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...

Miguel Maysonet helps quick-strike Stony Brook open with 49-17 win

By MIKE GAVIN michael.gavin@newsday.com

There's excitement about where the Stony Brook football program has been, coming off its first appearance in the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs last season, and where it's headed, shifting from the Big South to the CAA next season.
But while the past may be memorable and the future bright, the Seawolves showed in their season opener Saturday night that the present is promising.
Miguel Maysonet ran for 172 yards on 16 carries, scoring three touchdowns, and the Seawolves racked up 489 yards of total offense as they beat Central Connecticut, 49-17, in a non-conference game in front of 6,094 at Kenneth P. LaValle Stadium.
Speaking of time, the Seawolves used very little of it on three first-quarter scoring drives that totaled three plays and 34 seconds.
After Central Connecticut punter Greg Migdal caught a low snap with his knee down, Stony Brook was awarded the ball at the 4-yard line. On the next play, Iowa transfer Marcus Coker -- who finished second in the Big Ten in rushing last season -- barreled up the middle and into the end zone just 4:39 into the game for his first Stony Brook touchdown.
On the first play from scrimmage on the Seawolves' next possession, Kyle Essington connected with Kevin Norrell for an 89-yard touchdown pass, the second longest in Stony Brook's Division I history, for a 14-0 lead.
Then, for the third consecutive possession, it took the Seawolves only one snap to find the end zone. Maysonet took a sweep left, got a block from lineman Mike Lisi, hurdled a helpless defender on the turf and ran 84 yards for a 21-0 lead with 3:31 left in the first quarter. The run was the longest in Stony Brook's D-I history.
"I didn't know that Lisi was going to cut the dude," Maysonet said. "So I was kind of hesitant, and once he cut him, I didn't have a choice but to jump over him."
Maysonet also caught a 25-yard touchdown pass and scored on a 5-yard run in the third quarter. It was the sixth time he scored at least three touchdowns in a game. The senior moved into fourth place on the Big South's all-time rushing list with 2,933 career yards.
Essington completed 9 of 17 passes for 188 yards with one interception and three touchdowns, including a 19-yarder to Adrian Coxson to make it 42-10.
Coker rushed for 75 yards on 19 carries.
Central Connecticut was held to 64 passing yards. Quarterback Andrew Clements rushed for 132 yards, including touchdown runs of 25 and 50 yards.
Stony Brook linebacker Jawara Dudley had seven tackles, three for a loss, and two sacks.
"I was really impressed with our defensive team speed and ability to make plays," Stony Brook coach Chuck Priore said. "The option stuff will get you with responsibility football every once in a while. A guy didn't fill his gap on the long run . . . We created a lot of negative plays and that's really the exciting part of that."
So what are these Seawolves capable of this season?
"We're definitely going to take it one game at a time, but I definitely see big things in the future," Essington said. "I don't know about everyone else, but me personally, I have my eyes set on a national championship."

Maysonet, Essington lead Football past Central Connecticut, 49-17

Final Stats

Stony Brook, N.Y. - Senior Miguel Maysonet (Riverhead, N.Y.) totaled 196 yards of total offense and three scores and senior Kyle Essington (Chino Hills, Calif.) passed for 188 yards and three touchdowns as the Stony Brook football team topped Central Connecticut, 49-17, in the season opener for both teams.
Maysonet ran for scores of 84 and five yards and caught a 25-yard TD. Essington also threw a TD pass to senior Kevin Norrell (Los Angeles, Calif.) and junior Adrian Coxson (Baltimore, Md.).
Coach Chuck Priore's reaction
"It was a good win in a good atmosphere. I thought our defense played really fast early on. Overall, we played our brand of football."
Miguel Maysonet's comments
On the 84-yard TD run ... (Mike) Lisi made a nice block, and as I saw the defender coming at me, I leaped over him. I kind of got tired at the end, but Adrian Coxson helped me into the end zone.
Kyle Essington's comments
On having a two-back system ... Having guys like Miguel and Marcus (Coker) really relieves a lot of pressure on myself. We have a lot of returners and playmakers, so my job is to get the ball to them and let them make plays.



Scoring Drives

• 1st Q Marcus Coker 4-yard run (Graham Ball kick), 1-4, 0:06, SBU 7 - CCSU 0
• 1st Q Kevin Norrell 89-yard pass from Kyle Essington (Ball kick), 1-89, 0:13, SBU 14 - CCSU 0
• 1st Q Miguel Maysonet 84-yard run (Ball kick), 1-84, 0:15, SBU 21 - CCSU 0
• 2nd Q Juan Duque 37-yard FG, 12-29, 5:36, SBU 21 - CCSU 3
• 2nd Q Andrew Clements 28-yard run, (Duque kick), 8-69, 4:28, SBU 21 - CCSU 10
• 2nd Q Maysonet 25-yard pass from Essington (Ball kick), 6-55, 1:31, SBU 28 - CCSU 10
• 3rd Q Maysonet 5-yard run (Ball kick), 12-79, 5:20, SBU 35 - CCSU 10
• 3rd Q Adrian Coxson 19-yard pass from Essington (Ball kick), 7-44, 3:26, SBU 42 - CCSU 10
• 4th Q Clements 50-yard run (Duque kick), 6-76, 2:05, SBU 42 - CCSU 17
• 4th Q Jamie Williams 8-yard run (Ball kick), 12-71, 6:15 SBU 49 - CCSU 17

The Numbers Game

• The three TDs for Maysonet was the sixth time he's recorded at least three scores in a game.
• Maysonet's 84-yard run was the longest in Stony Brook's Division I history.
• Essington's 89-yard TD pass to Norrell is a new LaValle Stadium record.
• Sophomore Graham Ball made all seven of his PATs in his Division I debut.
• The Seawolves recorded 14 tackles for loss. Jawara Dudley and Dominick Reyes had three apiece.
• Clements recorded 103 of Central Connecticut's 216 yards of total offense.

News & Notes

• Tonight's victory was the first season-opening win for Stony Brook since 2008. 2008 also was the last time the Seawolves opened the season at home (42-26 over Colgate).
• All three of Stony Brook's touchdowns in the first quarter came on the first play of the drive.
• Stony Brook is 8-3 all-time vs. Central Connecticut. It has never lost at home.

Up Next

• Stony Brook hosts Pace, a Division II school from the Northeast-10 Conference. Pace fell to Bentley, 42-0, in its opener.

Stony Brook Football vs. CCSU, Tonite on WUSB...pregame starts at 5:45 p.m.