Following a statement victory, the No. 20 Stony Brook football team will try to continue its ascent up the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) ladder against another Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) opponent.
The Seawolves (6-2, 3-1 CAA) will be at Beirne Stadium in Smithfield, R.I. this Saturday for a matinee matchup with the Bryant Bulldogs (2-6, 0-4 CAA). After earning the No. 24 ranking in the FCS coaches poll last week, Stony Brook’s win over No. 20 William & Mary catapulted it up to the No. 20 spot. Additionally, it also received the No. 20 ranking in the FCS Stats Perform Top 25. Unlike the Seawolves, the struggling Bulldogs are unranked and are not receiving votes in either poll. Opening kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.
With Bryant coming into the matchup hungry to break its three-game skid and Stony Brook looking to clinch its first winning season since 2018, here are five questions that need to be answered this weekend:
Can the Bulldogs’ pass defense step up against quarterback Tyler Knoop and the Seawolves’ pass catchers?
Through the first eight games of the season, Bryant owns the CAA’s worst secondary, as it has allowed 261.4 yards per game and 20 touchdowns through the air. Their issues when patrolling the air has largely affected the Bulldogs’ total defense, which resulted in the second-most yards per game overall (442.5) in the league. They have also allowed a 67.3% completion percentage, which is tied for the second-highest mark in the conference.
Along with its troubles trying to close off passing lanes, Bryant has a hard time creating splash plays. The Bulldogs’ two interceptions and three fumble recoveries are tied for the second- fewest marks in the league, while their 13 sacks are tied for the third fewest. This week’s matchup will not be easy in that department, as Stony Brook’s offensive line has allowed the joint-sixth-fewest sacks (14) in the CAA.
In regards to getting to the quarterback, linebacker Ben Silver has been Bryant’s bright spot, as the senior’s 4.5 sacks are the joint-seventh most in the CAA. Cornerback Olatunde Mkparu has been the Bulldogs’ most effective defensive back in coverage. In addition to snagging one of his team’s two interceptions, Mkparu’s four pass breakups lead the squad and are tied for the 15th most in the conference.
Bryant safety Colin Elliott has also been all over the place. His 39 total tackles are the second most on the team and he has notched two tackles for loss, two sacks, two pass breakups, an interception and a forced fumble.
Opposing that unit will be Knoop and a plethora of weapons at his disposal. After an injury caused quarterback Malachi Marshall to miss some time, Knoop took the starting job and ran away with it. Over his last two weeks, Knoop has completed 74.2% (49-for-66) of his passes while throwing for 627 yards and eight touchdowns. Moreover, he broke the program’s record for most touchdown passes thrown in a game when he threw for six against Towson, earning him CAA Offensive Player of the Week honors.
Last week, Knoop did struggle with ball security, as he threw an interception and lost a fumble in the red zone.
“Offensively, we had a good plan, but I just don’t like the turnovers in the red zone,” head coach Billy Cosh said in a press conference on Monday. “That’s inexcusable. We moved the ball at a good rate and we had two turnovers there in the red zone. We have got to be better as a staff and as players to execute. We better fix that going into this week.”
Nonetheless, Knoop has been a game changer in a small sample size. He leads the CAA with a 71.1% completion rate and, despite Knoop’s limited playing time, his nine touchdown passes rank seventh in the conference.
On the outside, Knoop will have a number of options to choose from. Wide receiver R.J. Lamarre currently leads the team with 258 receiving yards on 21 grabs while running back Roland Dempster sits just behind him with 254 on 22.
In recent weeks, wide receivers Jayce Freeman and Jasiah Williams have emerged as Knoop’s most dangerous targets. Despite catching just 10 passes this season, Freeman is a deep-ball threat that has racked up 250 yards and three receiving touchdowns, which are tied with Williams for the most on the team. Like Dempster, Williams has notched 22 receptions for 206 yards.
Tight ends Cal Redman and Cole Bunicci have been instrumental pieces as well. Redman has tallied a single-season, career-high two touchdown receptions and accumulated 200 yards on 15 catches. Bunicci has caught 10 passes for a touchdown and 198 yards.
