Aug. 10, 2005

Stony Brook, N.Y. - Following two consecutive NEC football titles in 2003 and 2004, Monmouth has been chosen to win its third straight league crown, according to a preseason poll of NEC head coaches. Stony Brook was picked to finish seventh.

The Hawks were given four first-place votes, while Central Connecticut State, which earned a share of the conference title last year, received one first-place vote and finished second in the poll along with Robert Morris, which received two first-place votes. Albany was picked to finish fourth, followed by Sacred Heart, Wagner, Stony Brook and St. Francis (PA). The 2005 NEC preseason all-conference team will be released on Thursday.

The Seawolves are looking for a breakout season in 2005. The Seawolves, however, must replace four of five all-NEC performers from 2004, including first team quarterback T.J. Moriarty, defensive linemen Chimezie Okobi and all-time NEC sack leader David Bamiro, along with all-time conference receptions leader Londre Blocker. Junior offensive lineman Leo Sullivan (Bellmore, NY/JFK) is the lone all-conference Seawolf on the 2005 roster, and should again compete for all-NEC honors in 2005. Last season, Stony Brook led the NEC in team passing as Moriarty led the league in total offense for the second time in as many years. One of the leading candidates for the QB spot is redshirt-sophomore John Dudash (Beachwood, NJ/Toms River). Outside of Blocker, Stony Brook's top three receivers return to the field led by Josh Anderson (East Syracuse, NY/East Syracuse Minoa), who pulled in 44 receptions for 675 yards and four touchdowns. On defense, senior defensive back Justin Hubbard (Wheatley Heights, NY/CW Post) is the team's top returning tackler with 55 tackles last season. The 11-game slate for SBU is the largest in the program's history, featuring six home games.

The Seawolves open up the season at home against Bucknell on September 10. Stony Brook will face Hofstra for the second time in two years on Sept. 17 and will take on Monmouth to begin its NEC slate on Oct. 1.

2005 NEC Football Poll
1. Monmouth (4)
2. Central Connecticut St. (1)
Robert Morris (2)
4. Albany (1)
5. Sacred Heart
6. Wagner
7. Stony Brook
8. St. Francis (PA)

First-place votes in parentheses