Brockport, NY – It is Homecoming Weekend at SUNY Brockport on Saturday, October 7^th when the Golden Eagle football team hosts Hartwick. This Empire 8 Conference matchup is scheduled to kickoff at 1pm on Bob Boozer Field.
 
DATE – TIME: October 7^th, 2023 – 1pm
LOCATION: Bob Boozer Field – Brockport, NY
LINKS: Video | Stats | Tickets
 
Homecoming Weekend: Starting on Thursday, it is officially Homecoming on the campus of SUNY Brockport. There will be multiple special events held throughout the weekend to celebrate. Included this weekend will be this year's Hall of Fame Ceremony for Brockport Athletics. Check the following link to see more information about all the events scheduled for 2023 Homecoming Weekend in Brockport: https://shorturl.at/pABKP.
 
Coach to Cure MD: This year marks the 16^th Annual Coach to Cure MD campaign, as Brockport is partnering with the American Football Coaches Association for the yearly charity. An initiative of Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (PPMD), Coach to Cure MD was launched with the American Football Coaches Association in 2008 and now includes most major college coaches, and coaches in all divisions. Join the fight at EndDuchenne.org.
 
Week 5 Recap: The Golden Eagles defeated St. John Fisher, 35-18, in the 18th Annual Courage Bowl on Saturday night. The Golden Eagles improved to 4-1 overall and 1-0 in Empire 8 play with a six consecutive win over the Cardinals in the Courage Bowl.

The Golden Eagle offense had a balanced attack on the ground and through the air, taking advantage of good field position throughout the game. They totaled 288 yards of offense, gaining 145 from the ground and 143 through the air. Averaging a healthy 6.0 yards per play for the night, Brockport scored three passing touchdowns and a pair of rushing touchdowns against the Cardinals.

On the defensive side of the ball, Brockport allowed 339 yards of total offense and double-digit points (18) for the first time all season. Despite that, the nationally recognized unit forced two turnovers by the way of interceptions from Louie Usera (2 INT, 48yds). The Golden Eagles also made key stops on a pair of 2-point conversions, a big fourth down play, and forced multiple three and outs.
 
Defensive Player of the Week: On Monday, Louie Usera of the Brockport football team was named the Empire 8 Defensive Player of the Week. Over the weekend, Usera came up with two interceptions and four tackles in a win over St. John Fisher.
 
He had his first interception late in the second quarter, which led to a Brockport touchdown and 21-6 lead at the half. With Brockport ahead 21-12 and Fisher driving midway through the fourth quarter, he picked off another pass and returned the ball 48 yards as Brockport would score to put the game away shortly thereafter.
 
Usera leads the Brockport defense with three interceptions on the year. He has now recorded picks in back-to-back games and recovered a fumble for touchdown earlier in the season. The defensive back also has two breakups and 17 total tackles in 2023.
 
Around the Empire 8: Week five brought on the start of conference play for the Empire 8. Three teams opened up league play with a win, three are now 0-1 in E8 play, and Alfred had a bye week which delayed conference play for the Saxons. Here is the full listing of the current standings heading into week six:
 
Brockport: 1-0
Utica: 1-0
Cortland: 1-0
Alfred: 0-0
Hartwick: 0-1
Morrisville: 0-1
St. John Fisher: 0-1
 
Stonewall Defense: Brockport's defense has been dominant, allowing double-digit points just once through five weeks. Giving opposing offenses an average of just 8.0 points per game, this defensive unit ranks sixth in the nation in scoring defense. The Green and Gold also rank ninth in all of DIII football by allowing only 208.8 yards a game. In the Empire 8, the team is second in rushing defense (91.4 yds/g), first in passing defense (121.0 yds/g), second in sacks (9 for 63 yds), and first in interceptions (6 for 115 yds & 1 TD).
 
O-Line Impact: The big unit in front for the Golden Eagle offense has paved the way all season long. As one of the strongest offensive lines in the Empire 8, they lead the charge for the third highest scoring offense in the conference (32.8 ppg). The O-Line has also allowed just three sacks so far, which is tied for 17^th best in the country. Due to the ability to generate a push at the line of scrimmage, Brockport's offense has scored on 100% of its trips to the redzone (19-for-19) to tie with 11 other teams for first in the nation.
 
Gocella Getting it Done: With just three collegiate starts under his belt, freshman QB Ben Gocella is 3-0 as the starter for Brockport this year. Against Fisher he totaled 143 passing yards and three touchdowns on 11-for-18 passing. He is the first Brockport quarterback to throw for three scores since 2019. On the season, Gocella has passed for 429 yards and five touchdowns on a 60% completion percentage.
 
