The Stony Brook Seawolves gave the Syracuse Orange Football team everything they had on Saturday afternoon, and it was almost enough to beat them. Stony Brook took a 17-14 lead into the second half, but Ryan Nassib and his offense did just enough to overcome what become a tough test, beating Stony Brook 28-17.
"I think we played a very good football team, " said Marrone after the game, "we have a lot of work ahead of us, and we have a long way to go, and I think it was evident today."
Stony Brook struck first when Kyle Essington tossed a 63 yard touchdown pass to Kevin Norrell early in the first quarter for a 7-0 lead. The lead was short lived thanks to Prince-Tyson Gulley who ran back a 61-yard touchdown for the tie two plays later.
After Ross Krautman missed two straight field goal attempts, it was freshman Ashton Broyld giving SU its first lead, a 22 yard touchdown play with about six minutes left in the first half. But Stony Brook stunned the Syracuse fans with another big play, Miguel Maysonet's 71 yard touchdown run, and the Seawolves led 17-14 at the half.
Nassib began the second half with a nine play, 85 yard drive that ended with a 13 yard touchdown snag from Jarrod West for a 21-17 Orange lead. After being stopped inside the 5 yard line twice on 4th down, Nassib and the SU offense finally put a capper on it when he found Sales for a 19-yard touchdown pass.
Sales finished with 117 receiving yards, what was his fourth straight 100-yard game. He also extended his streak to four consecutive games with at least one touchdown reception.
"At the end of the day you earn your win," said Marrone, "you earn what you deserve."
Nassib finished 22 of 35 passing for 335 yards and 3 touchdowns.
