The 2011 Stony Brook Seawolves football team represented Stony Brook University in the 2011 NCAA Division I FCS football season as a member of the Big South Conference. The team was coached by Chuck Priore and played its home games at Kenneth P. LaValle Stadium in Stony Brook, New York. The Seawolves finished the season 9–4, 6–0 in Big South play to win their third consecutive Big South championship and advanced to the FCS playoffs for the first time ever. They won their first ever playoff game against Albany, 31–28, before falling in the second round to #1 Sam Houston State 27–34. The program was ranked #18/#16 in the final Sports Network/Coaches Poll. Previous season The Seawolves finished for their second straight year with a 6-5 record, and a 5-1 record against Big South opponent to earn them a share of the conference title with Liberty and Coastal Carolina. The Seawolves played their first ever FBS opponent opening the season against South Florida in which they led for the first quarter but eventually fell 59-14. The season came down to the last game, against conference rival Liberty, in which the Seawolves battled for the FCS bid but came up too short allowing to many points against in a 54-28 loss at Lynchburg. Before the season Losses The Seawolves had several losses due to graduation. The Seawolves lost Edwin Gowins who earned first-team All-Big South honors in each of his first two seasons, and he was named the College Sporting News’ national freshman of the year in 2008 but experienced injuries late in the 2009 season and widely affected his performance in 2010. Gowins left to play at the Division III level. Paul Fenaroli graduated and signed a three-year contract with the NFL Atlanta Falcons. Spring Game The Seawolves played their annual spring game on April 10, 2011 at LaValle in front of a small crowd in which the offense beat the Defense 51-15. Rankings and polls The Seawolves were ranked top 15 among FCS teams by the "Phil Steele's College Football Review" ahead of their conference rivals, Liberty, which was placed in the 31st position. This is the highest ranking spot ever achieved by the Seawolves program. Stony Brook was picked second in the Big South Coaches' Preseason-Poll receiving 2 first-place votes behind the Liberty Flames. Stony Brook also received vote in The Sports Network FCS Preseason Poll. Honors Five