STONY BROOK, N.Y. – The Seawolves are back at LaValle Stadium on Saturday to battle No. 5 Villanova. Stony Brook seeks a fifth consecutive victory for the first time since 2017.

No. 5 Villanova (4-1, 1-0 CAA) at Stony Brook (4-1, 1-0 CAA)

WHERE: Stony Brook, N.Y.
VENUE: LaValle Stadium
WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 5, 3:30 p.m
HOW TO WATCH: FloFootball and YouTube
LIVE STATS: StatBroadcast

SERIES HISTORY
… OVERALL – 3-4
… AT STONY BROOK – 2-1
… AT VILLANOVA – 1-3
… FIRST MATCHUP – Nov. 24, 2012 (Stony Brook 20, Villanova 10)
… LAST MATCHUP – Oct. 28, 2023 (Villanova 48, Stony Brook 13)

OPENING KICK

• This marks the eighth meeting all-time between Stony Brook and Villanova.
• Stony Brook's 4-1 start to the season matches Stony Brook's best start to a season since winning four of its first five contests to open the 2018 season.
• The Seawolves are seeking to win their fifth game in a row for the first time since 2017, when they won the final six games of the regular season.
• Redshirt senior running back Roland Dempster was named the FCS National Offensive Player of the Week by Stats Perform on Monday.
• For the third straight week, the Seawolves received votes in the AFCA FCS Coaches Top 25 poll. SBU also received votes in the Stats Perform FCS Top 25 and was ranked No. 24 in the CBS FCS poll.

LAST TIME OUT

• Stony Brook downed Morgan State, 22-3, the last time out on Saturday, Sept. 28 at LaValle Stadium.
• The Seawolves used a 287-yard output on the ground to pick up a 22-3 win against Morgan State last Saturday at LaValle Stadium.
• The defense tallied nine tackles for loss and forced two turnovers in the victory.
• Cal Redman reeled in four catches for 62 yards to pace Stony Brook's receiving room.
• Tyson McCloud and AJ Roberts registered 10 and nine tackles, respectively, to lead the Stony Brook defense, while Clarens Legagneur added three tackles, 1.0 tackle for loss, and a forced fumble and fumble recovery. Taylor Bolesta also tallied three tackles, 2.0 TFL, and a sack in the win.
• Stony Brook held Morgan State under 150 yards on both the ground and through the air, allowing 113 passing and 146 rushing yards.
• The Seawolves scored 22 unanswered points after conceding a field goal in the opening quarter.
• Stony Brook improved to 2-0 all-time against Morgan State.

STONY BROOK VS. RANKED FCS TEAMS

• Stony Brook is 11-36 all-time against nationally-ranked FCS opponents.
• The Seawolves' most recent win over a ranked opponent came against No. 14 Delaware on Oct. 16, 2021 at LaValle Stadium.
• SBU's notched a ranked win on Oct. 26, 2019 over No. 5 Villanova, scoring the final 16 points for a 36-35 victory on the road.
• Stony Brook won two ranked games each in 2017 and 2018, when the Seawolves last went to the playoffs.
• Stony Brook defeated No. 13 Villanova (Week 5) and No. 11 Delaware (Week 10) in 2018, and No. 12 New Hampshire (Week 7) and No. 17 Richmond (Week 9) the year prior.
• Stony Brook knocked off No. 2 Richmond at LaValle Stadium in Week 3 of 2016, the program's highest-ever ranked-opponent victory.
• The Seawolves are scheduled to face five FCS teams this season that are currently receiving votes or are ranked inside the top 25 (Villanova, William & Mary, New Hampshire, UAlbany and Monmouth).

ROLAND KEEPS ON ROLLIN' 

• Redshirt senior running back Roland Dempster was named the FCS National Offensive Player of the Week by Stats Perform on Monday morning.
• It marked the third weekly honor of the season for Dempster (CAA Offensive Player of the Week honors on Sept. 9 and Sept. 23). 
• In the victory over Morgan State, Dempster carried the ball 25 times for 158 yards and three touchdowns, adding two receptions for a career-best 59 yards, totaling a career-high 217 yards from scrimmage.
• Dempster leads the CAA and ranks fifth in the country in rushing yards (586) and is second in the CAA and third in the nation in rushing touchdowns (9).
• During Stony Brook's four-game winning streak, Dempster has posted 150 or more rushing yards three times and rushed for nine total touchdowns.

ABOUT THE WILDCATS 

• The preseason favorite in the CAA, Villanova comes to the Island with a 4-1 (1-0 CAA) record in 2024.
• The Wildcats allow the second fewest points per game in the CAA (16.2) and rank second in red zone defense (64.3%).
• Head coach Mark Ferrante enters his eighth season as head coach and 38th overall at Villanova.
• Over the last five seasons, Villanova has the highest winning percentage among current CAA teams with a 32-14 record.
• Freshman running back David Avit earned this week's CAA Football Rookie of the Week honors. He tallied 160 yards on the ground and scored a touchdown in the victory over LIU.
• Leading the way at quarterback is graduate student Connor Watkins. He was named the Preseason CAA Offensive Player of the Year and was recognized on the Preseason Walter Payton List Award. He has 687 yards through the air (60-for-117) with five touchdowns and has rushed for 232 yards on 49 carries with two touchdowns.
• The Wildcats have three rushers with at least 280 yards this season on the ground (Isaiah Ragland, Watkins and Avit). 
• Pacing the defense is Brendan Bell and Shane Hartzell with 42.0 and 39.0 tackles each, respectively.
• Four different Wildcats have recorded an interception this season (Richie Kimmel, Ty Trinh, Zahmir Dawud, and Christian Sapp) and seven have tallied at least a half-sack (Nigel McSween, Capri Martin, Ayden Howard, Chuck Smith, Obinna Nwobodo, Kimmel and Hartzell.)

To purchase season, single game, mini plans or group tickets, click here or call 631-632-WOLF (9653) or email seawolvestickets@stonybrook.edu.

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