Seawolves Fall In Season Opener on the Road
Hempstead, N.Y. - For the third time in the past four meetings, Stony Brook and Hofstra battled in a hard fought football game that was decided by less than 10 points. An early fourth quarter touchdown that was scored when a Hofstra offensive lineman recovered a fumble in the end zone proved to be the difference as the Pride held off the Seawolves, 17-10, in the season opener for both teams. Sophomore Michael Coulter (Yorba Linda, Calif.) threw for 188 yards and a touchdown in his Stony Brook debut.
"I am very disappointed in the outcome of this game," said Stony Brook head coach Chuck Priore. "We responded after that opening touchdown and (punt) snap over our head and played well for three quarters against a good Hofstra football team. We will be ready next week."
After Hofstra took the opening kickoff 72 yards for a score to take an early 7-0 lead, Stony Brook drove the ball to midfield on its first drive of the game before the Pride defense forced an SBU punt. The snap on the punt attempt was high, however, forcing freshman punter Drew Evangelista (Cedar Grove, N.J.) to fall on the ball at the SBU 30. Hofstra was able to turn the miscue into just three points, however, as Stony Brook's defense stiffened and held the Pride to a 32-yard field goal from Henry Greco. Offensively the Seawolves could not get much going in the opening 15 minutes, gaining just 10 total yards and one first down as the quarter ended in a 10-0 Hofstra lead.
Twice in the second quarter Hofstra drove into Stony Brook territory, and both times the Stony Brook defense answered to keep the Seawolves close on the scoreboard. Aided by tackles behind the line of scrimmage by seniors Christopher Perri (Alameda, Calif.), Josh Auerbach (Langhorne, Pa.) and Tyler Santucci (New Kensington, Pa.) the Seawolves halted both drives and that saw the Pride miss on a pair of field goal attempts.
After being held to 54 yards and three first downs in the first half, Stony Brook took the opening kickoff of the second half and put together its best drive of the game to that point. Sophomore Michael Coulter (Yorba Linda, Calif.) hit sophomore Matt Brevi (Tampa, Fla.) on a key 26-yard pass on a 3rd and 10 play during the drive as the Seawolves pushed into Hofstra territory for the first time. The drive stalled at the Pride 13-yard line, but freshman Wesley Skiffington (Brandon, Fla.) connected on his first collegiate field goal attempt, hitting from 30 yards out to put the Seawolves on the board and complete the 63-yard drive.
Hofstra took advantage of a short Evangelista punt late in the third that gave the Pride the ball on the SBU 46-yard line to start its drive. Early in the fourth on a 3rd and goal, Hofstra's quarterback ran up the middle, but fumbled before crossing the goal line. Luck was not on the Seawolves side, however, as a Hofstra offensive lineman, Brian Frederick, recovered in the end zone for the score, one that would prove to be decisive.
With nearly 10 minutes left and still trailing by 14, Stony Brook's offense put together its best drive of the night to get within striking distance of the Pride. Using a balanced mix of run and pass, the Seawolves drove from their own 18 all the way to the Hofstra 23 where it faced a 3rd and 13. Coulter hit senior Stephan Towns (San Diego, Calif.) with a pass, but the play came up a yard short of the first down at the HU 11. After a time out, Coulter faked a handoff, rolled right and found wide open Towns in the back of the end zone that completed the 82-yard drive and brought Stony Brook within seven, 17-10, with 3:58 left to play.
Stony Brook attempted an on-sided kick, but Hofstra recovered at the Stony Brook 41. On 3rd and six the Pride tossed a pass to the left sideline that fell incomplete, but the Seawolves were flagged for pass interference on the play, giving Hofstra the first down it needed to run out the clock and deny the Seawolves another chance with the ball.
Coulter finished his first game at Stony Brook by completing 18 of his 29 attempts for 188 yards and a score. Junior Donald Porter (Charles Town, W.Va.) led the receivers with five catches for 52 yards. Towns caught four balls for 36 yards. Sophomore Edwin Gowins (Bellport, N.Y.) led a Stony Brook ground game that was limited to 46 yards with 37 yards on 14 carries. Stony Brook finished with 234 yards of total offense, with Hofstra gaining 276.
Junior Stephen Schwicke (East Patchogue, N.Y.) led Stony Brook's defense with a career-high 13 tackles, two of which came behind the line of scrimmage.
Stony Brook will be back in action next week when it travels to Colgate on Saturday for a 6:00 p.m. meeting with the Raiders.
