The College at Brockport football team looks to build off its home opening win last weekend when the Golden Eagles travel to Buffalo State Saturday for the I-90 Bowl at 12 p.m. The winner of Saturday's game will retain the I-90 Bowl Trophy on its campus throughout the offseason. Brockport has won three straight I-90 Bowl games, an annual rivalry game between the two teams located just over 60 miles apart along Interstate-90 on the New York State Thruway.

DATE – TIME: Sept. 21, 2019 – 12 p.m.
LOCATION: Coyer Field - Buffalo, N.Y.
LINKS: Video  |  Stats  |  Audio (Radio 89.1 FM)

Game Notes

Receiving Votes: Brockport football is receiving votes for the second straight week in the latest d3football.com national poll. The Golden Eagles rose to as high as No. 3 in the national polls headed into the second round of the NCAA Division III Championships last season. Brockport has been a fixture in the top 25 each week dating back to week 1 of 2017. The top 25 is voted on by a panel of 25 coaches, Sports Information Directors and media members from across the country, and is published weekly. 

50 Career Wins: Seventh year Head Coach Jason Mangone has been named the AFCA Region I Coach of the Year in each of the last two seasons and he recently picked up his 50^th career victory as the Golden Eagles defeated Framingham last Saturday. Mangone has an impressive 50-20 overall record over the course of six-plus seasons at the helm. Mangone and his staff have earned two straight Empire 8 Coaching Staff of the Year honors after compiling a 24-2 overall record in that span.  In 2017 he was named the AFCA National Coach of the Year after guiding the Golden Eagles to the semifinals of the NCAA Div. III Championships.

History Against Buffalo State: Saturday marks the 38^th meeting all-time between these two programs. Brockport has won three straight games against Buffalo State, including a convincing 65-7 victory over the Bengals at home last season. Brockport holds a 20-17 advantage over the Bengals in 37 meetings dating back to 1982.  The two teams are 5-5 against each other in the last ten meetings.

Recent Meeting: Brockport dominated all facets of the contest in last year's I-90 Bowl Game, jumping out to a 44-0 lead at the half on its way to a convincing 65-7 win.  The Golden Eagles finished the day with an astounding 608 yards of total offense while holding the Bengals to a mere 163 yards, including minus 48 rushing yards. The defense was firing on all cylinders coming up with eight sacks and 16 tackles for a loss. Lawrence Jenkins was an absolute stud racking up five tackles of his own and an interception. Zach Samborski led the way for Brockport on the ground with 111 yards and three touchdowns.

Record Watch: Joseph Ortiz, who eclipsed 2,000 career receiving yards in week one at Hobart, caught three balls for 25 yards in week two and needs just four more catches to tie the program's career record for receptions (220 Jake Spalik, 2010-13). Ortiz's 11 catches this season ranks third in the Empire 8. 
 
Week 2 Recap: Freshman Raylens Boutin took his first two collegiate interceptions back for touchdowns, just four minutes apart in the third quarter, and the Brockport defense blanked visiting Framingham State as the Golden Eagles won 14-0 on Saturday in their home opener at Bob Boozer Field.  Brockport's stout defensive effort ruled the day as the Golden Eagles held the visitors to 271 total yards of offense and forced seven turnovers (three INT's, one fumble recovery and three turnovers on downs). It was a group effort as four different defenders totaled a team-high seven tackles, including Alaan Montgomery, Kenny Hernandez, Lawrence Jenkins and Alex West.  Jenkins was all over the field as he also posted 2.0 tackles for a loss of seven yards and broke up two passes.

Honors Rolling In: Raylens Boutin was showered with weekly awards following his breakout performance against Framingham on Saturday in the home opener.  After taking his first two career interceptions to the house and accounting for both of the Brockport touchdowns on Saturday, Boutin was named the Empire 8 Player of the Week and he was also named to the D3football.com National Team of the Week. He currently leads the Empire 8 with a total of five passes defended (three pass breakups, two interceptions).

