Brockport, NY – The Golden Eagle football team is on the road in week nine for yet another Empire 8 battle. This week they travel to Utica University to face the Pioneers for a 12pm kickoff at Charles A. Gaetano Stadium.
 
DATE – TIME: November 2^nd, 2024 – 12pm
LOCATION: Utica, NY | Charles A. Gaetano Stadium
LINKS: Live Video | Live Stats
 
Making it 5 in a Row: The Golden Eagles blanked Morrisville on at home last week, 24-0, for their fourth consecutive shutout victory this season (program-record). Brockport is now 6-1 overall and 4-0 in the Empire 8 after extending its win streak to five.
 
The defense once again kept the opposing team from getting on the scoreboard, proving why Brockport has the top ranked scoring defense in the nation (6.29 ppg). Brockport held Morrisville to 172 yards of total offense, including just 30 yards rushing on 32 carries (0.9 ypc). The Golden Eagles had four takeaways in this one (3 INT, 1 FR)  and got after the Morrisville quarterback with six sacks.
 
Elijah Grooms had a big day for the defense, causing three turnovers from his secondary position. Grooms forced one fumble and had two interceptions, including a 35-yard interception ran back for a touchdown. Ben Robinson led the team with 13 total tackles and 2.5 sacks. Mike Talbert Jr. got in for the stop on nine tackles to go with 2.0 tackles for loss, 1.0 sacks, and two pass breakups. Andre Marianetti had a great outing as well with nine tackles, 0.5 sacks, 3.5 tackles for loss, and a fumble recovery. Dawin Fanor had his best day of the season with a pass breakup to go with five tackles, 4.0 tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks.
 
Offensively, it was another strong showing for the sophomore back, Isaiah Simmons. Simmons totaled 155 rushing yards, 14 receiving yards on two catches, and found the endzone twice on the ground. Breaking the century mark for the fourth time this year, he scored from 13 and 24 yards out against the Mustangs on Saturday. Ben Gocella threw for 104 yards in the game, helping lead the offense to 293 yards of total offense for the game. Nolan Slywka had three receptions for 64 yards to lead the receiving corp.


Big Week for Grooms:  On Monday, the Empire 8 announced the Elijah Grooms was selected as the E8 Football Defensive Player of the Week and on Tuesday he added to his accolades. Grooms was selected by the popular media outlet, D3football.com, as a member of the D3football.com National Team of the Week. It is the third time this season a Brockport defender has earned this weekly honor.

Grooms put together a career day in the 24-0 win over Morrisville, helping the Golden Eagles defense extend its program record with a fourth straight shutout. From the secondary he had two interceptions and forced a fumble in the game. His second interception sealed the win, as he ran it back 35 yards for touchdown late in the fourth quarter. Grooms also chipped in with three total tackles (2 solo), including 1.5 tackles for loss.
 
Dangerous Defense: Already heading into last week's game as one of the most fierce defenses in the country, the Golden Eagles posted yet another shutout performance. They now have five shutouts in 2024, including four in a row to outscore opponents 194-17 during the team's current 5-game win streak. This season, Brockport has still yet to allow any teams from New York get on the scoreboard. Here's a look at all the statistical categories the Brockport defense ranks inside the Top 25 nationally:
 
1^st – Scoring Defense (6.29 ppg)
2^nd – Red Zone Defense (.417 pct)
4^th – Team Passing Efficiency Defense (89.47 pass. eff.)
5^th – Rushing Defense (47.3 ypg)
6^th – 1^st Down Defense (78 allowed)
T-6^th – Team Tackles for Loss (9.1 per game)
7^th – Total Defense (200.0 ypg)
T-11^th – Turnovers Gained (18)
12^th – 3^rd Down Conversion Defense (.260 pct)
T-20^th – Passes Intercepted (11)
T-21^st – Team Sacks (3.14 per game)
25^th – Fumbles Recovered (7)
25^th – Passing Yards Allowed (152.7 ypg)
 
Simmons Marching Along: Isaiah Simmons reclaimed his spot as the Empire 8's leading rusher after going for 155 yards and two scores on 26 carries last week. For the season he now has 802 rushing yards (13^th in D3), 12 rushing touchdowns (T-6^th in D3), 7.38 yards per carry (10^th in D3), and 113.9 yards per game (13^th in D3). Behind a strong offensive line, the Golden Eagles average 193.6 rushing yards a game this season for the second best rushing attack in the E8.
 
