* - CAA Game + - Homecoming All times ET

Transcription

1 HOFSTRA-STONY BROOK SERIES: Friday s game is the 12th meeting between Hofstra and Stony Brook in a series that started in The Pride is a perfect 11-0 in the series. The two teams last met on September 22, 2007 at Hofstra Shuart Stadium with the Pride posting a victory. This is the sixth time in the series that the game will be played atstony Brook. The series history is as follows: 2008 HOFSTRA FOOTBALL GAME 4: HOFSTRA UNIVERSITY (1-2) at STONY BROOK UNIVERSITY (1-3) Friday, September 26, :00 p.m. LaValle Stadium (8,136) - Stony Brook, NY Television: MSG Network, Live 7 p.m., Carl Reuter (PxP) and Marty Lyons (color) Radio: WRHU-FM (88.7), Pre-game show at 6:30 p.m. Internet: Audio HOFSTRA SCHEDULE Date Opponent (TV) Time/Res. Aug. 28 at Connecticut (SNY) 3-35 L Sept. 13 ALBANY L OT Sept. 20 RHODE ISLAND* W Sept. 26 at Stony Brook (MSG) 7:00 p.m. Oct. 4 at James Madison* 1:30 p.m. Oct. 11 at Bucknell 1:00 p.m. Oct. 18 at Maine* 3:00 p.m. Oct. 25 DELAWARE* 3:00 p.m. Nov. 1 at New Hampshire* 12:00 p.m. Nov. 8 RICHMOND* 1:00 p.m. Nov.15 NORTHEASTERN* 1:00 p.m. Nov. 22 at Massachusetts *(CN8) 2:30 p.m. * - CAA Game + - Homecoming All times ET INFORMATION CONTACTS: Hofstra - Jim Sheehan, Senior Sports Information Director; (516) O; (516) Cell; (516) Fax Stony Brook -Phil Hess, Director of Athletic Communications; (631) O; (631) Fax LaValle Stadium Press Box - (631) Voice 2008 HOFSTRA FACTS, FIGURES, STREAKS AND TRENDS: - The Pride is (.563) in regular season play since the start of the 1998 season. Hofstra has posted a (.617) record since becoming a member of the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), formerly I-AA, in Hofstra is coming off a victory over CAA-rival Rhode Island last Saturday. Year Winner (Loc.) Score 1984 Hofstra (H) Hofstra (H) Hofstra (A) Hofstra (H) Hofstra (A) Hofstra (H) Hofstra (A) Hofstra (A) Hofstra (H) Hofstra (A) Hofstra (H) THE LAST TIME - HOFSTRA vs. STONY BROOK - SEPTEMBER 29, 2007 IN HEMPSTEAD: Kareem Huggins amassed 301 yards of total offense and two touchdowns as #14 Hofstra defeated Stony Brook, 33-28, at James M. Shuart Stadium. Huggins racked up a career-high 141 yards rushing (20 carries) and two scores, while adding 19 receiving yards and 141 return yards on six kickoff returns. In addition, Bryan Savage completed 20 of 33 passes for 256 yards and two touchdowns. The Pride defense also played a strong game, holding the Seawolves to 273 total yards including just 29 yards rushing in 32 attempts. Stony Brook struck first after a Savage interception put the Seawolves at the Hofstra 11 to start their first possession. Two plays later, Josh Dudash connected with Kevin Halonski on an 8-yard scoring strike for a 7-0 Stony Brook lead. However, on Hofstra's ensuing possession Huggins broke a 58-yard run for a touchdown and Rob Zarrilli's extra-point tied the game at 7-7. The Pride took the lead for good on Stony Brook's next possession when the Seawolves fumbled the snap on a punt and the ball went through the end zone for a safety. The Pride would seemingly break the game open with 10 second quarter points to take a 19-7 lead at halftime. Huggins scored on a 7-yard scamper with 12:42 on the clock and Zarrilli added a 22-yard field goal with 5:59 to go. In the third quarter Stony Brook cut the lead to on a 20-yard pass from Dudash to Dwayne Eley and the point after from Luke Gaddis. But with 1:59 remaining, Savage hit fullback Everette Benjamin with a dump pass over the middle and Benjamin raced 21 yards to the end zone for a Hofstra advantage. Stony Brook again cut the deficit to five at 26-21when Conte Cuttino scored on a 1-yard run three seconds into the fourth quarter. Hofstra answered right back as Savage connected with Ottis Lewis for a 63-yard scoring pass and a lead. The Seawolves wouldn't go quietly and with 5:47 to go, following a Huggins fumble inside Hofstra territory, Dudash found JJ Cox for a 2-yard touchdown pass to make the score Stony Brook forced Hofstra into a three-and-out on the next possession, but Dudash was intercepted by Stephen Tate

2 on the Hofstra 44 with 2:32 to play to stop the drive. The Seawolves held on defense and took over at their own 33 with 24 second left. But after two incompletions, Dudash was sacked by end Thomas Massey to end the game. Dudash finished with 244 yards passing and three scores, while Lynell Suggs caught 10 passes for a game-high 132 yards. Cuttino carried 24 times for 68 yards and one score. The Hofstra defense was paced by Stanley Gutierrez' 14 tackles, while Luke Bonus added 11 stops. Gian Villante and Tate each had 10 tackles. Milo Otis led the Stony Brook defense with 12 stops F Stony Brook #14 Hofstra Scoring Summary SBU - Halonski 8-yard pass from Dudash (Gaddis kick) HU - Huggins 58-yard run (Zarrilli kick) HU - Team safety HU - Huggins 7-yard run (Zarrilli kick) HU - Zarrilli 22-yard field goal SBU - Elay 20-yard pass from Dudash (Gaddis kick) HU - Benjamin 21-yard pass from Savage (Zarrilli kick) SBU - Cuttino 1-yard run (Gaddis kick) HU - Lewis 63-yard pass from Savage SBU - Cox 2-yard pass from Dudash (Gaddis kick) HOFSTRA SBU First Downs (R-P-Pe) Rushes-Yards (Net) Passing Yards (Net) Passes Comp-Att-Int Total Offense/Plays-Yards Punt Returns-Yards Kickoff Returns-Yards Interception Returns-Yards Punts (Number-Avg.) Fumbles-Lost Penalties-Yards Possession Time 30:07 29:53 Third Down Conversions Fourth Down Conversions Red-Zone Scores-Chances Sacks By: Number-Yards RUSHING: HOFSTRA-Huggins ( ), Savage (9-26-0), Benjamin (1-3-0); SBU-Cuttino ( ), Mason (2-8-0) PASSING: HOFSTRA-Savage ( , 256, 2 TD); SBU-Dudash ( , 244, 3 TD) RECEIVING: HOFSTRA-Manno (5-45-0), Sullivan (4-45-0), Lewis (3-88-1); SBU-Suggs ( ), Eley (7-84-1), Cox (2-11-1) TACKLES (UA-A): HOFSTRA-Gutierrez ( ), Bonus ( ), Tate (4-4-8); SBU-Otis (7-5-12), Soivilien (6-4-10), Jean-Pierre (2-5-7) from 2002 through He also served as defensive line and linebackers coach at Delaware from 1994 through 1998 before becoming the associate head coach/defensive coordinator at Fordham University from 1999 through The Long Island native, who was a two-year starter at LIU-C.W. Post, began his coaching career at the University at Albany in 1988 as linebackers and strength coach. In 1990 Cohen became linebackers and defensive line coach at Lafayette College and held that position for four seasons. Cohen By The Numbers Overall record 6-11 Conference record 5-7 Home record 5-8 Road record 4-3 Night games 6-12 Day games HOFSTRA COACHING STAFF: Pride Head Football Coach Dave Cohen added two new members and made several promotions to its 2008 football coaching staff during the off-season. After the departure of assistant head coach/offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Ed Foley to a BCS position and wide receiver/special teams coach Jaime Elizondo to the Canadian Football League, Cohen promoted: defensive coordinator Mike Elko to assistant head coach/defensive coordinator; passing game coordinator/quarterbacks coach Dave Patenaude to offensive coordinator/passing game coordinator; defensive backs coach Lyle Hemphill to special teams coordinator/defensive backs coach; defensive backs assistant Kahmal Roy to Receivers Coach; and defensive line assistant Kevin Mapp to defensive ends coach. In addition Cohen added Bill Durkin from the University of Richmond as run game coordinator/offensive line, and newcomer Kyle Smith as defensive backs assistant. Durkin, who brings 11 years of college coaching experience to Hofstra, was an All-American, a two-time All-Yankee Conference first team selection and a two-time captain at Massachusetts from 1989 through He was also named to the Yankee Conference 50th anniversary all-time team. Smith, a newcomer to college coaching, was a three-year letterman and a two-year starter at free safety at Purdue University from 2001 through The 2007 Pride football coaching staff, with returning coaches bolded, is as follows: Coach Pos. HU Yr. Overall Mike Elko Asst. HC/DC./LB 3rd 10th David Patenaude OC/QB Coach 2nd 17th Lyle Hemphill S.T. Coord/DB. 3rd 7th Bill Durkin Off. Line 1st 12th Kevin Baumann Tight Ends 3rd 5th Antonio Smikle RB Coach 2nd 4th Malik Hall DL Coach 2nd 5th Kahmal Roy WR Coach 2nd 2nd Kevin Mapp DE Coach 2nd 6th Kyle Smith Asst. DB Coach 1st 1st Stadium: James M. Shuart Stadium Attendance: 5,527 Weather: 74 degrees and clear HOFSTRA HEAD COACH: Dave Cohen is in his third season as Hofstra University head football coach. Just the seventh head coach in the history of Pride football, Cohen came to Hofstra in December 2005 after serving as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at the University of Delaware HOFSTRA'S 2008 STATISTICAL LEADERS 3 GAMES RUSHING Att. Net Avg. TD YPG Brock Jackolski Everette Benjamin Cory Christopher PASSING (Eff.) Comp-Att-Int Yds. TD YPG Cory Christopher (125.6) (69.7)

