STONY BROOK, N.Y. – The Stony Brook football team has been ranked No. 24 in the nation in the 2025 Stats Perform FCS Preseason Top 25 Poll, as announced on Monday.
The Seawolves are one of five Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) programs to earn preseason recognition. Rhode Island paced the group at No. 9, followed by Villanova (No. 13), Monmouth (No. 22), and New Hampshire, which received votes.
Stony Brook enters the 2025 campaign riding the momentum of one of the most remarkable turnarounds in recent FCS history. After finishing winless in 2023 (0-10), the Seawolves bounced back with an 8-4 record under first-year head coach
Billy Cosh. Cosh, the second-youngest head coach in Division I football, was named CAA Coach of the Year and became just the second rookie head coach to earn AFCA National Coach of the Year honors.
Under Cosh's leadership, the team made major strides on both sides of the ball. Offensively, Stony Brook improved from 15.2 points per game in 2023 to 29.6 in 2024. Total yardage increased from 314.2 to 403.9 yards per game, including a jump in rushing from 104.1 to 170.3 and in passing from 210.1 to 223.6.
After scoring just 19 touchdowns in 2023, the offense found the end zone 44 times last season. Defensively, the Seawolves cut their points allowed from 39.2 to 24.0 per game. They held opponents to 373.5 yards per game, down from 470.7 the year before, and gave up 32 touchdowns compared to 53 in 2023.
Stony Brook returns several key contributors on both sides of the ball, including All-American running back
Roland Dempster, offensive linemen
Niko Papic and
Kollin Melendez, wide receivers
Jayce Freeman and
Dez Williams, tight end
Cole Bunicci, defensive linemen
Sebastian Regis and
Rodney Faulk, linebackers
AJ Roberts and
Anthony Ferrelli, kicker
Enda Kirby, and punter
Clayton Taylor.
The Seawolves will open the 2025 season on August 28 at San Diego State inside Snapdragon Stadium.
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.
For an inside look at the Seawolves football program, be sure to follow them on Facebook,
Twitter, and
Instagram.
