Stony Brook lost 30-20 to Elon on Saturday in a game that was played in a steady rain for most of the first half and what looked like a tropical storm for stretches of the second half. For the Seawolves it was a game of missed opportunities as they went two for 15 on third-down conversions and failed to convert on fourth and inches inside their 20 in the first quarter. ‘On a day like today we’re reminded that football is about fundamentals,’ coach Chuck Priore said. ‘We didn’t execute offensively.’
Elon’s offense thrives on the passing game so despite the less than optimal weather conditions they relied on the arm of quarterback Scott Riddle. Riddle threw two touchdowns in the first quarter, a four-yard shovel pass to receiver Bo Williamson and a nine-yard pass to fullback Tim Applegate under pressure from the Seawolves defense.
After an Elon field goal made it 16-0, Stony Brook finally caught a break with an interception by junior Tyler Santucci. Two plays later, freshman quarterback Dayne Hoffman made the Phoenix pay when he hit senior receiver Lynell Suggs for a 19-yard touchdown. Suggs showed why he is one of the top FCS receivers in the country with a one-handed grab.
The Seawolves were back in the game with less than two minutes left in the first half when Elon stole the momentum on one play. Punt returner Karlos Sullivan looked to be on the receiving end of a big hit but he was able to avoid the tackle and instead went 81 yards for a touchdown to make it 23-7 Elon with 1:33 left. The Seawolves continued to battle and scored right before the half ended when Hoffman hit junior receiver Donald Lee for a 49 yard strike.
The Seawolves were unable to make head way in a second half that had the field looking like a childrens slip-and-slide. But Santucci would not use the weather as an excuse saying that the windy and wet conditions ‘didn’t affect the game.’ Freshman running back Edwin Gowins from Bellport, NY went further. ‘We have to be able to play in rain, sleet, hail, hot or cold,’ he said. ‘Next time we have to play full throttle from the beginning, from the get go, not in the second half and fourth quarter, especially when you’re playing against a good team,’ Gowins said.
Despite the tough loss, the Seawolves can take a couple of positives from the game. Gowins showed that he has the talent to make his presence felt, even as a freshman and behind starter Conte Cuttino. For the second game in a row he eclipsed the 100 yard mark, aided by a 72 yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter. Priore is not surprised by Gowins early success. ‘He’s a special player. He has some abilities that you can’t coach.’
And while most would expect Hoffman to have some growing pains while he makes the adjustment to playing quarterback at the college level, he showed that his arm is more than ready for the jump. Priore says that the team needs to ‘wean Hoffman into success’ and mentioned a 4th and inches bootleg in the first quarter as a time when there was probably a miscommunication where experience will prove to be the best teacher for the freshman quarterback.
Stony Brook is now 1-1 in their first season in the very competitive Big South conference. Priore was displeased with the loss but believed that his team made strides as the game progressed. ‘I’m proud of our team, the way we played in the second half. We’re going to move forward and be successful,’ he said.
