Brockport, NY – The SUNY Brockport football team is back home at Bob Boozer Field this weekend for another out of conference game. The Golden Eagles will welcome the Lycoming College Warriors for a 12pm kickoff on Saturday, September 23^rd.
 
DATE – TIME: September 23^rd, 2023 – 12pm
LOCATION: Bob Boozer Field – Brockport, NY
LINKS: Video | Stats | Game Notes
 
Week 2 Recap: The SUNY Brockport football team took care of business on the road against the Wilkes University Colonels. Brockport pulled out the 31-7 victory, improving to 2-1 on the season.
 
Brockport made game-winning plays in all three phases of the game for the bounce-back win in week three. The defense fought hard not to give anything up, the offense scored on the ground and through the air, and the special teams unit had two big plays.
 
The Golden Eagles defense didn't allow much to happen for the opposing offense, allowing just 145 yards of total offense in the game. They forced two turnovers coming from a Raylens Boutin interception and a fumble caused by Dylan Mann, recovered by Ryan Culhane. Wilkes was only able to gain 10 first downs for the game, being held to an average of 2.7 yards per play.
 
Mike Talbert Jr. continues his impressive season, leading the defense with eight total tackles and one pass breakup. Talbert also got a hand on the ball to block a field goal for the Golden Eagles. Ben Robinson made seven stops, and was credited with 1.5 tackles for a loss. Mann got the lone sack of the day for the Green and Gold. Kyle Haettich caused disruptions in the passing game with three breakups.
 
Fontanarosa got loose in the running game for a long score to go with his long touchdown reception. His 70-yard rushing touchdown in the first quarter led him to 113 yards on the ground for the day. Overall he totaled two touchdowns and 174 yards of offense in the week three victory. Jala Coad also found the endzone to cap of his day with 21 carries for 77 yards.
 
The special teams unit continues to stay hot for the Golden Eagles. They have scored points on special teams in all three games so far this season. Against the Colonels, Louie Usera recovered a muffed punt for a touchdown in the first quarter. Brockport also blocked a field goal for the second game in a row. Mike Talbert Jr. was in on the play this week, denying Wilkes of three potential points.
 
Another Special Teams Award: On Monday the Empire 8 decided that Mike Talbert Jr. would be the Special Teams Player of the Week. The Golden Eagles have now earned the conference's weekly honor for special teams for three straight weeks.
 
Late in the second quarter against Wilkes, Talbert got his hand in to block a field goal attempt for Brockport's special teams unit. This is the team's third blocked kick in the last two weeks. Talbert also added eight total tackles in the game (3 solo, 5 assisted) to go with a pass breakup.
 
The Golden Eagle special teams have blocked three kicks and scored three times this year. They blocked a punt and a field goal in week two to go with Talbert's block in week three. The unit has also caused a safety, fell on a muffed punt for a touchdown, and ran a punt back for a score.
 
Fighting for Every Inch: Week in and week out the Golden Eagle defense makes it difficult for the opposing offense to gain any ground. After three games they have only allowed one touchdown to be scored. Allowing an average of 6.33 points per game, Brockport ranks 10^th in the nation in scoring defense. The team is also 13^th in defensive passing efficiency with a rating of 80.87. The Green and Gold ranks 21^st nationally in passing yards allowed (130.7 per game) and 23^rd in the country in total defense (227.3 yards per game).
 
Keep it on the Ground: With 127 rushing attempts in three games, the Brockport offense ranks first in the Empire 8 in total rushes. The team ranks third with an average mark of 182.7 rushing yards a game and is gaining 4.3 yards a carry. Jala Coad leads the backfield with 226 yards and three scores, while Gino Fontanarosa has 170 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
 
Block That Kick: Brockport is currently tied for fifth in the country in blocked kicks among all DIII schools. With three blocks, the special teams group has caused issues in back-to-back weeks for opposing teams. In week two against Susquehanna, the Green and Gold blocked a punt (Ryan Jafarjian) and a field goal (Vincent Daviero). Last week it was Mike Talbert Jr. who got a hand on the ball to block a kick.  
 
Special Teams Scoring: Three weeks in a row the Golden Eagles special teams unit, coached by Special Teams Coordinator Matt Arita, have put points on the board. In week one it came from a punt returned for a 42-yard touchdown by Raylens Boutin. In the second game, Ryan Jafarjian blocked a punt for a safety to score for the Green and Gold. In week three it was on the punt coverage team to get involved. After a fumbled punt by Wilkes, Louie Usera recovered the ball for a touchdown.
 
Big Play Gino: Gino Fontanarosa showed off his explosiveness this past weekend with a pair of big plays offensively. On the first drive of the game, he broke free for a 70-yard touchdown run. His career-long rushing score is the longest play from scrimmage for Brockport since 2019. Fontanarosa also scored on a 61-yard reception in the contest. He finished the day with two scores and a total of 174 of all-purpose yards in the win.
 
Gocella's Debut: In week three against Wilkes University, freshman quarterback Ben Gocella made his collegiate debut. Getting the first start of his career, Gocella went 8-for-17 in the passing game. He totaled 98 yards through the air and recorded his first career touchdown pass.
 
Studs on D: Mike Talbert Jr. has made plays each week for this stout defensive unit that Brockport puts on the field. The junior linebacker is tied for first on the team with Ben Robinson, each with a total of 26 tackles. Talbert has also made 6.0 tackles for a loss of 32 yards, 1.0 sacks for a loss of 16 yards, and has five pass breakups. Robinson has deflected three passes to go with 4.0 tackles for a loss.
 
Raylens Boutin and Kyle Haettich have both been active playing in the Golden Eagle secondary. Boutin has 19 tackles, one breakup, and an interception through three games. Haettich got in to make 20 total stops and four pass breakups. He also has one interception, one forced fumble, and a fumble recovery.
 
Big Red's Boot: Brockport's Preseason All-American punter has been effective as expected going into the year. Averaging 40.95 yards per punt, Dan Giangrasso is currently second in the Empire 8. He leads the conference with seven punts pinned down inside the 20 and has had three kicks of 50 or more yards.
 
Making it Look Easy: Kicker Nate Wigent couldn't have asked for a better start to his senior season. Going into the fourth week of the campaign, he has made every kick attempted so far. Wigent is 2-for-2 on field goals, hitting from 30 yards out on both tries. He is also perfect on his extra point attempts, making all 10 of his PATs.
 
Meet the Lycoming Warriors: Lycoming is looking for its first win of the season still, owning a record of 0-3 heading into week four. It started with a 42-21 defeat at the hands of Widener before a week two blowout against Cortland, 62-7. Last week the Warriors came up short, 38-35, against Utica. Their offense is currently averaging 270.3 yards per game, while the defense is allowing 513.0 yards per game. Saturday will be the first chapter in the story between these two programs, as it marks the first ever game for Brockport and Lycoming.
 
Courage Bowl Coming Up: After the home game in week four, the Golden Eagles will gear up for the annual Courage Bowl against St. John Fisher. This special event for Camp Good Days is scheduled for a 6pm start on Saturday, September 30^th at Fisher's Growney Stadium.