Box Score BROCKPORT, N.Y. – Behind a 232-yard performance from junior running back Dan Andrews, The College at Brockport football team notched a 35-14 win against Hartwick College to open league play on Saturday.
 
The Golden Eagles improve to 2-0 on the season and 1-0 in Empire 8 play while handing the Hawks their first loss of the season, as they fall to 2-1 and start league action at 0-1.
 
After the two teams traded possessions, Hartwick struck first, with a 91-yard drive resulting in seven points. The Hawks score was just the wake up call the Golden Eagles needed, as Brockport posted a score of their own on the following possession. Andrews picked up 51-yards on five caries to find the end zone, and following a Tyler Perna extra point, tie the score at 7-7.  
 
The Brockport defensive unit came up big on the succeeding drive, as Julius Brunson snagged a John Garcia pass, returning the interception 40-yards. The defense continued to hold strong, as they forced a three-and-out on Hartwick's next possession after Tarik Bennett worked his way through the line for a big third-down sack.
 
The defense sparked the offense, as the Green and Gold grabbed their first lead of the contest on the following drive. This time it was a 21-yard hook-up from quarterback Wayne Bonsell to Jerry Thompson for the score and the 14-7 lead after a good extra point.
 
Bennett came up big on the next Hartwick possession, extinguishing the Hawks offensive spark with an 18-yard sack, forcing the punt. A 15-play, 85-yard drive came up short for the Golden Eagles, when a 31-yard field goal attempt was blocked at the hands of the Hawks. The two teams traded possessions, with neither posting a score before the end of the half. 
 
Head coach Jason Mangone's squad went right to work out of the break, turning the opening possession into points after Bonsell found his second touchdown, this time in the form of a 20-yard Nate Wilkinson connection to make the count 21-7 with the extra point.
 
The Golden Eagle defense continued to trouble the Hawks, with Benntt and Jeff Scialo putting an end to a Hartwick drive with another sack. The Green and Gold took advantage of the defensive prowess, posting points on their next possession. This time it was a 46-yard run from Andrews that capped off a 72-yard drive, putting the Golden Eagles on top, scoring their fourth unanswered touchdown for the 28-7 lead.
 
Andrews wasn't done as he posted Brockport's only score in the fourth quarter, a 19-yard rush, which would top off his 232-yard rushing day. Hartwick added a 43-yard touchdown in the waning minutes, but the Brockport defense held on to post the 35-14 victory.
 
The Golden eagles posted 494 total yards of offense, with 322-yards of work on the ground. Bonsell led the Golden Eagles through the air, with 13 completions for 172 yards. Andrews posted 232 yards on 28 carries, with Nick Vallone adding 34 yards. Wilkinson picked up five catches for 83-yards and a TD, with Thompson snagging three catches for 37-yards to go with a touchdown.
 
The Green and Gold defense operated like a well-oiled machine, with Alex Egglinger picking up 11 tackles on the day. Bennett, Jake O'Connell and Da'Quan Brown all tallied 6 tackles, with Bennett leading the way with three sacks for a loss of 31-yards.
 
Brockport will be back in action on Sept. 26 at St. John Fisher in the 11th annual Courage Bowl. The Golden Eagles will return home on Oct. 3 for a Homecoming matchup against Alfred State College.
 
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