Sept. 17, 2009

Stony Brook - Brown game notes

Stony Brook, N.Y. - After a pair of tough road losses to start the season, Stony Brook makes its 2009 debut at home in Week 3 as it hosts Brown, the 2008 Ivy League champion. Once again Stony Brook will be facing a team that is receiving votes in the major FCS polls, with the Bears picking up votes in both the coaches and media polls. The Seawolves will be looking to bounce back at home against a team that held it to 147 yards and no offensive points a year ago in Providence. The game will also mark the first visit by an Ivy League school to LaValle Stadium. Last week at Colgate a 17-7 first half deficit proved to be too much for Stony Brook to overcome in a 23-13 loss. Ed Gowins hit the century mark for the first time this season with 108 yards for the Seawolves, but two late interceptions dashed SBU's hopes for a come from behind win.

The Opponent The defending Ivy League Champion, Brown opens its 2009 season for a second straight year against Stony Brook. The Bears, who have won two of the last four Ivy titles, return 12 starters and six All-Ivy players to the 2009 squad. In the preseason Ivy poll the Bears were selected third after finishing 7-3 a year ago, including a 6-1 mark in the Ivy. Three of Brown's returning All-Ivy players are on the offensive side of the ball, including seniors Buddy Farnham and Bobby Sewall, who are ranked among the top wide receivers in Ivy League football history. Brown's defense, which allowed just 77.1 rushing yards per game, re¬turns preseason All-American David Howard, a first team All-Ivy selec¬tion a year ago. Two second team All-Ivy selections also return to the Bears defense, senior co-captain and defensive end James Develin, and senior safety Chris Perkins.

The Series This will be the second meeting between Stony Brook and Brown on the football field. The Bears, who are the only Ivy League team that Stony Brook, or any other team from the Big South, has faced took a 17-7 win in Providence a year ago. The Brown defense held SBU to just 36 yards on the ground and seven first downs. The only Stony Brook points in the game came on a 19-yard interception return by Cory Giddings. Brown scored all 17 of its points in the first 16 minutes of the game.