BROCKPORT, N.Y. – The No. 25 College at Brockport football team will face another tough task this Saturday as they welcome Ithaca College to Bob Boozer field for their home opener.
DATE – TIME: September 9th – 2 p.m.
Location: Bob Boozer Field – Brockport, N.Y.
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This will be the first time since Brockport joined the Empire 8 in 2014 that the teams will square off as non-conference rivals, as the Bombers are now in their first season as members of the Liberty League. The two teams have met 35 times since their first game in 1950, with Ithaca holding a 23-12 advantage in the matchup. The Golden Eagles have won the last two contests, including a 42-28 routing a season ago that saw QB
Joe Germinerio go a perfect 10-10 with 190 yards through the air.
Last week, Germinerio was the driving force behind an offense that combined for over 600 yards from scrimmage en route to a 34-20 victory over then No. 14 ranked Hobart College. The victory landed the Green and Gold a spot in the d3football.com top-25 rankings for the first time since week three of the 2012 season.
The defense was one of the biggest bright spots in week one, as it appears they've corrected what was one of their biggest weaknesses a season ago, pass defense. In the 2016 season opener against Hobart, the Golden Eagle defense allowed 420 yards through the air, and four passing touchdowns. Last week, they completely shut down pre-season All-American quarterback Shane Sweeney, giving up just 256 yards without allowing a passing touchdown. They also found a knack for jumping the throwing lanes, picking off three pass attempts including one that sealed the game late in the fourth quarter.
Aided by the dominant force that is the Brockport offensive line, running back
Justin Morrison allowed Golden Eagle fans to breathe a sigh of relief, showing he's a viable replacement for
Dan Andrews, to the tune of 169 yards rushing and two touchdowns. The junior transfer showed off his explosive speed in the second quarter of week one with a 68-yard TD rush off an option pitch from Germinerio.
After limited action in his rookie season, wide receiver
DaQuan Hubbard had a breakout game against Hobart, catching 158 yards of passes, which ranks seventh in program history. The Niagara Falls, N.Y. native made a highlight-worthy grab on a third and long in the third quarter, leaping over a defender for a 67-yard touchdown reception.
Ithaca is coming off a tightly fought 20-17 loss against defending Empire 8 champions No. 21 Alfred University. The Bombers scored all 17 of their points in the first half, taking a lead into the locker room before getting shut down by a tough Saxons defense in the second half and suffering the loss. This is head coach Dan Swanstrom's first year at the helm after serving as quarterbacks coach at the University of Pennsylvania since 2014.
The Golden Eagles will be on the road again next week for the 11th annual Courage Bowl, this year hosted by St. John Fisher College. The game is set to begin at 6 p.m.
Be sure to stay up to date on all your Golden Eagle news, scores, and awards by following @BportAthletics on Twitter and by like the "Brockport Golden Eagles" Facebook page.
