Newsday.com - Essington ready to step in at QB for STONY BROOK

 

October 6, 2011 by STEVEN MARCUS / steven.marcus@newsday.com

Stony Brook University quarterback Kyle Essington had most of fall camp to prepare for his starting role. It comes Saturday night when the Seawolves (1-3) host Presbyterian (1-3) in the first Big South Conference game for both teams.

With starter Michael Coulter trying to play through a torn ACL in his left knee, the 6-2, 185-pound Essington played in parts of the first four games.

"I was mentally preparing to lead this team,'' Essington said.

He may not have the experience of Coulter, but the junior will give the offense a new dimension: a mobile quarterback who will add to an already strong running game. He has rushed for two touchdowns and thrown for another.

"As far as personal strengths, I like to run the ball a lot, make plays happen with my feet,'' he said. "If the pocket happens to break down, I'd like to think that I can scramble, make something happen.''

The team is rallying around Essington. "Losing Coulter is going to be a big hit,'' said running back Miguel Maysonet, who has rushed for 542 yards and five touchdowns. "But Kyle is the right man to fill his shoes.''

Coach Chuck Priore feared that Coulter would not make it through the season, so he had Essington get ready early. "Kyle basically took 85 percent of the snaps from Aug. 8 until theUTEP game,'' Priore said of the Sept. 3 season opener in El Paso. "He has not played a whole game, has not had adversity in his face, but it's not like he just got here. We're happy that we have somebody else to put in the game that's been in the game.''

Stony Brook tied for the Big South title the previous two seasons but is trying for its first postseason berth. "We'd like to show the rest of the conference that we're here; we have a strong desire to get that conference championship,'' Essington said. "We don't want to share it this year.''

Essington comes from California and learned the quarterback position from his father, Randy, who played at Colorado and was the last selection in the 1984 NFL draft by the then-Los Angeles Raiders. That earned him the moniker Mr. Irrelevant, but he was super-relevant to his son. "My dad's been my biggest role model,'' he said. "I've lived for football since a very young age. He really showed me the ropes. I certainly could not be more proud than to have had a dad who got drafted into the NFL.''

STONY BROOK nominated in Best of Long Island competition

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Stony Brook, N.Y. - Stony Brook has been nominated in nine 'Best of Long Island' categories, according to the 2012 Long Island Press competition. Categories include Stony Brook's radio station, WUSB,  Best Mascot, Best Sports Program and Best LI University among others.

In the arts and entertainment category, Stony Brook's lovable mascot, Wolfie, has been nominated for Long Island's best mascot. The Stony Brook Film Festival was nominated in the Best Annual Event/Festival category, while the Staller Center was nominated in the categories of Best Concert Venue and Best Local Live Theater.

In the education segment, Dr. Samuel L. Stanley, Jr. was nominated for Best College President. Stony Brook Athletics was chosen as a nominee for Best College Sports Program, and the university as a whole was nominated for Best Long Island College or University.

Stony Brook University Medical Center was also nominated for Best Hospital in the health and wellness section.

Fans can vote for as many categories as they want and can cast a vote for each category once per day. Voting will remain open until Wednesday, December 15.

Every year from Oct. 1 to Dec. 15, voting is open for the Best of Long Island competition. During the 75-day window, everyone can vote for local stores, restaurants, businesses or people they feel should hold a 'Best of Long Island' title.

STONY BROOK WOMEN'S BASKETBALL BEGINS PRACTICE

An Inside Look at Stony Brook Women's Basketball: Strength & Conditioning - Stony Brook Official Athletic Site

STONY BROOK Men's basketball favored in preseason publications

The Stony Brook men's basketball team has received significant attention from multiple media outlets during the preseason as the 2011-12 regular season rapidly approaches. Many publications have picked the Seawolves atop the America East after the team came within two points of winning the league title last season.
The Sporting News College Basketball Preview magazine lists the Seawolves as the favorites to win America East and also named senior Bryan Dougher a preseason All-America East player, junior transfer Ron Bracey the conference's top newcomer and head coach Steve Pikiell the conference's top coach.
The Lindy's College Basketball Preview magazine also named Stony Brook the preseason favorite to win the league, selected Dougher as an All-Conference player and named junior Tommy Brenton the league's top rebounder.
In the CBSSports.com Conference Preview, Jeff Goodman has also picked the Seawolves as America East's top team and named Dougher to the All-Conference team.
Lastly, Lindy's College Basketball Preview magazine had the Seawolves second behind defending champion Boston University and named Brenton to the preseason All-Conference team.
The official America East preseason rankings and All-Conference team will be revealed on Thursday, Oct. 13 at the league's annual media day.
Pikiell, in his seventh season as the head coach, returns 12 letterwinners from last season's team that reached its first-ever America East Championship final and came within two points of winning the title. The Seawolves will open preseason practice Oct. 14 and will play their first game Nov. 11 at Indiana. The home schedule begins Nov. 13 against Mount Ida. Individual game and season tickets are now available through the Stony Brook Athletics ticket office. For more information, visit GoSeawolves.org/tickets or call (631) 632-WOLF.