3 RECEIVING No. Yds. Avg. TD YPG Anthony Nelson Aaron Weaver Ottis Lewis Everette Benjamin TACKLES UT-AT-TT Sacks Int Chris Edmond Greg Melendez Luke Bonus Nick Altomare Anthony Vernaglia HOFSTRA IN THE NCAA STATS: Here is where the Hofstra team and Pride players rank in this week s NCAA statistics report, as of September 22: Category FCS Avg. CAA Rushing Offense Passing Offense Total Offense Scoring Offense Rushing Defense Pass Efficiency Defense Total Defense Scoring Defense T Net Punting Punt Returns Kickoff Returns Turnover Margin Pass Defense Passing Efficiency Sacks Tackles For Loss Sacks Allowed Category Hofstra Player FCS Avg. CAA Rushing Everette Benjamin Cory Christopher Passing Efficiency Cory Christopher Total Offense Cory Christopher Everette Benjamin Recpt./Game Anthony Nelson T Aaron Weaver Rec. Yds./Game Anthony Nelson T Aaron Weaver T Ottis Lewis Interceptions Nick Altomare T T-3 Anthony Vernaglia T T-11 Ray McDonough T T-11 Leslie Jackman T T-11 Punting Shane Casciano Field Goals Brian Hanly T T-4 Roger Williams T T-6 All-Purpose Runners Anthony Nelson Sacks Luke Bonus T T-6 Vernaglia.33 T-12 Tackles For Loss Luke Bonus.83 T-12 Vernaglia.67 T-20 Andrew Nelson.67 T-20 CAA FOOTBALL THIS WEEK: Here is the CAA Football standings and schedule as of September 23: Conference Overall W L Pct. W L Pct. North New Hampshire Hofstra Northeastern Maine Massachusetts Rhode Island South Richmond James Madison Villanova William& Mary Delaware Towson This Weekend - Friday, September 26 Hofstra at Stony Brook Saturday, September 27 *Richmond at Villanova *James Madison at Maine Columbia at Towson Albany at Delaware UC Davis at Northeastern Rhode Island at Boston College New Hampshire at Dartmouth Last Week - Saturday, September 20 *Maine 17 at Richmond 44 *Rhode Island 20 at Hofstra 23 Towson 3 at Coastal Carolina 31 Delaware 21 at Furman 23 Norfolk State 12 at William and Mary 42 Massachusetts 14 at Texas Tech 56 Appalachian State 32 at James Madison 35 Albany 24 at New Hampshire 32 Northeastern 21 at Syracuse 30 Villanova 20 at Penn 14 (OT) For more CAA Football information visit the CAA website at HOFSTRA IN THE POLLS: Here is where the Pride ranked in the FCS Polls in 2008: Date TSN Coaches Preseason RV RV Sept. 1 RV RV Sept. 8 RV RV Sept. 15 NR NR Sept. 22 NR NR RV-Receiving Votes; NR- Not Ranked

4 THE SPORTS NETWORK FCS MEDIA POLL: Here is The Sports Network s 2008 Football Championship Subdivision Media Poll, as of September 22. No. Team (1st pl. votes) W-L Pts. LW 1. Richmond Spiders (49) 3-1 2, James Madison Dukes (37) 3-1 2, Appalachian State Mountaineers 1-2 2, Montana Grizzlies (12) 3-0 2, Northern Iowa Panthers (2) 2-1 1, McNeese State Cowboys 1-1 1, New Hampshire Wildcats (1) 3-0 1, Elon Phoenix 3-1 1, Cal Poly Mustangs 2-1 1, North Dakota State Bison 2-2 1, Eastern Washington Eagles 1-2 1, Central Arkansas Bears 4-0 1, The Citadel Bulldogs 2-1 1, Wofford Terriers 2-1 1, Southern Illinois Salukis 1-1 1, Furman Paladins Delaware Blue Hens Massachusetts Minutemen Villanova Wildcats South Dakota State Jackrabbits Eastern Illinois Panthers Western Illinois Leathernecks Tennessee State Tigers (1) Georgia Southern Eagles Liberty Flames Others receiving votes: Harvard 331, Youngstown State 276, Northern Arizona 273, Yale 251, Jacksonville State 224, Hampton 106, San Diego 71, Prairie View 59, William & Mary 50, Brown 44, Florida A&M 43, Holy Cross 38, Penn 30, Weber State 28, Sam Houston State 22, Eastern Kentucky 14, Southeastern Louisiana 13, Lafayette 10, Sacred Heart 9, Delaware State 8, South Carolina State 8, Norfolk State 5, Princeton 4, Tennessee-Martin 4, Montana State 1, North Dakota 1,. The 2008 CCA/AFCA FCS TOP 25 COACHES POLL As of September 22, 2008 No. Team Record Points 1. James Madison (11) Richmond (11) Montana (6) Appalachian State Northern Iowa McNeese State North Dakota State New Hampshire Cal Poly Massachusetts Wofford Delaware Southern Illinois Elon Central Arkansas Eastern Washington Furman South Dakota State Villanova Eastern Illinois Western Illinois Georgia Southern Youngstown State The Citadel Tennessee State Others receiving votes: Liberty (63), Jacksonville State (32), Northern Arizona (31), Harvard (19), Hampton (14), Prairie View A&M (14), Montana State (10), Delaware State (8), Weber State (7), Sam Houston State (7), William & Mary (6), North Dakota (4), San Diego (3), Yale (3), Holy Cross (1), UT Martin (1), South Carolina State (1), Texas State (1), Lafayette (1), Florida A&M (1). RB BROCK JACKOLSKI NAMED CAA ROOKIE OF THE WEEK: True-freshman running back Brock Jackolski was named the CAA Rookie of the Week for his performance against Rhode Island last Saturday. In only his second collegiate game, Jackolski posted his first 100-yard rushing game, carrying the ball 13 times for 144 yards against the Rams of URI. His 64-yard run to the URI 1-yard line in the fourth quarter set-up Roger Williams first field goal. The former NY State Player of the Year and PrepNation All-American out of William Floyd High School also returned four kickoffs for 73 yards including a 23-yarder in the fourth quarter that started the Pride on a touchdown drive that gave them the lead Jackolski, who is averaging 7.8 yards per carry this season, leads the Pride in rushing with 163 yards on 21 carries, and all-purpose yards with 325 (162.5 ypg). - He made his collegiate debut against Albany on September 13 and posted a team-high 108 all-purpose yards for the Pride. Jackolski stepped into a back-up role at tailback after the departure of red-shirt freshman Larry Gaskins and a hamstring injury to graduate-student transfer Justine Buries (New Mexico State). Jackolski s 38-yard return on the opening kickoff against Albany helped set-up Hofstra s first score. He later tied the game at early in the fourth quarter with a 3-yard touchdown run. Jackolski rushed eight times for 19 yards, had one reception for 13 yards, and returned three kickoffs for 76 yards against the Great Danes of Albany. QB CORY CHRISTOPHER: Quarterback Cory Christopher posted his second straight 250-yard passing game and 70% completion contest while accumulating 314 yards in total offense in the Pride s victory over URI Saturday. The junior Floridian completed four of seven passes in Hofstra s final drive, moving the Pride from their own 21 to the URI 21. That set-up Roger William s game-winning field goal. Christopher completed 25 of 33 passes for a career-best 75.8 completion percentage, for 265 yards. He also rushed 22 times for 49 yards and scored on a 1-yard run after an 11-play drive early in the fourth quarter. Christopher is now 69-for-99 (69.7 $) for 667 yards and one touchdown this season. He also ranks third in the CAA in total offense with a ypg average.

