STONY BROOK, N.Y. – The Stony Brook football team earned its second consecutive Homecoming victory this afternoon, defeating the Towson Tigers 27-19 at LaValle Stadium.
Graduate running back
Roland Dempster had a career day for the Seawolves, carrying the ball 40 times for 181 yards and two touchdowns. He also caught three passes for 23 yards.
Ikaika Ragsdale contributed to the ground game as well, rushing for 39 yards on 10 carries.
In his first career start,
Quinn Boyd completed 17 of 29 passes for 176 yards and threw his first career touchdown. Entering the game, the redshirt freshman had appeared in just one career contest. Boyd also added five rush attempts on the day.
Dez Williams secured his third touchdown of the season on a two-yard pass from Boyd and finished with four receptions for 46 yards.
Marqeese Dietz led the receiving corps with a team-best six catches and 53 yards, while
RJ Lamarre added four receptions for 37 yards.
Cole Bunicci and
Justin Reshard also contributed in the passing attack.
On defense,
Dyshier Clary led a dominant Seawolves unit that held Towson to just 263 total yards, including only 36 on the ground. Clary recorded a sack, three tackles, and a quarterback hurry.
Anthony Ferrelli paced the defense with a team-high five tackles and two quarterback hurries, while Chalmers and McGoy each registered four tackles. In total, 16 different Seawolves recorded a tackle in the victory.
In the kicking game,
Clayton Taylor and
Michael Mannino were key contributors. Mannino converted both of his field goal attempts (from 22 and 24 yards), while Taylor punted four times for 158 total yards, including a long of 44 and two inside the 20-yard line. Dietz also shined on special teams, racking up 65 punt return yards and 37 kick return yards.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Stony Brook won the toss and deferred to receive in the second half. Regis and Clary each recorded tackles for loss on Towson's opening possession, forcing a quick three-and-out.
- The Seawolves opened their first drive on the SBU 36 but were stopped on third down after a seven-yard rush from Dempster, leading to a punt with 12:34 remaining in the first quarter.
- After a strong defensive stand, Dietz flipped the field with a 46-yard punt return to the Towson 35. Two plays later, Boyd found Williams for a 19-yard completion, and Dempster powered into the red zone. On fourth-and-goal, Dempster punched it in from one yard out to give Stony Brook an early 7-0 lead.
- The Seawolves' defense continued to dominate, forcing another three-and-out thanks to a pass breakup by McGoy and tackles for loss by Ferrelli and Crawford.
- Starting from their own 30, Stony Brook put together another strong drive behind Dempster's runs of nine and 17 yards to move into Towson territory, but a pair of Tiger pass deflections forced a punt.
- Pinned deep, Towson's next possession stalled after a Clary sack on third down, setting up another Seawolves drive. Stony Brook then put together its longest series of the season — a 17-play, eight-minute drive capped by a 24-yard field goal from Mannino to extend the lead to 10-0. Dietz was instrumental on the drive, hauling in four catches for 39 yards.
- The Seawolves defense held firm once again, forcing a fourth Towson punt of the half. Stony Brook took advantage, marching 65 yards on the ensuing drive as Dempster capped it off with a two-yard touchdown run — his second of the day — to make it 17-0.
- The defense preserved the shutout going into halftime, holding Towson to just 59 total yards and two first downs through two quarters.
- To open the second half, Stony Brook's offense continued to move efficiently. Boyd connected with Lamarre for 16 yards, but the drive eventually stalled. On Towson's next possession, the Seawolves defense forced more incompletions, highlighted by a Cam Johnson pass breakup.
- After a 20-yard punt return by Dietz, Stony Brook struck again. Boyd hit Bunicci for 12 yards and Williams for 13 to move into the red zone. On fourth-and-two, Dempster muscled for a first down before Boyd and Williams connected again on a two-yard touchdown to make it 24-0.
- Towson got on the board late in the third with a 31-yard field goal to cut it to 24-3.
- The Seawolves answered with a time-consuming 14-play, 70-yard drive capped by Mannino's 22-yard field goal to extend the lead to 27-3. Ragsdale and Dempster combined for 63 rushing yards on the drive.
- Towson rallied late, adding touchdowns to close the gap to 27-19, but Stony Brook sealed the victory by grinding out 55 rushing yards in the final three minutes to run out the clock.
STATS AND NOTES
- Boyd made his first career start, finishing 19-for-29 for 179 yards and a touchdown.
- Dietz filled the stat sheet with a season-high 155 all-purpose yards, including 65 punt return yards, 37 kick return yards, and 53 receiving yards.
- Dempster set a program record with 40 carries and a career-high 181 rushing yards. He now leads the CAA with nine rushing touchdowns this season.
- Clary recorded his team-leading 4.5th sack of the season.
- Ragsdale added 39 rushing yards, his second-highest total of the year.
- Lamarre posted season highs in both receptions (4) and yards (37).
- The Seawolves defense allowed just two first downs and 59 total yards in the first half while posting 208 total yards on offense.
- Stony Brook dominated time of possession, holding the ball for 41:40 compared to Towson's 18:20.
- The Seawolves were a perfect 4-for-4 on fourth down and scored all 27 points in the red zone.
- The defense set a new season low, allowing just 36 rushing yards.
- This marked the 11th all-time meeting between the programs, with Towson leading the series 6-5.
- Stony Brook improved to 15-4 all-time in Homecoming games at LaValle Stadium since 2006, winning four of its last five.
QUOTES FROM THE SEAWOLVES
UP NEXT
The Seawolves return to action next weekend when they travel to Maine to take on the Black Bears in their first game of November. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. and the game will be streamed live on FloCollege.
Bring your group out to Kenneth P. LaValle Stadium and enjoy the thrill of gameday, exclusive group benefits, and great discounted pricing to help create an unforgettable experience.
Click here or contact the Stony Brook Athletics ticket office at 631-632-WOLF or seawolvestickets@stonybrook.edu to get started.
More information on each theme and ticket offers will be available throughout the offseason on social media and at StonyBrookAthletics.com.
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