Miguel Maysonet runs for 220, two TDs as Stony Brook controls Army

By Greg Logan, Newsday

WEST POINT, N.Y. -- It was halftime Saturday afternoon at Michie Stadium, and Stony Brook had quieted an Army crowd of 31,006 by taking a 13-point lead. The Seawolves' first-ever win over an FBS school in five tries was so close they could taste it, but they were mindful of what happened two weeks earlier at Syracuse, when a three-point halftime lead dissolved into an 11-point loss.

This time the Seawolves (4-1) left no doubt. They took the second-half kickoff and held the ball for 16 plays and a season-high 8:23, driving 75 yards for Miguel Maysonet's second touchdown to send them on their way to a dominant 23-3 victory over the Black Knights (0-4).

Describing the mood in the halftime locker room, Stony Brook left tackle Scott Hernandez said: "It goes back to Week 3 against Syracuse. We came out as an offense and did not finish that game, and that left a bitter taste in our mouths. We told ourselves, 'We're not going to let that happen again. We're going to finish this game and play harder than we've ever played before.' And that's exactly what we did."

Maysonet capped that epic drive with a 1-yard scoring run to go with the 49-yard TD he scored on the Seawolves' fourth play of the game. For the second straight week, the senior rushed for a career high, carrying 32 times for 220 yards as SBU controlled the ball for 38:06.

"I'm excited for us to be able to say that we were the first team to in Stony Brook history," an exultant Maysonet said. "I love those 'firsts.' "

SBU's offense played defense by controlling the ball to keep an Army running attack that led the nation in rushing with 399.0 yards per game off the field. The Seawolves' opening 74-yard drive lasted only four plays as Maysonet broke over the left side to score from 49 yards for a 7-0 lead, but the drives that resulted in three Wes Skiffington field goals of 27, 44 and 25 yards took 11 plays, 12 plays and 10 plays.

Coach Chuck Priore made a subtle halftime adjustment, adding two running plays involving tight end Chris Fenellon in the blocking scheme, and they fueled the opening drive of the second half.

"That drive reflected those adjustments," Priore said. "It was two things we didn't work on all week . . . We put a drive together that showed we had arrived."

Army's triple-option running game was deceptive, but Stony Brook held the Knights to 273 yards, 126 below their average, forcing and recovering four fumbles and producing a goal-line stand. Army had a pair of 100-yard rushers in each of its first three games but was topped by 89 yards from quarterback Trent Steelman and 81 from Raymond Maples.

Rover back Dan Mulrooney recovered one fumble and stopped Steelman for no gain on fourth-and-1 at the Stony Brook 4-yard line in the first quarter to protect the 7-0 lead.

"Playing an option team, you know the ball is going to be on the ground," Mulrooney said. "We were 4-for-4 on fumble recoveries. When you have that stat, it's hard to lose."

Indeed, this was the complete game the Seawolves and Priore believed they could play, especially after the way they came back to win the previous week against Colgate.

"I told them before the game, I think this team rode last year's team up until the second half of last week," Priore said. "I told them, 'If you really want it to be your team, you have to do something today.' "

The message came through loud and clear

Get Your Red On - Volume 2 - Stony Brook Athletics

It will be running game vs. running game as Stony Brook visits Army

By Greg Logan, Newsday

Somehow it figures that Army would have the best foot soldiers in college football. Despite their 0-3 record, the Cadets own the No. 1 rushing offense in the Football Bowl Subdivision, averaging 399.0 yards per game with a pair of 100-yard rushers in each of its three outings.

So it will be strength against strength when Stony Brook (3-1) brings a rushing attack that ranks fourth at the Football Championship Subdivision level with an average of 327.8 yards to its first-ever meeting with Army at noon Saturday at picturesque Michie Stadium.

This marks the Seawolves' fifth game in three seasons against an FBS opponent, and their chances for their first win depend on containing running backs Raymond Maples (140.0 rushing yards per game) and Larry Dixon (112.0) and quarterback Trent Steelman, who is nursing a left rib injury. Steelman practiced Thursday and will be a game-time decision.

"There's a half-dozen triple-option teams in the country," Stony Brook coach Chuck Priore said. "It's a huge advantage. The reality is that every team has three or four days to prepare for something they don't see again on their schedule."

Army has an undersized offensive line that averages 252 pounds, and starting center Ryan Powis has been ruled out with a rib injury. But Priore said the Cadets use cut-blocking techniques and their athleticism to make it work. They also don't hesitate to go for it on fourth down, converting on six of 13 attempts, and have controlled the ball longer than every opponent.

In its last outing against an FBS opponent, Stony Brook gave up 214 yards rushing in a 28-17 loss at Syracuse, but the Seawolves won't have to worry as much about the passing game at Army as it did against the Orange.

"It's going to be tough," defensive end Jonathan Coats said of stopping the triple-option. "They're going to come off the ball hard and low. It's definitely different from what we've seen, but we're still going to play physical and come off the ball."

The Seawolves' run defense has come up big in tough spots this season, but it could be a long day against Maples and Dixon. "They're aggressive runners," Coats said. "They get downhill fast. As hard of runners as they are, we're just as aggressive."

Army's weakness is a defense that allowed an average of 44 points to San Diego State, NorthernIllinois and Wake Forest, which means Stony Brook running backs Miguel Maysonet (145.0 yards) and Marcus Coker (70.8) might have another big game.

After coming close at Syracuse, Coats said the Seawolves are fired up for another FBS opponent.

