What Is 2010 Stony Brook Seawolves football

Content on WhatAnswers is provided "as is" for informational purposes. While we strive for accuracy, we make no guarantees. Content is AI-assisted and should not be used as professional advice.

Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2010 Stony Brook Seawolves football team represented Stony Brook University in the NCAA Division I FCS season, finishing with a 6–5 record under head coach Chuck Priore. They competed in the Big South Conference and earned their first-ever national ranking during the season.

Key Facts

Finished with a 6–5 overall record
Posted a 5–3 conference record in the Big South
Earned first-ever national ranking at No. 25 in the FCS polls
Defeated Liberty 23–3 on October 16, a key win
Head coach Chuck Priore led the program in his fifth season

Overview

The 2010 Stony Brook Seawolves football team marked a turning point in the program's history, representing Stony Brook University during the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) season. Competing in the Big South Conference, the team achieved several program milestones under head coach Chuck Priore, who was in his fifth year leading the Seawolves.

This season was notable for Stony Brook's rise in national recognition, including its first-ever appearance in the FCS Top 25 rankings. The team played its home games at LaValle Stadium in Stony Brook, New York, and demonstrated significant improvement over previous seasons with a balanced offensive and defensive performance.

Record: The Seawolves finished the season with a 6–5 overall record, marking only the second winning season in program history at the FCS level.
Conference performance: They posted a 5–3 record in Big South Conference play, placing them in strong contention for the conference title.
National ranking: In October 2010, Stony Brook entered the Sports Network FCS Top 25 poll at No. 25, a historic first for the program.
Key victory: A 23–3 win over Liberty on October 16 was pivotal, showcasing their defensive strength and boosting their national profile.
Home field: All home games were played at LaValle Stadium, which has a seating capacity of approximately 12,300 and opened in 2002.

Season Highlights and Key Games

The 2010 campaign featured several standout performances and turning points that elevated the visibility of Stony Brook football. The team showed resilience and growth throughout the season, particularly in conference matchups that tested their depth and strategy.

Opening game: The season began with a 34–14 loss to UConn, an FBS team, but the Seawolves showed competitive spirit despite the defeat.
First conference win: A 28–21 victory over Presbyterian College on October 2 signaled the team’s readiness for Big South competition.
Defensive dominance: The win over Liberty featured a shutout second half and highlighted the strength of the Seawolves' defense.
Quarterback play: Senior quarterback Kyle Essington led the offense, throwing for over 1,800 yards and 15 touchdowns during the season.
Running game: Miguel Maysonet emerged as a key player, rushing for over 1,000 yards and forming a dynamic duo with Essington.
Final game: The season concluded with a 27–24 loss to Gardner–Webb, ending their hopes for a conference title but cementing a winning record.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 2010 Stony Brook Seawolves' performance against key benchmarks from prior and subsequent seasons.

Season	Overall Record	Conference Record	Postseason Appearance	Final Ranking
2008	3–8	2–4 (NEC)	No	Unranked
2009	5–6	4–2 (Big South)	No	Unranked
2010	6–5	5–3	No	No. 25 (peak)
2011	9–4	6–0	FCS Playoffs	No. 10 (final)
2012	7–5	5–1	FCS Playoffs	No. 15 (final)

The 2010 season laid the foundation for future success, directly preceding back-to-back FCS playoff appearances in 2011 and 2012. While they did not qualify for the postseason in 2010, the team's national ranking and improved record signaled a program on the rise. The development of key players like Maysonet and Essington proved critical in subsequent seasons, and the coaching staff solidified a winning culture at Stony Brook.

Why It Matters

The 2010 season was a pivotal chapter in the evolution of Stony Brook football, transforming the program from a developing FCS team into a nationally recognized contender. It demonstrated that sustained investment in coaching, recruiting, and infrastructure could yield tangible results on the field.

Program legitimacy: The national ranking validated years of effort to build a competitive FCS program at Stony Brook.
Recruiting boost: Success in 2010 helped attract higher-caliber recruits in subsequent years.
Conference impact: The Seawolves' performance strengthened the Big South Conference’s football profile.
Player development: Miguel Maysonet went on to earn All-American honors in 2011 and 2012, showcasing the team’s talent pipeline.
Fan engagement: Attendance and student support increased, reflecting growing campus enthusiasm.
Foundation for playoffs: The 2010 season directly preceded Stony Brook’s first-ever FCS playoff berth in 2011.

Ultimately, the 2010 Stony Brook Seawolves football team served as a catalyst for sustained success, proving that long-term vision and consistent performance could elevate a mid-major program onto the national stage.