2018 College Football Team Previews: Stony Brook Seawolves
Stony Brook Seawolves
Location: Stony Brook, NY
Coach: Chuck Priore (77-61) 13th Season at Stony Brook
Stadium: LaValle Stadium (Capacity 12,300)
CSJ Projections
3rd: CAA
4th: New York
9th: FCS
105th: Division I
2017 In a Sentence: Stony Brook had a great season in 2017, going 10-3, including 7-1 in the CAA, defeating Lehigh in the first round of the playoffs before falling to James Madison in the second round. Stony Brook used a very balanced offense and a solid, above average defense to wear teams down last year.
Biggest Shoes to Fill: Stony Brook loses their top two receivers WRs Ray Bolden and Harrison Jackson to graduation in 2018. Bolden was by far the leading receiver for Stony Brook with 66 catches for 780 yards, while Jackson was third on the team with 37 catches and second in receiving yards with 615. The Seawolves will lean on senior WR Donavin Washington to fill a big chunk of that gap.
Key Player: QB Joe Carbone is a very efficient passer, throwing only 3 interceptions the entire 2017 regular season. But in their playoff loss at James Madison, Carbone threw 5 picks. The Seawolves will lean on RB Donald Liotine to carry the load in the run game, but Carbone will need to remain as efficient in the pass game while bringing along a younger receiving corps if they want to return to the playoffs.
Fearless Prediction: Stony Brook could very well be 6-0 entering their game against New Hampshire, which would include win at FBS Air Force. But then the really tough games appear on their schedule, including James Madison and New Hampshire, which could make it a chilly November. Nonetheless, with their schedule, even a 7-4 record might still be enough to make the playoffs.
Jamie is a proud 2002 graduate of James Madison University. He’s witnessed the growth of the program from no one in the stands in 1998, to the hiring of Mickey Matthews, to the 2004 National Championship, to the 2008 team, to the struggles in the early 2010s, and finally the rebuild under Mike Houston. He also allegedly really enjoys Washington, DC-based Stanley Cup winners.
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