With a chance to all but clinch a Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) playoff spot, the No. 18/20 Stony Brook football team will need to takedown a formidable Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) foe.

The Seawolves (8-3, 5-2 CAA) will be at Kenneth P. LaValle Stadium on Saturday for their regular-season finale against the Monmouth Hawks (5-6, 3-4 CAA) for what may be the last time in 2024. With Richmond clinching the CAA’s top seed and automatic bid into the FCS playoffs last weekend, Stony Brook will need to defeat Monmouth to keep its hopes of earning one of the division’s 14 at-large bids into the tournament alive. Opening kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.

Though the Hawks are under .500 and unranked in both the Stats Perform Top 25 and coaches poll, they are a talented bunch that will represent a major challenge for the Seawolves. Last weekend, Monmouth upset Villanova — who was ranked No. 8/9 in the nation at the time — 40-33.

With Stony Brook’s biggest game in years on the horizon, here are five questions that should be answered on Saturday:

Can the Seawolves’ pass rushers slow down quarterback Derek Robertson?

Overall, the Hawks’ offense has been a powerhouse in the CAA. The unit ranks first in both scoring (37.5 points per game) and total offense (471.7 yards per game) while clocking in at fourth and third in the FCS in each category, respectively. Each of those statistics can be largely attributed to its conference-best passing game.

Under center, Robertson has been lethal this season. The senior leads the CAA in passing yards (3,401), touchdowns (28) and yards per game (309.2). Even more impressively, all three of those marks also rank third amongst all FCS quarterbacks.

When airing the ball out, Robertson has been surgical as the Hawks’ field general as well. He has thrown just six interceptions on 390 passing attempts and his 65.4% is the fifth-best mark in the CAA.

In addition to Robertson’s talent, he has also had ample time to throw, as Monmouth’s offensive line has been stellar throughout the season. The group has allowed just 11 sacks, which are the fewest in the CAA.

Bearing down on Robertson’s protectors will be a Stony Brook pass rush that features a lot of depth. On the season, the Seawolves have secured 30 sacks — the joint-fourth most in the league.

Leading that front will be defensive tackle Rushawn Lawrence, who has been the team’s game-wrecker. He ranks fourth in the CAA with eight sacks, has forced a pair of fumbles and has picked off a pass to boot.

Though no other Seawolf defender has come close to Lawrence when getting home, the team possesses several options that can do so. Defensive end Rodney Faulk has totaled 4.5 sacks while linebacker Chayce Chalmers has added 3.5.

Defensive tackle Taylor Bolesta has contributed three sacks. Defensive end Kris Caine and linebacker Tyson McCloud have tallied 2.5 and two sacks, respectively, while linebacker Anthony Ferrelli has 1.5. Six other Stony Brook defenders have picked up at least half a sack.

Can the Seawolves’ secondary clean things up to contain Monmouth’s talented pass catchers?

On the perimeter, Robertson has a plethora of weapons at his disposal. Despite missing a pair of games this season, wide receiver Josh Derry leads the conference with 91 receiving yards per game while ranking fifth and seventh, respectively, in receiving yards (819) and catches (53). He has also reeled in five touchdowns, placing him just outside of the CAA’s top-10 leaderboard.

Complimenting Derry is wide receiver T.J. Speight, who averages the ninth-most receiving yards per game (67.7) in the league and ranks eighth with 745 overall. Speight has also been one of Robertson’s top options in the red zone, as his six touchdown receptions are tied for the seventh most in the conference while his 54 snags lead the team.

“[Speight] was a running back in high school that we converted to receiver,” Monmouth head coach Kevin Callahan said in a press conference on Monday. “He’s just grown and developed each and every year he’s been with us. It’s really good to see him having the breakout year that he’s having.”

Although he is not targeted as much as Derry and Speight, wide receiver Tra Neal has been a key contributor as well. Neal has also caught six touchdown passes and has notched 396 yards on 31 receptions.

Wide receivers Gavin Nelson and Maxwell James round out Monmouth’s wide receiver room. Nelson has racked up three receiving scores and 569 yards on 32 receptions, giving him the fourth-most yards per catch (17.8) in the CAA. James has also notched three touchdowns.

Alongside the Hawks’ wideouts, tight ends Jack Neri and Marcus Middleton have made their presence felt. Neri has caught 28 passes for 246 yards and four house calls while Middleton has a touchdown grab of his own.

