Brockport, NY – The SUNY Brockport football team is back on the gridiron this Saturday, October 21^st following the bye week. Brockport hits the road for an Empire 8 matchup against Morrisville State College at 1pm.
 
DATE – TIME: October 21^st, 2023 – 1pm
LOCATION: Morrisville, NY – Drake Field
LINKS: Video | Stats | Radio
 
Celebrating Homecoming: The Golden Eagles last took to the field for Homecoming Weekend back on October 7^th, when they dominated Hartwick, 63-0. Brockport controlled every element of the game in front of the packed Homecoming crowd. The Green and Gold threw for five scores and ran for another four for a season-best performance on offense. The team gained a season-high 466 yards of total offense, while holding Hartwick to just 88 total yards defensively. The Golden Eagle defense shutout the visiting Hawks, forcing a pair of turnovers (1 fumble, 1 interception) and a season-high six sacks. With the win Brockport improved to 5-1 overall and 2-0 in the Empire 8.
 
Receiving Votes: For the second week in a row, following the win over Hartwick, the Golden Eagles have gained Top-25 votes. According to the latest Top-25 poll from D3football.com, Brockport had one vote going into the bye week and now has four votes from the committee. Trending upwards, the Green and Gold aim to get back into the Top-25 for the first time since ranking No. 20 after week one of 2021.
 
Conference Standings: Already past the midpoint of the regular season, Brockport (2-0) and Cortland (3-0) remain the only two teams in the Empire 8 without a loss in conference play. Heading into the weekend the full conference standings is as follows: 1. Cortland (3-0), 2. Brockport (2-0), 3. Utica (2-1), 4. Alfred (1-1), 5. St. John Fisher (1-1), 6. Hartwick (0-3), 7. Morrisville (0-3).
 
Dominant Defense: The Golden Eagle defensive unit has been nothing short of dominant so far this season on the field. They are allowing opposing offense to post an average of just 6.67 points per game, ranking third in all of DIII football in scoring defense. Brockport is Top-25 nationally in multiple other categories on defense through six games:
 
11^th in 3^rd Down Conversion Pct. Defense - .255 pct.
6^th in 1^st Down Defense – 71 allowed
7^th in Passing Yards Allowed – 115.8 ypg
20^th in Red Zone Defense – .600 pct.
20^th in Rushing Defense – 72.8 ypg
2^nd in Team Passing Efficiency Defense – 73.07
6^th in Team Tackles for Loss – 9.0 tflpg
5^th in Total Defense – 188.7 ypg
 
Shutting Down Hartwick: The Golden Eagle defense did not give an inch to the Hartwick offense that rushed for -20 yards in the game. They allowed the Hawks to gain only six first downs in the entire game, forcing a dozen punts along the way. Brockport allowed just 108 passing yards to the opposing offense that went 3-for-19 on third down conversions. Defensively, Brockport's last shutout was against St. John Fisher in last season's Courage Bowl. As a group, the defense totaled 17 tackles for a loss of 67 yards. Ben Robinson spearheaded the valiant effort at home. He led the team with 11 total tackles (6 solo, 5 assisted), including 4.0 tackles for a loss, 1.5 sacks, and he forced a fumble. Kyle Haettich made a highlight play with an interception, his second of the season.
 
Through the Air: In his first Homecoming game, freshman QB Ben Gocella lit up the scoreboard. He passed for 219 yards on 12 completions, throwing four touchdown passes on the day. Gocella is the first Brockport quarterback to throw for four scores in five years. Gocella linked up with three different receivers for his four touchdown passes. James Altenburger had another big day, finishing with two touchdowns on three catches for 63 yards. Freshman wideout Nolan Slywka posted his first career 100-yard receiving game, totaling six catches for 104 yards and a touchdown. Alex Card took his only reception for a 41-yard touchdown.
 
Defensive Playmakers: Ben Robinson's total of 49 tackles (18 solo, 31 assisted) leads the team and ranks eighth in the E8. He is also fifth in the conference with nine tackles for a loss to go with three total sacks. Kyle Haettich is having a big year with big plays all over defensively. On the season he has notched 39 total tackles, seven pass breakups, and two interceptions. Haettich ranks third in the Empire 8 in interceptions, while teammate Louie Usera is tied for first in the E8 with three including one pick-six.
 
The Ground Attack: Gino Fontanarosa found the endzone twice against Hartwick, as he is tied for the lead in the conference with eight rushing touchdowns. He leads the Brockport backfield with 433 yards on 77 carries for an average of 5.6 yards per carry. Jala Coad has totaled 282 yards on the ground to go with five rushing scores. The Brockport offense ranks second in the conference in rushing touchdowns (18), third in rushing yards per game (193.8), and third in total rushing yards (1,163).
 
Gocella's Debut Season: Ben Gocella remains undefeated at 4-0 as the starting QB for the Green and Gold in his freshman season. The Orchard Park product is completing more than 50% of his passes to total 648 yards, nine touchdowns, and just two interceptions on the year. He is averaging 162 passing yards a game and owns a rating of 152.54.
 
The Wideouts: Freshman Nolan Slywka leads the receiver group so far this year with 270 yards on 23 receptions to go with three touchdowns. Tight end James Altenburger has heated up as of late, now with four receiving touchdowns on 12 receptions for 197 yards. Alex Card, Tyler Ronk, Liam O'Mara, and Gino Fontanarosa have all caught touchdowns for the Green and Gold.
 
Special Teams Threat: The Golden Eagles have gotten significant contributions from their special teams this year. In total they have blocked four kicks, caused a safety, recovered a fumbled punt for a touchdown, and returned a punt for a score. Last game against Hartwick it was Liam O'Mara that provided the highlight by blocking a punt which setup Brockport's first score of the game.
 
Kicking Excellence: Punter Dan Giangrasso and kicker Nate Wigent together are the top kicking duo in the Empire 8. Giangrasso's average of 42.93 yards per punt ranks sixth in the nation. 12 of his kicks have landed inside the 20, while he has booted six punts 50 yards or more. Wigent has seen nothing but success in 2023. He is one of few kickers in the country to be 100% on the season on field goals (3-for-3) and extra points (31-for-31).
 
Looking at Morrisville: The Mustangs enter week eight 2-5 overall with a 0-3 conference mark, looking to snap a three-game losing streak. QB Steven Frerichs has thrown for 1,350 yards and eight touchdowns, but has also been picked off nine times this year. Frerichs is the lone Mustang to rush for a touchdown, finding the endzone on his own five times. His top two targets are Jarrell Chaney (31rec, 508yds) and Quamel Jarvis (23rec, 277yds), both with three touchdown receptions. Alex McBurnie leads the offense with 334 rushing yards, averaging 5.0 yards per carry on the year. Defensively, DB Evan Salvaggio leads the nation with 85 total tackles (42 solo, 43 assisted). Teammate Darrius Fulton has made 65 stops (26 solo, 39 assisted) from his linebacker spot.
 
Up Next: The Golden Eagles will return home next weekend for yet another Empire 8 battle on Saturday, October 28^th. They play host to the Utica University Pioneers at Bob Boozer Field for a 2pm kickoff.