STONY BROOK, N.Y. – The Stony Brook football team earned its first victory in nearly 700 days, defeating Stonehill 37-10 on Saturday night at LaValle Stadium.
The Seawolves were led by redshirt senior Roland Dempster, who helped the Seawolves score their most points since 2019. Dempster tallied a career-high three touchdowns and matched a career best with 160 yards on 19 carries.
Dempster ignited the Stony Brook offense by tallying two of his three touchdowns in the first five minutes of the game on touchdown runs of 15 and 17 yards. He tallied his third score in the third quarter; his three-yard run put the Seawolves ahead 30-3.
Freshman Malachi Marshall made his first start for the Seawolves under center and shined, throwing for 161 yards (9-for-16 passing) with a touchdown. Marshall added 10 yards on six carries. The freshman from Rock Hill, South Carolina connected with redshirt senior Cole Bunicci on a 63-yard touchdown late in the second quarter. The score represented the first of Marshall and Bunicci's collegiate careers.
Stony Brook saw six different players record a reception, while eight different players tallied a carry in the victory. Bunicci paced the Seawolves' receivers with a team-high 63 yards. Graduate student RJ Lamarre finished with 30 yards and classmate Cal Redman secured a team-best three catches totaling 24 yards.
Dempster led the way in the backfield with his 160 yards. Redshirt sophomore Johnny Martin and sophomore Brandon Boria combined for 72 yards on 19 carries, while redshirt junior Shakhi Carson had 34 all-purpose yards (20 receiving and 14 rushing).
Stony Brook's defense was tenacious, forcing two interceptions, a fumble, eight punts and posting six points in the victory. Leading the way for the Stony Brook defense was seniors Rudy Silvera, AJ Roberts, Shamoun Duncan-Niusulu, redshirt junior Rodney Faulk as well as freshmen Jaxon Witherspoon and Sebastian Regis.
Silvera tallied his first interception as a Seawolf and added two pass breakups. Roberts and Duncan-Niusulu paced the team with nine and six tackles, respectively. Faulk wreaked havoc, recording six tackles and a quarterback hit. Witherspoon ended the game with his first career interception as time expired. Regis, the East Islip product, scooped up a fumble and rumbled 69 yards down the field and into the endzone for Stony Brook's first defensive touchdown under defensive coordinator Scott Lewis.
Stony Brook's special teams unit continued to shine, seeing Enda Kirby knock through a career-best 40-yard field goal in the first quarter. Junior Clayton Taylor punted six times for 287 yards, downing two inside the 20-yard line and booming three that were 50 or more yards.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Seawolves went on a six-play, 75-yard drive to open the game that was finished off by a 17-yard touchdown scamper by Dempster. During the drive, Marshall went 3-for-3 for 47 yards through the air and rushed for five yards. Lamarre gave the Seawolves a boost out wide with a 30-yard reception to push Stony Brook into Stonehill territory.
- In Stonehill's first possession, the Seawolves forced a three-and-out. Redshirt senior Jasiah Willams returned the punt 18 yards to Stonehill's 30-yard line. Dempster started the drive with a 15-yard carry and ended it with a 15-yard carry for his second touchdown, giving the Seawolves an early 14-0 lead.
- Stony Brook would force a turnover on downs on a pass break-up by redshirt junior Jalen Hoyle.
- On the ensuing possession, Stony Brook faced a fourth down, needing three yards for the conversion. Marshall hit Redman for a 10-yard gain that ultimately led to a 40-yard field goal by Kirby.
- Stonehill drove down the field to the Stony Brook 17-yard line to start the second quarter, but the Skyhawks missed a 35-yard kick.
- The Seawolves tacked on with a 63-yard touchdown pass from Marshall to Bunicci that put Stony Brook ahead 23-0 after the extra point was blocked.
- Stonehill opened the second half with a 21-yard field goal to get on the board.
- On the Seawolves next possession, Stony Brook rushed the ball on eight straight plays, starting with a 54-yard run by Dempster. The drive culminated with a three-yard touchdown run by Dempster, his third of the day.
- Two minutes later, Stony Brook's defense made their presence felt after Taylor Bolesta forced a fumble that allowed freshman Sebestian Regis to score the first touchdown of his collegiate career.
- The Skyhawks scored a touchdown on the next drive, making it a 37-10 game with 4:04 left in the third quarter.
- Witherspoon intercepted a pass in the endzone as time expired to secure a 37-10 victory for Stony Brook.
STATS AND NOTES
- Dempster finished with a career-high three touchdowns on 19 carries and tied a career high with 160 yards. His three touchdowns are the second most by any player in Stony Brook history.
- Regis recorded his first collegiate touchdown and the first touchdown for the Stony Brook defense this season. It was the Seawolves' first defensive touchdown since Nov. 11, 2023, a Clarens Legagneur pick-six. Regis also tallied three tackles and a sack.
- Jaxon Witherspoon secured the first interception of his career in his first collegiate appearance.
- Marshall made his first career start for the Seawolves under center. The rookie threw for 161 yards (9-of-16) with a touchdown and added 10 yards on the ground.
- Kirby notched a new career-high with his 40-yard field goal.
- In his first game at LaValle Stadium, Shamoun Duncan-Niusulu led the team with four solo tackles, finishing with six total.
- Roberts finished with a team-high nine tackles, tying a career-high.
- The Seawolves snapped a 13-game losing streak and a six-game home losing streak.
- Stony Brook's 27-point victory represents its largest margin of victory since posting a 35-point victory over Fordham at LaValle Stadium on Sept. 21, 2019.
- Stony Brook's 37 points scored are its most since tallying 45 against Fordham on Sept. 21, 2019.
- The Seawolves rushed for 260 yards, their most since totaling 321 yards against Albany on Nov. 20, 2021.
- Stony Brook was a perfect 4-for-4 in the redzone.
- Stony Brook improves to 6-5 in their last 11 home openers.
- The Seawolves moved to 3-0-1 all-time against the Skyhawks.
QUOTES FROM THE SEAWOLVES
NEXT UP
Stony Brook returns to the road, heading to the Bronx to take on Fordham on Saturday, September 14. The Seawolves and Rams are set for 1 p.m. kickoff at Moglia Stadium with the contest streaming live on ESPN+.
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