STONY BROOK, N.Y. -- The 2017 season saw the Stony Brook Seawolves' football program earn an 10-3 overall record and finish 11^th in the national polls. The season also included a second place finish in the nation's toughest conference (CAA Football) as well as a quarterfinal appearance in the NCAA Division I FCS playoffs.
 
The team was led by 19 seniors and included six players who participated in NFL camps. Many will point to those departures as a reason for lowered expectations in 2018 – but around the halls of Kenneth P. LaValle Stadium the goals have never been loftier and the optimism never higher.

In 2018, head coach Chuck Priore, who enters his 13^th season at the helm of the Seawolves, and his staff will take the field with 20 seniors – 17 who will be in their fifth year of eligibility and two in their sixth season of competition.
 
The offensive unit is led by 10 seniors and eight returning starters, including QB Joe Carbone (Wetherfield, Conn.) and 2017 First Team All-American TE Cal Daniels (Bethel, Conn.). Firepower and experience return at the skill positions and the tough and gritty makeup of the offensive front will collectively make Stony Brook a fun offense to watch in 2018.

"I'm very pleased with the progress our offense made this offseason," Priore reflected. "As a unit we knew it would be very important to continue to believe in the process that allowed us to have great success in 2017. It takes a daily approach to leadership, fundamentals and focus. We continue to take great strides in the areas that lead to success on the field."

As a unit, the Stony Brook offense ended the 2017 campaign averaging just under 30 points per game. The well-balanced attack amassed 351.2 yards/game (161.2 rushing / 190 passing). Eight different players scored touchdowns and five of those players return in 2018. The offense came up big when it had to in the redzone, scoring 89.6% of the time they crossed the opponent's 20 yard line which ranked seventh in the country.  The veterans and new additions to the offensive unit feature the experience and playmakers to continue a similar if not greater level of success and efficiency in 2018.

Every season and every team is different from one year to the next. While the ultimate goals remain the same, the 2018 Stony Brook football team must build off of the success and foundation set by teams that have come before them.
 
As Captain Cal Daniels puts it, "This upcoming season comes down to our ability as players to see that we are a different team than we were just a year ago. To have the success that we believe we are capable of achieving, we must continue to grow from our past triumphs in order to achieve our ultimate goals of winning a CAA title and a National Championship."

With the right approach, Stony Brook University and LaValle Stadium will be an exciting place to be this Fall. Stay tuned as our positional breakdowns will start being released in the coming days to provide a more inside look at the players expected to lead the Stony Brook Football program to great achievements in 2018.