improvement on defense. Jawara Dudley leads an all-sophomore linebacking crew that includes Andres Trujillo and Grant Nakwaasah, and the line of Junior Solice, Jonathan Coats, Rosey Kirk and Ryan Haber shut down VMI in a 42-14 road win last week.
Coastal Carolina's defense yielded more than 200 yards rushing to Gardner-Webb. That plays to Stony Brook's strength, with the running of Miguel Maysonet and Brock Jackolski. The passing game, led by quarterback Kyle Essington, has become more explosive as transfer wideout Kevin Norrell and veteran receivers Matt Brevi and Jordan Gush have grown comfortable.
Priore admitted the Seawolves can't help but follow conference rival Liberty (5-3, 3-0), which hosts Presbyterian, as they head toward a season-ending meeting Nov. 19 at Stony Brook that seems likely to decide the Big South.
"Sure, we know their scores," Priore said. "Hopefully, we play a good brand of football Saturday and let it take care of itself. This team knows we need to win six league games to be in the NCAA playoffs."
