Transfers Jackolski, Maysonet combine for 325 yards in Stony Brook win

Ever since Hofstra made its stunning decision to end its football program last December, the story line about star running backs Brock Jackolski and Miguel Maysonet focused on their decision to stay on Long Island and lead some talented transfers to join Stony Brook's ambitious football program. Well, the adjustment period is over.

Jackolski and Maysonet made their home debut in Seawolves red a night to remember as they totaled 325 rushing yards and three touchdowns in a 31-14 victory over American International College last night in front of a LaValle Stadium crowd of 4,291.

With starting tailback Eddie Gowins sidelined by a strained abdomen, Jackolski and Maysonet got all the practice reps and made the most of it behind a dominant offensive line featuring 6-8, 350-pound redshirt freshman right tackle Michael Bamiro.

Jackolski totaled 167 yards rushing on 15 carries, scored on runs of 11 and 17 yards and broke a 69-yard run for good measure. Maysonet added 158 yards on 20 carries, broke a 48-yard touchdown run, caught one pass for 11 yards to keep a scoring drive going and returned a kickoff 16 yards.

After listening to them describe their adjustment to life at Stony Brook for the umpteenth time, Stony Brook coach Chuck Priore said: "The rest of the time, we're not fielding Hofstra questions. They're Stony Brook players now. They bleed red. We're lucky to have them, and the community is lucky to have them. I'm pleased they had success, but I knew they would. They're talented kids."

A year ago at this time, Jackolski and Maysonet were playing for a Hofstra team that upset James Madison, the same school that shocked 13th-ranked Virginia Tech yesterday. But they've put all that behind them.

Reflecting on his SBU home debut, former Floyd star Jackolski said: "It was awesome. I had 25 people from my hometown [Shirley] all congratulate me. It was big that we had big games. It showed Stony Brook what we can offer."

Riverhead's Maysonet added, "I had 30 people that came, and I only left tickets for like 20."

Turning to Bamiro and slapping him on the back, Maysonet said: "I think it was a great debut for me and Brock to have the game we had, but it's all thanks to my man right here, my roommate 'Big Mike.' He opened up the holes for me and the rest of the guys did as well, and we just made the right reads."

Maysonet's hard running set up SBU's opening score on a 35-yard pass to Matt Brevi from quarterback Michael Coulter, who completed 9 of 13 passes for 128 yards. After a 20-yard field goal by Wes Skiffington gave the Seawolves a 10-0 second-quarter lead, Yellowjackets quarterback Rob Parent, who completed 17 of 33 passes for 196 yards and two TDs, hit a 61-yard bomb to Davon LeGrier to set up an 8-yard scoring pass to Stephen Benjamin.

Jackolski's 11-yard run over the right side gave the Seawolves a 17-7 lead at halftime. He broke his 69-yard run early in the third quarter, but the drive ended on a Coulter interception. Jackolski came right back with a 21-yard gain during a 70-yard drive that ended with his 17-yard TD run for a 24-7 lead. Early in the fourth quarter, Maysonet swept left on a 48-yard TD run that made it 31-7.

Bamiro gave all the credit to Jackolski and Maysonet, saying, "They made our job pretty easy."

But Jackolski begged to differ, saying, "You make it easy."

That's a debate Priore should enjoy for some time to come.