Week 4 – Brockport at Utica College
Saturday, September 27, 2014 – 7:00 pm
Charles A. Gaetano Stadium - Utica, NY
Adirondack Bank Night
The College at Brockport Football team returns to action after its first loss in 10 games when the Golden Eagles travel down the New York State Thruway to Utica to take on The Utica College Pioneers at 7 pm Saturday, September 27. This will be just the third time in history that the two schools have met on the gridiron with Brockport winning the two previous matchups – a 35-0 win in 2002 and a 49-0 victory in 2003.
Brockport had a nine-game win streak snapped last weekend with a 36-20 loss to St. John Fisher in Courage Bowl X and Homecoming Weekend at Brockport. The Golden Eagles are 2-1 overall and 0-1 in Empire 8 play. Utica is off to a 3-0 start including a 20-12 win in its Empire 8 opener last week against Frostburg State.
Last Week: The Golden Eagles fell behind early against St. John Fisher as the largest Division III crowd of the year watched for Courage Bowl X and Homecoming Weekend. An announced crowd of 9,320 saw the Cardinals take a 23-0 lead at the end of the first half. Brockport did make adjustments and came out for the final 30 minutes of play and outscored St. John Fisher 20-13. Dan Andrews had 157 yards rushing and three Brockport receivers had at least 50 yards each. Jake Brickler led Brockport with 14 tackles while James Rupp added 11 stops and Anthony Bianchi had nine tackles. Derrick Members had the lone sack for the Golden Eagles.
Award Winner: Jake Brickler was named the Empire 8 Defensive Player of the Week with his 14-tackle performance against #8 St. John Fisher. The sophomore linebacker had five solo tackles and one assisted tackle behind the line of scrimmage.
Punter and Blocker: Sophomore Ian Gilhousen has stepped into the role as starting punter and averaged nearly 40-yards per punt with a 38.8 average in four kicks against the Cardinals. He is also on the punt coverage team for the Golden Eagles and registered a blocked punt as well against St. John Fisher. In the third quarter, Gilhousen broke in from the left end of the formation and made a diving block that was recovered by Damour Bailey inside the St. John Fisher 10-yard line setting up Brockport's first score of the game two plays later.
Rebounding after a Home Loss: The Golden Eagles have not done well on the road after a home loss in the last seven seasons. Brockport sports a 4-9 overall record after a home loss and a 2-8 record when the next game is on the road. Last year, Brockport dropped a home game to Rowan and answered with a road win over William Paterson starting the nine-game win streak that recently was snapped. Prior to that, the Golden Eagles had dropped six straight decisions on the road after a home loss. In 2009, Brockport fell to Cortland in the final home game of the season but traveled to Buffalo State the following week to end the year with a 48-30 win over the Bengals in the I-90 Bowl game.
Another 100 for Andrews: Sophomore running back Dan Andrews led the Brockport offense with 157 yards on the ground against St. John Fisher. It was the most yards given up by the Cardinal defense to a runner since 2010. The reigning NJAC Offensive Rookie of the Year has over 100 yards in eight of the 10 games that he has started. Only 68-yard day against Kean last year and 56 yards in the season opener against Oberlin have been less than 100-yards for Andrews. It was the first loss for Brockport when Andrews eclipses the century mark.
Coaches: Brockport Head Coach Jason Mangone starts his second season at the helm after establishing the best first-year coaching season record in Brockport history with the 8-3 record. Blaise Faggiano is in his seventh season at Utica and is 29-34 overall for the Pioneers. He knows Brockport well after serving as defensive coordinator at St. John Fisher from 1998-2006.
Brockport History on Both Sidelines: Two former Golden Eagles with their names in the Brockport Football record book will be on opposite sidelines Saturday. Brockport kicking coach Steve Milne has been with the Golden Eagles staff for almost all of the last 11 seasons. He was an All-American kicker for the Golden Eagles and was elected to the Golden Eagle Athletic Hall of Fame in 2009. On the Utica sideline is his competition - Keith Scranton the kicking coach for the Pioneers. Scranton was also an All-American kicker for the Golden Eagles in 1999 and still holds the school record for most career field goals with 23.
Who's the QB?: Brockport will have a new starting quarterback for the first time in 10 games as junior Chase Venuto gets the call after injuries to both Wayne Bonsell and Ty Stoldt. Venuto, whose father and grandfather both played in the NFL and older brother played quarterback at Penn State, played in three games last year as a sophomore completing 9-of-14 passes for 156 yards and two TDs. His father, Jay, was the ACC Player of the Year as a senior at Wake Forest.
Favorite Target?: Opponents will have a tough time determining who the favorite target is for Brockport in the passing game. Junior Eric Malave was the favorite in the opener setting the school record with 13 receptions in a single game. Freshman Nate Wilkinson took over the role as favorite receiver in game two snagging 10 passes for 113 yards and scored both Brockport touchdowns. Three receivers had at least 50 yards receiving against the Cardinals with Wilkinson leading the way with six receptions and 71 yards.
Record-Setting Corner: Senior Colby Morabito moved into the Brockport record books with his 23rd career pass breakup as he slapped down a pass late in the third quarter on a 3rd-and-nine play forcing St. John Fisher to punt the ball away.
In the Empire 8: After six seasons in the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC), Brockport is in its first season of play in the Empire 8. Brockport was in the NJAC with fellow SUNYAC members Buffalo State, Cortland and Morrisville. All four teams will be members of the Empire 8 starting next season as Cortland and Morrisville make the move. It is the third conference affiliation for the Golden Eagles. Brockport was independent from 1947-2004 before joining the Atlantic Central Football Conference (ACFC). After five seasons, the Golden Eagles joined the NJAC.
Next up for Brockport: The Golden Eagles will have an off week following the Utica game and return home for a 1 pm game against Empire 8 foe Frostburg State October 11. The game is tabbed as Kids Day @ Brockport with games and activities planned for the younger fans. Players, cheerleaders and coaches from several area youth football leagues will be on hand to help with the pregame and halftime activities.
