Stony Brook 41, Liberty 31

Published Nov. 20, 2011 1:30 a.m. ET

foxsports

Stony Brook atoned for last season's 54-28 loss at Liberty with a 41-31 victory Saturday to win its first Big South championship and an automatic bid to the FCS playoffs.

After starting the season 0-3, Stony Brook (8-3, 6-0) beat Liberty (7-4, 5-1) for its eighth straight win behind Kyle Essington and a potent running game. Essington completed 14 of 20 passes for 250 yards and three touchdowns. The Seawolves amassed 537 total yards, including 100-yard rushing performances from Miguel Maysonet and Brock Jackolski.

Maysonet gained 158 yards on 25 carries and scored the game's final touchdown. Jackolski rushed 18 times for 121 yards. He scored twice, on a 39-yard run and a 14-yard reception.

The game was tied 31-31 entering the fourth quarter. After Maysonet's touchdown, Wesley Skiffington kicked an insurance field goal. Liberty's Mike Brown passed for 361 yards and a touchdown and ran for two scores.