"It definitely is a motivation," Coats said. "I look at it like they're no different from any other team. They're guys just like us. Just go out and have fun, and see what the final score is on the scoreboard."

America East Preview: Stony Brook hoops draws inspiration from baseball team’s unlikely run

As Stony Brook basketball standout Tommy Brenton watched his school's baseball team make a stunning run to the College World Series last June, the senior forward experienced a wide range of emotions.

College Hoops Countdown, No. 29: America East

• Stony Brook basketball draws inspiration from baseball team's College World Series run
• America East capsule preview: Early departures drain league of some of its top talent

Pride that friends of his were gracing SportsCenter and the back pages of the New York tabloids. Motivation to reach his first NCAA tournament next March and perhaps make a similar run. And yes, even a hint of envy that it was the baseball team and not the basketball program tasting postseason glory.

"What they did is what we want to do," Brenton said. "So there was a little bit of jealousy involved, but overall I was really proud of them and happy for them. Seeing them make the run they did, it's inspiring to know that we could do the same thing."

To capture the nation's attention, Stony Brook basketball will first have to make the NCAA tournament, a goal that has proven elusive since the Seawolves transitioned to Division I in 1999. Twice in the past two seasons Stony Brook has been one win away from the NCAA tournament only to fall in the title game of the America East tournament, last year as the No. 1 seed playing on its home floor.

In an America East conference severely weakened by transfers, Stony Brook appears capable of winning the league again this season and making another run at an NCAA bid. The graduation of guard Bryan Dougher and forward Dallis Joyner deprives the Seawolves of their leading scorer and one of their top rebounders from last season, but enough talent returns that anything short of an NCAA bid would be a disappointment to Brenton and his teammates.

"We definitely talk about what it would be like — the hotels, the pregame and the atmosphere in that arena," Brenton said. "I've had a good career but to make it a great career, I have to get to the NCAA tournament. NITs are great, but there's nothing like an NCAA tournament."

The Seawolves have found all sorts of ways not to finish the job in Brenton's first three seasons.

In 2010, they erased a 16-point first-half deficit in the semifinals against fourth-seeded Boston University only to fall 70-63. In 2011, they surrendered a 15-point lead to Boston University in the title game and lost by two on a pair of John Holland free throws with 2.4 seconds to go. And in 2012, they entered the tournament as the No. 1 seed for the second time in three years but failed to generate enough offense in the title game, falling 51-43 to second-seeded Vermont.

Dave Coley reacts in the second half of last year's title game loss to Vermont (US Presswire)As the Seawolves have come closer and closer the past couple years, the pressure on the team continues to mount. Last season, Stony Brook's strength and conditioning coach xeroxed his ticket stub from the title game onto the cards players filled out every time they lifted weights. And this offseason, the team emphasizing finishing strong before every conditioning or lifting session and ends every practice by collectively shouting "NCAA" on three.

It's Brenton who's probably the biggest key to Stony Brook capturing another America East title and contending for its first-ever NCAA bid.

Brenton, perhaps the league's most versatile player last season, averaged just 7.8 points per game as a junior because he was content to facilitate on offense and expend energy playing stout defense and crashing the glass. The 6-foot-5 wing knows he must be more aggressive on offense next season if the Seawolves are going to be successful, whether that's by taking the ball to the rim more often or not passing up an open perimeter look.

"Being a vocal leader and being more of a threat offensively are going to have to be the two biggest changes to my game this year," Brenton said. "If we want to win, coach has told me I have to score. I have to be an offensive threat. He loves everything I do, but if I want to go to the NCAA tournament I have to take that on my self and help contribute more offensively."

Brenton will benefit from being another year removed from the knee injury that sidelined him the entire 2010-11 season. He'll also be better off if complementary players like guard Dave Coley and wing Ron Bracey shoulder more of the scoring load.

Coley has looked more confident hitting his jump shot and finishing at the rim this summer, according to Brenton. And Bracey appears quicker and more confident after shedding 20 pounds since last season.

For Bracey, Brenton and the rest of Stony Brook's senior class, the urgency they've approached their offseason with is no coincidence. They view this season as their final chance to be part of the first Seawolves team in program history to reach the NCAA tournament.

"The past few years have all been great seasons, but we will never forget how we couldn't finish," Brenton said. "That's really the moral of each practice and each workout. When we lift weights or we go running, we have to finish off strong."

Record crowd shows Stony Brook football has arrived

By GREG LOGAN  greg.logan@newsday.com

The move to Division I athletics began at a crawl for Stony Brook University, but the pace of improvement has accelerated dramatically the past few years with two NIT bids in basketball, the first FCS playoff appearance in football last season and the landmark breakthrough by the baseball team to the College World Series in June. The Seawolves' football team made another leap forward with its thrilling 32-31 comeback victory over Colgate Saturday night, but the victory over the 1-3 Raiders wasn't as big a story as the mob scene that followed. First, athletic director Jim Fiore and his department promoted the "Wolfstock" party for Homecoming well enough to attract a record LaValle Stadium crowd of 10,278 fans. When the Seawolves then gave the student section reason to rush to midfield to celebrate as fireworks exploded nearby, it was a dream scene for players, coaches and administrators. "I think it speaks volumes of what everybody has put into it," head football coach Chuck Priore said in the afterglow. "You start from the administration to the people that handle things on campus to our athletic administration with Jim and Matt . "We go on the field and play, but to put that event together and to get 10,000 people to a Stony Brook football game I don't think was in anybody's dreams, at least, seven years ago when I started. I think it shows we've arrived as an institution and as a community. I think that's just a great thing." Priore's football team made it happen on the field, coming back from a 28-20 deficit entering the fourth quarter. Running back Miguel Maysonet and linebacker Jawara Dudley emphasized how much the Seawolves believe in their coaches and the offensive and defensive systems. Priore called that the sign of a good program. Having a crowd like the one Stony Brook attracted Saturday is a sign that maybe the Long Island community is taking notice, too. "It's awesome," Priore said. "When you walk on the field and you've got fans in the stands, it's a different atmosphere. I think it was louder than last week in the Carrier Dome [when Stony Brook played at Syracuse]. It was pretty loud and pretty exciting, and it seemed like everybody stayed to the end.

