STONY BROOK, N.Y. - The Stony Brook football team took down No. 8/13 Rhode Island 56-24 this afternoon behind four rushing touchdowns by CJ Hester and three more by Jeremiah Coney to lead the Seawolves to victory at LaValle Stadium.
The victory marks the first ranked win for the Seawolves since 2024 when they defeated No. 15 William & Mary. It is also their first victory over a top-10 opponent since taking down No. 5 Villanova in 2019.
Hester and Coney led the Seawolves this afternoon. The duo scored all seven touchdowns for Stony Brook and combined for 168 yards on the ground. Hester finished with 78 yards on 18 carries while Coney had 90 yards on 20 carries. Quinn Boyd was also impactful on the ground with a career-high 155 yards on 14 carries. The quarterback was also 17-of-24 through the air with 198 yards and a touchdown.
The defense had numerous impactful outings in the victory as Lance Byndon, Miles McGoy and Jojo Garcia all registered a team-best eight tackles. Byndon had 3.0 tackles for loss including 1.5 sacks while Sebastian Regis and Maurice Seals each registered a sack. Kareem Hector also had his first career interception.
Michael Mannino was a perfect 8-for-8 on extra points while Patrick Cleary recorded three punts for 134 yards with a long of 49 yards.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Rhode Island received the ball first to start the game this afternoon. After allowing a first down Sebastian Regis came up with a sack on third down to force a punt to the SBU 36-yard line after a 15-yard return by Justin Reshard.
- After Stony Brook went three-and-out on its first drive Rhode Island started its ensuing drive with 11:50 left in the first quarter at its own 29-yard line. On third and six Rhode Island got its first first down of the day on a 17-yard completion. On the next play the Rams had a 31-yard reception to put the ball at Stony Brook's 19-yard line. Rhode Island would end the drive with an eight-yard rushing touchdown to take a 7-0 lead.
- DaMario Crawford had a 26-yard kickoff return to start the next Stony Brook drive at the 30-yard line with 7:20 left in the first quarter. Seth Sweitzer got three straight catches for 31 total yards to begin the drive and bring the ball to the Rhode Island 31-yard line. A few plays later a 21-yard run by Boyd ultimately led to a four-yard rushing touchdown by Jeremiah Coney that tied the game at 7-7.
- The defense went right back to work for Stony Brook and forced a three-and-out to get the ball back at its own 25-yard line with 2:11 remaining in the quarter.
- After a 13-yard rush by Coney Boyd followed with an 18-yard run to put the ball in Rhode Island territory. A few plays later Hester rushed in from 11 yards to take a 14-7 lead.
- Rhode Island responded with a seven-play 70-yard drive that resulted in a 23-yard rushing touchdown to tie the game at 14-14 with 8:40 remaining in the half.
- Following a Stony Brook punt URI connected on a 38-yard field goal to take a 17-14 lead.
- Stony Brook responded with a 13-play 74-yard drive as Hester collected his second touchdown of the day on a one-yard rush to retake the 21-17 lead. During the drive Boyd rushed for 58 yards on four carries to lead the Seawolves into the end zone.
- On the second play of the ensuing URI drive Hector came up with an interception and returned it 32 yards to the URI 19-yard line. A few plays later Hester capitalized with his third touchdown of the half on a one-yard rush to take a 28-17 lead into the break.
- Following a three-and-out by Stony Brook Rhode Island got the ball back at its own 38-yard line. A 15-yard completion on the second play of the drive put the ball into Stony Brook territory. After back-to-back incompletions URI was forced into a 47-yard field goal attempt that the Rams missed with 10:12 remaining in the third quarter.
- Stony Brook got the ball back at its own 25-yard line to start the ensuing drive. After Boyd and Dely connected for a seven-yard gain the duo linked for a 69-yard touchdown that gave Stony Brook a 34-17 lead.
- Rhode Island responded with a 36-yard passing touchdown with 5:34 left in the third quarter to cut the deficit to 34-24.
- Stony Brook held the ball for five minutes on its next drive as the Seawolves went down the field on 12 plays for 81 yards. Hester capped the drive with his fourth touchdown of the day on a one-yard rush to take a 42-24 lead.
- Regis and Byndon combined for a sack for a loss of 13 yards to force URI to punt to begin the fourth quarter.
- Coney got in on the action as he tallied his second touchdown of the day on a one-yard run with 9:46 left in the game to take a 49-24 lead.
- The Stony Brook defense came up with a stop on fourth and three at the URI 42-yard line as Ryan Barrett broke up the pass to give the Seawolves the football.
- The Seawolves took control of the clock by going on a 5:22 drive that covered 42 yards on 10 plays. Coney capped the drive with his third touchdown of the game on a three-yard rush to give Stony Brook a 56-24 lead.
- Khalid Bueno recorded a hurry on the final URI possession on fourth down with 1:25 left that resulted in a turnover on downs and ultimately secured the Stony Brook victory.
STATS AND NOTES
- CJ Hester tied running back Miguel Maysonet (Nov. 5, 2011) for the most touchdowns in a game in program history with four in the victory. Hester leads the CAA with seven rushing touchdowns this season.
- Coney recorded a career-high three rushing touchdowns and set a new season high with 90 yards on the ground. He now has five rushing touchdowns in his last two games.
- Hector recorded his first career interception.
- Garcia tied for the team lead with eight tackles in the victory.
- Boyd posted a career-high 155 yards on the ground. He surpassed his previous career high of 45 yards set last season. He also threw a touchdown pass and finished with 198 yards through the air.
- Stony Brook rushed for 329 yards in the victory. It is the most in the Billy Cosh era.
- The Seawolves had 519 total yards in the victory. It is their most of the season and most since recording 559 yards against Monmouth in 2024.
- The seven rushing touchdowns mark the most rushing touchdowns in a game in program history.
- The Seawolves were a perfect 7-for-7 in the red zone this afternoon.
- The squad was 10-for-14 on third down in the victory.
- The Stony Brook defense recorded eight tackles for loss while URI recorded just three.
- Stony Brook has now won seven straight games at LaValle Stadium dating back to last season.
- The Seawolves snapped URI's four-game winning streak in the series with their first victory over the Rams since 2021.
- Stony Brook is now 8-4 all-time against Rhode Island.
QUOTES FROM THE SEAWOLVES
UP NEXT
The Seawolves are back in action next weekend as they head to the Bronx to battle Fordham for the 10th time in program history. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. and can be streamed live on FloCollege.
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