Alfred, NY – The Brockport Golden Eagles fell to Alfred University in the regular season finale, 23-14, on the road. Brockport drops to 7-3 overall and 5-2 in the Empire 8 following the loss.
 
The first quarter saw a slow start for both offenses, as each defense was able to force early punts. The hosting Saxons would strike first, with a strong drive in the opening period. A 24-yard rushing touchdown finished an 11-play, 66-yard drive to give Alfred a 7-0 lead.
 
On Brockport's next drive, QB Anthony Vino and RB Isaiah Simmons would even the score. The duo combined for 72 rushing yards on a 9-play drive that resulted in a 3-yard touchdown for Simmons. Early on in the second quarter, the scoreboard was tied up at 7-7.
 
Alfred was able to respond quickly with another scoring drive. With a little help from penalty on the Brockport defense, the Saxons crossed midfield and then hit a 31-yard run for QB Chris Kelly. This would set up Kelly's 9-yard touchdown pass to Steven Bidwell to put Alfred back on top, 14-7.
 
It took the Green and Gold just two snaps to tie the game up once again in the second quarter. The first play was a 15-yard run from Simmons plus 15 more yards after a facemask penalty on Alfred. The final play of the drive saw Simmons go 42 more yards into the endzone to tie the game at 14-14.
 
The Saxons were determined to score once more before halftime, going to the air in the final minutes of the half. Kelly completed several key passes enroute to another quick Alfred score. Kelly found Carmine Hoag this time for a 17-yard touchdown to cap off a 6-play, 75-yard drive. A miss on the extra point made the Saxon lead, 20-14.
 
Hoping to answer once again, Brockport had 1:29 left before the break to put a drive together. A solid return from Cameron Mesh on the kickoff set the offense up at its own 43. A couple chunk plays from Vino to Nolan Slywka and to Simmons on the ground got the team across midfield. However, the drive was halted when Vino's pass was picked off by Alfred's Luke Atlas. Brockport trailed at the half, 20-14.
 
The second half was a very different style of game, as both offenses struggled to get anything going. In the third and fourth quarters, Alfred was forced to punt five times and went 1-for-2 on field goal attempts. In the second half Brockport punted three times, turned the ball over on downs twice, and had two passes intercepted. With the Saxons being the only team adding to the scoreboard, they held on for the 23-14 win at home.
 
Brockport leaned on Isaiah Simmons in the ground game on Saturday. The back totaled 28 carries for 180 yards and two touchdowns. His longest run of the day was a 42-yard touchdown, and he averaged 6.4 yards per carry. Simmons also added two catches for 12 yards receiving to give him 192 all-purpose yards in the regular season finale at Alfred.
 
Luca Friedman led the Green and Gold with nine total tackles, including a team-high seven solo stops. He also included 1.0 sacks and 2.0 tackles for loss against the Saxons. Elijah Grooms made eight tackles from his secondary position and had one pass breakup. The Golden Eagles also got pass breakups from Ben Robinson and Marquis Wright. Chris Leahy provided the second sack for the defense in the game.
 
On special teams, Big Red had a good day punting for the Golden Eagles against Alfred. Dan Giangrasso totaled 246 yards on six punts (41.0 avg) with his longest kick of the day going for 52 yards. Brockport's star punter also pinned the Saxons inside the 20 three times in the contest.
 
Brockport awaits announcements to determine the team's potential for playing/hosting in an ECAC postseason bowl game.