Record crowd of 10,278 see Stony Brook clip Colgate 32-31 at Wolfstock 2012

By Greg Logan, Newsday

Unbeknownst to a record LaValle Stadium crowd of 10,278, a fireworks display was cued up east of the field and ready to go for the expected Homecoming celebration against Colgate. But somebody forgot to tell the Raiders, who took a 21-17 halftime lead and expanded it to 28-20 heading to the fourth quarter.

But the Seawolves got fourth-quarter TDs from big backs Marcus Coker and Miguel Maysonet, a touchdown-saving tackle from safety Cedrick Moore and stopped Colgate's Jordan McCord on fourth-and-one at the Stony Brook 48 with 50 seconds left in the game. Only then could the Seawolves exhale as their fans rushed to midfield to celebrate a remarkable 32-31 comeback victory.

"It was great," said Maysonet, who rushed 27 times for a career-high 198 yards and scored the game-winning one-yard TD with 3:31 left to play. "I had people coming up to me left and right, trying to take their picture with me. We put on a good show."

It almost turned into a horror show. Coming off their emotional 28-17 loss at Syracuse of the Big East, the Seawolves were focused on preventing a letdown. The ease with which they built an early 17-0 lead on a 1-yard run by Coker, a 34-yard TD pass from Kyle Essington to Jordan Gush and a 41-yard Wes Skiffington field goal virtually lulled them to sleep.

"Honestly, yeah, we let up a little bit, and they gained the lead" Maysonet said.

Colgate put together an 81-yard scoring drive that ended with a one-yard run by McCord, who carried 23 times for 116 yards, but Maysonet took the kickoff 52 yards to the Raiders' 48. However, he fumbled on fourth-and-four, and on Colgate's first play, Gavin McCarney hit wide-open Ed Pavalko up the middle for a 51-yard touchdown that cut SBU's lead to 17-14.

The brilliance of that call seemed to shake up the Seawolves. Essington threw a pass that was tipped and then intercepted by defensive lineman Chris Horner at Stony Brook's 23, and the Raiders scored the go-ahead TD on a 6-yard run for a 21-17 halftime lead.

Stony Brook coach Chuck Priore blamed himself for the fourth-and-four call that ignited Colgate's comeback. "I told them at halftime, 'You've got my back, and I'll be better in the second half. We dominated the second half."

Well, that is the Seawolves dominated after Essington fumbled and Raiders linebacker Austin Dier scooped it up and went 14 yards for a TD and a 28-20 lead with 6:32 left in the third period.

"They got a break," SBU linebacker Jawara Dudley said of the fumble return. "The defense had to step up. We stopped them and held them to three [offensive] points in the second half.

Early in the fourth quarter, Coker (15 carries, 68 yards), capped a 75-yard drive with a 14-yard burst up the middle. The two-point conversion failed, leaving the deficit at 28-26.

Colgate came right back with McCord breaking into the clear for 33 yards to the SBU 12, where Moore dragged him down from behind. "I never thought he was going to score," Moore insisted. "I just hustled."

The Radiers settled for a 27-yard Andrew Burgess field goal and a 31-26 lead. Stony Brook then responded with a 12-play drive covering 75 yards and lasting 6:07 before Maysonet's 1-yard run for a 32-31 lead after another two-point pass went awry. Then, the defense came up big against McCord.

"When we needed it, we got a 12-play, 75-yard drive in 6:07, and we stopped them on fourth-and-one," Priore said. "I'll take that to the bank."

Marlins' Tom Koehler proud of Stony Brook roots

By Mark Hermann, Newsday

Marlins pitcher Tom Koehler is so devoted to Stony Brook, his alma mater, that he would give the university the shirt off his back. He actually once did that.

On Dec. 6, 2006, during the righthanded pitcher's junior year, he was asked to wear his No. 22 jersey to the Seawolves basketball game so that he could take it off and hand it to former Stony Brook pitcher Joe Nathan. The school that night officially retired it in honor of the All-Star closer, then with the Twins.

"He was whispering in my ear, 'Hey man, take 36, that's my number now,' " Koehler said.

Koehler is proud to have joined Nathan in pro ball (they have the same agent), proud to have been called up by the Marlins Sept. 2, proud to have pitched a scoreless seventh against the MetsSaturday and proud of the college that helped him get here.

It has been quite a year for the native of New Rochelle, who reached 97 with his fastball at Citi Field Saturday. He made the Triple-A All-Star Game, and he got to watch his former coach, Matt Senk, lead the Seawolves to their first College World Series appearance and a signature win over LSU.

"It was incredible, really exciting, especially because I was playing down in New Orleans and a couple of guys [on the team] were local guys who were big LSU fans," Koehler said. "All the hard work is paying off. They're just going to continue to get better."

