ALBANY, N.Y. – The Stony Brook football team was defeated by UAlbany, 59-14, in the annual battle for the Golden Apple on Saturday afternoon at Casey Stadium. The Seawolves are now 2-2 over their last four games against their in-state rival after capturing the previous two matchups with the Great Danes.
UAlbany jumped out to an early 21-0 lead in the first quarter en route to claiming the Golden Apple for the first time since 2019. Stony Brook put a pair of scores on board in the fourth quarter as graduate wide receiver
Delante Hellams Jr. and redshirt sophomore running back
Makhai Jinks each found the end zone for the first time this season.
Redshirt freshman quarterback
Daron Bryden connected with Hellams Jr. for the Seawolves' first score of the day. Bryden found Hellams Jr., who made a leaping grab in the end zone for a 14-yard touchdown. For Hellams Jr., it was his first touchdown since the abbreviated spring 2021 season.
Jinks saw the bulk of the action in the backfield for the Seawolves in the second half. The redshirt sophomore plunged into the end one from one-yard out to give Stony Brook its second score of the afternoon. The touchdown was Jinks' first of his career as he was converted from linebacker to running back during training camp.
As a team, the Seawolves rushed for 110 yards, which marks the second game in a row in which they went over the century mark on the ground. Since the start of the 2018 season, the Seawolves have rushed for over 100 yards as a team in 39 of their 47 games played. Stony Brook eclipsed the 100-yard mark 49 times out of their last 60 games dating back to the start of the 2017 season.
STATS AND NOTES
- Jinks recorded a career-high 10 carries for a career-best 65 yards and his first career touchdown. He is the third different Seawolves running back to score a rushing touchdown this season joining redshirt senior Ty Son Lawton and redshirt sophomore Ross Tallarico.
- Hellams Jr. caught two passes for 20 yards and a touchdown. He is the sixth different receiver to haul in a touchdown pass this season and it was his first since March 20, 2021, against Maine.
- Bryden went 7-12 through the air for 57 yards and a touchdown. He threw his third touchdown pass of the season and first since October 1, against William & Mary.
- Redshirt sophomore defensive back Jordan Jackson recorded a team-high seven tackles.
- Redshirt freshman defensive lineman Rodney Faulk and sophomore defensive lineman Jaidan Jackson each recorded a sack in the game.
QUOTES FROM THE SEAWOLVES
"It was certainly not how I would have scripted it. Unfortunately, the ball did not bounce our way early and it allowed UAlbany to get great field position – some fairly easy points in the first quarter and when that happens you struggle a little bit. At the end of the day, they were the better football team on this Saturday and they deserved the victory," said head coach
Chuck Priore on the result at UAlbany.
"I am proud of Makhai (Jinks) and happy for him. I think it would be a dream to play college running back, so certainly kudos to him. It's a tough situation for us, but it's not because he is not working hard and trying his best," said coach Priore as he discussed
Makhai Jinks' performance at running back.
"I told them point blank that this falls on my shoulders and we all share it. We are going to continue to work hard. I trust that they will work hard, because they have and being at home next weekend will be a good remedy for us," said coach Priore on his message to the team heading into the final three games of the season.
NEXT UP
Stony Brook returns to LaValle Stadium to host Morgan State on Saturday, November 5, at 1 p.m. It marks the first time in program history that Stony Brook will face Morgan State on the gridiron.
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