5 - He led the Pride in their overtime loss to the Great Danes of Albany on September 13. Christopher completed 27 of 38 passes (66.7) for a career-best 272 yards and one touchdown. His 13-yard scoring pass to Aaron Weaver put the Pride on the scoreboard just 4:32 into the contest. Christopher was also credited with 19 rushes for 44 yards against the Great Danes. - In his Hofstra debut on August 28 Christopher completed 17 of 28 passes for 130 yards at Connecticut. He also rushed 21 times for 25 yards and was sacked seven times. Like injured 2007 starter Bryan Savage, Christopher came to Hofstra last year through the junior college system, An All-American honorable mention at Nassau Community College, Christopher was named to the all-conference first team and was selected conference Offensive Player of the Year after passing for 1,181 yards and eight touchdowns in He was an all-conference second team pick in The American High School (Miami Lakes, Florida) graduate was named to the All-Dade County team as a senior. DB NICK ALTOMARE: Senior safety Nick Altomare, a two-time academic all-conference selection and a CoSIDA Academic All- District pick in 2007, led a Pride defensive charge that held URI to 341 yards on the day, including 248 yards passing which was 64 yards under their 2008 average. Altomare picked off his second pass of the season in the first quarter at the URI 33 and returned it five yards. He was third on the team in tackles against the Rams with five and added one tackle for a loss of two yards, forced a fumble and had a pass break-up. He now has 17 tackles on the season. -He notched a career-high seven tackles including 6 assisted stops, against Albany on September 13, topping his previous best of five tackles. - Altomare posted five tackles and his first Hofstra interception at Connecticut on August 28. He tallied his interception in the UConn end zone stopping a second quarter Huskie drive. - Last year, Altomare recorded a career-high 32 tackles (18-14) as a junior and equaled his career-high with five tackles in games against Rhode Island (4 solos), Albany and William and Mary. He also tallied four tackles against New Hampshire on October 20 and three tackles at Northeastern. K ROGER WILLIAMS: Red-shirt freshman walk-on Roger Williams, who has handled kickoff duties in the first three games for the Pride, came off the bench in the second half against Rhode Island to kick two field goals, including the game-winner with 3-seconds to play, that gave the Pride a victory over the URI Rams. Williams, a native of Mandeville, Louisiana who was a transplanted victim of Hurricane Katrina, kicked a 33-yard field goal with 3:27 to play in regulation that boosted the Hofstra lead to before his game-winner. He also assisted in the game-ending tackle on the kickoff following his 38-yard kick. LB ANTHONY VERNAGLIA: Notre Dame-transfer graduatestudent, linebacker Anthony Vernaglia led the Pride with six tackles, a sack (-7) and a fumble recovery to lead the Pride defense against Rhode Island. The Anaheim Hills, California native had 16 tackles, one sack, one interception, one fumble recovery and two pass deflections this season. - Vernaglia tallied four tackles, one tackle-for a loss (-2), one interception and two pass break-ups in his Hofstra debut at Connecticut on August He followed that debut with 6 tackles in the loss to Albany. WR ANTHONY NELSON: Sophomore receiver Anthony Nelson Nelson equaled his season-high with nine catches for 92 yards against Rhode Island last week. Nelson leads the Pride in receiving this season with 21 catches for 195 yards. - He also tallied nine receptions for 85 yards against Albany.- Nelson had three catches for 18 yards, and two kickoff returns for 43 yards in the season opener at Connecticut. Last year, Nelson: - Was second on the team, 12th in the CAA and 97th in the FCS in receptions with 44 for 543 yards and one touchdown in He posted the second-most receptions by a Hofstra freshman in school history, trailing only Charles Sullivan s 68 in He tallied two 100-yard receiving games as a freshman - Was named to the All-CAA first team as a punt returner after leading the CAA and placing sixth in the NCAA with a 15.6 average (312 yards) on 20 returns. - Recorded six catches for 105 yards at Northeastern. He also returned a punt 67 yards to the Northeastern 7-yard line that resulted in a 7-yard scoring pass from Savage to Sullivan. - Posted career-highs of 10 receptions for 128 yards in the Pride s loss to New Hampshire on October 27. His previous highs were 7 catches for 92 yards against Furman. - Tallied 4 receptions for 52 yards and hauled in a 24-yard touchdown pass at Villanova. He also had 4 punt returns for 39 yards. - Notched 3 catches for 13 yards and returned four punts for 33 yards against Stony Brook on September Helped spark the Pride s second half comeback at Rhode Island with a 77-yard punt return in the third quarter of Hofstra s victory. Nelson, who posted three punt returns for 83 yards in the contest, returned the punt to the Rams 4-yard line, setting up a 4- yard TD pass from Savage to Sullivan on the next play. He also caught five passes for 59 yards to post 142 all-purpose yards in the contest. - Made his college debut by recording 7 receptions for 92 yards, and adding 22 yards on 1 punt return for 114 all-purpose yards. Three of the rookie s catches went for first downs. WR AARON WEAVER: Red-shirt freshman receiver Aaron Weaver posted a career-best eight catches for 76 yards against Rhode Island last week. That topped his previous best of seven against Albany on September 13. Weaver is second on the Pride team with 19 receptions for 171 yards and one touchdown this season - He posted a career-best seven catches for 70 yards and hauled in a 13-yard TD pass to open the scoring in the Albany contest. - Weaver led the Pride with four receptions for 25 yards and added two kickoff returns for 44 yards to lead Hofstra with 69 all-purpose yards in the Pride s loss at UConn on August 28. Weaver had two receptions on the Pride s only scoring drive against the Huskies, including a possession opening 11-yard grab to the UC 33-yardline. He also had a 19-yard KOR in the first quarter and a 25-yard KOR in the fourth quarter. DB CHRIS EDMOND: Freshman linebacker Chris Edmond continues to play consistent, solid football in this his first season with the Pride. He posted a game-high nine tackles including five solos in his Pride debut against Connecticut. He followed that up with 7 stops, including five solo tackles, against Albany. Last week against Rhode Island he tallied three tackles. Edmond is tied for the team lead in tackles with 19 including a team-high 12 solo stops.

6 LB LUKE BONUS: Junior linebacker Luke Bonus, the 2006 Atlantic 10 Defensive Rookie of the Year award-winner and a twotime academic all-conference selection, tallied five tackles last week against Rhode Island. Bonus now has 17 tackles on the season including a team-high 11 assisted stops. - He doubled his tackle output from week one with eight tackles to lead the Pride defense against Albany on September 13. The Garden State native also tallied 2 tackles for losses of 8 yards and recorded 1.5 sacks for 6 yards in losses. - He posted four tackles, broke up a pass and was in on one tackle for a loss in the opener at Connecticut. All four of his stops were assisted tackles. The Bonus Career - Bonus was third on the Pride and 24th in the CAA in tackles with 84 (42-42) last year. He posted four double-digit tackle games in Bonus also led the Pride in pass deflections with six. - Led the Hofstra defense with a game-high 13 tackles, including 4 solos, against New Hampshire last season. It was his season-high. - Posted game-high honors with 12 tackles-all solo stops- in Hofstra s loss at Northeastern in The 12 were a career solo tackle high for the 2006 Atlantic 10 Defensive Rookie of the Year. - Recorded 11 tackles and three pass deflections against Stony Brook on September 29, It was his first double-digit tackle game of the season. - Notched five solo stops and five assisted tackles in the Pride s victory over Maine. - Posted seven tackles against William and Mary. - Led the team with 98 tackles stops in The Medford Lakes, New Jersey, native recorded a career-high 15 tackles, 4.5 tackles for losses of 23 yards, one sack for eight yards, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery in the Pride s loss to Rhode Island on November 4, Posted 12 tackles including six solos, three pass deflections and had a half-tackle-for-a-loss against Towson on September On October 28, 2006 at New Hampshire, he tallied 11 tackles and an assisted tackle behind the line of scrimmage, in Hofstra s 10-6 loss to the Wildcats. - At Marshall on September 9, 2006 he was second on the team with 10 tackles, including five solo stops. - Posted three tackles and one interception against Northeastern in His interception was in the end zone. RB EVERETTE BENJAMIN: Sophomore Everette Benjamin rushed for 69 yards on 19 carries against the Great Danes of Albany. He carried the ball nine times for 43 yards and scored on a 6-yard run against Rhode Island last week. Benjamin, who moved back into the starting tailback spot against Albany following the departure of redshirt freshman Larry Gaskins, will see time at both fullback and tailback in the coming weeks. He rushed just once for eight yards in the season opener at Connecticut and had one reception for six yards. Last year Benjamin: - Played in 11 games and started eight at both fullback and tailback and was third on the team in rushing with 68 carries for 260 yards and two touchdowns. - Tallied 93 yards on 20 carries and scored on a 2-yard run at Northeastern and posted 57 yards on 15 carries against William and Mary. - Filled in for Kareem Huggins in the second half of the Villanova game and rushed 11 times for 24 yards and scored on a 2-yard run late in the third quarter. - Benjamin rushed for 42 yards on nine carries against New Hampshire, and posted 10 carries for 32 yards against Maine. DB GREG MELENDEZ: Red-shirt freshman safety Greg Melendez Recorded three solo tackles in the victory over Rhode Island last week. He is tied for the team lead in tackles with 19 including 10 solo stops. - Melendez posted a season-best eight tackles, including six assisted stops against Albany. - He also posted five solos and three assisted tackles in the Pride s opener at Connecticut. S RAY MCDONOUGH: Junior safety Ray McDonough, who tallied three solo tackles against URI last week, was second on the Pride team with eight tackles against the Huskies of UConn on August 28. His third quarter interception on the Pride 2-yard line-on a second-and-goal play from the Hofstra 5 yard line stopped a potential UConn scoring drive. The transfer from Glendale Community College in California returned the interception 54 yards to the Connecticut 44 which set-up the Pride s only score of the contest, a 28-yard field goal by freshman Brian Hanly. McDonough posted 4 solo stops and one assisted tackle in the first half. He tallied two tackles against Albany on September 13. McDonough has 13 tackles on the year. LB DERON MAYO: Sophomore linebacker Deron Mayo notched a career-high 7 total tackles (2-5) in the Pride s loss to Albany on September 13. He tallied three tackles against Rhode Island last week and now has nine solo tackles and 6 assisted stops in Mayo also recorded a career-high five solo stops in the season opener at Connecticut. Last year Mayo: - He posted 11 solos and seven assisted tackles in nine games last season - Recorded his first college interception and returned it 4 yards against William and Mary last November. He also posted four tackles against the Tribe. - Posted a career-high six tackles against the Black Bears of Maine on October 6. DE JOE AKABALU: Junior defensive end Joe Akabalu also posted a career-best 7 tackles, including 4 solo stops, in the Pride s loss to Albany on September 13. He was in on two tackles against Rhode Island last week. Akabalu now has four solo and five assisted tackles this season. He posted five unassisted tackles and five assisted stops in seven games last season. LB SAID GAIDA: Sophomore linebacker Said Gaida recorded a career-best six tackles, including four solo stops, in the Pride s victory over Rhode Island. The six stops tops his previous best of

