Villanova to face backup Stony Brook QB

When Villanova opens the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs Saturday with a 3 p.m. matchup at Stony Brook, the Wildcats will be facing a backup quarterback.

On Friday a Stony Brook school official said that starting quarterback Kyle Essington, who has thrown 22 touchdown passes, is out for the game with a thigh injury.

Lyle Negron, a 6-foot-1, 215-pound junior who has attempted five passes, will get the start.

Stony Brook (9-2) is known more for its ground game. The Seawolves average 39.1 points per game and 290.5 yards per contest rushing.

Senior Miguel Maysonet is the FCS leader in rushing yards with 1,721. He is averaging 7.7 yards per carry and has scored 19 of his 21 touchdowns on the ground. Backup Marcus Coker, a University of Iowa transfer, has rushed for 855 yards (5.1 average) and nine touchdowns.

Villanova (8-3) is allowing 146.5 yards per game on the ground.