Brockport, NY – This weekend the Golden Eagle football team travels to face the No. 16 Cortland Red Dragons to decide who will be crowned the 2023 Empire 8 Champions. Kickoff is scheduled for 12pm on Saturday at Grady Field at the SUNY Cortland Stadium Complex.
 
DATE –TIME: Saturday, November 4^th – 12pm
LOCATION: Cortland, NY – Grady Field
LINKS: Video | Stats | Radio
 
Back in the E8 Title Game: Back in 2019 Brockport defeated Cortland on the road in overtime, 32-26, on the way to repeating as Empire 8 champs for the third year in a row. Since then the Golden Eagles have gone 4-2 in the conference in back-to-back season, missing out on a chance to add to the trophy case. Now in 2023 the Green and Gold enter game nine on the scheduled with a chance to reclaim the Empire 8 Title from Cortland. The winner of Saturday's game will have locked up the conference championship and an automatic bid into the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament. Since the 2017 season, the Empire 8 Title has been won by either Brockport or Cortland each year.
 
Top-5 Offense vs Top-5 Defense: Saturday's battle will feature one of the best offensive and defensive units in the country facing off. Averaging 52.6 points per game, Cortland ranks fifth in the country in scoring offense. With 73 points last week against Hartwick, the Red Dragons tied the program record for single-game scoring. They are also ranked fifth in the nation with 538.5 yards of total offense per game. Brockport's defense is one of the best in the country and is set to face its toughest test this week. This unit now ranks first nationally in total defense (155.1 ypg) and third nationally in scoring defense (5.38 ppg). The Golden Eagles are highly ranked in several other categories too, as they prepare to stop Cortland's high-powered offense.
 
D3football Team of the Week: On Tuesday, October 31^st the Golden Eagle offensive line was chosen to the D3football.com Team of the Week, presented by Scoutware. Scott Ochsner, Joseph Delgado, Adam Montalvo, Jacob Lucier, and Nicholas Kalke were recognized for their work up front for the offense.
 
The Golden Eagles offensive line unit paved the way for a sixth straight win, as Brockport defeated Utica, 38-3. They helped the offense rack up 288 rushing yards on 56 carries to average 5.1 yards per carry for the game. Brockport found the end zone four times on the ground and dominated time of possession with a season-high 40:36 compared to Utica's 19:24.
 
The Golden Eagle offense is averaging 222.5 rushing yards per game behind Offensive Coordinator Steve Potter's offensive line group. In total they are gaining 359.1 yards per game and putting up 40.25 points per game, which ranks 26^th in the nation. Through eight games, the unit upfront has only given up five sacks on the year to rank 13^th in the country in fewest sacks allowed.
 
Defensive Dominance: As highlighted in a recent article published by D3football.com's Brian Lester, the Brockport defense "has played a pivotal role" for this Golden Eagle team (Full Article Here). As one of the best defensive units in the nation, Defensive Coordinator Mike Fox has his players fighting to defend each and every yard. Due to the defenses work keeping teams out of the endzone, Brockport has given up just four touchdowns all year and is outscoring opponents 322-43 on the year. As a nationally recognized defense, Brockport's defense ranks nationally in multiple categories:
 
1^st in Total Defense – 155.1 ypg
2^nd in Fewest 1^st Downs Allowed – 79
2^nd in Passing Defense – 99.1 ypg
2^nd in Passing Efficiency Defense – 71.94 pass. eff.
3^rd in Scoring Defense – 5.38 ppg
5^th in 3^rd Down Defense – .216 pct
11^th in Rushing Defense – 56.0 ypg
T-13^th in Tackles for Loss – 8.5 tflpg
 
Just Keep Winning: Last week the Golden Eagles took care of business at home, defeating the Utica University Pioneers, 38-3. They have now won six games in a row, improving to 7-1 overall and 4-0 in the Empire 8. With the only loss coming to nationally-ranked Susquehanna, Brockport's hot streak has put the team in the conversation for D3football.com's Top-25 poll. For the fourth week in a row, Brockport is in the receiving votes category in the nationally-recognized poll.
 
Last Time Out: It was yet another fantastic performance from the Brockport defense in the win over Utica, allowing a total of just 64 yards of offense (83 passing, -19 rushing). The Golden Eagles only gave Utica four first downs in the game, making it back-to-back weeks they have done so. This also marks the third week in a row the Brockport defense has kept the opponent to less than 100 yards of total offense. In the last three games, opposing offenses have scored a total of three points. Offensively, the Green and Gold have broken 400 yards of total offense for the third game in a row. Following behind the big offensive line up front, Brockport rushed for 288 yards and four touchdowns against Utica. To go with the work on the ground, the offense put up 137 yards through the air with one passing touchdown.
 
Defensive Front Seven: Leading the effort to control the line of scrimmage on defense is Brockport's strong crew of lineman and linebackers. Ryan Culhane, Jayson Thomas, and Joseph Rodda have held it down on the line in Brockport's 3-man front. Behind them is a dominant group of linebackers made up of Ben Robinson, Mike Talbert Jr., Vincent Daviero, and Dylan Mann. Both Talbert and Robinson have at least 10.0 tackles for a loss and 3.5 sacks each to lead the defense. The starting defensive front is responsible for a total of 16 QB hurries, three forced fumbles, 13.0 sacks, and 14 pass breakups. Robinson leads the team with 58 total tackles on the season from his linebacker spot.
 
