Unless you’re counting the Hawaii or the Iowa State University vs. Kansas State University game in Ireland, this might be one of the most extended trips in college football. Stony Brook travels nearly 3,000 miles from Long Island, New York, to take on San Diego State in a true coast-to-coast clash.
The Seawolves return a tough, opportunistic defense that specializes in takeaways. They were overwhelmed by Marshall University in last season’s opener, but bounced back to post an 8-4 record.
For San Diego, this game is about building momentum. After a rocky debut season under head coach Sean Lewis, the Aztecs are looking to find their footing before facing Washington State University and the University of California in back-to-back weeks.
Can Stony Brook Pull Off the Upset Against San Diego State?
Game Details
- Date: Thursday, August 28
- Time: 7:00 p.m. PST/10:00 p.m. EST
- Location: Snapdragon Stadium; San Diego, California (35,000)
- TV: KUSI-TV
- Live Stream: Mountain West Network (www.themw.com)
Stony Brook has only one win over an FBS team in program history: a 23–3 upset of Army in 2012. Thirteen years later, they’ll fly across the country to face San Diego State in their only FBS matchup of the 2025 season.
Technically, the Seawolves shouldn’t stand a chance. But they’re not coming to San Diego to roll over. They know SDSU has gone just 7-17Â over the last two seasons. And they believe they can punch the Aztecs in the mouth.
The Seawolves’ Weapons
Stony Brook’s offense is built around 6-foot, 235-pound running back Roland Dempster, one of the top players in the FCS. A 2025 FCS Preseason First Team All-American and 2024 Walter Payton Award finalist, Dempster ran for 1,332 yards and 18 touchdowns in 2024, averaging five yards per carry.
Graduate transfer quarterback Chris Zellous, who started all 12 games for Hampton University in 2024, takes over under center. He replaces Tyler Knoop, who threw for over 2,000 yards and 17 touchdowns last year.
Zellous will have a top target in Jayce Freeman, a deep threat who caught 23 passes for 506 yards and six touchdowns. Freeman led the FCS with 22 yards per catch and scored in five straight games.
The offensive line is anchored by veteran Niko Papic, a Third Team All-CAA selection who helped boost the team’s offensive output by 90 yards per game last season.
On defense, the Seawolves are led by linebacker AJ Roberts, a Pitt transfer and a second-team All-CAA pick who posted 86 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, a sack, an interception, and a forced fumble. Alongside him is Fourth Team All-CAA linebacker Anthony Ferrelli, a Carlsbad High product who racked up 84 tackles in 2024.
Head coach Billy Cosh has built belief in his locker room. They’re not coming to San Diego for the paycheck but for a shot at history.
How Will Sean Lewis Transform the Aztecs in Year Two?
San Diego State enters 2025 as a different team. With over 40 new players added through recruiting and the transfer portal, Lewis has quickly reshaped the roster and expectations.
The offense will be led by 6-foot-5, 235-pound quarterback Jayden Denegal, a transfer from the University of Michigan who brings a championship pedigree and calm leadership. He won the QB1 job over Bert Emanuel Jr. and has already earned the trust of the locker room.
The Aztecs’ offensive line is more experienced and deeper than last season. Ross Ulugalu-Maseuli leads it, with key support from Christian Jones and Joe Borjon. Wide receivers Jordan Napier and Myles Kitt-Denton add firepower to the passing game.
Lucky Sutton, Byron Cardwell, and Christian Washington will carry the tradition forward at RB, a position synonymous with Aztec football.
On defense, SDSU looks like it’s back to its hard-hitting roots. All eyes are on linebacker Trey White, the Mountain West Preseason Defensive Player of the Year. A Chuck Bednarik and Bronko Nagurski watchlist selection, White posted 18.5 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks in 2024, both tops in the conference and among the national leaders.
Up front, Brady Nassar returns with experience, joined by Krishna Clay, Sam Benjamin, Ryan Henderson, and Grand Valley State transfer Niles King, who tallied 20 sacks and 27 tackles for loss in Division II.
LB Tano Letuli, SDSU’s leading tackler last season, returns with key secondary players Eric Butler, Chris Johnson, and Deshaun McCuin, all tasked with reigniting the Aztecs’ once-feared turnover machine.
