Football: Seawolves Shutout Bryant 32-0

By Henry Danner

The Stony Brook Seawolves shut out the Bryant Bulldogs 32-0, improving to an undefeated 4-0 at LaValle Stadium, and 5-4 overall this season.

As the game got underway, it appeared as if Stony Brook would be playing an early game of catch up. On the second possession of the game, Bryant quarterback Charlie Granatell completed a 75 yard bomb to the Bulldog’s lead receiver Sean Bergin.

However, defense was the key component in the Seawolves’ win and it put an early halt to the offense of the 7-0 Division II Bulldogs (the Seawolves play in Division I-AA). Bryant’s hope of scoring the first touchdown was diminished by an interception by sophomore linebacker Tyler Santucci, on second and goal, with the Bulldogs only two yards out of the end zone.

“Anytime the D’ does something good, it’s a boost,” sophomore running back Conte Cuttino said of the team’s relentless defense.

The Seawolves offense got off to a quick start thanks to the sensational sophomore. Cuttino picked up where he left off in last week's double overtime homecoming thriller, as he opened the Seawolves first drive up with a 20 yard run followed by a 15 yard run which advanced them into the midfield.

The first score of the game came at the 10:02 mark off of a 10 yard pass from senior quarterback Josh Dudash to tight end Melaquan Saffold. Dudash finished the game with three touchdowns and 178 yards on 11-16 passing.

Stony Brook followed this score with a five yard touchdown run by Brandon Mason to finish off a two minute drive made possible by 54 yards in passing and 20 penalty yards charged against Bryant.

“The first two touchdowns came pretty easy,” Head Coach Chuck Priore said. Adding, “they never come that easy."

As the second half got underway, the Seawolves defense really locked down and made it hard for the Bulldogs to move the chains. The Bulldogs’ offense is centered around its running attack, led by sophomore Lindsey Gamble, who is averaging 97.4 yards a game. Bryant was unable to get into their offensive groove because the suffocating Seawolves defense held Gamble to a skimpy 59 rushing yards.

The defense continued to flex its muscles when it forced the Bulldogs to commit a safety. Tyler Santucci was credited with the safety tackle, but it was made possible through a collective team effort, including a favorable hometown bounce off a Seawolves punt that landed inside the Bryant one yard-line.

Fifty-five seconds later, the Stony Brook offense added to their onslaught with a six yard touchdown from Dudash to lead receiver, Lynell Suggs. Suggs ran a corner fade route to the left side of the endzone. Dudash quickly recognized that the star receiver had his one-on-one coverage beat and lobbed the pigskin up for him.

“We worked on the fade all week,” Suggs said. “Coach told me to go get the ball.”

In the fourth quarter Stony Brook put the final nail in the coffin at the 11:10 mark with a four yard pass to Dwayne Ely.

The Seawolves have two games remaining this season and their next game is scheduled for November 10 against Central Connecticut. This gives them a couple weeks to rest and focus on schoolwork. According to coach Priore, they will also use the time off to thoroughly study the game plan for upcoming opponents.  The Seawolves close out their season on the road against Elon.

Although hopes are high for the last two games, the team will stay focused on their current position and how to prepare for the postseason. When asked how finishing with a 7-4 record sounds Priore replied, “right now 5-4 sounds pretty good.”