#31 Stony Brook FCS Football 2014 Preview



Stony Brook Seawolves

Overall Rank: #31
#8 CAA
#31 Stony Brook FCS Football 2014 Preview
Stony Brook Team Page

 

The move to the Colonial Athletic Association has been tough for Stony Brook, but they did manage to win three conference games in 2013, including the last two of the year. The Seawolves pulled off a big upset at James Madison on November 16th and followed it up with a 24-3 win against Albany. Coach Chuck Priore hopes to take that late season momentum and ride it to more success in 2014.

2013 Record: 5-6, 3-5
2013 Postseason: None
Coach: Chuck Priore (52-40 at Stony Brook, 52-40 overall)
Offensive Coordinator: Jeff Behrman
Defensive Coordinator: Lyle Hemphill

Returning Leaders:
Rushing: James Kenner, RB, 829 yards
Passing: None
Receiving: Adrian Coxson, WR, 544 yards
Tackles: Christian Richard, DB, 91
Sacks: Victor Ochi, DL, 5.5
Interceptions: Naim Cheeseboro, DB, 1

Other Key Returnees: RB Tyler Fredericks, TE Will Tye, K Graham Ball

Key Losses: QB Lyle Negron, WR Malcolm Eugene, RB Jameel Poteat, OL Arther Doakes, LB Jawara Dudley, DB Winston Longdon, S Derrick Morgan, P Nick Ferrara

Strengths:
When Stony Brook won games last season, it was usually because of the defense. Safety Christian Richard is the team’s top tackler and totaled 91 during his junior campaign. With Naim Cheeseboro also returning to the secondary, this should be one of the better pass defenses in the CAA. A lot of pressure will be on junior linebackers Jeremy Leggiero and Julian Quintin to step up and turn into consistent tacklers in the middle of the field. Those two combined for just 36 tackles as reserves last season. The front four is pretty young, but Victor Ochi is a proven pass rusher and the potential for youngsters like Allen Singleton and Aaron Thompson is through the roof. The return of Marcus Coker will help the offense. The former Iowa running back missed nearly all of the 2013 campaign with an injury. Back in 2012, he rushed for 1,018 yards and nine touchdowns for the Seawolves. He will team up with James Kenner who did an admirable job during Coker’s absence, rushing for 829 yards and four scores.

Weaknesses:
The rest of the offense has some pretty big holes to fill. Quarterback Lyle Negron passed for 2,367 yards and 13 touchdowns during his last season with the Seawolves and now the job falls to junior college transfer Conor Bednarski. During his two years at Fullerton College, the 6-3 quarterback threw for 4,289 yards and 36 touchdowns. Bednarski will not have top receiver Malcolm Eugene to work with, but Adrian Coxson is a quality receiver and Will Tye is one of the best tight ends in a conference filled with quality tight ends. However, more receivers will need to develop into consistent threats if Stony Brook is going to have success balancing their run attack with a decent passing game.

The Bottom Line:
Stony Brook will continue to struggle in the CAA while Coach Priore continues to bring in the talent that can compete year in and year out in what for now is the toughest conference in the FCS. With the return of Coker and a decent defense, this is a team that can grind out some wins, but not enough to compete for a playoff spot.

Projected Postseason: None

2013 Team Stats:
Rushing Offense: 144.3 (82nd in nation, 9th in conference)
Passing Offense: 215.2 (58, 7)
Total Offense: 359.5 (70, 8)
Scoring Offense: 22.3 (84, 8)
Rushing Defense: 130.2 (26, 5)
Pass Defense: 195.2 (30, 3)
Total Defense: 325.4 (15, 2)
Scoring Defense: 22.0 (18, 2)
Turnover Margin: -0.20 (73, 6)
Sacks: 2.27 (39, 6)
Sacks Allowed: 2.55 (85, 9)

Madness 2014 FCS Football Recruit Rankings:
#9 Julius Wingate

 

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