By Tim Baysinger
The Pride continued their winning ways with a 33-28 victory over Stony Brook Saturday night at James M. Shuart Stadium.
This was the Pride’s 11th consecutive victory over the Sea Wolves; Hofstra has won every match-up against their long island counterparts.
Quarterback Brian Savage posted another modest effort, totaling 256 yards in passing and two touchdowns, although he did throw three interceptions.
Running back Kareem Huggins had another big day with 141 yards on the ground and two touchdowns, one of them a 58-yarder that is the second longest in his career, but did have a costly fumble in the fourth quarter that let the Sea Wolves come within five points.
Receivers Everette Benjamin and Otis Lewis both had touchdown catches of more than 20 yards. Benjamin also had a key special teams play causing a safety on a mishandled snap on a punt attempt. Senior wide out Charles Sullivan also moved into a tie for 2nd place with former Pride and current New Orleans Saints wide receiver Marques Colston for second on the all time receptions list in Pride history. Sullivan also needs 11 more receiving yards to pass Hofstra legend Wayne Chrebet on the all time receiving yards list.
The game got off to a shaky start as Savage’s second pass attempt of the game was picked off by cornerback Cory Giddings and returned deep into Pride territory. The Sea Wolves only needed two plays to put it in the end zone for a quick 7-0 lead.
The Pride would answer back on their next position with Kareem Huggins taking the first play from scrimmage 58 yards for the touchdown and a 7-7 tie. Fourteen points were scored in 22 seconds.
The Pride defense would force the Sea Wolves offense into a three and out on their next possession. On the ensuing punt, punter Andrew Powell got a high snap that went over his head. Hofstra’s Evertte Benjamin rushed him and Powell attempted to kick the ball on the run. It was unsuccessful as Benjamin blocked the ball and sent it out of the end zone for a Hofstra safety and a 9-7 advantage.
The Pride looked as if they were going to pull away in the second quarter when they scored on back to back drives, another Huggins touchdown and a Rob Zarilli field goal, to go up 19-7 at the end of the first half.
Stony Brook would not go away in the second half however. Midway through the third quarter, Sea Wolves quarterback Josh Dudash found receiver Dwayne Eley for a 21-yard touchdown pass and the lead was reduced to 19-14.
The rest of the game the two teams traded touchdowns. Savage would find Benjamin late in the third quarter for a 21-yard touchdown pass to bring the lead back up to 26-14. The touchdown was the first of Benjamin’s career.
The fourth quarter proved to be the Pride’s most challenging quarter as the Sea Wolves put up 14 points to keep the game close. Running back Conte Cuttino scored on a one-yard run just three seconds into the period. Savage would answer back the next possession later when he found receiver Otis Lewis for a 63-yard touchdown pass, the longest of his career, and a 33-21 advantage.
The Pride defense tightened up to hold to the Sea Wolves offense to barely anything. The offense was ready to put the ball in Huggins’ hands and run out the clock. With less than six minutes to play however, Huggins made a costly turnover as he was stripped of the ball on his own four yard line and the Sea Wolves recovered. Dudash only needed one play to find receiver J.J. Cox in the end zone to cut the Pride lead to only five.
After a three and out by the Pride on their next possession, Stony Brook got the ball back with less than three minutes to play. Strong Safety Steven Tate would save the day as he stepped in front a pass intended for Stony Brook’s Lynell Suggs to end the Stony Brook threat. They would get the ball back with 25 seconds left to play but would not gain a yard.
With the win the Pride move to 4-0 for the first time since 1999. They have already doubled their win total from last season. Safety Emmanuel Anderson recorded his first career interception when he picked off Dudash in the second quarter.
The Pride stay at home to welcome the University of Maine for their homecoming game on Saturday.
Brian Savage connects with Julian Watts over the middle of the field. Watts, who had the one reception for 14 yards, could turn into one of the Pride’s top wide receivers alongside Charles Sullivan, Otis Lewis, Anthony Nelson and Chris Manno. (Stephen Cooney)