7 three at Albany in He now has six solo stops and four assisted tackles in PUNTER SHANE CASCIANO: Junior punter Shane Casciano bounced back from a sub-par performance against Albany to average 41 yards per punt in five kicks last Saturday against Rhode Island. Included was a career-best 66-yard punt in the third quarter against the Rams. Casciano, who punted three times for a 27.3 average against Albany, posted a 37.8 punting average in 6 kicks in the 2008 opener at Connecticut. Last year, he averaged 32.8 in relief of the injured Chris Hanly. WR OTTIS LEWIS: Senior receiver Ottis (OTT-is) Lewis posted three catches for 51 yards against Albany and three receptions for 32 yards in the season opener at Connecticut on August 28. The 2008 tri-captain had two grabs for 37 yards against the Rams of Rhode Island last week. He now has eight receptions for 120 yards this season. Lewis: - Tallied a career-high 27 receptions for 465 yards and four touchdowns in He ranked third on the team in receptions and was 20th in the CAA in receiving yards per game. - Posted a career-high four receptions against New Hampshire (62 yards), Furman (51) and Albany (34). - Recorded a career-high with 88 receiving yards on three catches against Stony Brook on September 29, Posted 63 yards receiving on three receptions and recorded his first touchdown catch in the Pride s victory at URI. He hauled in a 33- yard scoring toss from Bryan Savage that closed the Pride deficit to against the Rams. - Had one catch for 17 yards at Villanova and two for 57 yards and a touchdown against William and Mary. His scoring catch was 12 yards. - Posted a 33-yard TD catch-his only catch of the game-against Maine in Lewis tallied three catches for 40 yards at Towson on October Lewis had four catches for 29 yards in DB LESLIE JACKMAN: Junior cornerback Leslie Jackman recorded his first Hofstra interception last week against Rhode Island. The Rutgers University-transfer picked off the pass in the third quarter stopping a Rams drive at the Hofstra 32 yard line. Jackman also posted three solo tackles in the contest. He now has nine solo tackles and one assisted stop this season for the Pride. DB JEFF AIME: Sophomore Jeff Aime (Ah-may) has made the move from running back to the secondary since last season and recorded two tackles in each of the first two games this season. Aime, a running back last season, came in for Everette Benjamin in the third quarter against William and Mary on November 3, 2007 and rushed 23 times for 81 yards, and caught one pass for 1 yard in the Pride s win. TE PHIL RILEY: Senior Phil Riley posted three receptions for 27 yards in the loss to Albany. Riley had one reception at UConn in the 2008 opener. Riley has four receptions for 27 yards in two games in He started all 11 games at tight end in 2007 and posted eight receptions for 72 yards on the season. - Riley tallied a season-high four receptions for 25 yards at Rhode Island on September 22, Returned two kickoffs for 7 yards against William and Mary. - Had two receptions for 29 yards in the victory at Albany on September 15 and 1 catch for 9 yards at Villanova. - Riley posted 22 catches for 168 yards in He had five receptions for 49 yards at Marshall in 2006, and equaled his career-high with 5 catches for 38 yards against Rhode Island in November, ONE FOR THE ROAD FOR OL JIMMY MANGIERO: Injured junior offensive lineman Jimmy Mangiero, who is expected to have his seventh knee surgery in the coming days, made his season debut against Rhode Island last Saturday. Mangiero, who was expected to return to a starting role in 2008, had his most recent surgery in August. He came off the bench against URI after junior guard David Spanich was injured to help provide some leadership on the line. Mangiero is not expected to return this season. OG DAVID SPANICH: Starting junior guard David Spanich went down in the first half of the Rhode Island game with a lower leg injury and did not return. He is expected to miss at least the Stony Brook game. HANLY GETS HOFSTRA ON THE BOARD: Freshman kicker Brian Hanly, the brother of former Pride punter Chris Hanly,, hitting one of four field goal attempts missing one and having two others blocked against Albany and went one-for-two in the field goal department against Rhode Island. He also missed a point-after attempt in each of those contests. Hanly gave Hofstra its only points of the game against UConn in the season opener on August 28 with a 28-yard field goal after a Ray McDonough interception. He was a two-time all-county and All-New Jersey selection at Don Bosco Prep. TE BRYANT CARPENTER: Junior tight end Bryant Carpenter, who also played at fullback last season, tallied 9 receptions for 92 yards in Recorded a season-high 5 catches for 57 yards against William and Mary on November 3, 2007 and had 3 catches for 19 yards at Northeastern. BUTTING HEADS AGAINST THE RAMS: With last Saturday s victory over URI, Hofstra improved to 17-6 against the Rams all-time and 10-2 against URI on Long Island. ROLLING UP THE YARDS: Last Saturday against Rhode Island the Pride went over the 400-yard mark in total offense for the second straight game. Hofstra posted a season-high 476 yards, including 265 passing, against the Rams. The Pride recorded 404 yards of offense against Albany on September 13. NO HARM, NO FOUL: While they dodged the bullet again with five fumbles against Rhode Island last week, the Pride only lost one of those drops. Hofstra has 11 fumbles on the year but have lost only two in three game. The Pride rank second in the CAA and 15 th in the country in the FCS in turnover margin this week with a average. KILLING THE CLOCK: Hofstra is dominating the time of possession category this season, capturing that honor in the last two games. The Pride is averaging 34:15 in the three games this season including holding the ball for a season-best 37:22 against Rhode Island last week. Hofstra leads the CAA in time of possession this week.