Senk was the one who sold him on Stony Brook. "He told me straight out that I had an opportunity to pitch as a freshman, and that's something that I wanted to do. I didn't want to go somewhere and be on tarp duty or things like that. I liked his intensity and I saw they were going in the right direction. I was hoping that what the team did this year they were going to do when I was there," the pitcher said.

Koehler laughs about how his Stony Brook teammates got on him about the length of a home run that current Met Lucas Duda of hit against him while Duda was at USC. Koehler pitched in the NCAA Tournament against Ike Davis' Arizona State team -- a game in which the Seawolves let two leads slip away.

"We always played the teams tough and at the last second, we found a way to give them the game. That's one thing the Stony Brook team this year didn't do," he said.

He has not let his own chances slip away. Koehler was roughed up in his major-league debut (four runs in two innings against the Brewers), but in his next two appearances, he struck out seven in three scoreless innings. He was proud that Senk and many other Stony Brook people were at Citi Field Friday night to see him in a big-league uniform.

"I try to keep doing everything I've been doing since college," he said. "Keep working hard, don't lose focus, then hope eventually everything works out the way you want it to. Fortunately, thus far, it has."

Welcome Home Tom Koehler "08 (Miami Marlins)

Stony Brook's Kevin Norrell making big impact in passing game

By Greg Logan, Newsday

Everyone knows Stony Brook coach Chuck Priore wants to run the ball down the throats of opposing defenses, and the Seawolvesdidn't deviate from that approach even against a Big East team such as Syracuse, which allowed 217 yards rushing to SBU last week. The surprising thing in that 28-17 loss was that Stony Brook wide receiver Kevin Norrell went deep against a big-time defense just as easily as he did against Central Connecticut State and Pace earlier this season.

Norrell scored the opening touchdown on a 63-yard bomb that forced the Orange to loosen up against the run. Although he has only seven catches, Norrell's average gain is 41.4 yards thanks to an 89-yard touchdown against CCSU and an 86-yarder against Pace.

His deep-strike dimension can't be ignored by Colgate (1-2) even as the Raiders worry about stopping the running of Miguel Maysonet and Marcus Coker in Stony Brook's Homecoming game at 6 p.m. Saturday at LaValle Stadium.

Describing Norrell's impact at Syracuse, Priore said, "They started the game off pressing us, and they saw us get behind them a few times and backed off. That shows the respect people have for our ability to stretch the field off the play-action pass, but we've got to be more consistent."

Colgate has a strong running game of its own, featuring Jordan McCord, who ranks sixth in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) with an average of 143.0 yards rushing per game. But the Raiders are undersized on defense and have allowed opponents 5.3 yards per carry. If they load up to stop the run against the Seawolves (2-1), they'll be vulnerable to the same kind of play-action fake quarterback Kyle Essington used to set up Norrell's touchdown at Syracuse.

"Once I got a clean release, I told myself, 'Don't stop running,' " Norrell said. "Kyle put it exactly where it needed to be, and all I had to do was just catch the ball and finish it . . . I wasn't surprised. I've played against guys like those."

Norrell, a Los Angeles native, had a successful freshman season at Washington State in the Pac-12 but later transferred to a California junior college, where he was discovered by Priore. He started slowly last season because of injuries, but during the past 11 games, he has 39 catches for 864 yards and seven touchdowns.

"The running game definitely gives me great opportunities when [the defense] loads the box up and it's one-on-one outside," Norrell said. "All you have to do is beat one person, and you're off to the races."

After such an emotional effort at Syracuse, the Seawolves must worry about a letdown. But Norrell said, "We've got to brush it off. If you're angry about last week, just come out here and get after Colgate."

America East announces basketball television package; Stony Brook featured at least eight times

2012-13 SCHEDULES: MEN  |  WOMEN

SEASON TICKET INFO: MEN  |  WOMEN

AMERICA EAST RELEASE

Cambridge, Mass. - The America East Conference has announced its 2012-13 men's & women's basketball television package, and the Stony Brook men's & women's basketball teams will be on the ESPN Family of Networks at least eight times with the potential of up to 13 games.

The men's team will tip off the America East package with a home game on Jan. 15 against Boston University at 7 p.m., live on ESPN3. The following week, Wednesday, Jan. 23, the women will play at UMBC at 12 p.m. as part of Midday Madness on ESPN3.

The marquee game of the conference package will involve the Stony Brook men as the Seawolves play defending conference champion Vermont on Friday, Jan. 18 in Burlington, Vt., at 7 p.m., live on ESPNU. Each year, the America East selects one game for an ESPNU broadcast, and the Seawolves have now been picked for the game three consecutive years. SB has beaten Maine (2011) and Boston University (2012) in its ESPNU games.

The men have three other ESPN3 regular season games lined up: Jan. 29 at Albany (7 p.m.), Feb. 9 at Hartford (7 p.m.) and Feb. 16 at home against Vermont (2 p.m.). Sunday, March 3 at home against Albany also could be televised on ESPN3, as the conference is holding the date open for what it will deem most intriguing game of the day.

Both the men and the women will have between one to three postseason games televised on ESPN3. The America East will broadcast all rounds of the 2013 America East Championship, held March 8-10 at Albany's SEFCU Arena. The men's & women's finals, which are annually held on the campus of the highest remaining seed, will also be televised on March 16 - the men's title game will be on ESPN2 at 11:30 a.m., and the women's title game will be on ESPN3 at a time to be determined.

