TOWSON, Md. (Interstat) — Quinn Boyd accounted for three touchdowns and Stony Brook defeated Towson 31-24 in an NCAA Football Championship Division game Saturday at Johnny Unitas Stadium. The visiting Seawolves improved to 4-2, while the host Tigers fell to 0-7. Attendance was 5,308. Boyd, a quarterback from Livermore, Calif., stood as the game’s top star, directing an offense that produced just enough to withstand a late Towson push. Stony Brook finished with 31 points, and Towson finished with 24, in a game that featured swings in the second half and a decisive fourth-quarter score. The Seawolves won as the visiting team, and the Tigers lost as the home team. Boyd’s play helped Stony Brook overcome a Towson effort that included multiple explosive gains and a steady defensive performance.

Stony Brook opened the scoring in the first quarter when Boyd completed a short middle pass to James Dely, who caught the ball at the Towson goal line and finished a 15-yard touchdown. Michael Mannino’s kick attempt was good. Later in the first quarter, Boyd connected with Seth Sweitzer on a short left pass that went 26 yards for another touchdown, and Mannino again converted. In the second quarter, Mannino added a 40-yard field goal. Towson answered before halftime when J. Davis completed a short middle pass to Aaron Enterline for a 19-yard touchdown, and Zaydaan Faridi made the kick attempt. The scoring plays gave Stony Brook an early cushion, but Towson stayed within reach. Stony Brook’s offense mixed Boyd’s arm with enough rushing support to keep the Tigers from taking control.

The third quarter brought Towson’s strongest response. Davis found Xavier Pugh on a short right pass for an 18-yard touchdown, and Faridi’s kick cut into the Stony Brook lead. On the ensuing kickoff, Towson’s Zaydaan Faridi kicked 55 yards to the Stony Brook 10, and D. Crawford returned it 90 yards to the Towson end zone for a Stony Brook touchdown. Mannino’s kick attempt was good. Towson answered again when Xavier Pugh rushed through the middle for a 2-yard touchdown, and Faridi converted. K. Brooks was injured on that play. The quarter ended with both teams having traded big plays, and Stony Brook still in front. The kickoff return proved especially important because it kept Stony Brook ahead after Towson had built momentum with its first touchdown of the second half.

In the fourth quarter, Boyd rushed left for a 13-yard touchdown, and Mannino’s kick attempt was good, giving Stony Brook a critical late score. Towson added a 43-yard field goal by Faridi with 11 seconds remaining, but the Tigers could not complete a final comeback. Stony Brook’s defense made enough stops down the stretch, and the Seawolves left Johnny Unitas Stadium with a seven-point victory. The game was an NCAA Football Championship Division matchup, and the result dropped Towson to 0-7. Stony Brook’s defense limited Towson after the Tigers had moved the ball effectively for much of the middle portion of the game.

Boyd’s final stat line reflected his dual-threat role. He completed 15 of 24 passes for 175 yards and two touchdowns, rushed nine times for 57 yards and one touchdown, and helped Stony Brook control key moments. For Towson, Marquis Cooper, Jerald James and Myles Johnson each had three tackles. Destin Simmons, Zakaa Brown, Kyron Grayson and Seth Hampton each had four tackles. Jaydyn Johnson made six tackles. Zion Copeland recorded eight tackles and one quarterback hurry. Seth Chestnut added nine tackles. TJ Sands led Towson with 11 tackles. Jashaun Amin had two receptions for 9 yards and one kick return for 16 yards. Jarvis Jones caught two passes for 17 yards. CJ Schaeffer caught five passes for 37 yards. Aaron Enterline caught seven passes for 68 yards and one touchdown. Cleveland Charlton had four receptions for 142 yards. Weston Woodard recorded one tackle. Max Young punted six times for 233 yards. Zaydaan Faridi handled kicking duties. Mason Cunningham returned five punts for 38 yards. Kobe Ellis had one kick return for 20 yards, and Jacob Zollar had one kick return for 25 yards. Nicholas Miano had one quarterback hurry. Will Ennis and Cody Williams each recorded one tackle. Xavier Pugh ran three times for 6 yards, caught one pass for 18 yards and scored two touchdowns. Eddie Jackson III recorded one tackle. Shamir Boyd, Asaiah Hamond and Bryan Lodge each had two tackles. Trey Adams added two tackles and one sack. Hayden Loveless and Ben Kumpon each had three tackles.

For Stony Brook, Reggie Darkah finished with four tackles. Ryan Barrett recorded five tackles and one interception. Miles McGoy added five tackles. Joseph Garcia had seven tackles. Sebastian Regis posted seven tackles and two sacks. Khalid Bueno had eight tackles, three sacks and three quarterback hurries. Geno Calgaro finished with eight tackles. Lance Byndon added nine tackles and two sacks. Anthony Ferrelli led Stony Brook with 11 tackles. Justus Gaskin had four tackles. D.J. Linkins caught three passes for 41 yards. James Dely caught four passes for 64 yards and one touchdown. Seth Sweitzer had one run for 9 yards and five receptions for 56 yards and one touchdown. Dylan Harris ran five times for 16 yards, and Jeremiah Coney carried 10 times for 25 yards.

Stony Brook’s season has included wins over Fordham, Rhode Island and Lindenwood, along with losses to Ball State and Delaware State. Towson has dropped games to Monmouth, Delaware State, Morgan State, South Carolina, Navy and Maine. The Seawolves are scheduled to host Albany next before visiting Bryant, hosting Sacred Heart, visiting Campbell, visiting New Hampshire and hosting Hampton. The Tigers are set to visit Campbell next, then host Hampton, visit Sacred Heart, visit Rhode Island and host Elon. The loss kept Towson winless on the season, while Stony Brook moved above .500. The Seawolves’ rushing and passing balance, along with timely defense, helped secure the result.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Stony Brook 44, Towson 39. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Stony Brook with a 58.3 percent probability to win. Towson had been installed as a pregame favorite with a spread of -3.5. The total score of 55 went over the over/under line of 58.5.