Brockport, NY – On Thursday, September 5^th the SUNY Brockport football team will begin the 2024 season at home against Buffalo State in the annual I-90 Bowl Rivalry Game. The Golden Eagles hope to retain the trophy for an eighth consecutive year, with kickoff scheduled for 7pm at Bob Boozer Field.
 
DATE – TIME: September 5^th, 2024 – 7pm
LOCATION: Bob Boozer Field – Brockport, NY
LINKS: Video | Stats 

A Look Back at 2023: The Golden Eagles finished the 2023 season 8-3 overall with a 5-1 conference record against Empire 8 opponents. They ended the year second in the E8 standings and went on to earn a spot in the ECAC Asa S. Bushnell Bowl Game. Going 1-1 to start the year, Brockport rattled off six straight wins to recover from its tough, 6-5, home loss in week two against Susquehanna. During this impressive win streak, the Golden Eagles outscored their opponents 275-31. The defense was dominant nearly all year long, holding eight of the 11 opposing offenses to 14 points or less. On the offensive side, the crew relied on the run game that ranked 24^th in the nation. Brockport scored 30 of its 46 offensive touchdowns on the ground. Following the season the program was recognized with a consensus 1^st-Team All-American, the E8/ECAC Defensive Player of the Year, 19 total All-Conference selections, eight All-ECAC nods, and four All-Region players.
 
Steering the Ship: Head Coach Jason Mangone resumes his successful tenure as the leader of the Golden Eagles football program in 2024 for his 11^th season. Ten years into his career as head coach, Mangone has racked up an impressive record of 81-31. This includes seven straight postseason appearances, which is highlighted by three straight NCAA Tournament runs from 2017-2019. During the last three seasons Brockport has continued its winning ways under Mangone, earning an ECAC game bid each year. Coach Mangone steered the troops to an Empire 8 Championship three years in a row (2017-2019), in helping earn a conference record of 44-18 in nine seasons in the E8.
 
Preseason All-American: Kyle Haettich represented the Golden Eagles for the 25^th year of the D3football.com Preseason All-American selections. Haettich earned a spot on the D3football.com Preseason All-American 3^rd-Team Defense from his safety position. This recognition comes after a breakout season for Haettich in 2023. Last season he was named 1^st-Team All-Conference for his first career postseason honor. That was shortly followed up by earning a spot on the D3football.com All-Region 2 2^nd-Team. As a starting safety for Brockport's nationally ranked defense in 2023, Kyle made plays all over the field. He finished with 62 total tackles (26 solo, 36 assisted), 2.0 tackles for a loss, and 0.5 sacks. In the secondary he had two interceptions and seven pass breakups. Haettich forced one fumble and recovered two fumbles, including one returned for a 27-yard touchdown on special teams. Coming back to the Golden Eagles for another season in 2024, Haettich continues to raise the bar with his first career Preseason All-American mention.
 
All-Conference Returners: Seven All-Empire 8 selections in 2023 have returned to the nest in 2024 for another go around. Haettich is joined by six other All-Conference players returning to the fold this year. Ben Robinson was named 3^rd-Team All-Conference, while also earning 1^st-Team All-ECAC. Dan Giangrasso collected 1^st-Team All-Conference, 1^st-Team All-ECAC, and 1^st-Team All-Region. Mike Talbert Jr. joins Haettich and Giangrasso as a returning 1^st-Team All-Conference selection. Gino Fontanarosa, Nolan Slywka, and Jayson Thomas all earned 2^nd-Team All-Conference nods in 2023.
 
Glancing at the Schedule: Following the home opener on Thursday, Brockport hits the road in week two for a chance at revenge against Susquehanna after last year's 1-point loss. Up next are back-to-back special home events with Wilkes coming to town for Homecoming Weekend on September 21^st. Then the team hosts St. John Fisher for the annual Courage Bowl on October 5^th. Next will be road games against Hartwick and Hilbert before another home game against Morrisville on October 26^th. Senior Day will be on November 9^th against Cortland, with the final regular season game being played on the road at Alfred.
 
Meet the Captains: Brockport has named Kyle Haettich, Ben Robinson, and Gino Fontanarosa as the captains to start the 2024 season. All three players were starters and impact players on the field last year for the Golden Eagles. Now in a larger leadership role they hope to continue to instill Brockport's culture that preaches undefeated effort.
 
Returning to the Offense: The 2024 Golden Eagle offense is bringing back last season's leading passer at quarterback, three backs that scored five or more touchdowns in 2023, and the leading receiver from last year. Ben Gocella has been named the week one starter after taking over at QB last season. In eight games he threw for 870 yards with 12 touchdowns and eight interceptions. The triple threat backfield includes Isaiah Simmons, Cameron Mesh, and Gino Fontanarosa. Simmons led the group with 593 yards on the ground last year to go with six touchdowns. Mesh had five rushing scores and averaged a team-high 6.7 yards per carry. Fontanarosa crossed the goal line eight times on the ground and once in the passing game in 2023. As a freshman, Nolan Slywka led Brockport with 32 receptions and 388 yards receiving. He also found the endzone four times in his first year.
 