ESPN3, ESPN’s multi-screen sports network available through an affi liated internet or video provider online via WatchESPN.com, on smartphones and tablets via the WatchESPN app and through ESPN on Xbox LIVE, will carry America East games exclusively for the second straight year in 2012-13. ESPN3 is available in approximately 73 million homes at no cost to fans who receive a high-speed Internet connection or video subscription from an affiliated provider. Major cable providers within the America East footprint that provide ESPN3 access are Burlington Telecom, Comcast, Cox, RCN, Time Warner Cable and Verizon FiOS TV. The network is also available at no cost to approximately 21 million U.S. college students and U.S.-based military personnel via computers connected to on-campus educational networks and on-base military networks.

Games on ESPN2, ESPN3 and ESPNU are also accessible through WatchESPN, ESPN’s authenticated networks service. Live streams of all the WatchESPN Networks are available at no additional cost to fans who receive ESPN as part of their TV subscription from Bright House Networks, Comcast Xfinity TV, Time Warner Cable, Verizon FiOS TV or Midcontinent Communications. 

The men's team, under eighth-year head coach Steve Pikiell, return two starters from last year's team that won the America East regular season championship and advanced to the postseason NIT for the second time in three seasons. Among the returnees is America East Defensive Player of the Year and first-team All-America East forward Tommy Brenton. Pikiell also has four newcomers and a redshirt freshman ready to contribute to Stony Brook's success.

The women's team, under second-year head coach Beth O'Boyle, returns five seniors from last season's squad that sported of the best defenses in the country, ranking 41st out of 336 teams in scoring defense. Among the returnees is 2012 America East Fans' Choice Player of the Year Dani Klupenger. O'Boyle also has six newcomers and two redshirts eager to make an impact right away.

2013 America East Basketball Production Schedule featuring Stony Brook

Date	Team	Opponent	Time	Network
Tue., Jan. 15	MBB	BOSTON UNIVERSITY	7 p.m.	ESPN3
Fri., Jan. 18	MBB	at Vermont	7 p.m.	ESPNU
Wed., Jan. 23	WBB	at UMBC	12 p.m.	ESPN3
Tue., Jan. 29	MBB	at Albany	7 p.m.	ESPN3
Sat., Feb. 9	MBB	at Hartford	7 p.m.	ESPN3
Sat., Feb. 16	MBB	VERMONT	2 p.m.	ESPN3
Fri., March 8	WBB	America East Quarters	TBA	ESPN3
Sat., March 9	MBB	America East Quarters	TBA	ESPN3
Sun., March 10	WBB	America East Semis	TBA	ESPN3
Sun., March 10	MBB	America East Semis	TBA	ESPN3
Sat., March 16	MBB	America East Final	11:30 a.m.	ESPN2
Sat., March 16	WBB	America East Final	TBA	ESPN3

WOLFSTOCK 2012 LIVE ON WUSB, SATURDAY

Syracuse is too much for Stony Brook as Orange pull ahead 28-17

Greg, Logan, Newsday

Stony Brook's senior RB Miguel Maysonet (Riverhead, NY) voted #1 in ESPN SportsCenter Top 10 College Football Plays - "The Leap"

SYRACUSE -- For the first half Saturday at the Carrier Dome, it appeared Stony Brook's football team might take a page from the baseball team's handbook and "shock the world."

Of course, that was the rallying cry when the Seawolves baseballers reached the College World Series. The football team, which plays in the Football Championship Subdivision, was in position for a similar surprise after taking a three-point halftime lead over Syracuse of the Big East in the Football Bowl Subdivision.

Despite making two brilliant goal-line stands on defense, Stony Brook's dreams of an upset faded in the second half when penalties and poor field position throttled the Seawolves' offense. It seemed Syracuse spent the second half in SBU territory on its way to a 28-17 victory.

Stony Brook (2-1) now is 0-4 against FBS schools, but its performance was a far cry from the 59-14 loss it suffered two years ago at South Florida the first time it moved up. "At halftime, we were really fired up," quarterback Kyle Essington said. "We had penalties and a couple busted plays . It just got away from us."

In the first half, the Seawolves controlled the ball for 20:10, primarily with the running of Miguel Maysonet, who finished with 158 yards on 21 carries, and Marcus Coker, who added 59 yards on 17 carries. They also showed quick-strike capability, scoring on a 63-yard bomb from Essington to Kevin Norrell on the first play of the second series and a brilliant 71-yard run by Maysonet in which he hurdled a Syracuse tackler before racing to the end zone for a 17-14 lead.

"Maysonet's touchdown run was a highlight film," Seawolves coach Chuck Priore said.

Syracuse (1-2) seemed confused in the first half against the matchup zone defense SBU was using. Quarterback Ryan Nassib had one big play when a simple swing pass to Prince-Tyson Gulley turned into a 61-yard touchdown, and the Orange scored on a 22-yard run by Ashton Broyld.

Stony Brook had a chance for a seven-point halftime lead, but tight end Elias Martinez dropped a sure TD pass from Essington on a trick play before Wes Skiffington's 20-yard field goal gave SBU a 10-7 lead. "It was wide-open," Priore said of the drop. "You've got to finish that. Four points makes a difference."

After the euphoria of halftime, reality kicked in for Stony Brook. Syracuse took the third-quarter kickoff and drove 85 yards for the go-ahead TD on a 12-yard slant from Nassib to Jarrod West for a 21-17 lead. On the ensuing kickoff, Adrian Coxson was tackled at his own 10-yard line, and field position never got much better for SBU, which picked up only two first downs after halftime and had the ball for only 10:08.

The Seawolves' defense stopped Syracuse on fourth- down plays at the 3-yard line and the 1-yard line. But Stony Brook's offense stalled because penalties wiped out three first-down runs.

