Sept. 30, 2006

Final Stats

West Long Branch, N.J. - Conte Cuttino rushed for 170 yards and a touchdown to power Stony Brook to a convincing 36-17 win over Monmouth Saturday afternoon in the Northeast Conference opener for both teams. The Seawolves ground game totaled 202 yards in the win which improved Stony Brook to 1-4, 1-0 in conference play. The loss was the first of 2006 for the Hawks who dropped to 4-1, 0-1.

"Our team did a tremendous job in overcoming adversity from the first part of the season," said head coach Chuck Priore. "The players and the coaches held their heads high, prepared well and as a result, we were able to beat a very good football team today. I am proud of what they accomplished."

Stony Brook took control early in the first quarter after a botched punt attempt gave the visitors first-and-10 at the Monmouth 27. Two plays later, Josh Dudash executed a crafty pump fake and found Mike Cosentino in the end zone for a 26-yard touchdown strike to put SB up 7-0. It was the first time that Stony Brook had scored first in five games.

On the next possession, freshman linebacker Tyler Santucci intercepted a Brian Boland pass, the first of four picks for the Seawolves, and returned it to the Monmouth 45. On the next play, Dudash handed the ball off to Steve Austin who pulled up and lofted a pass 45 yards to a wide open Dwayne Eley for the touchdown. The PAT was blocked and Stony Brook led 13-0.

The Seawolves asserted themselves in the second quarter, outscoring the hosts 16-0. Cuttino broke off a 52-yard run to set up a Matt Weeks' field goal and then he scored his first collegiate touchdown on a six-yard run with 7:30 remaining before the half. Von Bryant dashed in from one-yard out with 1:02 on the clock and the Seawolves led 29-0 at the break.

Monmouth sliced the lead to 29-10 in the third but Stony Brook sealed the win on Eley's second TD reception of the afternoon, a three-yard screen pass on fourth-and-1 with 7:32 to play.

Dudash finished 11 of 20 for 180 yards and two touchdowns while Eley hauled in five passes for a career-high 106 yards and two scores. The Seawolves defense forced six turnovers. Safety Adam Cooper had a pick and two fumble recoveries while Chris Tomasky led the way with 10 tackles.

The Seawolves return to action next Saturday when they host Albany on homecoming weekend. Kick-off is 2 p.m.