Next Level Playmakers: A dominant defense isn't complete without a strong secondary capable of making big plays. This year's starting group of Louie Usera, Kyle Haettich, Raylens Boutin, and Malik Kelly have done just that. Usera (3), Haettich (2), and Boutin (1) have all come up with interceptions for the Golden Eagles. Between these four members of the secondary, they have totaled 17 pass breakups, three QB hurries, 3.0 sacks, and one forced fumble. Safety Kyle Haettich is second on the team with 47 total tackles.
 
Busy Backfield: Splitting handoffs with a committee of running backs this season. Brockport's offense ranks 19^th in the nation with 222.5 rushing yards per game. Five different ball carriers have found the endzone at least three times this season for the offense. Before going down with an injury, Gino Fontanarosa racked up 464 yards and eight rushing scores. Jala Coad has totaled 420 rushing yards and six scores. Freshmen Cameron Mesh and Isaiah Simmons have both struck paydirt four times in their debut season. Chris McGuire has contributed three scores on the ground.
 
Splitting Snaps: Ben Gocella remains the starting quarterback for the Golden Eagles offense, but recently has strategically split time with Chris McGuire the last couple weeks. In six starts as a freshman, Gocella is undefeated as QB1 since earning the starting role. On the season he has thrown for 811 yards and 12 touchdowns with just three interceptions. McGuire has completed three passes for 55 yards and a touchdown this year, but has done most of his damage with his legs. This past week he rushed for 80 yards and a touchdown, after finding the endzone twice the game before.
 
Aerial Threats: Only two different pass catchers have found the endzone multiple times this season for the Green and Gold. Tight end James Altenburger leads the team with five touchdown receptions on the season. Overall he has 15 receptions for 224 yards. Freshman Nolan Slywka has been a threat as well in the passing game. The 6'3" wideout has a team-high 27 receptions and 328 yards to go with his four touchdowns.
 
Reliable Kicking: Brockport's punter, Dan Giangrasso, remains Top-10 in the nation in the 2023 campaign. He ranks eighth in the country with an average of 41.8 yards per punt to go with seven kicks of 50+ and 13 punts downed inside the 20. Teammate Nate Wigent is also having a great year as the Green and Gold placekicker. He is perfect so far this season when called upon. Wigent has made good on all four of his field goal attempts and is 43-for-43 on extra points.
 
Red Zone Efficiency: So far in 2023, when the Golden Eagles get the ball inside the 20-yard line it is nearly guaranteed they are coming away with points. They are currently tied for the eighth best red zone offense in the nation. Scoring on 37 of 39 trips to the red zone, Brockport has crossed the goal line on 33 of those trips with four field goals to go with.
 
Special Team Plays: Special Teams Coordinator Matt Arita has put his unit in a position to be successful all season. Brockport special teams is responsible for four blocked kicks, two touchdowns, and a safety this year. Mike Talbert Jr. and Vincent Daviero have both blocked field goals. Liam O'Mara and Ryan Jafarjian each blocked one punt, while Jafarjian's block resulted in a safety. On the punt return, Raylens Boutin ranks fifth in the country with his average of 17.3 yards per return. He accounts for one score on special teams with a 42-yard punt return for a touchdown. Louie Usera made a heads up play on punt coverage, recovering a fumble for a score. Brockport also currently has the 29^th best kick return coverage unit, allowing just 15.4 yards per return to opposing teams.
 
Championship-Level Discipline: Playing clean and disciplined football on both sides of the ball are key for any winning team. Head Coach Jason Mangone has his squad currently ranked fifth in the nation in fewest penalties, with just 26 flags on the season so far. The Golden Eagles are also among the best in the country in fewest penalties per game (4^th – 3.25), penalty yards (T-18^th – 280), and penalty yards per game (T-13^th – 35.0). Brockport has not given up many free first downs defensively and stays on schedule offensively due to this strong level of discipline.
 
Against Cortland: In the highly anticipated Empire 8 showdown between Brockport and Cortland, the most recent history favors the Red Dragons. They pulled out wins in back-to-back meetings with the Golden Eagles. Last season it was a 42-24 game at Bob Boozer, with 2021's game showing a 31-10 result out in Cortland. In 2019, Brockport won a 32-26 overtime game on the road for a fourth straight win against its E8 rival. Overall in the head-to-head series, Cortland leads convincingly 52-19-2 all-time. However, in the Mangone era at Brockport, the team is 6-3 against the Red Dragons since he took over in 2013.
 
Scouting the Red Dragons: At 7-1 overall and 5-0 in the Empire 8, the nationally-ranked Red Dragons are on a 5-game win streak heading into Saturday's clash with Brockport. Currently at No. 16 in the latest national poll, Cortland's lone loss came against No. 11 Susquehanna, 38-35. QB Zac Boyes is lighting it up again this season. He has thrown for 1,970 yards for 24 touchdowns with just one interception. The backfield features Jaden AlfanoStJohn and Ashton Capone, who have combined for over 1,000 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns. JJ Laap is the leading receiver, totaling 37 receptions for 744 yards and 10 touchdowns. Defensively, Jack Winey has been all over the field with 77 total tackles. Max Llewellyn has been an effective pass rusher with 3.0 sacks and 12 QB hurries. Luke Winslow has two interceptions and three pass breakups to lead the secondary.
 
Looking Ahead to Senior Day: With just one final game left on the regular season schedule, Brockport will host Alfred University for Senior Day on Saturday, November 11^th. Prior to the 12pm kickoff at Bob Boozer Field, the senior class of 24 players will be recognized and honored.