Can Bryant’s aerial attack succeed without quarterback Jarrett Guest?
Despite their struggles this season, the Bulldogs’ passing game has been among the best in the league. Bryant is averaging the third-most passing yards per game (252.5) and has collected the joint-third-most passing touchdowns (16) in the CAA.
Regardless of the Bulldogs’ success in that department, there is uncertainty surrounding who will be under center. Guest has been a force this season, as he ranks second in the conference with 239.1 passing yards per game and his 13 touchdowns rank third. Additionally, Guest has completed 62.2% of his passes (153-for-246) while throwing four interceptions. However, he missed last week’s game against Richmond due to a left collarbone injury that he suffered two weeks ago.
With Guest unlikely to be healed by Saturday, quarterback Brennan Myer — a true freshman — will likely be at the helm again. In his first taste of collegiate football, Myer has a 54.1% completion rate (20-for-37) and is averaging just 83.3 yards per game with three touchdown passes. He has thrown three interceptions.
Even with Myer’s early growing pains, Bryant head coach Chris Merritt is confident in his young quarterback.
“We know [Myer]’s going to be a special quarterback for us,” Merritt said. “We’ve seen it all season in practice. But, at the same time, remember that four months ago, he walked across his high school stage to get his diploma. Nothing can simulate live bullets.”
No matter who starts, Bryant wide receiver Landon Ruggieri will be there to pick up the slack. Ruggieri currently ranks third in the CAA with 93.1 receiving yards per game, ranks second with 43 catches and is tied for the league lead with nine touchdown receptions.
Aside from Ruggieri, wide receivers Gary Cooper, Aldrich Doe and Drew Montez are also options for Myer. Gary has notched 17 catches and 212 yards, while Doe has scored a touchdown and accumulated 168 yards on 13 catches. Though Montez has caught just 12 passes for 148 yards, he is a red-zone threat with two touchdown receptions.
Running back Fabrice Mukendi and tight end Marc Taglieri Jr. have been valuable pass catchers as well. Out of the backfield, Mukendi’s 30 receptions and 220 yards both rank second on the team while Taglieri Jr. has racked up 19 receptions, two touchdowns and 182 yards.
Even with a lot of offensive talent, the Bulldogs have struggled to put up points. Bryant’s 348.3 yards per game sit at ninth in the conference, but its 20.9 points per game are the fifth fewest.
Attempting to thwart the Bulldogs’ passing game will be a stout Stony Brook secondary and pass rush. The Seawolves possess the CAA’s fourth-best pass defense, allowing 185.8 yards per game and nine touchdowns. They have also notched nine interceptions, which are the second most in the conference.
Additionally, Stony Brook’s pass rush has gotten home 22 times this season, giving it the joint-second-most sacks in the league. It has a juicy matchup this weekend, as Bryant’s offensive line has conceded 20 sacks — the sixth most in the conference.
As a whole, the Seawolves’ revamped secondary has been a major reason for the defense’s resurgence. Though it has allowed the sixth-most yards per game in the CAA (371.8), Stony Brook has allowed the fourth-fewest points per game (21.9).
The key to the Seawolves’ secondary has been cornerback Rudy Silvera. His eight pass breakups, three interceptions and 11 passes defended all rank second in the conference. Safety Shamoun Duncan-Niusulu has also been a reliable piece, breaking up a pass and tallying 42 total tackles.
When rushing the passer, defensive tackle Rushawn Lawrence has led the way with 6.5 sacks, which are the fourth most in the CAA. Defensive tackle Taylor Bolesta (three), defensive end Rodney Faulk (2.5) and linebackers Chayce Chalmers and Tyson McCloud (two) have all tallied multiple sacks.
Will Bryant have any answer for Dempster?
Like clockwork, Dempster seems to dominate every week. Along with his aforementioned talents as a pass catcher, Dempster has been a monster on the ground, making him a true all-purpose back. Dempster’s 14 rushing touchdowns rank second in the CAA and joint third in the FCS. He has also carried the rock a CAA-leading 176 times for 118.4 yards per game, which is also a conference best. Those marks also rank fourth and sixth in the FCS, respectively, and he has gained 5.4 yards per carry.
