Hofstra's defense generated four turnovers, leading directly to 26 points as the Pride defeated Stony Brook, 43-3, in a non-conference game at LaValle Stadium Friday night.

The Pride forced stops on the Seawolves first five drives, surging ahead 31-3 at halftime. Hofstra improved to 2-2 on the season and 12-0 in the all-time series, starting strong in the first of four straight road contests. Stony Brook dropped to 1-4.

Hofstra junior quarterback Cory Christopher wasn't deterred by the soggy weather, finishing 15-for-24 for 161 yards and a touchdown, while adding 48 yards on the ground and two rushing touchdowns. The Pride's point total exceeded its first three games combined, extending the team's winning streak to two.

Nick Altomare registered a team-high eight tackles, keying a defense that picked off quarterback Dayne Hoffman twice and recovered two fumbles in addition to stopping four fourth-down attempts.

A fumbled punt and a turnover on downs gave Hofstra favorable field position in the first quarter, as the Pride put up 10 points. The Pride defense sustained the momentum in the second quarter, building a three-score lead when cornerback Leslie Jackman's stripped Stony Brook running back Edwin Gowins of the ball and raced untouched 60 yards up the Stony Brook sideline for a touchdown, building a 17-0 lead with 14:08 to play in the half .

Stony Brook nearly set the early tone, marching all the way to the Hofstra 24 on its opening drive. Hoffman nearly put his team on the scoreboard, finding an open receiver in the end zone. But Dwayne Eley couldn't handle the throw and the Pride defense forced a turnover on downs.

Christopher's engineered a 12-play, 66-yard drive and called his own number on the quarterback keeper to put Hofstra ahead, 7-0, with 4:05 remaining in the first quarter.

On the Seawolves next possession a bad snap on Stony Brook's punt attempt set up Hofstra's second score on the next drive. The snap from center went over punter Luke Gaddis' head with the punter falling on the ball at the Seawolves 4-yard line for a 38-yard loss. Hofstra capitalized on the miscue, pulling ahead by 10 thanks to Roger Williams' 21-yard-field goal in the first quarter's final minute.

Hofstra kept pressuring the Seawolves following Jackson's big play. Anthony Nelson, who finished with a game-high 69 receiving yards on four catches, took a swing pass 2 yards in the backfield and sprinted up-field to sustain the drive on third-and-long. Christopher's fourth down sneak later in the drive led to another seven points and marked the Miami, FL, native's third rushing TD of the year.

After a Stony Brook three-and-out, Christopher went right back to work. Aaron Weaver corralled a jump ball at the Stony Brook 4, beating the man-on-man coverage. Reigning CAA Rookie of the Week Brook Jackolski recorded a touchdown for a second straight game, taking an end-around all the way on the next play as Hofstra opened a 24-0 lead midway through the second quarter.

Just 12 seconds later, Ray McDonough registered the second big play from a defensive back. The junior read Hoffman's passing route, stepping in front of the intended receiver for his second interception of the season. Hofstra turned the mistake into points when corner Mike McCoy slipped, allowing Nelson all the time he needed to catch Christopher's lob and increase the lead to 31-0.

Two turnovers allowed Hofstra to pad the lead in the second half. Phil Riley recovered Eley's fumbled punt return near midfield late in the third quarter. The Pride opened up the playbook, getting Weaver got into the action as a rusher. The sophomore wideout took a reverse 18 yards to the Stony Brook 2-yard line. Christopher added the second of his rushing touchdowns on the next play.

Red-shirt freshman Chris Edmond garnered his first collegiate interception, picking off Hoffman's pass in the flat at the Stony Brook 28. Benjamin capped the following seven-play drive by bullying ahead for a 2-yard touchdown run to close the scoring.

Hofstra will resume CAA play next Saturday when it travels to second-ranked James Madison University. Kickoff at Bridgeforth Stadium is set for 1:30 p.m.

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