"The defense played valiant," Priore said. "Our coaches were confident we could make them do things they were not comfortable with. But they adjusted in the second half."

Syracuse got an insurance touchdown with 5:53 left on a 19-yard pass to Marcus Sales from Nassib, who completed 22 of 35 passes for 335 yards and three TDs.

Stony Brook proved it could compete with an FBS team, but that's what made the disappointment of the loss sting so much.

Taking note of a Carrier Dome sign branding the Orange as "New York's College Team," Maysonet said, "I was definitely going to take a picture in front of that banner if we won. We can compete with any team out there."

Stony Brook football faces major test in Syracuse

While Stony Brook rolled in a 77-7 rout of Division II Pace last week, Syracuse held its own against No. 2-ranked USC in a 42-29 loss. So the Orange (0-2) and the Seawolves (2-0) will be coming from opposite ends of the competitive spectrum when they meet at 4 p.m. Saturday at the Carrier Dome. Syracuse proved it can move the ball, picking up 27 first downs on a Southern California team many expect to contend for the BCS national title. Orange quarterback Ryan Nassib passed for 322 yards and two touchdowns and Syracuse pulled within five points entering the fourth quarter. Stony Brook, meanwhile, hopes to challenge for a national title at the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) level with a high-scoring offense led by running backs Miguel Maysonet and Marcus Coker. The Seawolves never have beaten a team from the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), but after losing in overtime last year at the University of Texas-El Paso, they're excited about the chance to test Syracuse, a Big East team that is moving to the ACC next season. "Beating Syracuse would be a huge step in our program, a big steppingstone that would put our team on the map a little bit more," SBU junior cornerback Davonte Anderson said. "We're pretty confident that we can win this game. "I feel like we're going to be really prepared. It's a dream game for me -- big game, big team and they pass a lot. What more can I ask for?" Those are bold words, but Anderson and the rest of the Seawolves understand they face a huge challenge. Nassib is third in Syracuse history with 6,245 passing yards, second in touchdown passes (50) and first in completions (572), and he has a deep corps of wide receivers that includes Marcus Sales, Alec Lemon and Jarrod West. Sales had eight catches for 104 yards and two TDs against the Trojans. "That will probably be the thing we struggle with the most is our secondary versus their skill outside," Stony Brook coach Chuck Priore said. "That'll be true from this [FCS] level to that [FBS] level. They're a little bit bigger, a little bit stronger and a little bit faster. We'll have to trick them a little bit to get some pressure on them, and yet, too much pressure means you've got to take guys out of coverage, which causes big plays. You've got to be careful." The best defense for the Seawolves might be a ball-control rushing attack that keeps Nassib off the field. But Anderson, who had two interceptions against Pace to give him eight for his career, isn't worried about the physical matchup. "Most of this game is mental," said the 5-9 Anderson, who held his own as a freshman at South Florida of the Big East. "I'm a small player, so I have to rely on my technique and my knowledge of the game. Tall players, I'm not afraid of that at all . . . It's a big game for us, probably one of the biggest games we'll play this year." Time to see how Stony Brook measures up.

Stony Brook 77, Pace 7 Video Highlights

Jamie Williams, Davon Lawrence help Stony Brook pile up 693 yards in rout

By MIKE GAVIN michael.gavin@newsday.com The wind was constant in Stony Brook on Saturday night. Whether it was the gusts from the tornado watch on Long Island or the breeze from Seawolves blowing past defenders on their way to the end zone. There was no weathering the Seawolves' storm as Stony Brook cruised to a 77-7 win over Pace in a non-conference game at Kenneth P. LaValle Stadium, setting school records for points and largest margin of victory. Against an overmatched Division II opponent, the Seawolves amassed 521 of their 693 yards on the ground, led by Jamie Williams, who had 144 yards and three touchdowns on nine carries. "We're interesting because we're not a triple-option team and yet we're always putting numbers up like a triple-option team and yet we have more receivers on the field and capability of throwing the ball," Stony Brook coach Chuck Priore said. "I think that's a real good combination to have." Stony Brook's M&M boys caused the early damage. The backfield tandem of Miguel Maysonet and Marcus Coker each rushed for two first-half touchdowns as Stony Brook took leads of 28-0 after the first quarter and 49-0 at the half. Coker, who had all 81 of his yards in the first half, opened the scoring with a 3-yard touchdown run just 2:35 into the game. He added a 2-yard touchdown run later in the quarter, set up by an interception and return to the 5-yard line by Davonte Anderson, to make it 21-0. Maysonet, who had 53 yards in the first half, cut back and barreled into the end zone from 5 yards to increase the Seawolves' lead to 35-0 with 12:06 left in the half. Less than six minutes later, on a sweep left, he hurdled a defender at the goal line for a 10-yard touchdown. "You look at the stats, third- and fourth-team guys had more yards than us combined," Coker said. "So that just tells you how deep and lethal of a running game we have." Williams was most lethal of all. His third touchdown of the game was on a 42-yard run with 4:33 remaining in the third to make it 70-0. Sophomore Davon Lawrence, of Sachem North High School, ran for a career-high 122 yards on 10 carries, including a 68-yard touchdown run midway through the third. Peace Edafe had a 24-yard touchdown run with 10:16 left to break the previous record of 76 points set last season. The gusty winds didn't affect Kyle Essington, who completed 6 of 6 passes for 158 yards, all in the first half. On a rollout off play-action, Essington threw a 9-yard touchdown pass to senior tight end Brett Arce, who tipped the ball to himself, then dove to the pylon for the first touchdown of his career and a 14-0 lead. With 42 seconds left in the first, Essington found Kevin Norrell for an 86-yard touchdown. "It was great to be a part of something like that," Essington said. "It's obviously a great record to hold." Pace (0-2) was held to just 104 total yards. After a fumble by Stony Brook's Kedar Hunter on their own 28-yard line, Jashon Dawson scored on a 2-yard touchdown run to put Pace on the board. The Seawolves are off to a 2-0 start for the first time since the 2007 season. Their schedule starts to get more difficult, beginning in Syracuse at 4 p.m. Saturday. You might say this portion of the season has been the calm before the storm. "We had a chance to give a lot of kids some playing time, which was good," Priore said. "We're glad about the victory, being 2-0, and moving forward to Syracuse next week."