Gocella's Aerial Attack: Currently having the best season of his career, sophomore Ben Gocella has racked up 1,390 passing yards for 14 touchdowns (Both 3^rd in the E8). Completing 61.8% of his passes (2^nd in the E8), Gocella is averaging 198.6 yards passing a game. Nolan Slywka has been the top target through the air this season. With 34 receptions, 505 yards, and six touchdowns, Slywka ranks Top 5 in the E8 in each category. Daniel Manneh has been critical as well with 29 catches for 449 yards and three scores. Brian Caldwell Jr. has seen the endzone three times as well in the passing game (2 rec, 186 yds).
 
Sure Tacklers: Brockport's leading tackler is Ben Robinson with 59 total tackles on the season, which ranks T-3^rd in the Empire 8. He also has 6.0 tackles for loss for the dominant Green and Gold defensive unit. Mike Talbert Jr. is second on the squad with his 42 total stops. Talbert's 9.5 tackles for loss leads the team and is also third in the conference. Dawin Fanor (8.5 TFL) and Andre Marianetti (7.5 TFL) have both caused problems in the backfield, as both rank Top 10 in the E8 in tackles for loss.
 
 
Takeaway Artists: With 18 takeaways (11 INT, 7 FR) on the season, Brockport is T-11^th in the nation in turnovers gained. A trio of Golden Eagles have come up with three interceptions in the secondary in Malik Kelly, Kyle Haettich, and Elijah Grooms. Mike Talbert Jr. also has made plays in the passing game with two picks this season. Furthermore, both Haettich and Grooms have one pick-6 each.
 
Marqwan Fluitt leads the team with two forced fumbles, while Jayson Thomas is first on the team with two fumble recoveries. Thomas is joined by Malik Kelly, Elijah Grooms, and Christopher Leahy with one forced fumble each. Brockport has gotten fumble recoveries from Kyle Haettich, Mike Talbert Jr, Andre Marianetti, Jahmere Clarke, and Brady Schnell.
 
No QB is Safe: Brockport's defense is T-21^st in the nation with an average of 3.14 sacks per game and leads the Empire 8 with 22 total sacks. Ben Robinson is T-1^st in the Empire 8 with 5.0 sacks (4 solo) and Mike Talbert Jr. is third with 4.5 sacks (4 solo). Andre Marianetti is third on the team with 2.5 sacks to his name. The Golden Eagles had six sacks last week against Morrisville, with Robinson credited with 2.5 sacks and Dawin Fanor chipping in 1.5 sacks.
 
Special Teams Play: Dan Giangrasso continues to lead the E8 with his average of 43.4 yards per punt, which would be good for fourth in all D3 football. The star punter has seven kicks of 50+ yards this year and has downed opponents inside the 20 eight times. Sal Montaperto is 4-for-6 this season on field goal tries and 30-for-33 on extra points.
 
Daniel Manneh has both the longest punt return (81-yard TD) and kick return (65 yards) for the Brockport special teams. Cameron Mesh has been the primary punt returner (17 ret/112 yds), while Joshua Limage has been the main kick returner this season (8 ret/164 yds).
 
 
Looking at the Pioneers: Utica enters week nine of the 2024 season at 3-4 overall and 1-3 in the E8 after losing three straight games. The recent loss to Morrisville (28-26) and Alfred (38-34) were both decided by one score. Offensively, quarterback Brett Fuller leads the way with 1,426 passing yards and 16 touchdowns. He is paired in the backfield with Matt Brantley, who has rushed for 612 yards and six touchdowns. Defensively the Pioneers highlight Eli Douglass in the secondary (1^st in E8 w/ 4 INT) and John Stroughn rushing the edge (T-1^st in E8 w/ 5.0 sacks).
 
Brockport vs Utica: The Golden Eagles have won six of the last seven meetings with the Utica Pioneers. They took care of business at Bob Boozer Field last season against Utica, marching to a 38-3 victory. In 2022 however, the Pioneers got the better of Brockport, 35-21, on their home field. The 2023 matchup was lopsided, as Brockport dominated from start to finish. Four different ball carriers found the endzone for the Golden Eagles, while the defense held Utica to just 64 total yards of offense.
 
Empire 8 Standings: Take a look at the full conference standings heading into this weekend's slate of games:

1. Cortland (7-0, 5-0 E8)
2. Brockport (6-1, 4-0 E8)
3. Morrisvlle (3-4, 2-2 E8)
4. St. John Fisher (3-4, 2-2 E8)
5. Alfred (4-3, 2-2 E8)
6. Utica (3-4, 1-3 E8)
7. Hartwick (2-5, 1-3 E8)
8. Hilbert (0-8, 0-5 E8)

 
Coming Up: All eyes will be on Brockport's week 10 matchup against the No. 2 Cortland Red Dragons on Saturday, November 9^th. It will be Senior Day for the Golden Eagles just ahead of a 12pm kickoff for this crucial E8 showdown.