Brockport, NY – On Thursday, September 3^rd, the SUNY Brockport Football program opens the 2026 season at home under the lights against Buffalo State for the annual I-90 Bowl Rivalry Game. Kickoff is scheduled for 7pm right in Brockport on Bob Boozer Field.
 
DATE – TIME: September 3^rd, 2026 – 7pm
LOCATION: Bob Boozer Field – Brockport, NY
LINKS: Video | Stats
 
BSG Blackout & Pregame Tailgate: Working alongside the Brockport Athletic department, the Brockport Student Government is helping host a pregame tailgate from 6-7pm ahead of the opening kickoff. Brockport is turning Eunice Kennedy Shriver Stadium black for the season opener, so fans are encouraged to wear black and bring the noise!
 
1,500 FREE Rally Towels at Entry: Thanks to our partnership with Advantage Federal Credit Union, the first 1,500 fans at the stadium for Thursday's game will receive a free black Brockport rally towel. Make sure to get there early to get in on the fun!
 
I-90 Bowl Rivalry Trophy: This annual matchup between Brockport and Buffalo State is for ownership of the I-90 Bowl Trophy. The Golden Eagles are nearing a decade of holding onto the trophy, as they have won nine consecutive matchups over the Bengals. In this nine game win streak in the I-90 Bowl Rivalry, Brockport has dominated by outscoring Buffalo State, 406-77. Additionally, the Golden Eagles defense has held Buffalo State without a touchdown in the matchup since October 30^th, 2021. Last year's battle saw Brockport shut out the Bengals, 41-0.
 
Looking Back at 2025: Brockport concluded last season with a final record of 7-4 with a 4-3 mark in the Empire 8. Playing in an ECAC Bowl Game for a fifth straight season, the Golden Eagles would claim an ECAC Championship for the second year in a row. Brockport hosted Geneva (PA) for a 46-10 win in the 2025 ECAC Scotty Whitelaw Bowl. With the offense led by All-American rusher Isaiah Simmons, Brockport averaged 36.27 points per game. Defensively, the team held opponents to 15.45 points a game, while keeping four teams out of the end zone and three completely scoreless. Following a ninth consecutive winning season, Brockport football set a new program record with nine student-athletes collecting 10 total 1^st-Team All-Conference nods. Overall, Brockport earned a total of 21 Empire 8 All-Conference selections in 2025.
 
Mangone's Impending Milestone: Heading into year 14 leading the Brockport Football program, Head Coach Jason Mangone is closing in on 100 career wins with the Golden Eagles. At 96-38 overall leading the charge, Coach Mangone has rattled off nine straight winning seasons (2016-2025). This included three straight Empire 8 Championships (2017-2019), with three straight NCAA Tournament appearances (2017-2019), and seven ECAC Bowl Game appearances (2013, 2016, 2021-2025). Just four wins away from hitting the century mark, Mangone is on his way to becoming just the second coach in program history to hit this historic milestone.
 
Arita Takes Over the Defense: Longtime member of the Golden Eagle locker room Matt Arita is heading into his first year as the Defensive Coordinator for Brockport. Following 10 years under the coaching of Mike Fox, the Golden Eagles highly revered defensive unit will receive its direction from former All-American defensive back Matt Arita. He most recently served as Special Teams Coordinator and Defensive Pass Game Coordinator, while also coaching the cornerbacks.
 
All-Conference Returners: To start the 2026 season, Brockport is returning multiple All-Conference and All-Region players from last year. On the offensive side of the ball, the Golden Eagles return Liam Malgieri and Ben Gocella after All-Conference performances in 2025. The defense has players at each level returning to the gridiron. Headlining the group of defensive returners are All-Conference and All-Region selections Nazhier Wilson and Jayden Ferrell. In the secondary, Brockport is fortunate to bring back Kyle Slywka, Colton Thorp, and Liam Nealy. Representing the special teams unit on the All-Conference list was punter Connor Parker.
 
Reigning Empire 8 & ECAC Rookie of the Year: Linebacker Nazhier Wilson steps into his sophomore season with high expectations after an incredible first year at Brockport. His freshman campaign resulted in E8 Rookie of the Year, ECAC Rookie of the Year, E8 2^nd-Team All-Conference, and ECAC 1^st-Team All-Region. Wilson completed the season with 52 total tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, 1.0 sack, five QB hurries, two breakups, one forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. Wilson played a key role in the Golden Eagles earning national recognition as a defense last year.
 
Gocella to Lead the Revamped Offense: Returning for his senior season at Brockport, Ben Gocella is set to once again lead the Golden Eagles' offensive huddle. The unit reloaded this offseason after graduating a pair of All-American selections and four All-Conference players. Gocella will operate behind a group of experienced linemen, including William Feeney and Liam Malgieri, who both played all 11 games in 2025. The backfield is being turned over to some fresh legs, with freshmen Derrion Battle and Allan Paul slated to line up at running back. To help clear the way on the ground are experienced tight ends Xavier Smith and Tim Lewis. Gocella and the Golden Eagles are also welcoming Nolan Slywka back to the fray after spending the 2025 season playing for Stony Brook. When Slywka last donned the Green and Gold in 2024, he was selected 1^st-Team All-Conference as Gocella's top receiver.
 
Battle-Tested Defense: Last year, the Golden Eagles finished top 20 defensively in multiple statistical categories, and this year they return the core of that unit. The defense is getting back three of the team's top four tacklers from 2025, in Liam Nealy, Nazhier Wilson, and Jayden Ferrell. More All-Conference members of that unit that are back in 2026 include Kyle Slywka and Colton Thorp from the secondary. Brockport also is lining up returners Darius Cervi, Alan Ramirez-Jimenez, Brady Schnell, Brady Winter, and Austyn Gollnitz. Providing depth in the secondary, seniors Jah'mere Clarke and Malik Kelly (2022 E8 Rookie of the Year) return as well for another go-around.
 
Schedule Overview: Brockport opens the season at home on September 3^rd for the I-90 Bowl Game before going on the road in week two to face Hobart on September 12^th. The Golden Eagles will continue to follow the home-and-away pattern for the entirety of the regular season in 2026. Week three will see Brockport host RPI for Homecoming Weekend on September 19^th. Then after a trip to Hartwick on September 26^th, the Golden Eagles are set to host St. John Fisher on October 3^rd for the Courage Bowl. Up next is the bye week for Brockport, before taking on Alfred State on the road on October 17^th. Senior Day is scheduled for October 24^th, with Morrisville coming to Brockport. The last away game of the season is at Alfred U. on October 31^st. The Golden Eagles will host a Green & Gold Rush Game to conclude the regular season on November 7^th against Cortland.