Football totals 693 yards of total offense in 77-7 win over Pace

Final Stats Stony Brook, N.Y. - The Stony Brook football team totaled a school-record 693 yards of total offense in a 77-7 win over Pace Saturday night at Kenneth P. LaValle Stadium. The running game accounted for 521 yards, led by redshirt freshman Jamie Williams (Hamilton, N.J.), who rushed for 144 yards and three touchdowns, both personal bests. The ground game finished with nine touchdowns. Sophomore Davon Lawrence (Central Islip, N.Y.) chipped in with 10 carries for 122 yards, a career-high, and a touchdown. Senior Kyle Essington (Chino Hills, Calif.) was 6-for-6 for 158 yards and two touchdowns. Senior Kevin Norrell (Los Angeles, Calif.) caught an 86-yard score and senior Brett Arce (Coalinga, Calif.) hauled in a nine-yard TD, his first as a Seawolf. Quotes: Coach Chuck Priore's reaction ... "I'm proud of this team's effort and focus this week. We prepared correctly and it showed on the field. We had the opportunity to give kids some playing time." Sophomore Davon Lawrence ... "The offensive line did a great job of blocking for us tonight. They opened up a lot of holes tonight." Junior Marcus Coker ... "Our running attack is good. We have a lot of good running backs on this team. Jamie and Davon were exciting to watch." Scoring Drives 1st SBU - Coker 3 yd rush (Skiffington kick), 4-47, 1:39, 7-0 1st SBU - Arce 9 yd pass from Essington (Skiffington kick), 4-41, 1:48, 14-0 1st SBU - Coker 2 yd rush (Skiffington kick), 2-5, 0:47, 21-0 1st SBU - Norrell 86 yd pass from Essington (Skiffington kick), 1-86, 0:13, 28-0 2nd SBU - Maysonet 5 yd rush (Skiffington kick), 4-33, 1:51, 35-0 2nd SBU - Maysonet 10 yd rush (Skiffington kick), 8-58, 3:58, 42-0 2nd SBU - Williams 11 yd rush (Skiffington kick), 6-60, 2:52, 49-0 3rd SBU - Williams 5 yd rush (Skiffington kick), 13-83, 6:05, 56-0 3rd SBU - Lawrence 68 yd rush (Skiffington kick), 1-68, 0:15, 63-0 3rd SBU - Williams 42 yd rush (Skiffington kick), 3-50, 1:33, 70-0 4th Pace - Dawson 2 yd rush (Zoroufie kick), 2-25, 0:27, 70-7 4th SBU - Edafe 24 yd rush (Skiffington kick), 7-65, 3:29, 77-7 The Numbers Game Junior Davonte Anderson (Corona, Calif.) picked off two passes, increasing his career total to eight. He's third in Stony Brook's Division I history. Chad King is first all-time with 15. With last week's 89-yard touchdown reception, Kevin Norrell and Kyle Essington own the second and third longest pass plays in Stony Brook's DI history. The 77 points and margin of victory of 70 are school records. Stony Brook scored on its first 10 drives and 11 of 13 overall. The Seawolves scored on the first possession of a drive twice. It has done that five times in the first two games. Senior Wesley Skiffington (Brandon, Fla.) connected on all 11 PATs. Stony Brook totaled 668 yards of total offense against Iona in 2008. News and Notes Stony Brook is 2-0 for the first time since 2007. Arce, Williams and junior Peace Edafe (Staten Island, N.Y.) each recorded their first touchdowns as a Seawolf. Stony Brook is 11-2 all-time vs. Pace. Up Next Stony Brook will head upstate to face Syracuse University on Saturday, September 15. The game will be televised live on SNY at 4 p.m.

Coming off a blowout win, Stony Brook hosts Pace

By STEVEN MARCUS steven.marcus@newsday.com Stony Brook's non-conference football schedule is built on extremes. Last week, it was Central Connecticut. This Saturday, Pace visits LaValle Stadium. Next week, the Seawolves (1-0) face the Big East's Syracuse at the Carrier Dome. Later this month, it's Army at West Point. The Seawolves say there is only one way to approach these games: Treat them similarly. "We prepare for every team the same,'' linebacker Jawara Dudley said. "We [approach] every opponent as if they could beat us, so we won't get beat. Right now, we'll focus on Pace University.'' Central Connecticut was no match for Stony Brook's explosive offense, which featured three touchdowns by running back Miguel Maysonet and three touchdown passes by quarterback Kyle Essington in the 49-17 triumph. Pace lost to Bentley, 42-0, in its season opener. "I wouldn't call them tuneup games,'' said Dudley, who had two sacks against Central Connecticut. "They are respectable opponents that we have to play. We still have to get on the field and operate at a high level. If we don't do that, no matter how good we are on paper, there's always a point where we could get beat.'' For Pace, Stony Brook is the game circled on the schedule. "It's going to be a good game to see where we are at,'' said Pace defensive back David Lopez, who attended Christ the King High School. "Big-time school. Big game. We have nothing to lose and everything to gain; that's our mind-set. We are going against them to give them a good game, not to just go out and be a blowout in the first quarter.'' Stony Brook coach Chuck Priore does not look at the caliber of opponent when making his game plan. He said, "We understand where we are when we go and play Syracuse. We have to understand where we are when we play Pace. It's that balance that you create to understand who you are as a football team and what your strengths and weaknesses against each opponent could be.'' Priore intends to rotate more players into the remaining non-conference games. "I'm not going to let my inside linebacker [Dudley] who I need for the next 10 games take on their offensive guard 72 times. It's not going to happen. We've got good players behind these kids . . . The philosophy is you've got to play to win the season, not just the game.''

