Following a dominant performance on both sides of the ball in its last game, the Stony Brook football team will look to stretch its winning streak to five games against a Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) rival.
On Saturday afternoon, the Seawolves (4-1, 1-0 CAA) will conclude their two-game homestand at Kenneth P. LaValle Stadium, where they will host the No. 5/6 Villanova Wildcats (4-1, 1-0 CAA). Unlike its opponent, Stony Brook is unranked in both the Stats Perform Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) Top 25 and coaches poll, but its hot start to the season has earned it some votes in each. Opening kickoff for Saturday’s matchup is set for 3:30 p.m.
With two teams that are undefeated in CAA play ready for battle on Saturday, here are five questions that will need to be answered this weekend:
Can running back Roland Dempster and his team’s run game stay hot against one of the CAA’s best run defenses?
Throughout the first five games of this season, the Wildcats have owned the conference’s second-best scoring defense (16.2 points per game) and third-best total defense (330.4 yards per game), which is largely due to their tough run defense. Villanova has allowed the third-fewest rushing yards per game (134.2) and the joint-fourth-fewest rushing touchdowns (five).
On the opposite side of the field, the Seawolves rely heavily on Dempster and their ground-and-pound game in general. In the early goings of this season, Dempster has been a force, as he leads the CAA with 117 rushing yards per contest. Additionally, his nine touchdown runs represent the fourth-most total touchdowns in the entire FCS and rank second in the CAA. He is averaging 5.4 yards per carry, as well.
Along with Dempster, Stony Brook’s run game has been lethal as a whole, as its 194.4 yards per game and 11 touchdowns rank third and joint fifth in the conference, respectively. Behind Dempster, running backs Johnny Martin and Brandon Boria have been solid, as well. Martin has rushed for 163 yards on 138 carries with a rushing touchdown, while Boria has also notched a touchdown run and 133 yards on 35 attempts.
Attempting to stuff the run will be two of the CAA’s premier defenders — Villanova linebackers Brendan Bell and Shane Hartzell. Bell’s 42 total tackles currently rank second in the conference and Hartzell’s 39 are tied for seventh. Moreover, Bell has notched 2.5 tackles for loss, while Hartzell has added 1.5.
Defensive tackle Chuck Smith has also made his presence felt with two tackles for loss, while linebacker Richie Kimmel has collected 25 total tackles.
Conversely, can the Seawolves slow down the run?
Much like Stony Brook, the Wildcats are a run-first team. Though none of its rushers out of the backfield have been as dominant as Dempster, Villanova’s ground attack possesses the fifth-most rushing yards per game (190.4) in the conference and the seventh-most rushing touchdowns (nine).
The Wildcats’ main threat in that department is running back Isaiah Ragland. On 55 carries this season, he has racked up the 10th-most rushing yards per game (66) in the CAA and his six yards per attempt are tied for the seventh most. Ragland has also been a scoring threat, as he has rushed for four touchdowns — the joint-fifth most in the conference.
Running back David Avit has also been a key part of Villanova’s offense. The freshman’s 55 yards on the ground per game are the 14th most in the CAA and his 5.7 yards per carry are tied for the 10th most. He has also added a touchdown.
Villanova head coach Mark Ferrante had high praise for his two halfbacks.
“[Avit] is the bigger and more physical guy,” Ferrante said in a press conference on Monday. “[Ragland] is compact and strong. We’re excited. We want to get those guys as many touches as we can.”
In addition to their running backs, quarterback Connor Watkins has also been efficient for the Wildcats when using his legs. He has netted 232 rushing yards and waltzed into the end zone three times.
Squaring off against Villanova’s runners will be the Seawolves’ ninth-ranked run defense. Though the unit has allowed 168.2 rushing yards per game this year, it has surrendered just two rushing touchdowns, which are tied for the fewest in the CAA. Limiting the damage to two rushing touchdowns has helped produce the conference’s third-best scoring defense (19.2 points per game).
Stony Brook’s front seven also features some talented playmakers. Linebackers A.J. Roberts and Anthony Ferrelli are tied for ninth in the conference with 36 total tackles and have notched 2.5 and two tackles for loss, respectively. Linebacker Chayce Chalmers has also settled into his new position nicely, as he has accumulated 28 total tackles.
On the defensive line, defensive tackles Taylor Bolesta and Rushawn Lawrence, along with defensive end Rodney Faulk, have all contributed four tackles for loss apiece. The team has also recovered five fumbles, which are tied for the most in the CAA and narrowly edges out the Wildcats’ four.
If the Seawolves eliminate the ground game, can Villanova break through via the air?
