STONY BROOK, N.Y. - The Stony Brook secondary registered three interceptions, but the Seawolves were unable to overcome three of their own along with a big day from No. 22 Delaware's passing attack, as Stony Brook was defeated 37-13 at LaValle Stadium Thursday night.
Delaware improved to 1-0 on the year and 1-0 in CAA play, while SBU fell to 0-1 overall and in conference matchups.
Redshirt freshman Johnny Martin III led all SBU rushers with 63 yards in the contest, picking up 7.9 yards per carry. Redshirt junior Roland Dempster added 50 yards and one touchdown on the ground, averaging five yards per carry. On the receiving end, Jayce Freeman reeled in five catches for 62 yards to lead Stony Brook. In his first career collegiate start, graduate student Casey Case passed for 163 yards on 14-of-40 passing, throwing three interceptions.
Redshirt junior Nick Chimienti showed out for the Stony Brook defense, collecting two interceptions and adding five tackles. Redshirt freshman Anthony Ferrelli added five tackles, 1.0 tackle for loss, 1.0 sack, and one recovered fumble while Noah Rodriguez had nine tackles and one interception in the loss.
The Seawolves led the ground game 164-145, but Delaware took advantage through the air, with 414 yards compared to 163 for Stony Brook.
For Delaware, Ryan O'Connor passed for 346 yards and a touchdown on 24-for-38 passing. Marcus Yarns ran for 107 yards and a pair of scores while Kyron Cumby added 39 yards and a score on the ground. Chandler Harvin reeled in five catches for 100 yards while Kym Wimberly Jr. also grabbed five for 81 yards and a score.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Delaware opened up a 7-0 lead with a 14-yard touchdown reception.
- Stony Brook put points on the scoreboard with 11:59 left in the second quarter to narrow the margin to 7-3 with a Spencer Biscoe field goal.
- Delaware finished the half with 10 straight points on a 34-yard field goal followed by a five-yard run from Yarns.
- Delaware extended its lead to 24-3 early in the second half, but SBU responded with a touchdown to narrow the gap to 24-10.
- Stony Brook got on the scoreboard again with 4:50 left in the third quarter to narrow Delaware's lead to 24-13.
- Delaware tacked on 13 points in the fourth quarter to finish off the scoring with a 13-yard rush along with a 50-yard pick-six.
GAME NOTES
- A packed-in crowd of 11,132 filled the seats at LaValle Stadium, marking the largest opening-night crowd in stadium history, and the eighth-largest overall.
- Chimienti's two interceptions marked the first multi-interception game for an SBU player since Randy Pringle picked off two against Richmond on Oct. 23, 2021.
- Stony Brook's four takeaways as a team were the most since registering six against Richmond on Oct. 23, 2021.
- SBU won the turnover battle in Thursday's game, forcing four turnovers while coughing the ball up three times, with Stony Brook turning those takeaways into three points.
- Stony Brook's defense racked up four sacks and six TFLs in the first half alone.
- Rodriguez led SBU with nine tackles, a career high.
QUOTES FROM THE SEAWOLVES
UP NEXT
The Seawolves will head across the Sound and continue CAA play in a Friday night matchup against Rhode Island on Sept. 8 at 7:00 p.m. Next week's game will be streamed on FloFootball.
For an inside look at the Seawolves football program, be sure to follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
