Aug. 13, 2009

Stony Brook, N.Y. - With fall football practice now in full swing for the Stony Brook University Seawolves, GoSeawolves.org will present a position by position look at the 2009 team during the course of fall camp. Today the Stony Brook running backs will be featured.

Without question the focus of opposing teams in 2009 will be on the potent Stony Brook running game. The Seawolves will feature not one, but two returning 1,000-yard rushers; giving Stony Brook the best returning running back duo in the nation at the FCS level. In fact, senior Conte Cuttino (Uniondale, N.Y.) and sophomore Edwin Gowins (Bellport, N.Y.) were the only two backs from the same team to rush for over 1,000 yards in 2008. The tandem is so impressive that it took both running back positions on the preseason All-Big South team.

Cuttino had his finest season to date in 2008, running for a career-high 1,195 yards while scoring seven touchdowns. A second team All-Big South selection, he is already Stony Brook's all-time leader in rushing and is poised to have another standout season for the Seawolves in 2009. A durable back, he started every game in 2008 and averaged nearly 20 carries per game. He possesses the speed to get around the corner and streak up the sideline as well as the strength to punch through interior holes. Last season he also added another dimension to his game, catching a career best 11 passes out of the backfield.

Gowins will again provide a contrast to Cuttino in the backfield with his power running style. His powerful running last season made it nearly impossible for opponents to bring him down for a loss - he lost just 16 yards in 140 attempts - and combined with his burst of speed thru the line resulted in a school record 1,310 yards and 11 scores. Not only did his rushing total set a school record, it led all freshmen in Division I at both the FCS and FBS levels, erning him the Freshman of the Year award from the College Sporting News.

Behind Stony Brook's impressive 1-2 combo, junior Rock Contardi (Melbourne, Fla.) has the most experience at the position on the team, with 36 carries over his first two seasons with the Seawolves. Beyond that SBU will be young, with a group of freshman on the roster providing the depth on the team.

"Running back will again be the strength of our team," observed head coach Chuck Priore. "Certainly we have a 1-2 punch with Conte Cuttino and Eddie Gowins that had a lot of success last season. Losing parts of the offensive line will hurt us a bit, but those two kids are quality players that should be recognized nationally and they will be who we build our offense around."