Stony Brook Men's Basketball Head Coach Steve Pikiell donates $50,000 back to the university

Stony Brook, N.Y. - Stony Brook University Head Men’s Basketball Coach Steve Pikiell and his wife, Kate, have generously donated $50,000 back to the university, with $25,000 going towards the men’s basketball program and $25,000 going towards Stony Brook Long Island Children’s Hospital, Stony Brook Director of Athletics Jim Fiore announced Thursday. Pikiell’s donation is the largest ever given by an active staff member of Stony Brook Athletics.

The $25,000 going towards the Children’s Hospital will be matched dollar for dollar by an anonymous donor to the Children’s Hospital, bringing the total value of the gift to $75,000.

The Pikiells, who are residents of Stony Brook and active participants in the Three Village community, have four children, Brooke (13), John Patrick (11), Olivia (9) and Kevin (6).

“Stony Brook University means so much to my family and me,” Pikiell said. “For us, it was the obvious decision to give back to the university, the hospital and the community that have given so much to our family. We love living in Stony Brook, love engaging with the Three Village Community and love being a part of Seawolves Athletics. As a University, we have come so far, so fast and we truly are headed towards even bigger and brighter successes; and I could not be more excited to be a part of it.”

“I want to thank Steve and Kate for their tremendous generosity,” Fiore said. “Coach Pikiell’s donation on behalf of his family is just the latest example of the exceptional leadership he displays each and every day. Not only is he a very talented coach and mentor, but he is also an incredible ambassador for our university and an integral part of our community. My hope is that the Pikiells’ generosity, along with that of many others who continue to be so supportive of our efforts, will help to foster new gifts from our constituents as we continue the upward trajectory of Stony Brook Athletics.”

“Stony Brook Children’s truly appreciates Coach Pikiell’s generous support,” said Dr. Margaret McGovern, Physician-in-Chief of Stony Brook Long Island Children’s Hospital. “The children’s hospital and Stony Brook Athletics often have an opportunity to partner to raise awareness and funds to fight childhood diseases; this gift from Coach Pikiell and his family was unexpected and we are grateful that when making this gift he thought of the smallest and most vulnerable patients here at Stony Brook.”

Pikiell, who recently signed a contract extension through the 2016-17 season, is heading into his eighth season as head coach and has been at the helm of a basketball renaissance at Stony Brook. Over the last three seasons, the Seawolves have posted a pair of 20-win seasons, won the America East regular season championship twice, advanced to the America East Championship final in back-to-back seasons and appeared in the prestigious National Invitation Tournament (NIT) twice.

It's About the Journey: Miguel Maysonet (Riverhead, NY)

Koehler called up to the majors by Marlins

Koehler becomes the second (Joe Nathan) Seawolf to make it to the big leagues.

   Stony Brook, N.Y. - Former Stony Brook University Baseball standout Tom Koehler '08 has been called up to the major leagues by the Miami Marlins, the club announced on Sunday. Koehler becomes the second Seawolf to make it to the big leagues, joining Texas Rangers closer and five-time All-Star Joe Nathan '97."This is a great day for Tom, his family, Stony Brook Baseball and Stony Brook Athletics," Stony Brook head coach Matt Senk said. "Tom has worked extremely hard to reach this goal and we couldn't be prouder of him."Koehler and Nathan are two of nine former Stony Brook baseball student-athletes currently playing in major league systems after the Seawolves had a record seven players picked in the 2012 MLB Draft, including its first-ever first-round pick in Travis Jankowski.Added to the Marlins 40-man roster in November, Koehler made 27 starts for the AAA New Orleans Zephyrs this season and was named a Pacific Coast League All-Star as he won 12 games and struck out 138 batters.A local product from New Rochelle, Koehler was promoted to the Zephyrs prior to the 2011 season after being named the Southern League's Most Outstanding Pitcher for the AA Jacksonville Suns the previous year. Koehler went 16-2 with a 2.61 ERA and 145 strikeouts in 28 games for the Suns and led the league in wins while ranking second in strikeouts and innings pitched (158.2).Drafted by the Marlins in the 18th round of the 2008 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft, Koehler was promoted to the Suns in April 2009. The previous season, he went 4-1 with a 3.38 ERA in six starts for the Jupiter Hammerheads of the Advanced-A Florida State League.

A two-time, All-America East second team selection, Koehler finished his four-year Stony Brook career second in program history in innings pitched (293.1) and third in strikeouts (297). He was a part of the 2008 America East Championship winning team that advanced to the NCAA Tournament.

Check out the Video highlights from the 49-17 Stony Brook win over CCSU...

Also, Check out the WUSB banner, as the team comes onto the field...