Brockport, NY – This Saturday the Golden Eagles return to the gridiron for a home game against Alfred State following a bye in week six. Brockport will host the Pioneers at Bob Boozer Field for a 12pm kickoff to this Empire 8 clash.
 
DATE – TIME: October 18^th, 2025 – 12pm
LOCATION: Bob Boozer Field – Brockport, NY
LINKS: Live Video | Live Stats
 
Bye in Week 6: Last weekend the Golden Eagles had their bye week, getting the week off to prepare for the second half of the season. Leading up to the bye, Brockport has worked for a 3-2 record overall and a 1-1 mark in Empire 8 play. Following wins over Buffalo State and Hobart to start the season, RPI halted the team's momentum in week three. The Green and Gold bounced back against Hartwick on Homecoming, before St. John Fisher took the win in the Courage Bowl. Brockport turns its attention to Alfred State for its return to the field.
 
Courage Bowl Recap: The Golden Eagles fell to St. John Fisher, 31-24, in overtime in the 20^th Annual Courage Bowl. Brockport dropped to 3-2 overall and 1-1 in Empire 8 Conference play following the loss. Zach McGowan sent the game to overtime, 24-24, with a last second field goal in regulation. However, a turnover in OT led St. John Fisher to snagging the win at home. Brockport's offense totaled 396 yards, including 279 yards and two touchdowns through the air by Ben Gocella. Isaiah Simmons led the rushing attack as usual, going for 113 yards and one score on the ground. Luca Friedman had a big day for the defense, leading the way with 12 total tackles (9 solo) and three quarterback hurries.
 
Around the Empire 8: Here is a full listing of the current Empire 8 Football Standings heading into an important slate of games coming up in week seven of the regular season:

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

E8's Top Runners Faceoff: This Saturday the two top running backs in the Empire 8 will go head to head at Bob Boozer Field. Alfred State's Noah Currier and Brockport's Isaiah Simmons take the same field in week seven. Currier is at the top of the stats page for the E8 with 656 yards and 11 touchdowns on 100 carries, averaging 131.2 rushing yards per game. Simmons is close behind with 645 yards and eight scores on 118 carries, holding onto an average of 129.0 yards per game. Currier and Simmons are both top 15 in the nation among Division III running backs. Both defenses will likely stress stopping these two backs in a big conference battle.
 
Brockport's Defense: The Golden Eagle defense continues to be one of the best performing defensive units in all of Division III football. Here is a look at some of the team's best metrics and where Brockport matches up nationally:
 
4^th Team Tackles for Loss – 10.0 per game
7^th Rushing Defense – Allowing 48.4 yards per game
T-7^th First Downs Defense – Allowed 60 first downs
8^th Total Defense – Allowing 219.0 yards per game
T-18^th Red Zone Defense –  .625 pct
T-20^th Team Sacks – 3.2 sacks per game
24^th Scoring Defense – Allowing 14.2 points per game
 
Credit to the Offensive Line: On the offensive side of the ball, the Golden Eagles have seen great work from the big guys up front on the line. The main starting unit of Caleb Bane, Liam Malgieri, Adam Montalvo, Julian McGaughy, and William Feeney have been solid all season. They not only pave the way for an offense averaging nearly 400 yards a game, but their consistent push up front prevents negative plays. Here is a look at some impressive stats that stack the Brockport offensive line up against others in the nation:
 
T-8^th Tackles for Loss Allowed – 3.0 allowed per game
T-12^th Sacks Allowed – 0.60 allowed per game
18^th 3^rd Down Conversion Pct. – .522 pct
  
Run Game Operation: Star running back Isaiah Simmons continues to be a lethal threat in the rushing game for Brockport. Breaking 100 yards rushing in four of five games this season, he ranks 13^th in the nation in rushing. Simmons has totaled 645 yards on 118 carries, averaging 5.5 yards per carry and 129.0 yards a game. He has found the endzone eight times on the ground in 2025. Both Quamir Jenkins and Anthony Vino have crossed the goal line in the run game as well this year.
 
Through the Air: Ben Gocella is leading the passing attack for the Golden Eagles as the starting QB. Through five games he has totaled 985 yards, 8 touchdowns, four interceptions, and an average of 197.0 yards passing per game. Gocella's main target has been Daniel Manneh this season. Manneh has totaled 31 receptions, 350 yards, and three touchdowns through the air. Luke Lockhart (2), Nathan Williams, Isaiah Simmons, Tyler Ronk, and Xavier Smith all have touchdown receptions this season.
 
Aerial Defense: Brockport's pass defense is highlighted by a pair of interceptions to go with a collection of players making several deflections. Liam Nealy has come up with one interception and four pass breakups in the secondary. Kyle Slywka is right there as well with one pick and three breakups. Brady Schnell is tied for the team lead with four breakups, while Kanye Davis has three to his name as well. Darius Cervi, Jayson Thomas, Jah-Quil Thompson, and Elijah Grooms all have a pass breakup this season too.
 
Getting After the QB: Brockport's nationally recognized pass rush has a committee of pass rushers that have gotten to opposing quarterbacks. Jayson Thomas and Kanye Davis lead the effort with 2.5 sacks each. The duo of Alan Ramirez-Jimenez and Carroll Dolshun both have 2.0 sacks on the year. Brockport has also seen sacks from Luca Friedman, Felton Howard, Jayden Ferrell, Najae English, Nazhier Wilson, and Vincent Pisa. To go with a total of 16 sacks for the defense, the Golden Eagles have also been credited with 13 QB hurries.
 
Securing Tackles: Following a career-high 12 tackles against Fisher, Luca Friedman leads the Brockport defense with 33 total tackles on the season. This includes 17 solo stops and 4.5 tackles for loss. Liam Nealy is second on the list for the defense with 22 total tackles, with 15 solo. Jayson Thomas has racked up 18 total, with 7.5 tackles for loss to lead the squad. Jayden Ferrell has penetrated the backfield for 7.0 tackles for loss for the defense.

Special Teams Highlights: Both Zach McGowan and Sal Montaperto have made an impact in the kicking game for the Green and Gold. McGowan is 7-for-8 on extra points, and made his lone field goal attempt against Fisher (34 yards) to send the game to overtime. Montaperto is 14-for-14 on extra points and 1-for-2 on field goal tries. Daniel Manneh provides big play potential as a return man, taking a punt and a kickoff back for touchdowns this season.
 
Looking at Alfred State: The Alfred State Pioneers picked up a win in week five against SUNY Morrisville in their last game, 41-21. It marked the third game this season that Alfred State has scored more than 40 points. The offense averages 33.0 points a game, behind a rushing attack averaging 217.6 yards on the ground. Noah Currier leads the Empire 8 in both rushing yards (656) and rushing touchdowns (11) so far this season for the Pioneers. Currier has also caught three touchdowns on 17 receptions for 136 yards. Defensively, the team is allowing 21.2 points and 318.0 yards of total offense this season. Defensive back, Donnell Hall is currently leading the conference with four interceptions and 10 total pass breakups. This will be just the fourth ever meeting between Brockport and Alfred State, with Brockport owning a 3-0 record in the head to head series.
 
Back on the Road: The Golden Eagles will be on the road next week for another E8 clash. They travel to face SUNY Morrisville on Saturday, October 25^th for a 12pm kickoff.