The Seawolves walked into Shuart Stadium on Saturday night and played a tough game against the Hofstra Pride, but fell just short in a 33-28 defeat.
Stony Brook (SB) jumped out to a quick start after Seawolf Cory Giddings stepped in front of Hofstra QB Bryan Savage’s pass and streaked down the sideline, setting up the Seawolves offense in the red zone. Seawolf QB Josh Dudash quickly connected with Kevin Halonski on an eight yard touchdown pass to give SB a quick 7-0 lead. Dudash was 22-48, with 244 yard, 3 touchdowns and 2 interceptions in the game.
Only moments later, Hofstra would tie the game. On the first play from scrimmage after SB’s touchdown, Hofstra RB Kareem Huggins busted through the line on a stretch play for a 58 yard touchdown run. Huggins finished with 141 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries.
The Seawolves followed with a short series where they were forced to punt. A high snap to punter Andrew Powell saw the ball go straight over his head and back towards the SB end zone. Powell was crushed after he tried to keep the ball in play by kicking it as it was on the ground, and the play resulted in a safety.
The score remained 9-7 through out an ugly, penalty filled first quarter. The Seawolves had six penalties for 40 yards on the game, while Hofstra compiled 95 yards on nine penalties. With 12:42 remaining in the 2nd quarter, Huggins again found the end zone, scampering in from seven yards out.
Hofstra went up 19-7 after a 22 yard field goal by Rob Zarrilli. SB’s offense was attempting to answer late in the half when Josh Dudash was flushed out of the pocket by the Hofstra pass rush. On the run to the right he overthrew his receiver and the ball was intercepted by Emanuel Anderson. Hofstra then brought the ball down the field, and with 49 seconds remaining botched a field goal attempt after a high snap forced the holder to take off running with no where to go.
The SB offense was very quiet in the first half, and the running game never got off the ground. The team finished with just 29 net rushing yards on 32 carries. Conte Cuttino led the team with 68 yards on 24 carries. The defense was sturdy in the first half, highlighted by a spectacular over the shoulder interception by Mike McCoy on the two yard line.
SB opened the scoring in the second half with a 20 yard pass from Dudash to wide receiver Dwayne Eley. Eley had seven receptions for 84 yards. Lynell Suggs, playing opposite Eley, had a very solid game with 10 catches for 132 yards, many of which were in traffic and for 1st downs.
After the touchdown Hofstra responded with a kickoff return that brought the ball over midfield. A 15 yard pass play quickly put the Pride into scoring territory, but the SB defense held on. The next two plays saw SB defenders crash into the backfield, bringing up a 3rd and 19. Hofstra ran a draw for 19 yards and was able to convert on 4th and 1, but Mike McCoy came up with another huge interception on the one yard line.
SB was not able to get a first down though, and after a punt Hofstra started a scoring drive at the SB 38 yard line. A screen pass to fullback Everette Benjamin put the Pride up 26-14. The play was set up by a huge block by Huggins that took out two SB defenders.
SB answered right back on the next drive. An acrobatic 49 yard reception by Dwayne Eley between two Hofstra defenders set up a one yard touchdown run by Cuttino on the first play in the 4th quarter. The SB defense looked to make a stand and get the ball back with a chance to take the lead. Adam Soivilien sacked Hofstra QB Savage to set up a 3rd and 12. With the SB crowd fired up and hoping for a stop, Savage found Ottis Lewis over the middle for a decisive 63 yard touchdown.
With under 10 minutes left SB once again drove down the field to the 13 yard line of Hofstra. Sensing the importance of the drive, SB went for it on 4th and 10, and Dudash was sacked. But Kareem Huggins fumbled away the ball on the next play giving SB new life. Down on the two yard line, a play fake by Dudash resulted in the QB finding JJ Cox wide open for a touchdown to bring the Seawolves within five, 33-28.
The SB defense stuffed the next Hofstra drive, with Soivilien once again in the backfield on third down, forcing the Pride to punt.
Dudash and the offense took the ball at their own 23 with 3:36 remaining, with the chance for one of Stony Brook’s biggest wins of the season. But Dudash was intercepted by Stephen Tate, killing the drive. The defense once again held it’s ground, and got the offense the ball back with 33 seconds left, 76 yards from glory. After two incomplete passes and a sack later, Hofstra sealed another win, pushing their all-time record to 11-0 against the Seawolves.
The road schedule continues for SB the next two weeks, with games at Albany and at Richmond. The team returns home to play Maine during homecoming weekend, Oct. 20.
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