Oct. 20, 2006

Stony Brook, N.Y. -

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The Stony Brook University football team (3-4) looks to stay unbeaten in conference play as the Seawolves host Sacred Heart on Saturday. The game is also the 5th Annual Ray Downey Heroes Classic, a game held in the memory of FDNY Deputy Chief Raymond M. Downey, Commanding Officer of the Special Operations Command (SOC), who died in the line of duty on Tuesday, September 11, 2001. He is the father of former Stony Brook football standout and Hall of Famer, Chuck Downey. The game will be broadcast live on WUSB 90.1 FM and streamed live on www.goseawolves.org.

RADIO:

The game will be broadcast live on WUSB 90.1 FM. Ray Alexander, Curt Hylton, and Jeff Bernstein will call the action.

INTERNET:

Live audio streaming can be found on www.goseawolves.org. Click on the listen link. When you arrive at the WUSB website, go to the top of the site and find LISTEN TO WUSB NOW. Choose the connection that suits your computer.

IF YOU CAN'T MAKE IT TO THE GAME:

For only $5 per game fans can listen to the radio broadcast of all 11 Stony Brook football games on their phone. To take advantage of this service, call 216-502-3200 and enter the Seawolves password 8841. Follow the instructions and enjoy the game.

DOWNEY CLASSIC

Saturday's game marks the 5th Annual Raymond Downey Heroes Classic, a game held in the memory of FDNY Deputy Chief Raymond M. Downey, Commanding Officer of the Special Operations Command (SOC), who died in the line of duty while helping others escape from the fire and collapse scene of the World Trade Center on Tuesday, September 11, 2001. He is the father of former Stony Brook football standout and Hall of Famer, Chuck Downey.

THE SERIES WITH SACRED HEART

Stony Brook leads the all-time series, 9-4. The Seawolves have a 5-2 record against the Pioneers at LaValle Stadium and have won four of the six contests in Fairfield, Conn. Last season, Sacred Heart prevailed, 21-14, over Stony Brook as Ed Pricolo's 147 yard performance on the ground proved to be the difference. Josh Dudash was 19 of 33 for 263 yards and two touchdowns, while Josh Anderson had nine catches for a career-high 185 yards, the third-best single-game effort in school history.

LAST TIME OUT

Josh Dudash completed 22 of 27 passes for 314 yards and two touchdowns to lead Stony Brook to a 30-20 win over St. Francis (Pa.) in NEC action on Saturday. The win was the third straight for the streaking Seawolves who improved to 3-4 overall, 3-0 in conference play. The win also marks the first time that Stony Brook has won its first three conference games since joining the NEC in 1999. With Stony Brook leading 16-13 in the third quarter, the Red Flash drove deep into Stony Brook territory looking for the go-ahead score. But it was freshman Cory Giddings, who recovered three fumbles last week, that came up big again, intercepting an Anthony Doria pass in the endzone to thwart the drive. The Seawolves responded with a seven-play, 80-yard scoring drive led by Dudash. The Stony Brook signal caller marched the offense down the field and capped off the drive when he lofted a 40-yard touchdown pass to Lynell Suggs down the right sideline to extend the lead to 23-13. Following a defensive stop, Dudash again calmly orchestrated a scoring drive that ended with a three-yard touchdown run from Steve Austin to put SB comfortably ahead 30-13 with 4:59 to play. Stony Brook jumped out on top in the first quarter following a fumble recovery at the Red Flash 14-yard line. Two plays later, Conte Cuttino ran in from eight yards out to give the visitors a 7-0 lead. In the second quarter, Dudash caught St. Francis on a terrific play fake and threw a strike to Dwayne Eley from 34 yards out to stake SB to a 14-0 lead. Todd Harris cut the lead to 14-6 with 1:29 to go before the half, but Giddings stunned the crowd when the PAT attempt was blocked. He scooped up the bouncing football and dashed 85 yards for the defensive PAT return and SB led 16-6 at the break Eley was outstanding for the Seawolves, hauling in eight passes for 104 yards while Suggs had four catches for 77 yards. Austin gained 61 yards on 11 carries. Chevar Rankins and Milo Otis led the defensive corps with nine tackles apiece.