Impressive First Start: Freshman quarterback Freddy June earned his first collegiate start on Saturday and posted 207 total yards -- including 112 on the ground – in his debut under center. June currently ranks sixth in the Empire 8 with 127 total yards rushing on 24 carries.

Lockdown Secondary: Brockport's secondary has come up huge when needed through two weeks and it is currently ranked second in the Empire 8 with five interceptions this season. Kenny Hernandez has one INT and the linebacking crew of Jason Karteron and Derrick Cipriani each have one pick a piece.

All Over the Field: Junior Lawrence Jenkins continues to disrupt plays in the backfield and is currently tied for fourth in the Empire 8 Conference with an average of 2.50 tackles for loss per contest.  He now has five tackles for a loss of 17 yards. Lawrence is tied with Boutin and fellow linebacker Alex West for the team lead with 11 tackles. He also has two pass breakups.

What do the stats say?: Brockport has commanded the box score so far this season in nearly all facets of the game.  The Golden Eagles have 35 first downs compared to their opponents 23.  They have more than doubled their opponents in total rushing yards 305-145. The Brockport defense has also held opponents to an average of 158.50 yards passing per game. 

Rushing Weapons:  Quarterback Freddy June leads the team with 127 rushing yards on 24 carries this season.  Senior running back Justin Morrison is not far behind, with an average of nearly 50 yards rushing per game.  Zach Samborski and Jala Coad have combined for 90 yards on 22 carries. 

Several Targets Through the Air: Freddy June has a variety of weapons to choose from in the passing game.  Daquan Hubbard remains Brockport's top deep threat and has five catches for 133 yards through two games this season. Alex Benson has five catches for 34 yards, while Imhotep Cromer has three catches for 30 yards. 

Pressure in the Backfield: Coach Fox's high pressure defense continues to pay dividends as nine different players have played a part in a tackle for a loss this season. Hakeem Yaya ranks second on the team behind Lawrence Jenkins with 3.0 tackles for a loss of 12 yards. Alex West, Josh Greenwood and Jason Karteron have combined for 6.5 TFL's.

Back-to-Back Champs: Brockport won its second straight Empire 8 Conference title and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Div. III Championship while registering an 11-1 overall record in 2018.  Brockport's repeat as Empire 8 Champs came courtesy of consecutive 10-0 regular season efforts.  In 2017, the Golden Eagles advanced all the way to the semifinals of the NCAA Division III Championships.  

A Familiar Foe: Buffalo State (0-2) is in search of its first win of the season following back-to-back losses to St. John Fisher and Utica in the first two weeks. Buffalo State is in its first season as an affiliate member of the Liberty League for football following a seven year stint alongside Brockport in the Empire 8 Conference. The move stabilizes both the Liberty League and the Empire 8, creating a pair of seven-team conferences that will collaborate for both non-conference scheduling and a postseason bowl game. Buff. State Head Coach Christian Ozolins was promoted to interim head football coach on Nov. 16 and will serve in that capacity through the 2019 season. Ozolins joined the Bengals' coaching staff in 2003 and was promoted to assistant head coach and offensive coordinator in 2013. He also served as the offensive backs coach and the recruiting and academic coordinator for the Bengals. Martin Bailey leads the Buffalo State rushing attack with 84 yards on 29 carries. Zak Ciezki has completed 34 passes for 386 yards and two TDs this season. On the defensive side of the ball, Devin Delmont leads the team with 18 tackles.

In the Coming Weeks: Brockport returns home on Sept. 28^th  when the Golden Eagles return to Bob Boozer Field for Homecoming & Family Weekend on campus. Brockport will host Alfred State for homecoming this year and the contest is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. On Oct. 5^th the Golden Eagles will travel to St. John Fisher College for the annual Camp Good Days & Special Times Courage Bowl. The contest also marks the beginning of the Empire 8 Conference schedule and will begin at 6 p.m.