Brockport, NY – On Thursday, September 4^th the Golden Eagles will faceoff against the Buffalo State Bengals for the I-90 Bowl Rivalry Game. Kickoff is scheduled for 7pm, as Brockport looks for its ninth straight win in the annual rivalry matchup.
 
DATE – TIME: September 4^th, 2025 – 7pm
LOCATION: Coyer Field – Buffalo, NY
LINKS: Video | Stats

Undefeated Effort: Head Coach Jason Mangone continues to hold a high standard for Brockport football going into his 12^th season leading the program. In 11 years at the helm, Mangone has brought the Golden Eagles to a postseason appearance nine times. This includes three straight NCAA Tournament runs (2017-2019) and six ECAC bowl game appearances. Putting forth "Undefeated Effort" on the field, Brockport has earned the right to play postseason ball eight seasons in a row.
 
Receiving Votes Early: The SUNY Brockport football program is receiving votes in the 2025 D3football.com Preseason National Poll released Wednesday.  The Golden Eagles received 15 votes and sit 11 spots outside of the nation's top 25 according to the highly popular division III football website. Brockport wrapped up the 2024 season with a win over local rival University of Rochester at home in the 2024 ECAC Clayton Chapman Bowl Game. The Golden Eagles finished the year 8-3 overall and placed second in the Empire 8 with a 5-2 conference ledger.
 
Preseason All-American: In 2024, Adam Montalvo was recognized for his work on the offensive line as a 1^st-Team All-Conference, 2^nd-Team All-ECAC, and 3^rd-Team All-Region selection. Heading into the 2025 season, Montalvo was named a D3football.com Preseason All-American for the first time in his career. Adam along with his fellow lineman up front paved the way for an offense that averaged 31.45 points per game and 401.1 yards per game last season.
 
Strong Group of All-Conference Returners: The 2024 edition of Brockport football was recognized with six 1^st-Team, seven 2^nd-Team, and five 3^rd-Team All-Conference selections. This fall the Golden Eagles are happy to bring back nine players that earned All-Empire 8 honors last season. Isaiah Simmons, (1^st-Team), Adam Montalvo (1^st-Team), Daniel Manneh (2^nd-Team), Ben Gocella (3^rd-Team), and Liam Malgieri (3^rd-Team) are back for the offense. The defense is bringing back Marqwan Fluitt (2^nd-Team), Jayson Thomas (2^nd-Team), and Elijah Grooms (2^nd-Team). Additionally, Sal Montaperto (3^rd-Team) returns for his second year kicking for the Golden Eagles after an All-Conference freshman campaign.

Back in the Huddle: A large core of the 2024 offensive unit will be back to work with the Golden Eagles this season. The offensive line is returning a group of starters that includes Adam Montalvo, Caleb Bane, Julian McGaughy, and Liam Malgieri. They will pave the way for Brockport's star running back, Isaiah Simmons. As a sophomore, Simmons rushed for 1,569 yards and 19 touchdowns for career-highs across the board. Ben Gocella took a step forward in 2024 at QB with career-best numbers as well (2,090 yards & 19 TD). Gocella will look to link up with Daniel Manneh just like he did last season. Manneh totaled 48 catches for 686 yards and four touchdowns.
  
Disruptive Defensively: Brockport's defense was one of the top units in the country once again in 2024, ranking seventh in the nation in scoring defense allowing just 11.73 points per game. The Golden Eagles were also among the best in the country in 3^rd down defense (9^th in D3), rushing defense (11^th in D3), passing efficiency defense (11^th in D3), tackles for loss (T-13^th in D3), total defense (23^rd in D3), and redzone defense (19^th in D3). Shutting down the run game consistently, Brockport allowed opposing teams just 68.1 yards per game and 2.3 yards per carry on the ground. The Green and Gold also forced a total of 22 turnovers on defense in 2024 (14 INT & 8 FR). The pass rush was effective as well, posting 30 sacks as a team which led the Empire 8.
 
Playmakers on Defense: While this strong Brockport defensive unit lost several key players, it also is returning heavy contributors at each level. At nose tackle, Jayson Thomas is back in the trenches after his second straight E8 All-Conference selection. Also back up front for the defense is All-Conference edge rusher Marqwan Fluitt. At linebacker, Luca Friedman returns for his senior year after 51 tackles last year (3^rd on the team). In the secondary, Elijah Grooms is also back for his senior season. In 2024 he earned All-ECAC and All-Conference accolades after leading the E8 with four interceptions on the year.
 
8^th Straight I-90 Bowl Victory: At home for last year's I-90 Bowl, Brockport took down Buffalo State, 27-0, for an eighth consecutive win over the Bengals for the I-90 Bowl Trophy. The Golden Eagle defense had three takeaways on the way to a shutout effort in front of the home crowd at Bob Boozer Field. Buffalo State was held to just 26 yards rushing on 21 carries for the game. Offensively, it was a big day for sophomore running back Isaiah Simmons. He ran for 185 yards and scored two rushing touchdowns on 19 attempts. Simmons' big highlight was a 77-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. Brockport totaled 435 yards of offense and found the endzone four times. QB Ben Gocella threw for a pair of touchdowns and 193 yards in the victory.
 
Golden Eagles vs Bengals: The recent history of this annual rivalry has clearly gone Brockport's way as the squad seeks its ninth straight I-90 Bowl matchup. The last 10 meetings between the two programs favors Brockport 8-2. Buffalo State most recently won the I-90 Bowl in 2015, as the team earned three straight that year (2013-2015) before Brockport started its current run of eight in a row (2016-2024). Brockport's defense has been dominant in this matchup the last three years, allowing the Bengals to score just eight points total. In this recent three game span, the Golden Eagles have outscored their rivals, 123-8.
 
Buffalo State in 2024: The Bengals finished last season with a 3-7 record overall and a 1-5 mark in Liberty League contests. They picked up two of the wins at home on Coyer Field, defeating both Hilbert (42-6) and Alfred State (12-0) on the home turf. Amir Cameron was the lead QB for an offense that put up 14.1 points per game with 241.5 yards of offense per game. In his sophomore season he threw for 979 yards and eight touchdowns with 10 interceptions. Wideout Mikai Johnson was his top target, going for 417 yards with two scores in 2024. Defensively, Buffalo State allowed 29.4 points on average to opposing offenses. However, the unit is likely to return its top playmakers on that side of the ball from a year ago. Sincere Green led the team in tackles (78), tackles for loss (17), and sacks (4.5) in 2024 as a junior. Basiaka Butcher, the sophomore defensive back, led the team with five picks and six breakups in 2024.
 
Home Opener Coming Up: Following Thursday night's opener at Buffalo State, the Golden Eagles will look forward to their first home game of the season in week two. Brockport will welcome Hobart College to Bob Boozer Field for a 12pm start time on Saturday, September 13^th.