AND THE AWARD GOES TO...

Cory Giddings and Josh Dudash were honored for their efforts in the win over St. Francis by the Northeast Conference as they each picked up a weekly accolade. Dudash was named NEC Offensive Player of the Week while Giddings earned Rookie of the Week for the second-straight week. Dudash was outstanding in Stony Brook's 30-20 win over St. Francis (PA) on Saturday to give the Seawolves three-straight wins and a tie for first place with Robert Morris in the league standings. The junior signal caller completed an astounding 22-of-27 passes for 314 yards and two touchdowns. The Beachwood, NJ native's two passing scores were from long distance, connecting with Dwayne Eley on a 34-yarder in the second quarter and Lynell Suggs on a 40-yarder in the fourth quarter. Dudash earns his third career NEC Offensive Player of the Week award and first this season. On the season, Dudash has completed 63.0 percent (92-146) of his attempts, while throwing six touchdowns and no interceptions. Giddings was again at the center of big plays by the Stony Brook defense in the Seawolves' 30-20 win over Saint Francis (PA). After the Red Flash climbed within 14-6, Giddings recovered a blocked PAT and raced 85 yards to the unusual defensive PAT conversion to give Stony Brook a 16-6 lead at halftime. With SBU holding a 16-13 lead in the third quarter and St. Francis driving for the go-ahead score, Giddings intercepted an Anthony Doria pass in the endzone to thwart the drive. The Seawolves would score on the ensuing possession and go on to win. Giddings also collected eight tackles in the game and earns back-to-back NEC Rookie of the Week awards.

ABOUT THE PIONEERS

Sacred Heart enters the game with a 2-5, 1-2 record after falling to Albany, 24-13, last weekend. The Pioneers two wins have come against Iona and Northeast Conference foe Wagner. Currently on a two game skid in which they have been outscored, 48-13, the Pioneers are led by quarterback Tyler Arciaga and his 11 touchdown passes. His favorite target, Corey Bundy, has hauled in five TD's on the season while running back Jason Payne has rushed for three touchdowns and 432 yards. On the defensive side of the ball, Jon Corto has recorded 70 tackles while Jon Wilson and Jeff Hodges have each registered three interceptions.

GIDDY UP

Freshman defensive back Cory Giddings has come up with big plays on defense the last two weeks for the Seawolves. At St. Francis, Giddings recoverd a blocked PAT and raced 85 yards to record two points for the Seawolves. Late in the game, Giddings once again came up huge as he intercepted a ball in the endzone to thwart the Red Flash's rally. Giddings was at the center of Stony Brook's 33-21 win over Albany on Saturday as the first-year player recovered three Great Dane fumbles, returning two of them for touchdowns. He became the first player in recorded college football history (I-A, I-AA) to recover three fumbles in a game and first since Alvin Nnabuife of SMU in 2004 to return two for touchdowns.

NOT JOSHING AROUND

Josh Dudash has becomed settled under center for the Seawolves as the junior quarterback has been very consistent the last three outings. At St. Francis, Dudash was unstoppable, completing 22 of 27 passes for 314 yards and two touchdowns. Against Albany, Dudash went 16-for-22 for 236 yards and one touchdown. In the game versus Monmouth, Dudash went 11-for-20 for 180 yards and two touchdowns. On the season, Dudash has yet to toss an interception.

SIX IN A ROW

The Seawolves have now strung together six-straight conference victories dating back to last season. At the end of the 2005 season, the Seawolves rattled off wins over Robert Morris, Wagner, and CCSU on the way to their first conference crown. This season, Stony Brook has already defeated conference foes Monmouth, Albany, and St. Francis (Pa.) The last opponent to beat the Seawolves in conference play was Sacred Heart on October 22, 2005.

STONE COLD

Steve Austin has emerged as a unique weapon out of the backfield for the Seawolves. As a running back, Austin has rushed for 207 yards and a touchdown while throwing for 48 yards and two touchdowns. At Monmouth, Austin completed a 45-yard pass to Dwayne Eley for six points from under center for Stony Brook. In the Homecoming victory over Albany, Austin completed a three-yard touchdown to Saladin Davis for a score.