Though the season is still fairly young, Dempster has also received three different personal accolades. On Sept. 30, he became the first Seawolf to ever earn the Stats Perform FCS Offensive Player of the Week. On top of that, he was named the CAA Offensive Player of the Week on both Sept. 9 and Sept. 23.
Fueled by Dempster’s success, the Seawolves’ overall run game has been the third-most efficient unit in the league (185 yards per game), while their 17 rushing scores are the fifth most in the conference. He has also been the engine of their offense as a whole, which ranks fifth in the CAA in both scoring (28 points per game) and total offense (399.9 yards per game).
Rivaling Dempster will be the Bulldogs’ run stoppers, who have struggled all season long. Bryant’s run defense has allowed the fourth-most rushing yards per game (181.1) in the CAA. It has also allowed the conference’s second-most rushing touchdowns (21), which has contributed to making it the second-worst scoring defense (37.6 points per game).
If the Bulldogs want to contain Dempster, they will need to rely on linebacker Cole Nilles, who leads the team and ranks 19th in the league with 50 total tackles. Additionally, his five tackles for loss also lead the squad.
Silver will play a role in limiting the run as well, as he has notched 4.5 tackles for loss and 18 total tackles. Defensive lineman Nathan Voorhis will hope to stuff the middle. The junior has recorded 27 total tackles and 4.5 tackles for loss to go with two sacks.
Can Bryant’s rushing game get off the ground against Stony Brook’s run defense?
Though the Seawolves have had a remarkable turnaround thus far, their run defense has yet to fully put things together. The unit has allowed the third-most rushing yards per game (186) in the conference. However, Stony Brook has limited touchdown runs, as its 12 rushing scores allowed are the joint-seventh fewest in the CAA.
Linebackers Anthony Ferrelli and A.J. Roberts will be called upon to clog any run lanes. During a breakout campaign, Ferrelli’s 58 total tackles are good for the eighth most in the CAA, while Roberts sits just behind him with 56. The duo has posted four and three tackles for loss, respectively.
Lawrence can also blow up plays, as he has registered 30 total tackles and 8.5 tackles for loss — the eighth most in the CAA. Chalmers has racked up 42 total tackles and five tackles for loss, while McCloud has added 35 and 2.5. Bolesta has notched three tackles for loss while Faulk has banked five.
Along with their high interception output, the Seawolves have a knack for creating turnovers in all forms, as their nine fumble recoveries are the most in the CAA.
Unlike Stony Brook’s ground-and-pound game, the Bulldogs are not a run-heavy offense. Their 95.8 rushing yards per game are the second fewest in the CAA while their three touchdowns are tied for the fewest. However, most of that can be attributed to a lack of attempts, as Bryant’s 213 are the fewest in the league.
When called upon, Mukendi has been effective as the team’s lead back and will likely be relied on more frequently with Guest out. Through eight games, he leads the Bulldogs with 71 carries and 53.3 rushing yards per contest. Additionally, he gains yards in bulk, as his six yards per carry are tied for the 10th most in the CAA.
However, Mukendi has yet to find the end zone this season. Running backs Dylan Kedzior, Mariell Cockrell and Ryan Clark have scored a rushing touchdown apiece despite being utilized scarcely.
Can the Seawolves safely navigate through a trap game?
Stony Brook is coming off a pair of statement victories against two tough opponents in Towson and William & Mary, which was its homecoming game and first nationally ranked win since 2021. Though the Seawolves have the superior team on paper, they will have to avoid overlooking Bryant, who possesses a number of talented playmakers.
Refraining from getting too emotionally high after soaring in the FCS rankings will be key. No matter how each squad is positioned in the standings, any team can win on any given Saturday.
“Bryant’s got a lot of really good players,” Cosh said. “They can score in a heartbeat and defensively, they’re opportunistic and they’re physical. We’re just worried about Bryant, what they do, how to stop Bryant and how to progress versus Bryant. That’s all our focus is on. We have to go on the road, too. Lots of challenges this week and our guys are looking forward to going 1-0.”