Fighting Up Front: The Brockport offensive line has been the driving force behind one of the nation's most imposing rushing attacks. Last year during the regular season, the group paved the way for an average of 217.7 rushing yards a game for 24^th best in the country. Adam Montalvo and Julian McGaughy are the most experienced members of the starting group up front. Montalvo was honored as a member of the D3football.com Team of the Week after the week eight win over Utica. The offense rushed for 288 yards and four touchdowns in the contest. Liam Malgieri, Caleb Bane, and senior Ahmad Davis-Warner all step into starting spots on the line for the start of 2024.
 
Experienced Defense: After another impressive year from the Golden Eagle defense in 2023, they are reloaded with experience for 2024. This year's starting defensive unit is made up of all upperclassmen, including six seniors and five juniors. Last year the Brockport defense was one of the best in the nation. Prior to the postseason bowl game, the group was top 20 in multiple categories:
2^nd – Total Defense (193.3 ypg)
T-3^rd – 1^st Down Defense (117 allowed)
4^th – 3^rd Down Defense (.231 pct)
5^th – Passing Yards Allowed (125.3 ypg)
6^th – Scoring Defense (9.8 ppg)
8^th – Passing Efficiency Defense (87.87)
T-12^th – Tackles for Loss (8.3 tflpg)
18^th – Rushing Defense (68.0 ypg)
 
In the Trenches: In Brockport's 3-4 defense, it all starts with the work up front by the defensive line. Jayson Thomas anchors the line in the center as the nose tackle once again, after being named 2^nd-Team All-Conference last year as a sophomore. Thomas racked up 27 total tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 1.0 sacks, one pass deflection, and a QB hurry while constantly battling a double team. Senior Andre Marianetti and junior transfer Marqwan Fluitt will be active as the starting defensive ends.
 
Middle of the Defense: This linebacker group returns the team's top two tacklers from the 2023 roster. Ben Robinson and Mike Talbert Jr. resume their spots in the middle of the defense. Robinson led Brockport with 86 total tackles (30 solo, 56 assisted) last year, while Talbert was second with 68 tackles (32 solo, 36 assisted). The duo combined for 26.5 tackles for a loss, 9.0 sacks, 11 pass breakups, and five QB hurries. Both inside linebackers earned All-Conference honors in 2023, with Robinson also earning and All-ECAC selection. Dawin Fanor and Luca Friedman are the outside linebackers set to start for the Golden Eagles. Both are juniors, providing valuable experience to this defensive unit.
 
Meet the Secondary: Just like the rest of the defense, the secondary is filled with experience. Preseason All-American, Kyle Haettich headlines the group from his safety position. On top of his ability to tackle, Haettich got after the ball as well with four takeaways (2 INT, 2 FR) and seven pass breakups. Malik Kelly, the former Empire 8 Rookie of the Year (2022) resumes his spot at corner for his junior campaign. He registered seven pass breakups last season to go with 34 total tackles. Andrea Costanzi is back on the field as a senior now, after playing just five games in 2023. While on the field he contributed one sack, one interception, and two pass breakups. Marquis Wright is also ready for his senior season. He had one pick and a pair of breakups last year from the secondary.
 
Special Teams Unit: Brockport's 1^st-Team All-Region and All-Conference punter, Dan Giangrasso, returns for another season. The former Preseason All-American (2023) had another great year punting for the Green and Gold. He is back after finishing 2023 ranked 13^th in the nation with his punt average of 41.00 yards. After handling the kickoff duties as a freshman, Zach McGowan returns for his sophomore season. RJ Woolcott proved to be reliable as the long snapper in 2023 and is back again as a senior to provide more stability to the special teams group.
 
Scouting Buffalo State: Last season the Bengals finished up 2-8 overall with an 0-6 mark in conference play as a member of the Liberty League under second year Head Coach, Lazarus Morgan. For the season, the team averaged 20.9 points per game with 313.7 yards of offense per game. On the defensive side of the action, the Bengals allowed teams to average 35.8 points a game. They allowed 385.0 yards of total offense per game, including 179.4 rushing yards a game. Buffalo State picked up wins against Dean College on the road, 41-7, and at home against Hilbert College, 44-12.
 
Last Year's I-90 Game: Back on August 31^st, 2023, the Golden Eagles defeated the Buffalo State Bengals, 42-6, in the season opener. The Brockport defense forced one turnover and held the Bengals to 2-for-13 on third down conversions. Offensively, the Green and Gold totaled 368 yards of total offense (214 rushing, 154 passing). Three different players scored rushing touchdowns for the Golden Eagles. They also benefitted from a special teams score, by way of a 42-yard punt return for a touchdown in the second quarter. It was Brockport's seventh straight win over Buffalo State in the annual rivalry game.
 
Looking at Week 2: After Thursday's season opener at home against Buffalo State, Brockport will prepare for a road trip to face Susquehanna University in week two. The game is scheduled for a 1pm kickoff down in Selinsgrove, PA.