Sports

Stony Brook Can't Hold onto Early Lead, Falls to USF

Seawolves fall 59-14 in football season opener in Tampa.

Stony Brook could look to small victories, like a handful of forced fumbles and a onetime lead during the first quarter against a historically strong team, as reinforcement that its growing program has a future. But there's little glamour in the end result – the Seawolves' 59-14 loss to South Florida in Saturday night's season opener in Tampa.

With USF up 7-0 on an early 59-yard touchdown pass, Stony Brook's Michael Coulter connected with Jordan Gush for a 31-yard reception that paved the way for Edwin Gowins to score on a three-yard run that tied the game with 8:14 left in the first quarter.

A few minutes later Coulter found Brock Jackolski for a 27-yard touchdown pass that gave Stony Brook a 14-7 lead with 5:30 left in the first quarter. But USF answered right back with an eight-play, 70-yard drive capped by a four-yard touchdown run by Bulls quarterback B.J. Daniels to tie the score at 14 at the end of the first.

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Stony Brook couldn't muster much offense after that. Mistakes like Coulter's four interceptions, combined with injuries to starting cornerbacks Donald Portal (knee) and Al-Majid Hutchins (shoulder), solidified the Seawolves' downfall.

Yet Coach Chuck Priore wasn't overly disappointed in the team's performance against USF, its first-ever Football Bowl Subdivision opponent.

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"I thought we showed a lot of poise," Priore said. "But we made a few mistakes and they capitalized. With an opponent like South Florida, you can't make too many mistakes. Overall, I'm really proud of how we competed. I think our guys represented Stony Brook well."

News & Notes: Gowins' score was his 21st career touchdown; one more will land him in second place in Stony Brook history... Coulter finished the game 9-for-21 with 112 yards, four interceptions and one sack... Miguel Maysonet picked up 72 yards on 11 carries in his first performance as a Seawolf since transferring from Hofstra... Attendance at Raymond James Stadium was reported at 40,210, the largest crowd to ever watch a Stony Brook football game.


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