Stony Brook features one of the most vaunted rushing attacks on any level of college football, but it was a beautiful 63-yard pass that gave the Seawolves their first touchdown of the game.

The Seawolves’ well-balanced offense clicked for the entire first half, and Stony Brook went into halftime with a 17-14 lead over Syracuse at the Carrier Dome Saturday.

On a first-and-10 on his own 37-yard line on SBU’s second drive of the game, Kyle Essington connected with Kevin Norrell, who burned Ri’Shard Anderson down the left side on a play-action pass and cruised into the end zone.

Stony Brook made the extra point and took an early 7-0 lead. But it was only for a brief time. Two plays later, Syracuse quarterback Ryan Nassib threw a screen pass to running back Prince-Tyson Gulley, who exploded through a wide-open hole on the left side and ran up the left sideline for a 63-yard touchdown run.

Just like that, the Orange tied up the game.

The Seawolves nearly scored another touchdown on their very next drive. On a third-and-goal from Syracuse’s 3, Essington floated a pass to tight end Brett Arce, who was wide open in the left side of the end zone. But the pass bounced off Arce’s hands and fell behind him.

Wesley Skiffington kicked a 20-yard field goal, and Stony Brook took a 10-7 lead.

The Orange went ahead for the first time when Ashton Broyld scored his first touchdown of his career, slicing through Stony Brook’s defense for a 22-yard touchdown run.

But the Seawolves answered right back with a huge run.

Miguel Maysonet eluded several Orange defenders, and burst up the right sideline for a 71-yard touchdown run. He ran into the end zone virtually untouched for nearly the entire run.

SBU went ahead 17-14 and the SU offense couldn’t put together a drive to end the half.

The Orange committed a three-and-out and later Stony Brook defensive back Davonte Anderson forced a fumble by Gulley that linebacker Jawara Dudley recovered.

While Stony Brook’s offense was cruising, an inconsistent Syracuse offense and a poor rushing defense cost the Orange in the first half.

Published on September 15, 2012 at 5:52 pm

Contact Chris: cjiseman@syr.edu | @chris_iseman