"I don't think we matched the emotional level as we did last week," coach Chuck Priore said. "We didn't execute, but I think we realized that we can compete physically at this level. There are certain things you take out of these games, and one of those is building confidence going forward."
The Seawolves started to gain steam on their third possession of the game. Starting inside the 10 at the eight for a second straight drive, the duo of Jackolski and Maysonet each broke off a 23-yard rush as Stony Brook marched inside Buffalo territory with 74 rushing yards. On second and four, junior quarterback Kyle Essington (Chino Hills, Calif.) bootlegged to his left and found with a junior Jordan Gush (Dallas, Texas) for a 16-yard touchdown, capping the 10-play, 92-yard drive in 5:03.
Down 21-7, junior Michael Coulter's (Yorba Linda, Calif.) pass was deflected at the line of scrimmage and intercepted by Khalil Mack for a touchdown, but on the return, Lester Cortney committed an unsportsmanlike penalty, negating the score. On the next play, senior Donald Porter (Charles Town, W. Va.) stepped in front of Buffalo's Marcus Rivers, recording his third interception of the season.
Stony Brook put together a solid drive to start the fourth quarter. It converted on third and five and fourth and five before Jackolski's 18-yard rush set the Seawolves up with 1st and goal from the four. But on second and goal from the three, Buffalo (1-1) recovered a fumble that ended the drive. Stony Brook returns home for the first of four straight home games, starting with Brown on September 17 at 6 p.m.