On the opposite side of the field, Stony Brook’s secondary has struggled recently. Over their past four games, the Seawolves have allowed 261.8 passing yards per game despite allowing just six receiving touchdowns over that span.

Nonetheless, Stony Brook’s strong start to the season has kept its secondary among the upper echelon in the CAA. It has allowed the seventh-fewest passing yards per game (209) and passing scores (15), while also picking off the second-most throws (12). Those numbers have helped the Seawolves limit their opposition to the fifth-fewest points per game (22) in the CAA.

Stony Brook’s pass defense is headlined by cornerback Rudy Silvera, who currently ranks second in the league in pass breakups (12) and passes defended (15). He is also tied for third in interceptions with three.

Playing opposite Silvera, cornerback Deshawn Jones Jr. has been one of the CAA’s better defensive backs as well. Along with a pick, Jones Jr. has notched seven pass breakups and eight defenses, giving him the eighth and ninth most, respectively.

Safety Shamoun Duncan-Niusulu has helped the Seawolves’ secondary control the airways as well. Although he has accumulated just one pass breakup and one interception, Duncan-Niusulu ranks third on the squad with 67 total tackles.

Will Stony Brook’s run defense stay hot against the Hawks’ strong running back tandem?

Despite allowing two rushing touchdowns against New Hampshire last week, the Seawolves’ run defense had its best game of the season, allowing just 63 yards via the ground. The contest marked a change of pace from what has been seen during most of the season, as Stony Brook owns the fifth-worst run defense (164.5 yards per game) in the CAA, which has contributed to its seventh-worst total defense (373.5 yards per game).

Even with Monmouth’s pass-heavy offense, it still sports an impressive running back duo. As the lead man out of the backfield, running back Rodney Nelson has averaged 69.5 rushing yards per game, which is the seventh most in the conference. Additionally, he has found the end zone four times and his 6.1 yards per carry rank sixth in the CAA. Nelson has also been used in the Hawks’ passing game, catching 15 passes for 137 yards.

Nelson’s running mate is running back Sone Ntoh, who has been deployed as Monmouth’s goal-line back. Despite totaling just 97 carries, he leads the CAA with 23 rushing scores. The five-foot-11, 235-pound graduate student has also totaled 453 rushing yards and caught a touchdown pass. Ntoh’s 24 total house calls are the most in the FCS.

The Seawolves’ front seven will be tasked with taking the duo down. In the middle of it all will be Ferrelli, who has been a tackling machine this year. During his breakout campaign, Ferrelli has racked up a team-leading 80 total tackles, which also rank ninth in the CAA.

Linebacker A.J. Roberts has also been a force, accumulating 77 tackles of his own. Along with his pass-rushing prowess, Lawrence has added 40 total tackles and 11.5 tackles for loss, which are tied for the fifth most. Faulk has notched nine tackles for loss and 35 total tackles, while Chalmers has accumulated 6.5 and 49.

Bolesta can also clog the middle, as he has pushed offenses back six times despite tallying just 17 total tackles. The group has also excelled at forcing turnovers, as it has recovered a league-leading 13 fumbles compared to Monmouth’s five.

Can Stony Brook’s aerial attack turn the page after a pair of errors last game?

During last week’s matchup, fumbles by quarterbacks Tyler Knoop and Malachi Marshall proved costly, as both led to touchdowns en route to New Hampshire’s 21-point fourth quarter. However, this week appears to be a juicy matchup for the Seawolves to get back on track.

Through 11 games this season, the Hawks’ secondary has allowed the second-most passing yards per game (249.1) and touchdowns (22) in the CAA. Overall, Monmouth owns the conference’s third-worst scoring (32.3 points per game) and total defense (410.7 yards per game).

The Hawks’ best cornerback is K-Shawn Schulters, whose seven passes defended are the joint-11th most in the CAA. Safety Deuce Lee has also been effective, defending four passes and totaling 62 tackles.

Along with its struggles in coverage, Monmouth’s pass rushers have not gotten home often, as their 15 sacks are tied for the fewest in the league. They will also have a tough task considering Stony Brook’s offensive line has allowed 20 sacks this year — the joint-sixth fewest in the CAA.

