Stony Brook, N.Y. - In his first career start for Stony Brook, junior Kyle Essington (Chino Hills, Calif.) threw four touchdown passes and ran for another to lead the Seawolves (2-3, 1-0 Big South) to a 42-24 win over Presbyterian on Saturday night at Kenneth P. LaValle Stadium.
Essington, who was 17 of 27 for 292 yards, threw touchdown passes of 44, 40, 22 and 42 yards. His 18-yard score was his third rushing touchdown of the season. "Coming off the bye week allowed us to get in some great work," said Essington, who made the start in relief of senior Michael Coulter, who is out for the season with a knee injury."
Two touchdowns were caught by senior Matt Brevi (Tampa, Fla.), who caught five passes for 126 yards. Brevi's second touchdown of the night occurred on the final play of the first half as time expired. "It's a play we work on in practice, and I felt like I could make the catch," Brevi said.
Juniors Kevin Norrell (Los Angeles, Calif.) and Miguel Maysonet (Riverhead, N.Y.) also caught touchdown passes. Senior Brock Jackolski (Shirley, N.Y.), who rushed for 130 yards, accounted for the other touchdown on a one-yard leap.
"Tonight was a real good victory for us," coach Chuck Priore said. "I thought we had a solid game plan which was executed well. Presbyterian challenged us with some different looks, but I thought we threw the ball efficiently and successfullyEssington completed his first five passes of the game, which helped Stony Brook to a 14-3 lead. Presbyerian (1-4, 0-1) cut the lead to 14-10 after Michael Ruff scored on a 54-yard run with 3:56 left in the second quarter.
After the Blue Hose turned the ball over on downs, the Seawolves took over on their 39 with 52 seconds left. On second and 19, Jackolski rushed for 10 yards, ending the half. But a 15-yard penalty gave the Seawolves an untimed down at the Presbyerian 45. Then Presbyterian was called for a second penalty with no time remaining, giving Stony Brook a second free play. Essington, with time in the pocket, threw the ball downfield with just Norrell and Brevi against four Presbyterian defenders on the goal line. Brevi leaped for the catch at the one, spun clockwise, and ran into the end zone for the score and a 21-10 lead at halftime.
Presbyterian scored on its first possession of the second half to make it a 21-17 game, but the Seawolves started to pull away. Stony Brook stopped Presbyterian on its next drive, forcing a three and out. Jackolski returned the punt 44 yards to the Blue Hose 22. Essington, on the first play, found Maysonet, who was covered by two defenders in the end zone but outjumped both, for the score.
Jackolski's one-yard score capped a 10-play, 80-yard drive, putting Stony Brook ahead 35-17 with 1:53 left in the third quarter.
Senior Donald Porter (Charles Town, W.Va.) intercepted Brandon Miley on the first play following the kickoff. Two plays later, Essington found Norrell, who ran down the right sideline for the score and a 14-point swing in just 29 seconds.
Junior Dan Mulrooney (Prospect, Conn.) had 10 tackles to lead the defense.
Stony Brook plays its final non-conference game of the season next Saturday against Division II St. Anselm at 6:00 p.m. (WUSB)