8 SACKED: The injuries and the transition on the Pride s offensive line this season have allowed opponents to record 15 sacks in the first three games. Hofstra allowed 29 sacks in RED-ZONE: The Pride is 8-for-14 for a 57% average in the redzone this season. Included in those eight scores in the red-zone were four touchdowns. DEFENSE: The Pride defense picked off three passes in the season opener at Connecticut-the most by a HU team since 2005 against Maine-as senior DB Nick Altomare, graduate-student LB Anthony Vernaglia and junior Ray McDonough all recorded the first aerial thefts of their Hofstra careers. Altomare tallied his in the UConn end zone stopping a Huskie drive. Vernaglia returned his 16 yards deep into UConn territory, and McDonough s 54-yard return set-up Hofstra s only score. The Pride also picked off two passes against Rhode Island last week. GREAT DANES BITE BACK: Hofstra, which fell to the Albany Great Danes for only the third time in 14 games, had its nine-game winning streak over the state university snapped on September 13. NOTES FROM THE ALBANY GAME: Hofstra outgained Albany in total offense but went just 3-of-6 in the red-zone and was 1-for-4 in the field goal department. The Pride did not have any turnovers despite four fumbles. Hofstra also had the ball for 36:41 of the contest. TEAM CAPTAINS: The Pride coaching staff has named senior quarterback Bryan Savage, senior wide receiver Ottis Lewis and junior linebacker Luke Bonus to serve as Hofstra team captains in QB BRYAN SAVAGE LOST FOR THE SEASON: 2007 starting quarterback Bryan Savage will miss the 2008 season due to a herniated disc in his back. Junior Cory Christopher (Miami, Florida), who replaced Savage in the 2008 season opener at Connecticut, will continue as the starting quarterback for the Pride. Savage, a senior signal-caller from Springfield, Pennsylvania was scratched from the Pride's season opener at BCS-member Connecticut approximately 15 minutes before game time after notifying the Hofstra medical staff of numbness in his feet. An MRI taken revealed the severity of the injury. "My heart really goes out to Bryan," Cohen said. "He worked very hard to prepare for this season. He is a leader and has given so much of himself for the program including spending most of the summer on campus preparing for his senior year." A January 2007 transfer from Coffeyville Community College, Savage started all 11 games for the 7-4 Pride last season. He ranked fourth in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) and was 13 th in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) in passing yards, and was fourth in the CAA and 15 th in the nation in total offense. Savage completed 232-of-367 passes for 2,668 yards and 13 touchdowns last season, posting the sixth-best, single-season passing yards total in Hofstra history. He recorded six games with 250 or more passing yards including three 300-yard contests, and tallied 10 games with a completion percentage of above 60 percent, including a school-record 15-for-17 (88.2) against William and Mary. Savage completed 31-of-50 passes for a season-best 325 yards against New Hampshire at Shuart Stadium last October. Savage played the 2006 season at Coffeyville CC in Kansas where he served as team captain and earned all-conference honors. He attended the University of Wisconsin for two years, red-shirting in 2004 and practicing with the team in GASKINS LEAVES: Red-shirt freshman running back Larry Gaskins has voluntarily left the team due to personal reasons. He had two carries for 1 yard at Connecticut on August 28. FORMER HOFSTRA AND NFL GREATS JOHN SCHMITT AND COLSTON HAVE THEIR PRIDE NUMBERS RETIRED: In an effort to acknowledge the outstanding accomplishments of numerous former student-athletes during the University's nearly 75 years of existence, Hofstra University has announced that a group of 20 former Pride athletes, including three former football standouts, will have their jersey numbers retired. During the first two Hofstra home games, current New Orleans Saints receiver Marques Colston (#89) and former New York Jets center John Schmitt (#77) had their Hofstra jersey numbers retired in halftime ceremonies. Colston, a four-year letterman and a three-year starter at Hofstra from 2001 through 2005, was selected in the seventh round of the 2006 NFL Draft by the Saints after an outstanding Pride career. An All- Atlantic 10 Football Conference first team selection as a senior, he ended his college career in grand style by breaking the Hofstra career receiving yards record formerly held by former Houston Texans/Denver Broncos receiver Charlie Adams. Colston posted 70 receptions for 975 yards and five touchdowns in 2005 to finish his career with 182 receptions for 2,834 yards and 18 touchdowns. In addition to his 2,834 receiving yards-which was broken last season by Charles Sullivan-his 182 catches currently ranks third on the Hofstra career reception list. Colston was also named to the 81st annual East-West Shrine Game in San Antonio in 2006 and caught five passes for 82 yards and a touchdown. Two seasons into his NFL career, Marques Colston has emerged as one of the elite receivers in the NFL and owns the league record for receptions in his first two campaigns with a total of 168. Incidentally, Hofstra alum and retired New York Jet Wayne Chrebet was a previous holder of that record with 150 catches in his first two NFL seasons. After catching 70 balls for 1,038 yards and eight scores in 2006, Colston finished third in the voting for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. He was even better in 2007 posting a Saints-record 98 receptions, 1,202 yards and a team record-tying 11 touchdowns. Schmitt, who graduated from Hofstra in 1964 with degrees in management and marketing, was a three-year letterman on the Pride football team and also lettered in wrestling and track. An offensive lineman, he received Little College All- America honors in In 1964 he was signed by the New York Jets, starting an 11-year National Football League career that was highlighted by a Super Bowl championship in He was a starter in nine of his 10 seasons with the Jets and played in 114 games. Schmitt earned All-Pro honors in 1968 and 1969, Most Valuable Lineman accolades in 1972, and was a team captain in He saw action in 14 games for the Packers in 1974 before ending his NFL career. In 1969 he was the first inductee into the Long Island Sports Hall of Fame. He has been honored by Hofstra University with the 1969 George M. Estabrook Distinguished Service Award, the 1988 Hofstra School of Business Alumni Association Alumnus of the Year Award

9 and the 1990 Hofstra University Alumnus of the Year Award. John was an honoree at the 2002 Hofstra Pride Club Dinner and was inducted into the Hofstra Athletics Hall of Fame in John founded the 16th-largest insurance business in the nation, and an insurance marketing firm that develops programs for credit unions. Schmitt is actively involved with many charitable causes and in the Hofstra community, including serving on the board of directors of the Hofstra Pride Club. "The honoring of Marques Colston and John Schmitt and the other 18 former student-athletes is a celebration of the outstanding history of Hofstra Athletics," commented Hofstra University Director of Athletics Jack Hayes. Earlier this year the athletics department began an online process that resulted in more than 150 nominations being submitted. From that list the group of 20 former student-athletes was selected by a committee of alumni, athletics department administrators and Hofstra Pride Club members. The group of 20 former student-athletes encompasses a wide range of sports and accomplishments as 10 different teams are recognized and among the honorees are National Champions, National Players of the Year, All-Americans and World Champions. Colston s #89 and Schmitt s #77 join the current list of retired jerseys that includes football alumni Wayne Chrebet (#3) and Walter Kohanowich (#33), Crystal Boyd (#13) from the softball team and Sue Weber from the women s soccer team. In 2008, Hofstra is 1-2 overall 1-0 in CAA games 1-1 at home 0-1 on the road 1-0 in day games 0-2 in night games 0-1 televised games 0-1 overtime games 0-1 on grass fields 1-1 on turf fields 0-1 when scoring first 0-0 when leading after one quarter 1-2 when trailing after one quarter 0-0 when tied after one quarter 1-1 when leading after two quarters 0-1 when trailing after two quarters 0-0 when tied after two quarters 1-0 when leading after three quarters 0-2 when trailing after three quarters 0-0 when tied after three quarters 0-1 scoring 10 points or less 0-1 scoring points 1-0 scoring points 0-0 scoring points 0-0 allowing 10 points or less 1-0 allowing points 0-1 allowing points 0-1 allowing points 0-0 allowing more than 40 points 0-1 when rushing for less than 100 yards 0-1 when rushing for yards 1-0 when rushing for yards 1-0 when allowing less than 100 rushing yards 0-0 when allowing rushing yards 0-2 when allowing rushing yards 0-0 when allowing more than 300 rushing yards 0-0 when passing for less than 100 yards 0-1 when passing for yards 1-1 when passing for yards 0-0 when passing for more than 300 yards 0-0 when allowing less than 100 yards passing 0-1 when allowing passing yards 1-1 when allowing passing yards 0-0 when allowing more than 300 passing yards 0-0 with less than 100 yards in total offense 0-1 with yards in total offense 0-0 with yards in total offense 0-0 with yards in total offense 1-1 with more than 400 yards in total offense 0-0 when allowing less than 100 yards in total offense 0-0 when allowing yards in total offense 0-0 when allowing yards in total offense 1-1 when allowing yards in total offense 0-1 when allowing more than 400 yards in total offense 1-1 with more than 30:00 in time of possession 0-1 with less than 30:00 in time of possession 0-0 when time of possession is even HOFSTRA S RETURNING STARTERS: The Pride has 10 returning starters from the 2007 squad. There are seven offensive starters and three defensive. The returning starters from 2007 are: Offensive Starters Returning: 7 Bryan Savage QB Sr. Bryant Carpenter FB Jr. Ottis Lewis WR Sr, Phil Riley TE Sr. Jimmy Mangiero LG Jr. David Spanich RG Jr. Brian Frederick RT So. Defensive Starters Returning: 3 Kevin Smith DE Jr. Luke Bonus LB Jr. Nick Altomare SS Sr. Starting Kickers Returning: 0 HOFSTRA S NEW STARTERS: Hofstra s starters for the season opener against Connecticut included seven defensive players, three offensive players and a kicker who made their starting debut in a Hofstra uniform. The Pride, who graduated 24 seniors including 14 starters following the season, started three new faces in the secondary, two at linebacker, two on the defensive line, two offensive linemen and a tailback. Three of the newcomers, graduate student linebacker Anthony Vernaglia (Anaheim Hills, CA), junior cornerback Leslie Jackman (Freeport, NY), and junior safety Ray McDonough (Los Angeles, CA) are transfers while three others, safety Greg Melendez (Brooklyn, NY), offensive tackle Derek Moore (Granville, OH) and tailback Larry Gaskins (Conshohocken, PA) are red-shirt freshmen. Junior defensive tackle Zach Carney (Wynatskill, NY), sophomore defensive tackle Andrew Nelson (Uniondale, NY), linebacker Deron Mayo (Hampton, VA) and center Jaren Harrell (Quartz Hill, CA), and true freshman kicker Brian Hanly (Wyckoff, NJ) also made their Pride starting debut. Vernaglia, who is pursuing a MBA at Hofstra, graduated from the University of Notre Dame this past spring after playing three seasons. He is one of two graduate-student transfers, along with back-up running back Justine Buries from New Mexico State, on the Pride roster. Jackman, a Long Island native, came to Hofstra last winter after three years at Rutgers University, while McDonough is a junior college transfer from Glendale Community College in California.

