Oct. 7, 2006

Final Stats

Stony Brook, N.Y. - Cory Giddings returned two fumbles for touchdowns in the first half and Josh Dudash threw for 236 yards as Stony Brook toppled rival Albany, 33-21, before a Homecoming crowd of 6,688 at Kenneth P. LaValle Stadium on Saturday. The crowd was the third largest in LaValle Stadium history which also featured the debut of the Stony Brook University Marching Band. With the win, the Seawolves improve to 2-4, 2-0 in conference play while Albany drops to 3-3, 1-1.

"I am proud of the way our team played against a very tough Albany squad," said head coach Chuck Priore. "We had several individuals make big plays which enabled us to come out on top. I cannot thank our fans and alums enough for all of their support today; they played a big part in our victory."

Freshman defensive back Cory Giddings etched his name in the record books as he became the first Stony Brook player to recover three fumbles and score two defensive touchdowns in a single game.

After a scoreless first quarter, Giddings put the Homecoming crowd into a frenzy as he picked up a fumble and raced seven yards for a touchdown with 10:52 left in the first half. Albany knotted the score at seven when Omar Johnson's five-yard touchdown plunge capped off a six-play, 43-yard-drive with 8:28 to play. Giddings struck again with 3:50 left in the half, scooping up a fumble and delighting the crowd with a terrific return down the sideline for a score. With just 1:12 left in the half, Johnson once again found the end zone from six yards out for the Great Danes, tying the score at 14. Luke Gaddis' 41-yard field goal as time expired in the first half put the Seawolves up 17-14 heading into the locker room.

The Great Danes shot out of the locker room with a seven-play, 69-yard drive which resulted in an 11-yard touchdown reception by Chris Lore from Daniel Bocanegra, just 2:49 into the second half.

Stony Brook came right back, putting together a seven-play, 80-yard drive which was highlighted by Mike Cosentino's 43-yard catch-and-run. Running back Steve Austin lined up in the shotgun and threw a touchdown pass for the second consecutive game, this time from three yards out, to Saladin Davis to put the Seawolves up for good, 24-21.

Gaddis extended the lead to 27-21 with 14:10 to play on a 42-yard field goal and the Seawolves put the game away when Dudash found a wide-open Lynell Suggs down the left sideline from 41 yards out to put Stony Brook up 33-21.

Dudash was terrific in the game as he finished 16-for-22 for 236 yards and one touchdown. Conte Cuttino led the rushing attack for Stony Brook with 20 carries for 88 yards while Cosentino led the receiving corps with seven receptions for 110 yards. Dan Michitsch made eight tackles in the game while Chevar Rankins added seven stops.

The fans in attendance also witnessed the debut of Stony Brook's first marching band who were spectacular in their debut and received a standing ovation. Over 200 former Stony Brook student-athletes returned to their alma mater to take in the weekend's festivities.

The Seawolves return to action next Saturday when they travel to take on St. Francis (Pa.). Kick-off is 1 p.m.