Game 2: Stony Brook at Buffalo
When: Saturday, Sep 10, 2011 - 6:00 PM
Where: UB Stadium
Series History: This is the first meeting of these two teams.
Tickets: Get them Right Here
Stony Brook might not be a gridiron rival for Buffalo but they are an institutional rival. They are one of two FCS level school in the SUNY system (Albany being the other) and the School closest in size and scope to UB. Still despite the fact that the Seawolves are just a quick trip down state this will be the first meeting between the two schools.
Stony Brook, an associate member of the Big South, were co-champions in both 2009 and 2010. once again thewill battle Liberty for the title. This season they hope to earn an outright conference title and are considered by some to have a very real chance to go deep in the FCS playoffs.
Stony Brook on Offense:
Perhaps no FCS program, and maybe no BCS program has benefited from college football chaos as much as our Sister SUNY school. The Wolves picked up Fernando Diaz from Pitt. Diaz is a very solid offensive lineman who will help block for a two Hofstra cast offs.
Miguel Maysonet and Brock Jackolski. were looking for a home when Hofstra ceased their football program. Stony Brook was looking for depth because of Injury. The tandem each hit the 1,000-yard mark last season and aim to do it again. This year they effectively replace Edwin Gowins who just left the program for some time at a division III school.
With a good line and a potent running attack Stony Brook looks to Quarterback Michael Coulter for only game management. Last season Coulter was 133 of 210 for 1,811 yards and 17 touchdowns while throwing 10 interceptions. He has enough in his receivers to be dangerous if a team stacks the box but he is not their preferred weapon.
Stony Brook on Defense:
The rise of Stony Brook is not only due to offensive transfers, the Seawolves defense has some impressive names on it as well.
Masengo Kabongo was a four-star recruit in 2008 who signed with Maryland. He was rated the second-best high-school player in Connecticut. In the defensive backfield Dan Mulrooney a safety transfer from Boston College was not as highly touted but gives Stony Brook . He spent three years with the Eagles, redshirting one year. He only played in two games last season, but Priore said he’ll be key in replacing outgoing leaders on that Unit.
Last season the SeaWolves ran a 4-3 and despite the fact that Rob Neviaser is in his first year as Stony Brook's defensive coordinator chances are they will roll the same way again. Neviase coached against the Bulls last season while on the staff at Rhode Island.
In that 4-3 the StonyBrook likes to attack the run forcing teams to throw the ball. The aim is to use multiple look out of the base 4-3 and create big plays. If you can run against them, even with moderate success (more than three and a half per carry), this is a team you can punish.
Outlook:
Cautiously optimistic (Win): Phil Steele has this team at #15 among the FCS ranks. UB certainly did not play as well as a ranked FCS team down the stretch last season but this is a new year with a healthy line. Overall the Bulls are going to be the bigger, faster team with more depth but they are square off with some impressive individual talent on both sides of the ball.
Any advantage that an FBS team may have in terms of atmosphere will be nullifed by Stony Brooks week one trip to UTEP. The SeaWolves will already have a game against FBS talent in a rather intimidating environment under their belts when they show up in Amherst.
The Bulls Can lose if:
They let the SeaWolves make a big play or two on defense. A pick six and some other stupid turnovers would be absolutely lethal (as we know all to well from 2010). Contrary to the score last season's score Rhode Island played us pretty well. The difference was the big plays, well that and UB's receivers were amazing.
On defense the front three have to free up the Linebackers to take care of the run. Despite UB's young secondary, and the bit of talent that Stony Brook brings at the wide out, the Bulls should fair better if they force the pass than they would if the Seawolves are able to grind out yards on the ground.
No fan sites so go to Any Given Saturday to follow Stony Brook