10 PRIDE PICKED THIRD IN THE 2008 CAA FOOTBALL PRESEASON COACHES POLL The Pride is picked to finish third in the CAA North Division in the 2008 CAA Preseason Poll of conference coaches and select media. FCS Playoff participants Massachusetts was selected to win the North Division and Richmond was picked to win the South Division. In the North, Massachusetts again gets the top preseason nod after winning the division last season. New Hampshire, a FCS Playoff participant, was second in this year s poll followed by the Pride, who surprised many by finishing tied for second last year after being picked fifth in the preseason poll. Maine, Northeastern, and Rhode Island round out the North Division in the poll. In the South Division, the Spiders of Richmond, who captured the South Division and the conference title before advancing to the FCS Playoff semifinals, are picked to win in Richmond was selected to finish fourth last season in the preseason poll. James Madison, who dropped a one-point decision to eventual national champion Appalachian State in the first round of the FCS Playoffs last year, is picked second while FCS Playoff finalist Delaware is third. Villanova, William and Mary, and Towson round out the South Division in the preseason poll COLONIAL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION PRESEASON COACHES POLL North Division (First Place votes) 1. Massachusetts (17) 2. New Hampshire (1) 3. Hofstra (1) 4. Maine 5. Northeastern 6. Rhode Island South Division (First Place votes) 1. Richmond (11) 2. James Madison (7) 3. Delaware (1) 4. Villanova 5. William and Mary 6. Towson OVERALL CHAMPION -- Massachusetts 2008 PRESEASON CAA ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM OFFENSE QB - Liam Coen Senior Massachusetts RB - Jhamal Fluellen Senior Maine RB - Eugene Holloman Senior James Madison FB - Joe Casey Senior Rhode Island WR - Kevin Grayson Soph. Richmond WR - Marcus Lee Senior Towson WR - Aaron Love Senior Delaware TE - Scott Sicko Junior New Hampshire OL - Sean Calicchio Senior Massachusetts OL - Ryan Canary Senior Maine OL - Kheon Hendricks Senior Delaware OL - Scott Lemn Senior James Madison OL - Matt McCracken Junior Richmond DEFENSE DL - Jovan Belcher Senior Maine DL - Tim Kukucka Junior Villanova DL - Matt Marcorelle Junior Delaware DL - Lawrence Sidbury Junior Richmond LB - Andrew Downey Senior Maine LB - Erik Johnson Senior Delaware LB - Eric McBride Soph. Richmond LB - Collin McConaghy Junior Richmond S - Drew Mack Senior Towson S - Jeromy Miles Junior Massachusetts CB - Courtney Robinson Senior Massachusetts CB - Sean Smalls Senior Massachusetts SPECIAL TEAMS RET - Justin Rogers Sophomore Richmond PK - Jon Striefsky Junior Delaware P - Tom Bishop Senior New Hampshire 2008 CAA FOOTBALL PRESEASON OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR QB - Liam Coen Senior Massachusetts 2008 CAA FOOTBALL PRESEASON DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR DL - Jovan Belcher Senior Maine UCONN DRAWS: After their season opening victory over the Pride, the Connecticut Huskies are now in the Pride s attendance record book twice. The Huskies were in the record book previously as the opponent for the best attended Pride home game at Shuart/Hofstra Stadium, drawing 9,381 in 1999 to see Hofstra down the Huskies, In the season opener at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, CT, the Huskies blew away the previous top road crowd to see a Hofstra game by drawing 37,583. The previous mark was 26,861 at Marshall in th SEASON: 2008 marks the 68th season of Hofstra Football. The Pride has posted a.500 or better record in 46 of those seasons. Including the season opener at UConn. Hofstra has recorded a record (.606) in its 662 games also marks the second season of Colonial Athletic Association Football, which sent a record five conference members to the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) Playoffs last season. The CAA absorbed the Atlantic 10 Football Conference, which Hofstra was a member from 2001 through 2006, capturing the 2001 league title and advancing to the FCS (then-called I-AA) Playoffs. Prior to that the Pride played as FCS Independents from 1994 through the 2000 season, making four trips to the national playoffs. Hofstra was also a successful Division III program, making six NCAA Division III Championship Playoff appearances from 1983 through 1990, including a national semifinal appearance in the Pride s final season in Division III (1990). NEW HELMET DESIGN: The Pride will have a new helmet design for the second time in as many years. The blue graphic of the two lions on the white helmet that was used last year has been replaced with the white block H in motion on the blue helmet. SEASON OPENERS: Including the opening loss at UConn on August 28 Hofstra has now won 23 of its last 26 season openers dating back to The Pride has posted a all-time record in season openers. In 2002 the University of Montana ended Hofstra's streak of 19 consecutive season opener victories, as well as the Pride's 255-game, non-shutout streak in a 21-0 decision. In 2003 the Pride dropped its season opener at FBS Marshall, HOME OPENERS: With their loss to Albany last Saturday Hofstra dropped its home opener for only the fifth time in the last 27 seasons. In addition to Albany the Pride s other home opening losses during that period came in: 2006 to Towson (33-30); 2003 to Maine (44-21); 2002 to Montana (21-0); and 2000 to Delaware (44-14).

11 SECOND MOST-IMPROVED TEAM IN THE FCS: After going 2-9 in Coach Dave Cohen s first season at Hofstra in 2006, the Pride improved five games to 7-4 in 2007 to become the second mostimproved team in the Football Championship Subdivision. AGAINST THE FBS: Following the 2008 season opening 35-3 loss at Connecticut, the Pride is 0-3 against members of the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), formerly I-A. Hofstra dropped games at Marshall in 2003 and In addition the Pride defeated two other current FBS teams while in their transition from I-AA. In 1999 the Pride, who recorded a 10-1 mark that season, defeated Buffalo, 20-13, and South Florida, 42-23, on the road. ON THE ROAD: The Pride is in their last 56 road games and in their last 60 contests away from Shuart Stadium. The Pride is on the road since the start of the 1997 season. EARLIEST START EVER: The season opener at Connecticut was the earliest start to a season in Hofstra history. While the Pride has played three games in August since 2002, this week s game beats the 2002 season opener against Montana at Shuart Stadium by one day. HOFSTRA'S RETURNING STATISTICAL LEADERS FROM 2007 RUSHING Att. Net Avg. TD Bryan Savage Everette Benjamin PASSING (Eff.) GP Comp-Att-Int Yds. TD Bryan Savage (127.2) , RECEIVING No. Yds. Avg. TD Anthony Nelson Ottis Lewis Everette Benjamin TACKLES UT-AT-TT Sacks Int Luke Bonus (LB) Nick Altomare (DB) Al Carmody (DE) Deron Mayo (LB) HOLDING THE BALL: The Pride won the battle for time of possession in 10 of the 11 games last season. Hofstra s 36:04 possession time in its victory over William and Mary was the Pride s second-best of the season. Ironically the best, 36:48, was against New Hampshire in a 40-3 loss. Hofstra s 32:52 average time of possession is the best in the CAA. 400 YARDS: The Pride recorded 400 yards of offense in six of the 11 contests in 2007 including in five consecutive games. On October 13 at Towson the Pride recorded a season-high 482 yards on offense. It topped the previous 2007 high of 461 at Rhode Island. It is the most yardage on offense since racking up 533 yards against #2 New Hampshire in a loss at Shuart Stadium in The Pride posted 474 yards on offense in the loss to New Hampshire on October 20. DEFENSIVE NOTES FROM 2007: The Pride defense recorded six sub-300 yard games in 2007 Hofstra posted its first sub-200 yard contest of the season against Towson on October 13. Hofstra held the Tigers to 193 yards including just 70 yards rushing on 34 attempts. The Tigers junior quarterback Sean Schaefer was also held to his career-low passing yardage with just 123 yards. Towson s 193 total yards including just 70 rushing was Hofstra s lowest opponents total since New Hampshire had 140 yards in a storm-washed contest in Linebacker Stanley Gutierrez and safety David Darby intercepted passes for Hofstra against Towson. Both interceptions led to Hofstra scores The Pride defense picked off two passes in a game four times in 2007 Villanova s 56 yards passing was a season-best for the Pride defense. Hofstra held opponents under 140 yards passing three times in IN NO RUSH: The Pride held Stony Brook to just 273 yards, including just 29 yards rushing on 32 attempts in In 2006 the Pride held Stony Brook to just 27 yards rushing in a 17-8 victory. A RECORD RALLY: Hofstra s rally from a 17-point halftime deficit at URI to win the game is the biggest in Hofstra recorded history. In 2003 the Pride rallied from a halftime deficit to down Villanova, HOFSTRA ALUMNI IN THE NFL: While the Pride had as many as eight alums on National Football League rosters in August, there are currently four former Hofstra players currently gracing NFL team rosters in They are: - OT Willie Colon (Class of 06), Pittsburgh Steelers - WR Marques Colston (Class of 06), New Orleans Saints - DE Stephen Bowen (Class of 06), Dallas Cowboys -DT Shemiah LeGrande (Class of 08), Detroit Lions ALUMNI NORTH OF THE BORDER: After the retirements of linebacker Brian Clark 96 and defensive back Patrick Dorvelus 02, only one Hofstra football alum, linebacker Renauld Williams 04, is playing in the Canadian Football League this season. Last year the Pride has as many as four alumni playing in the CFL. SHUART STADIUM - HOME, SWEET HOME: With its win over Rhode Island last week, Hofstra is now in regular season play at Shuart Stadium since Hofstra was 6-0 in 1986 and 1980; 6-1 in 1998; 5-0 in 1995, 1990, 1989, 1988 and 1983, 4-0 in 1991; 5-1 in 2001, 1999, 1984 and 1982; 4-1 in 2000, 1997, 1994, 1993, 1987, 1985 and 1981; 4-2 in 2007; 3-1 in 1992; 3-2 in 2004 and 2005; and 3-3 in The Pride was 2-4 in 2003 and 1996, and 0-4 at home in They are 1-1 at home this season. RADIO AND INTERNET: Every Hofstra football game in 2008 can be heard on radio on WRHU-FM (88.7) and on the Internet at beginning with the pre-game show at least 30 minutes before every contest. This week s pregame show for Stony Brook will begin at 6:30 p.m. THE HOFSTRA COACHES SHOW: Fans, friends and the media are invited to listen to Hofstra Athletics coaches and players and be part of the live audience as WRHU-FM (88.7) presents the Hofstra Coaches Show. The one-hour show, which will air locally on WRHU-FM and worldwide on the internet at on Tuesday s at noon will review and preview Hofstra Athletics during the season. In addition to Pride coaches and players, opposing coaches and media members will make guest appearances on the show. IN THE TRENCHES CAA FOOTBALL SHOW: Beginning September 4, Hofstra University s In the Trenches CAA football show can be heard every Thursday night at 8 p.m. during the football season on WRHU-FM (88.7) in the metropolitan area, and online at and The hour-long show produced by WRHU-FM, home for Hofstra Athletics, will touch on a wide variety of CAA Football topics. The WRHU Sports team,

