Brockport, NY – The SUNY Brockport football team aims to get back on track this weekend in another Empire 8 clash on the road. This week Brockport faces off against Hartwick College for a 1:30pm kickoff on Saturday, October 22^nd.
 
DATE – TIME: October 22^nd, 2022 – 1:30pm
LOCATION: Oneonta, NY – Wright Stadium
LINKS: Video | Stats | Audio | Game notes.pdf
 
Last Week: Brockport was defeated on the road last weekend by Utica University, 35-21. Brockport nearly overcame a 14-point, halftime deficit by tying the game at 21-21 in the fourth. However, the Pioneers came up with the plays down the stretch necessary to pull out the conference victory. The Green and Gold own an overall record of 3-3 and 1-2 in the Empire 8 after the loss.
 
Brockport vs Hartwick: Saturday's game will mark just the 13^th time in history that Brockport and Hartwick have met on the gridiron. In the 12 previous games, Brockport holds the all-time advantage in the series with a 9-2-1 record against the Hawks. Since 2014, the Green and Gold has defeated Hartwick seven times in a row. Last year's game saw a dominant defensive effort from Brockport to go with multiple explosive scoring plays. The defense pick off two passes, broke up 14 passes, had three sacks, and 13 quarterback hurries. Hartwick was held to -1 yards rushing in the contest. The Golden Eagles offense benefitted from a 53-yard touchdown pass to Jared Maurino and a 63-yard rushing score from Gino Fontanarosa. They marched through the finish line for the 41-14 victory at home.
 
Around the Empire 8: At 1-2 in conference play, Brockport finds itself in unfamiliar territory in the middle of the pack of the Empire 8 standings. Both at 6-0 overall, Cortland holds the top spot with a 3-0 mark within the league, while Utica is right behind at 2-0 in the conference. The full listing of the standings is as follows: 1. Cortland, 2. Utica, 3. Morrisville, 4. Alfred, 5. Brockport, 6. St. John Fisher, and 7. Hartwick.
 
McGuire's First Start: In his first career start at quarterback for the Golden Eagles, freshman Chris McGuire completed 10-of-16 pass attempts for 130 yards and a touchdown. McGuire also rushed for 59 yards, including a 42-yard score with his feet in the third quarter.
 
Law's Consistency: Against Utica, Rashad Law rushed for 103 yards on 18 carries. His longest play of the day was a 51-yard rush, a new season-best. Law has now run for 100 yards in four consecutive games, and is averaging a career-high 104 yards per game. The junior running back leads the team with five rushing touchdowns.
 
Special Teams Player of the Week: This past game against Utica, Gino Fontanarosa totaled a career-high 94 kick return yards on three opportunities. Late in the game he broke free for a career-long 61-yard return, the longest kick return of the season so far for the Golden Eagles.
Gino has made a significant impact on special teams with six returns for 155 yards and he blocked two punts in the same game.
 
Disruptive on Defense: It was Jordan Harris who came up with the highlight defensive play against Utica. Harris came up with a deflected pass behind the line of scrimmage and returned it for a 2-yard pick six. Hakeem Yaya added a sack last game, giving him a team-high of 3.0 on the season and he leads the squad with 5.0 tackles for a loss. Raylens Boutin is second on the defense with 3.5 tackles for a loss to go with one interception and three pass breakups. John DeRidder leads the team with two interceptions and has 2.0 sacks on the year.
 
Through the Air: After a four reception, 66-yard outing last contest, Jared Maurino leads the receivers with totals of 15 catches, 211 yards, and three touchdowns in the pass game. Against the Pioneers, Anthony Testa caught his first score of the season on a 16-yard touchdown late in the game. Will McCarthy (5 rec, 114 yds) and Louis Usera (8 rec, 101 yds) are the only other two wideouts to break 100-yards on the season for the offense. James Altenburger also has a touchdown reception this season to go with his seven catches for 81 yards.
 
Getting Stops: Ben Damiani continues to lead this stout defense for Brockport, totaling team-highs of 21 solo and 20 assisted for 41 total tackles. Fellow linebacker Ben Robinson is close behind with 38 tackles and Ben Marshall has stepped up from the secondary for 33 stops. Damiani and Robinson are joined by Jordan Harris, Aidan Thomas, and Joseph Rodda in all having 3.0 tackles for a loss.
 
Return Game: Last week against Utica, the Brockport kick returners found success by breaking out for multiple big returns. Special Teams Player of the Week Gino Fontanarosa ripped off a 61-yard return on his way to 94 total return yards on three attempts. Teammate Anthony Testa also got loose for a long return, going for 55 yards during his lone run back on opportunity.
 
Give Him a Chance: Derrick Chance is still the top punt returner for the Golden Eagles. He ranks ninth in the nation with his average of 15.0 yards per return this season. Chance has the best return average in the Empire 8 as well and has totaled 120 yards on eight opportunities this season.
 
Meet the Hawks: The Hartwick Hawks have lost three straight heading into the weekend, all coming against Empire 8 opponents. Utica, Alfred, and Cortland all defeated Hartwick in recent weeks, giving the team a 0-3 mark in conference and a 2-4 record overall. Quarterback Kyle Szokoli is third in the conference in passing, averaging 182.8 yards a game through the air. He has also thrown the most interceptions in the conference. Receiver Nate Rath is third in the Empire 8 with 479 yards receiving. Carlvin McDonald is fifth in the conference in rushing, finishing with 51 yards a game on the ground. Hartwick's defense is second in the Empire 8 with nine interceptions, as three secondary players have at least two picks this year.
 
Up Next: On Saturday, October 29^th the Golden Eagles get back to their nest at Bob Boozer Field for a quick step outside of Empire 8 play. They will host Buffalo State for the annual I-90 Bowl Rivalry Game, scheduled for a 12pm kickoff in Brockport, NY.