STONY BROOK, N.Y. - Stony Brook football used a 287-yard output on the ground, including 158 yards and three touchdowns from Roland Dempster, to pick up a 22-3 win against Morgan State on Saturday at LaValle Stadium. The Seawolves' defense limited the Bears to three points, tallied nine tackles for loss and forced two turnovers in the victory.
Dempster averaged 6.3 yards per carry and tacked on 59 receiving yards. Johnny Martin III added 90 yards on the ground, averaging 6 yards per carry. As an offense, Stony Brook averaged 5.5 yards per tote.
Cal Redman reeled in four catches for 62 yards to pace Stony Brook's receiving room. RJ Lamarre and Chance Knox reeled in a pair of catches as well. The Seawolves' offense threw the ball just 20 times, carrying the ball 52 times and totaling 287 yards on the ground.
Tyson McCloud and AJ Roberts registered 10 and nine tackles, respectively, to lead the Stony Brook defense. Clarens Legagneur added three tackles, 1.0 tackle for loss, and a forced fumble and fumble recovery. Taylor Bolesta tallied three tackles, 2.0 TFL, and a sack in the win.
The Seawolves won the turnover battle in Saturday's game, forcing two turnovers, with Stony Brook turning those takeaways into seven points. Stony Brook's defense held up against Morgan State's offense, allowing 259 total yards. The Seawolves kept Morgan State under 150 yards on both the ground and through the air, allowing 113 passing and 146 rushing yards.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Morgan State scored first to take a 3-0 lead late in the first quarter.
- After punting on their first two possessions, the Seawolves used nine plays to go 72 yards for a score to go ahead, 6-3. Dempster punched one in from two yards out, his first of three rushing touchdowns. The extra point attempt was blocked to keep it a three-point game.
- Enda Kirby converted on a 28-yard field goal on Stony Brook's next drive to put his squad up six points with 6:34 remaining in the first half.
- The Seawolves' defense came up big on Morgan State's next ensuing possession, with Rodney Faulk forcing a fumble that was scooped up by Deshawn Jones, Jr. after the Bears had pushed the ball into Stony Brook territory.
- Stony Brook turned the takeaway into seven points on another Dempster score, this time with 32 seconds to play in the half. The Seawolves would take a 16-3 lead into the locker room at half.
- After a three-and-out by both sides to start the second half, Stony Brook pushed its lead to 22-3 on Dempster's third rushing touchdown.
- Morgan State had five possessions in the second half, punting three times and turning the ball over once. Stony Brook's defense shut the door, holding the Bears scoreless in the second half to roll to their fourth straight win.
STATS AND NOTES
- Stony Brook registered its fourth straight victory, allowing a season-low three points in the win over Morgan State.
- The Seawolves' four-game winning streak is the program's longest since 2018.
- The 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.
- Dempster accounted for all three of Stony Brook's touchdowns in the contest. He has tallied nine touchdowns in his past four games.
- Stony Brook put together a stellar showing on the ground, racking up 287 rushing yards while averaging 5.5 yards per carry and out-rushing Morgan State by 141 yards.
- Stony Brook outgained Morgan State 428-259, including a 287-146 advantage on the ground.
- Stony Brook converted 9 of 17 third downs while Morgan State was successful on 4 of 11. The Seawolves converted on 52.9 percent of third-down attempts on the day.
- Stony Brook won the turnover battle 2-1 after recovering two fumbles.
- The Seawolves had two players with more than eight tackles in the ballgame led by McCloud, who finished with 10 total, AJ Roberts finished with nine.
- The Seawolves racked up nine tackles for loss and added two sacks.
- Stony Brook won the time of possession battle 31:29 - 28:31.
- 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.
QUOTES FROM THE SEAWOLVES
UP NEXT
Stony Brook hosts nationally ranked Villanova on Saturday, October 5. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. at LaValle Stadium, streaming live on FloFootball.
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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