12 headed by Sports Director Mike Leslie, will be joined by a number of guests, including CAA Football administrators, coaches and studentathletes, and radio personalities from around the league. The show, entering its third season, will review some of the big games from the previous weekend, preview the upcoming contests, and chat with several CAA Football weekly honorees. PRACTICE: Here is the Hofstra football practice schedule at Shuart Stadium for September 21 through October 1: Sunday, Sept. 21 4:30 p.m. Shakeout Monday, Sept. 22 3:45 p.m. Practice Tuesday, Sept. 23 4:15 p.m. Practice Wednesday, Sept. 24 3:45 p.m. Practice Thursday, Sept. 25 4:45 p.m. Walk-thru Friday, Sept. 26 7:00 p.m. Game vs. Stony Brook Saturday, Sept. 27 Players off Sunday, Sept. 28 4:30 p.m. Shakeout Monday, Sept. 29 Players off Tuesday, Sept. 30 4:15 p.m. Practice Wednesday, Oct. 1 3:45 p.m. Practice WEEKLY RELEASE The Hofstra University weekly football release will be available by Wednesday on the Hofstra Athletics Web site ( We will the release, in PDF format, to those media members who wish to get every football release during the season. HOF STRA PRO NUN SEE AY SHUNS: 1 - Vernaglia (Ver-nag-lee-ah) 2 - Justine Buries (Justin Burr-eaze) 4 - Aime (Ah-may) 11 - Said Gaida (Sy-eed, Guy-da) 12 - Casciano (Cash see ann o) 13 - Heron (Her-ron) 14 - Sidaras (Sa-dare-us) 19 - Luqman Abdallah (Luke-mahn) 20 - Altomare (Al ta mair) 24 - Basim Hudeen (Bah-seem who-deen) 31 - Kwabena Asante (Kwa-bee-nah, A-sahn-tay) 48 - Schamgar Cenat (Sham-gar Sen-not) 50 - Szelong (Zee long) 53 - Akabalu (Ocka bah loo) 60 - Ottaiano (Oh-tee-ah-no) 74 - Paulemon (Paul-la-mun) 80 - Ottis Lewis (OTT is) 84 - Denimarck (Den ah mark) 89 - Jaramillo (Jare-a-mee-oh) 94 - Akabalu (Ock-a-bah-lu) 95 - Carmody (Car-ma-dee) 98 - Abiola (Ab-ee-oh-la) 2008 HOFSTRA GAME SUMMARIES GAME 1 AUGUST 28 AT CONNECTICUT: University of Connecticut running back Donald Brown set a career-high with four touchdowns and 146 rushing yards, helping the Huskies defeat the Pride, 35-3, in the season opener for both teams at Rentschler Field Thursday night. Junior quarterback Cory Christopher (Miami, Fla) made his first career appearance for the Pride, kicking off the 68th season of Hofstra football by going for 130 yards and two interceptions. Christopher was named the starter by Head Coach Dave Cohen about 15 minutes before kickoff, replacing Bryan Savage (Springfield, PA) after the starting QB was held out because of back spasms. It was the Pride's first season-opening loss in five years. Christopher, who was the 2006 Conference Offensive Player of the Year for Nassau Community College before transferring, completed at least one pass to nine different receivers (including offensive lineman David Spanich on a tipped pass). Connecticut sacked Christopher seven times. The contest marked just the third time the Pride played a member of the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), formerly I-A. Hofstra lost two games at Marshall-in 2003 and 2006-while also posting victories against current FBS schools Buffalo and South Florida in 1999 when both schools were in transition from I-AA. Hofstra came out strong and temporarily quieted the near-sellout crowd of 37,583, forcing the Huskies to go three-and-out on its opening possession. Following a 47-yard punt, Connecticut's Robbie Frey recovered Anthony Nelson's fumble recovery at the Hofstra 1- yard line. Brown capitalized on the turnover one play later, bullying his way into the end zone for a touchdown run to open a 7-0 lead two minutes into the first quarter. Christopher recorded his first career completion for the Pride, delivering a third-down strike to Aaron Weaver (Freeport, NY) picked up the first down. But Scott Lutrus' interception stalled the drive, giving possession back to the Huskies midway through the first. Brown added his second touchdown of the quarter, capping a seven-play drive with another 1-yard touchdown run to forge a 14- point edge with 4:47 remaining. Brown nearly added his third touchdown of the quarter before a holding penalty negated another scoring rush. The junior tailback still tallied 86 yards on 14 carries in the opening 15 minutes. The Pride almost got on the board in the second quarter, engineering a 15-play drive that teetered out after two sacks. UConn still held Hofstra off the scoreboard and surged to a 28-0 halftime lead thanks to Brown's third and fourth rushing touchdowns of the half, including a 19-yard scamper 12 minutes into the second and a two-yard rush into the end zone with 41 seconds remaining in the half. Ray McDonough (Los Angeles, CA) helped put some life back into Hofstra in the second half, picking off Tyler Lorenzen's pass at the Huskies' 2-yard line before returning it 54 yards. Christopher completed first-down passes to Weaver and Nelson (Wellington, Fla.) on back-to-back plays while also scrambling for another 12 yards; setting up place-kicker Brian Hanly's (Wyckoff, NJ) 29-yard field goal to put Hofstra on the scoreboard nearly 10 minutes into the third quarter. Graduate student Anthony Vernaglia (Anaheim Hills, CA) made a master's-worthy play in the third quarter, picking off Lorenzen's downfield attempt and returned it 16 yards. Vernaglia recorded his first pick of his career. The linebacker never had an interception in his three seasons at Notre Dame. Nick Altomare (Fairfax, VA) also generated the first pick of his career. The fourth-year veteran moved from safety to cornerback during training camp and saved at least six points when he corralled a pass in the Connecticut end zone on the second quarter's first play. Altomare registered five tackles. Frey's two-yard touchdown run 3:33 into the final quarter capped the scoring as Connecticut improved to 3-2 in the all-time series against the Pride. Freshman Chris Edmond (Freeport, NY) collected a team-high nine tackles. McDonough added eight tackles; the same total as freshman Gregory Melendez (Brooklyn, NY). Senior receiver Ottis Lewis

