STONY BROOK, N.Y. – Redshirt senior running back
Seba Nekhet found the end zone twice on Saturday, but despite his efforts the Stony Brook University football team (1-3, 0-1 CAA) was defeated by Fordham (1-3), 31-14.
Nekhet fueled the Stony Brook offense that put up 426 yards of total offense. The redshirt senior accounted for 79 yards of offense (49 rushing yards, 30 receiving yards) and both of the Seawolves' touchdowns on Saturday. It was the second time in his career that he recorded a multi-touchdown performance and the first time since he also scored a pair of touchdowns against Fordham on September 21, 2019.
After an early touchdown by the Rams, Stony Brook responded on its very next drive. Graduate quarterback
Tyquell Fields marched the Seawolves down the field to tie the game up at 7-7 with 8:18 to play in the first quarter. Fields capped off the 11-play, 80-yard driving by throwing a 20-yard touchdown pass to Nekhet. Nekhet pealed out of the back field and Fields hit him in stride as he streaked down the right sideline. The touchdown reception was the first of Nekhet's career.
The first quarter ended with both teams tied up at 7-7. Fordham began to build its lead in the second quarter and controlled a 28-7 advantage going into the fourth quarter until Nekhet struck again. Fields anchored the scoring drive by leading Stony Brook to the end zone in seven plays that went for 75 yards. Nekhet scored his second touchdown of the day, this time on the ground as he found a lane and punched it in from 10 yards out.
The touchdown cut Fordham's lead to 28-14, but the Rams would add a field goal with 7:41 to play to extend their lead to 31-14. Fordham held on to win by that final score as it held Stony Brook off the board over the final 7:41 of the contest.
STATS AND NOTES
- Nekhet totaled 79 yards of offense as he rushed for 49 yards and went for 30 yards receiving. His two touchdowns were his first two of the season and his second multi-touchdown game of his career. All four of Nekhet's career touchdowns (three rushing, one receiving) have come against Fordham.
- Fields went 21-31 for 253 yards with one touchdown and one interception through the air. On the ground, he rushed for 41 yards on 17 attempts. His 21 completions tied his season-high, which he also converted in the season opener against New Hampshire on September 2. He was just two passing yards shy of tying his season-high of 255, which he also racked up against New Hampshire. His 17 carries were a new career-high.
- Redshirt senior wide receiver Khalil Newton made a career-high tying six catches that went for a season-high 77 yards in the contest. Graduate wide receiver Hunter Hayek made a career-high seven catches for a career-best 70 yards.
- Redshirt senior linebacker Reidgee Dimanche registered a team-high 10 tackles (three solo, seven assists) and one tackle for loss in the game. Dimanche has recorded a pair of 10-tackle games this season and last did so at Colgate on September 11.
- Senior defensive back Akeal Lalaind and redshirt freshman linebacker Tyler King each accounted for eight tackles apiece.
- Redshirt junior defensive lineman Makye Smith finished the game with four tackles and a sack. It marked the third game in a row that Smith was credited with at least half of a sack.
QUOTES FROM THE SEAWOLVES
"I thought Fordham was a good team coming in and at the end of the day they certainly executed better when it came down to turning things into points. We did not. It has been a little bit of a struggle over the first three games and it continued tonight. We just need to regroup mentally and stay focused. We certainly gave up some big plays throughout the game and we have to get better. Our guys worked hard, but with that said a loss is a loss," said head coach
Chuck Priore.
NEXT UP
The Seawolves resume CAA play on Saturday, October 2, when they travel to Kingston, R.I. to take on Rhode Island at noon. The game is set to broadcast on
FloFootball.
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