College football: Knox retains 'chip on my shoulder' for Stony Brook

Chance Knox蜜聊直播檚 dream of playing football for his home state university hasn蜜聊直播檛 materialized, but the former Capital all-stater gets the next-best thing this weekend.

Knox returns to West Virginia as a starting slot receiver for Stony Brook (New York), which opens its season Saturday at Marshall. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m.

蜜聊直播淚蜜聊直播檓 really looking forward to being back,蜜聊直播櫭哿闹辈 Knox said, 蜜聊直播渁nd having the opportunity to be in front of a lot of friends and family 蜜聊直播� people who will support me back home, even if they are Marshall fans. Their support means a great deal to me.蜜聊直播櫭哿闹辈

It蜜聊直播檚 been a winding road for Knox to get back to the country roads, with Saturday蜜聊直播檚 game marking his first collegiate contest in his home state. His last game in West Virginia was Capital蜜聊直播檚 Class AAA playoff quarterfinal at Spring Valley in 2019.

He spent four seasons as a receiver and kick returner at VMI before entering the NCAA transfer portal. Knox initially announced his intention to enroll at Incarnate Word, a Football Championship Subdivision program in Texas, before settling on Stony Brook.

蜜聊直播淚t蜜聊直播檚 been a lot different,蜜聊直播櫭哿闹辈 Knox said, 蜜聊直播渂ut I蜜聊直播檓 liking it a great deal. Obviously, there was an adjustment coming from a military school with a really strict schedule, ROTC classes and stuff and practice on top of that, compared to now, living off-campus and going to practice and workouts and meetings. I have more time to myself.蜜聊直播櫭哿闹辈

Another draw to playing at Stony Brook, which competes in the FCS 16-team Coastal Athletic Association, was reuniting with Billy Cosh, the Seawolves蜜聊直播� first-year coach who was his offensive coordinator for two seasons at VMI (2020-21).

Cosh plans to bring a more-dynamic offense to the Seawolves, who were 0-10 last year and last in points scored in the CAA, a league that sports teams such as Villanova, Richmond and William & Mary. As the offensive coordinator last year at Western Michigan, Cosh蜜聊直播檚 unit ranked in the top five in five categories in the Mid-American Conference, including second in passing offense (211.2 yards per game).

蜜聊直播淭hat蜜聊直播檚 his motto 蜜聊直播� 100%,蜜聊直播櫭哿闹辈 Knox said of the wide-open attack. 蜜聊直播淭o play fast out on the perimeter, kind of back the defense up and really get the ball out.

蜜聊直播淭here were a bunch of factors playing into (choosing Stony Brook). Having some familiar faces, not only coach Cosh but other coaches from VMI who are on the staff here, which pays off in many ways. I know some of the options inside and outside.蜜聊直播櫭哿闹辈

Knox, a graduate student who turns 23 next month, brings versatility to his role with the Seawolves, which has long been his trademark.

In his senior year at Capital, when he was selected first-team all-state, he scored 12 touchdowns 蜜聊直播� seven receiving, four rushing and one on a punt return as he split time between receiver and running back. As a junior wideout, he led the Cougars in receiving with 33 catches for 581 yards and seven TDs.

He蜜聊直播檚 certainly come a long way from his early days at Capital, when he was generously listed at 5-foot-6 and 130 pounds as a freshman, which prompted coach Jon Carpenter to say then that Knox was 蜜聊直播渟o small, you never even saw him. I thought he (would be) a holder.蜜聊直播櫭哿闹辈

Knox opened some eyes at VMI, grabbing the winning TD pass in his first game as a freshman, continually getting catches, carries and kick returns, then leading the Keydets in receiving as a junior with 58 receptions for 535 yards and two scores.

Now playing at 5-10 and 180 pounds for the Seawolves, Knox continues to line up all over the field. He蜜聊直播檒l primarily play slot receiver, but will move around the formation and also return kickoffs and punts. After being limited to seven games last year by a shoulder injury, Knox declared himself fully healed for his Stony Brook debut.

Knox has caught the eye of the Marshall coaching staff in preparation for Saturday蜜聊直播檚 game. Thundering Herd coach Charles Huff compared Knox to former New England Patriots standout receiver Julian Edelman.

Knox said his decision to play at the Long Island school was enhanced by the prospect of playing in the Seawolves蜜聊直播� opener at Marshall, just down the road from where he grew up.

蜜聊直播淐oming into this recruiting process,蜜聊直播櫭哿闹辈 Knox said, 蜜聊直播渋t蜜聊直播檚 obviously something that really caught my eye 蜜聊直播� the first game at Marshall. It was meant to be. I think it did impact my decision a little bit.

蜜聊直播淎 10-hour drive (to Stony Brook) means not a lot of family can see me for home games 蜜聊直播� or away games in the CAA. My first game being back home in my backyard will be a great experience for me and an opportunity for everyone to watch me.蜜聊直播櫭哿闹辈

Knox admits some disappointment in not being given a look by WVU or Marshall when he entered the transfer portal, but uses it for motivation.

蜜聊直播淕rowing up a West Virginia kid,蜜聊直播櫭哿闹辈 he said, 蜜聊直播渢hat蜜聊直播檚 always been a dream, especially for me, to put on the gold and blue. But I think everything happens for a reason, and sure enough, I get to come play for a coach who recruited me out of high school and one I had great success with my first two seasons at VMI.

蜜聊直播淣ow I get to kind of show the state again why I have a chip on my shoulder. This kid can play out there, wherever he lines up on the field.蜜聊直播櫭哿闹辈

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