13 (Norwalk, CT) led all Pride receivers with 32 yards on three receptions F Hofstra Connecticut Scoring Summary UC - Brown 1-yard run (Ciaravino kick) UC - Brown 1-yard run (Ciaravino kick) UC - Brown 19-yard run (Ciaravino kick) UC - Brown 2-yard run (Ciaravino kick) HU - Hanly 28-yard field goal UC - Frey 2-yard run (Ciaravino kick) HOFSTRA UCONN First Downs (R-P-Pe) Rushes-Yards (Net) Passing Yards (Net) Passes Comp-Att-Int Total Offense/Plays-Yards Punt Returns-Yards 1- (-15) 2-42 Kickoff Returns-Yards Interception Returns-Yards Punts (Number-Avg) Fumbles-Lost Penalties-Yards Possession Time 28:43 31:17 Third Down Conversions Fourth Down Conversions Red-Zone Scores-Chances Sacks By: Number-Yards RUSHING: HOFSTRA- Christopher ( ), Benjamin (1-8-0), Buries (4-6-0); UConn- Brown ( ), Frey (9-34-1), Wylie (6-23-0) PASSING: HOFSTRA- Christopher ( , 130, 0TD); UConn- Lorenzen ( , 184, 0TD), Endres (4-5-0, 49, 0TD) RECEIVING: HOFSTRA- Weaver (4-25-0), Lewis (3-32-0), Ant. Nelson (3-18-0), Benson (2-26-0); UConn- Gaulden (4-62-0), Moore (4-37-0), Smith (3-32) TACKLES (UA-A): HOFSTRA-Edmond (5-4-9), Melendez (5-3-8), McDonough (5-3-8); UConn- Wilson (4-4-8), Lloyd (2-4-6), Lutrus (3-1-4). Stadium: Rentschler Field Attendance: 37,583 Weather: 76 degrees and cloudy GAME 2 - SEPTEMBER 13 VS. ALBANY: Hofstra junior quarterback Cory Christopher passed for 272 yards and a touchdown, but it wasn't enough as Albany got a 7-yard touchdown run from junior tailback David McCarthy in the first overtime to earn a victory over the Pride Saturday evening at James M. Shuart Stadium. Hofstra slips to 0-2 with the loss, while Albany evens its record at 1-1 this season. Christopher, a native of Miami, Florida, completed 27-of-38 passes, while also rushing for 44 yards. Linebacker Luke Bonus led Hofstra's defense with eight tackles and 1 ½ sacks. Christopher tried to win it for the Pride in regulation, initiating an 18- play drive with the scored tied at 16. The junior passer produced a mini-highlight reel on the drive, faking a handoff before scrambling up-field for a key first down on an option play to push Hofstra past midfield. Anthony Nelson, who logged a game-high nine catches for 85 yards, sustained the drive by sprawling out for a third-down catch, giving the Pride a new set of downs on the Albany 17. Christopher ran a quarterback keeper to center the ball between the hash marks, setting up freshman kicker Brian Hanly's potential game-winning attempt. But Hanly had his 34-yard field goal attempt blocked by Dave Casale with three seconds remaining, sending the contest into overtime. Hanly had another chance in overtime, lining up for a 30-yard kick that would have forced the Great Danes to score a field goal to tie or a touchdown to win. Instead, Albany senior Raphael Nguti came up with the third block of the game for Albany. McCarty raced in for the winning score five plays later, marking just the third time the Great Danes have defeated Hofstra in 14 career meetings. Down 16-9 early in the fourth quarter, the Pride stormed back. Christopher electrified the crowd of 5,111, eluding a sack about 10 yards in the backfield on third-and-long by juking away from linebacker Emerson Kinsey before firing a strike to Everette Benjamin for a first-down. The drive nearly stalled near Albany's goal line as Christopher's third-down pass to Aaron Weaver sailed wide. Albany's Ross Bertrand was called for pass interference, setting up freshman tailback Brock Jackolski's first collegiate touchdown. Jackolski took the pitch and ran untouched into the left corner of the end zone, tying the game at 16 with 10:34 remaining in the fourth quarter. Albany quarterback Vinny Espositio (10-22, 102 yards) put the Great Danes ahead when the junior bullied his way into the end zone for a 1-yard quarterback keeper. The touchdown forged a 16-9 lead for the Great Danes with 2:12 left in the third quarter. Nearly four minutes earlier, Albany generated points on defense to erase a 9-7 deficit. With the ball at the Hofstra 4-yard line, Christopher fumbled but recovered. Albany made the tackle in the Pride end zone for the game-tying safety. Hofstra surged to a 6-0 lead thanks to nine-play, 59-yard drive that culminated with Christopher's 13-yard touchdown strike to Weaver. The Pride missed the extra point, though Weaver's first career touchdown reception gave the home team the edge on its first possession. Christopher's bullet pass was his first touchdown pass as a Hofstra player. But Albany rebounded late in the first quarter by marching 84 yards in 10 plays, pulling ahead thanks to the first of Esposito's two rushing touchdowns. The QB pushed past the goal line with a 1-yard keeper. Herb Glass added the extra point, putting Albany up 7-6 entering the second quarter. Hofstra defensive end Al Carmody combined with Bonus on Hofstra's only other sack. Gregory Melendez chipped in seven tackles. Strong safety Ray McDonough contributed three pass breakups OT F Albany Hofstra Scoring Summary HU - Waever 13-yard pass from Christopher (Hanly kick blocked) UA - Esposito 1-yard run (Glass kick) HU - Hanly 25-yard field goal

14 UA - Team safety UA - Esposito 1 yard ruin (Glass kick) HU - Jackolski 3-yard run (Hanly kick) UA - McCarthy 7-yard run HOFSTRA ALBANY First Downs (R-P-Pe) Rushes-Yards (Net) Passing Yards (Net) Passes Comp-Att-Int Total Offense/Plays-Yards Punt Returns-Yards Kickoff Returns-Yards Interception Returns-Yards Punts (Number-Avg) Fumbles-Lost Penalties-Yards Possession Time 36:41 23:19 Third Down Conversions Fourth Down Conversions Red-Zone Scores-Chances Sacks By: Number-Yards RUSHING: HOFSTRA- Benjamin ( ), Christopher ( ), Jackolski (8-19-1); UA- McCarty ( ), Simmons (8-25-0), Gannon (3-3-0) PASSING: HOFSTRA- Christopher ( , 272, 1); UA- Esposito ( , 102, 0) RECEIVING: HOFSTRA- Ant. Nelson (9-85-0), Weaver (7-70-1), Lewis (3-51-0); UA- Bush (6-58-0), Bocanegra (1-17-0), Lullen (1-10-0) TACKLES (UA-A): HOFSTRA-Bonus (3-5-8), Melendez (2-6-8), Edmond (5-2-7); UA- Brancaccio (9-6-15), Casale (7-6-13), Kelly ( Stadium: James M. Shuart Stadium Attendance: 5,111 Weather: 71 degrees and overcast GAME 3 - SEPTEMBER 20 VS. RHODE ISLAND: Hofstra freshman placekicker Roger Williams drilled a 38-yard-field goal with three seconds remaining in the contest to give the Pride a CAA Football victory over Rhode Island at James M. Shuart Stadium Saturday afternoon. The Pride improved to 1-2 and 1-0 in the CAA while Rhode Island dropped to 1-3 and 0-2 in conference play. Williams, a walk-on from Mandeville, Louisiana, came off the bench in the second half in place of freshman starter Brian Hanly and kicked two field goals, including the game-winner in the waning seconds of regulation, to lead the Pride to victory. Pride quarterback Cory Christopher sliced through the Rams defense with his arm and his legs, completing 25 of his 33 attempts for 265 yards while rushing for an additional 97 yards. Freshman tailback Brock Jackolski (Shirley, NY) added a career-high 144 yards on 13 carries in just his second collegiate contest. With the scored tied at 20 in the final minute and no timeouts, Christopher engineered an eight-play, 58-yard drive in just 44 seconds to facilitate Williams attempt. The Miami, FL. native completed two passes to Everette Benjamin before connecting on a 12-yard pass to red-shirt freshman receiver Aaron Weaver as the Pride advanced into Rams territory. Christopher punctuated the drive by finding Ottis Lewis for 24 yards to the URI 21. After a spike to stop the clock, Williams came on and converted his second field goal of the game to give the Pride the lead. Williams would kick-off to the Rams and, after a total return of 57 yards by two URI players, would assist on the final tackle to end the game. Rhode Island mounted a comeback of its own, marching 54 yards down the field on its second-to-last possession. Rams tailback Anthony Ferrer pushed through for a 21-yard gain and then pushed his way in from the 1-yard line one play later to tie the game at 20 with 44 seconds left. But Louis Feinstein hooked his extra point attempt, keeping the score tied at 20. Hofstra scored 14 points in the final quarter, starting with Christopher s one-yard quarterback sneak for a touchdown with 8:21 left. Head Coach Dave Cohen elected to go for the two-point conversion and Christopher delivered by finding Weaver for a successful conversion and a lead for the Pride. Jackolski, who was playing in just his second NCAA game, nearly made it a two-score game five minutes later. The underclassman busted through a hole, completed a spin move and raced 64 yards downfield before getting hauled down just inches from the goal line. But the Pride couldn t punch it in and had to settle for a 33-yard field goal from Williams to boost the Pride lead to with 3:27 to play. The Rams came out strong, breaking open the scoring just 1:50 into the contest when Jimmy Hughes blasted through a hole for a 37-yard rushing touchdown. Hughes would lead the Rams ground game with 49 yards on 11 carries. The Pride got on the scoreboard with 5:31 remaining in the first half following Brian Hanly s (Wyckoff, NJ) 21- yard field goal. Benjamin, who added 44 yards on nine carries, gave the Pride its first lead just over a minute later, recording a six-yard touchdown run to give Hofstra a 9-7 halftime lead. It was Benjamin s first touchdown of the season. Senior defensive back Nick Altomare (Fairfax, VA) set up that short scoring drive, forcing Hughes to fumble after a ferocious hit. Anthony Vernaglia (Anaheim Hills, CA) recovered the loose ball, giving possession to the Pride at the Rams 21-yard line. Vernaglia finished with a team-high six tackles, including five sol stops, and a sack. Altomare also added an interception-his second of the seasonoff quarterback Derek Cassidy, one of three turnovers the Pride generated. Cassidy, who completed 18 of his 32 passes for 248 yards, also had a pass picked off by Leslie Jackman. Christopher ran the ball 22 times but also forged a connection with his two top receivers. Sophomore Anthony Nelson (Wellington, FL) logged a game-high nine receptions for 92 yards while Weaver contributed eight catches for 76 yards F Rhode Island Hofstra Scoring Summary URI - Hughes 37-yard run (Feinstein kick) HU- Hanly 21-yard field goal HU- Benjamin 6-yard run (Hanly kick failed) URI- Ferrer 2-yard pass from Cassidy (Feinstein kick) HU- Christopher 1-yard run (Weaver pass from Christopher) HU- Williams 33-yard field goal URI- Ferrer 1-yard run (Feinstein kick failed) HU- Williams 38-yard field goal HOFSTRA URI First Downs (R-P-Pe) Rushes-Yards (Net) Passing Yards (Net) Passes Comp-Att-Int Total Offense/Plays-Yards Punt Returns-Yards