Linebacker Damir McCrary leads the team with 3.5 sacks. Defensive end Miles Mitchell follows with 2.5 sacks while defensive tackle Chris King has added two of his own. Defensive end Justin O’Bannon is the only other player on the roster with over a sack, as he has a total of 1.5.

After quickly returning to last Saturday’s game following a brief injury scare, Knoop will be at the helm for the Seawolves once again. Though Knoop’s 146.6 passing yards per game are the second fewest in the league, he has made the most of his chances. Knoop leads the league with a 69.0% completion rate and has thrown the joint-fourth-most touchdown passes (14) with just three interceptions.

Much like Monmouth, Knoop will have a number of options to throw to as well. Knoop’s top choice will likely be wide receiver Jasiah Williams, who leads the team with 43 receptions. On those grabs, Williams has totaled three touchdowns and a team-leading 418 receiving yards. 

While Williams represents the steady hand, wide receiver Jayce Freeman has emerged as Stony Brook’s top receiver over the last few weeks. After being shut out across the first six games of the season, Freeman has found the end zone in five straight contests, scoring six touchdowns over that span. He has also accumulated 413 yards on just 18 receptions, making him a true deep threat, as his 22.9 yards per catch sit atop the league.

Tight ends Cal Redman and Cole Bunicci have also been reliable. Redman has snagged 24 passes for 320 yards and three scores, setting single-season career highs in all three categories.

“[Redman]’s steady Eddie,” Cosh said. “He’s a hard worker and brings toughness to our team. When I first met him, he wanted to win so badly and be a part of a winning culture. He’s been instrumental for me in year one. I’m proud of him. He’s a guy that you want in your corner.”

Bunicci has hauled in 12 catches for 226 yards and a pair of touchdowns. 

Wide receiver R.J. Lamarre has caught 21 passes for 258 yards but has not made a catch since Oct. 26 against William & Mary. Wide receiver Dez Williams is also an occasional threat, as he has racked up 19 receptions and 248 yards.

Will running back Roland Dempster get back on the scoresheet?

Despite having a solid day during his last time out, Dempster failed to find the end zone for just the third time this year, as his three-game touchdown streak came to a screeching halt. Regardless, the Seawolves’ offense still runs through Dempster and it will continue to do so.

As Stony Brook’s answer to Ntoh’s expertise at finding the end zone, Dempster’s 18 rushing scores rank second in the CAA and third in the FCS. His 1,237 total rushing yards and 112.5 per game both lead the conference while ranking fourth and sixth in the FCS, respectively. Dempster also banks 5.0 yards per attempt.

In addition to his tough running style, Dempster has been utilized as a pass catcher out of the backfield. He has racked up 31 receptions — the second most on the team — for 322 yards, which are the third most.

Dempster’s dominance has helped deliver the Seawolves the fifth-best ground attack (168.3 yards per game) and total offense (388.9) in the league. They also rank sixth in the league with 28.1 points per game. 

Similar to its pass defense, Monmouth also struggles to limit teams on the ground. The Hawks sport the sixth-worst rushing defense in the conference, as they have allowed 161.6 rushing yards per game. Moreover, their 20 rushing scores allowed represent the seventh-highest total in the league.

Leading the pursuit of Dempster will be Monmouth linebacker Ryan Moran, who has totaled a team-best 74 tackles. He has also tacked on five tackles for loss. Fellow linebacker Sam Korpoi slightly trails Moran with 65 total tackles and four tackles for loss.

O’Bannon and Mitchell share the team lead with 5.5 tackles for loss apiece. Lee has contributed 62 tackles while McCrary has recorded 51 with five being for a loss.

If their defense can step up to the plate as it has done for most of the season, the Seawolves should be able to claim an FCS playoff berth for the first time since 2018, marking an incredible turnaround following the program’s two worst seasons ever. 

After earning the American Football Coaches Association Region 1 Coach of the Year award, a playoff appearance would add another feather to Cosh’s cap during his debut season as a collegiate head coach. However, with Saturday being senior day, Cosh put the spotlight on his soon-to-be graduating players who have helped make it all possible.

“A lot of guys could’ve left … and they stayed,” Cosh said. “All these guys that are seniors are great kids … and I’m so happy that we’re having some success because they deserve it. They’ve been through a lot and we want to honor them the right way this weekend. We’re a lot closer and those seniors have helped that cause … they’ve been the glue.”