Though its run defense sits in the middle of the pack in the CAA, Stony Brook’s secondary has been the bread and butter of its defense. Though the Seawolves rank seventh in total defense (356.6 yards per game), their pass defense is the fourth best (188.4 yards per game) in the conference and their four interceptions are tied with the Wildcats for the sixth most. However, they have allowed the joint-fifth-most passing touchdowns (eight) in the league this season despite limiting points on the ground.
Leading the way in Stony Brook’s secondary is cornerback Rudy Silvera. The transfer student has helped transform that aspect of the team’s game, as his six pass breakups, two interceptions and eight total passes defended are all the second most in the CAA.
The Seawolves have not given opposing quarterbacks much time to operate. Their 14 sacks currently rank third in the CAA and many different pieces have chipped in for their pass rush. Bolesta’s three sacks are tied for sixth in the league while Lawrence’s 2.5 are tied for 10th. Faulk has also added a pair of sacks. They will have a juicy matchup against the Wildcats’ offensive line, which has allowed the fourth-most sacks (13) in the CAA.
On the other side of the field, Villanova’s passing game has struggled. The Wildcats rank dead last in the CAA with 147.4 passing yards per game.
Under center, Watkins owns the conference’s third-lowest completion percentage (51.3%) and has thrown for just 137.4 yards per game — the fifth fewest in the CAA. However, he has racked up five touchdown passes, which are tied for the eighth most in the conference. Watkins has also kept the ball secure, as he has yet to throw an interception this season.
Because of Villanova’s passing woes, its wideouts have not gotten off the ground this year. Wide receiver Devin Smith is Watkins’ primary target. Though he is averaging just 42.6 receiving yards per game, Smith has caught three touchdown passes, which are tied for the sixth most in the conference.
Wide receiver Jaylan Sanchez has also played a role in the passing game, notching 31.6 receiving yards per game and two touchdown receptions.
Can the Seawolves’ passing game start to click?
Similar to Stony Brook, the Wildcats’ secondary has also been a plus for their defense. Villanova has surrendered 196.2 passing yards per game, which is the sixth-best mark in the CAA. The secondary has also done a good job patrolling the end zone, as it has allowed the joint-second-fewest touchdown passes (four) in the league.
Though Villanova’s six sacks are tied for the second fewest in the conference, the Seawolves’ offensive line has allowed the sixth-most sacks (11). Defensive end Nigel McSween leads the Wildcats with 1.5 sacks, while Hartzell, defensive tackle Ayden Howard and defensive end Capri Martin have all contributed a sack each.
Quarterback Malachi Marshall will be at the helm again with the hope of shaking some of the growing pains he has experienced in his first collegiate season. The true freshman’s 49.2% completion rate ranks dead last in the CAA and his lone touchdown pass is tied for the fewest. He has also thrown a pair of interceptions and his 162.8 passing yards per contest are the 10th most in the conference.
Wide receiver R.J. Lamarre has been Marshall’s go-to receiver, as he leads the team with 15 catches and 40.4 yards per game. Tight ends Cole Bunicci and Cal Redman have also been frequently thrown to. Bunicci has accumulated 167 receiving yards and a touchdown while Redman has caught eight passes for 99 yards.
Marshall has also spread the ball out to wide receivers Jasiah Williams, Dez Williams and Jayden Cook. Jasiah Williams has collected 107 yards on 10 catches, while Dez Williams has reached 100 on seven receptions.
Cook has six catches for 60 yards and a touchdown. Dempster has also gotten some looks in the passing game out of the backfield, recording 94 yards on seven catches.
With the run game facing a tough matchup on Saturday, head coach Billy Cosh is looking for the team’s passing attack to take the next step.
“We have got to be able to throw the ball in different ways,” Cosh said. “We need to get the ball to the perimeter and throw the ball down the field to take the pressure off our run game. That’s definitely going to be an emphasis for us this week and we have to do those things moving forward.”
How will Stony Brook match up against a ranked opponent?
Though the Seawolves have already done a lot of work to turn their football program around, their game against Villanova will be their biggest challenge of the season thus far. After being blown out against Marshall in week one — an NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision team — Stony Brook has won four straight games.
Despite the winning streak, the Seawolves’ opponents over that stretch have combined for a 7-15 record this season. Nonetheless, Stony Brook will hope to keep the good times rolling at LaValle Stadium on Saturday.
“[Villanova] knows how to win because they have done it for so long,” Cosh said. “It’s going to be a heck of a challenge for us because we’re now starting to learn how to win. I’ve got so much respect for Villanova. They’ve had a long-term success plan so we have to have a great week of preparation.”