Championship-Level Discipline: Five games into the season, the Golden Eagles have been disciplined between the lines and avoiding penalties. They rank ninth in the country, committing just 3.4 penalties per game. This comes with the 18^th fewest penalty yards per game (34.2), T-24^th in fewest penalties (17), and the 45^th fewest penalty yards (171). Brockport is the only team in the Empire 8 to have less than 20 penalties five weeks into the season.
 
The Rushing Attack: Brockport's offense leads the Empire 8 with 212 total rush attempts, 968 rushing yards on the season, and with 14 rushing touchdowns. With 193.6 rushing yards a game, the team ranks second in the conference. Totaling 362 yards on 67 carries, Gino Fontanarosa is tied for 20^th in the nation with six rushing touchdowns. He is averaging a healthy 5.4 yards per carry on the season. Jala Coad has found the endzone five times on the ground, totaling 282 yards on 66 carries.
 
Up High for 85: Tight End James Altenburger had a big game last weekend against St. John Fisher. With five catches for 82 receiving yards, the 6'5" senior caught two touchdowns in the road win. The all-conference select is now averaging 14.89 yards per reception for the Green and Gold offense.
 
Getting Stops: With 38 total tackles (12 solo, 26 assisted) to his name, Ben Robinson leads the Brockport defense. Robinson is joined by Jayson Thomas with 4.0 tackles for a loss. Kyle Haettich has come up with 36 stops, while Mike Talbert Jr. totaled 31 tackles (8.5 TFL) in four games before missing the game against St. John Fisher. Robinson and Dylan Mann both have 1.5 sacks on the year from the linebacker spot.
 
Strong Secondary: Brockport's secondary ranks among the best in all of NCAA Division III, ranking Top-10 in the country allowing just 121.0 passing yards a game. The secondary's passing efficiency defense ranks fourth in the nation (73.52). Three defensive backs are Top-10 in the Empire 8 in pass breakups including Kyle Haettich (7), Malik Kelly (4), and Raylens Boutin (3). Louie Usera leads the conference with his three interceptions, and he has the lone pick-six in the Empire 8.
 
Special Team Highlights: So far in the 2023 campaign, the Golden Eagle special teams unit has come up with plenty of game changing plays. They have blocked three different kicks, with Mike Talbert Jr., Vincent Daviero, and Ryan Jafarjian all getting hands on a punt/field goal attempt. Brockport has also produced a pair of touchdowns and a safety on special teams. Raylens Boutin broke free on a punt return for a score, while Louie Usera fell on a fumbled kick for a touchdown. Jafarjian's blocked punt against Susquehanna resulted in the team's lone safety on the season. Brockport is Top-20 in the country in blocked kicks (3) and Top-25 in punt return average (15.6). Boutin's punt return average of 16.17 yards ranks 11^th in the nation. The Golden Eagles have won four of the five Empire 8 Special Teams Player of the Week awards this season.
 
Big Boots: Dan Giangrasso and Nate Wigent have both been consistently reliable for Brockport through five games. The Preseason All-American punter is currently ranked sixth in the nation with a mark of 43.26 yards per punt. Giangrasso leads the Empire 8 across the board with 11 kicks inside the 20, six punts of 50 or more yards, and has the longest registered punt of the year (74 yards). Wigent has been perfect thus far with all of his extra point and field goal attempts. The senior kicker is 3-for-3 on field goals and 23-for-23 on point after attempts.
 
Scouting Hartwick: The Hartwick Hawks are 1-4 overall and fell to Utica, 48-7, in week five for an 0-1 start to Empire 8 competition. They are giving up an average of 37.2 points per game to opponents, while scoring 14.6 points a game offensively. Already gaining just 3.0 yards per carry, Hartwick has a tough matchup with a Brockport defense allowing just 2.8 yards a carry this year. #4 Carlvin McDonald is rushing for 50 yards a game and has found the endzone twice this season. #10 Dennis Riordan is throwing for 141 yards a game, completing 55.6% of his passes for five passing touchdowns. His favorite target, #11 Nate Rath has caught five touchdown passes as part of his 29 receptions for 517 yards through the air. Rath is currently the second leading receiver in the E8, averaging 103.4 receiving yards a game. The Golden Eagles are currently on a 10-game win streak against Hartwick in the series between the two programs.
 
After the Bye Week: The Golden Eagles have their bye week following Homecoming Weekend, getting extra prep time for week seven's game. Brockport will head to Morrisville State College on Saturday, October 21^st for a 1pm kickoff.