Brockport, NY – Week 2 of the Brockport Football season is here, as the Golden Eagles (1-0) take a trip to Geneva, NY to face the Hobart College Statesmen (1-0) on Saturday for a 1pm kickoff.
 
DATE – TIME: September 12^th, 2026 – 1pm
LOCATION: Boswell Field – Geneva, NY
LINKS: Video | Stats | Radio
 
Record Breaking Season Opener: The Golden Eagles opened the 2026 season in dominant, record-breaking fashion. Brockport defeated Buffalo State, 68-0, to claim a 10^th straight I-90 Bowl Rivalry Game win and set a program record for largest winning margin.
Overall, it was a near perfect performance from the Golden Eagles to start the season in all three phases of the game. The passing game was efficient at 13-for-14 with 161 yards and two touchdowns. The run game was unstoppable with 326 total rushing yards, six touchdowns, and a 6.7 yards per carry average for the game.
 
Defensively, Brockport pitched its third consecutive shutout against Buffalo State and has now kept this rival out of the end zone in five consecutive meetings. The Golden Eagles held the Bengals to just three first downs for the game, only 60 yards of total offense, and forced a pair of turnovers.
 
Top 25 Numbers of the Offense: Following a high-flying performance for the Golden Eagles, the offense ranks inside the Top 25 in NCAA Division III Football in multiple categories:
 
2^nd – Completion Pct (.929)
T-6^th – Scoring Offense (68)
8^th – Rushing Offense (326)
9^th – Team Passing Efficiency (236.6)
T-10^th – 1^st Downs Offense (28)
16^th - 3^rd Down Conversion Pct (.625)
 
Top 25 Numbers for the Defense: Following the dominant debut to 2026, the Golden Eagles rank inside the Top 25 in many defensive statistical categories:
 
1^st – Total Defense (60)
1^st – 1^st Downs Defense (3)
T-1^st – Red Zone Defense (.000)
T-1^st – Scoring Defense (0)
T-2^nd – Passing Yards Allowed (28)
2^nd – Team Passing Efficiency Defense (33.52)
T-8^th – 3^rd Down Conversion Pct Defense (.100)
T-14^th – Team Tackles for Loss (10)
T-16^th – Rushing Defense (32)
T-21^st – Team Sacks (4)
 
Earning Top 25 Votes: After not being mentioned in the preseason polls, the Golden Eagles have turned some heads following Week 1. Brockport is now receiving Top 25 votes in latest D3football.com Top 25 and AFCA Coaches' Poll for Division III.
 
Slywka's Highlight of the Night: Nolan Slywka made as much noise as possible in his return to the Brockport offense. His first target of the night provided maybe the catch of the year. A one-handed, highlight real grab put him on SportsCenter's Top 10 Plays as the #1 play of the night on ESPN (see clip below). Just his first catch, but not his last. Slywka reeled in six catches for 82 yards and a pair of touchdowns.


 
Gocella's Big Milestones: For the first time in his collegiate career, Ben Gocella went 100% on his pass attempts in Week 1 against Buffalo State. Going 10-for-10 with 124 yards and 2 TDs, he also hit two major career milestones. He joins the record books surpassing over 5,000 yards and 50 passing touchdowns for his career. Gocella is now officially 6^th all-time at Brockport with 5,090 career passing yards with more to come this season.
 
 Golden Eagle Run Game: Behind the always trusty Brockport offensive line, the Golden Eagles were successful all night in Week 1 running the ball. Averaging 6.7 yards a carry for the game, Brockport totaled 326 yards and six touchdowns on the ground. Freshman Derrion Battle went for 106 yards on 10 carries with a score, breaking the century mark and finding the end zone for the first time in his collegiate career. QB Zymier Jackson crossed the goal line twice for rushing scores. Paul Allan and Micah Harry each ran for 45 yards and a touchdown. Madison Murrell ran for 65 yards on seven touches, while Sameer Thomas rushed for a touchdown to cap off the scoring.
 
Dominant Defensive Debut: In the first game of the season, Brockport's defense didn't give up anything for free in a dominant performance. Not only did the Goldens shutout the Bengals, but they were only able to gain 60 yards of total offense and three first downs for the game. A pick-six from Malik Kelly from 35 yards out and a Brady Winter fumble recovery were just icing on the cake for a great start to the season.
 
Special Teams Highlights: Freshman kicker, Christopher Bascetta has gotten off to as good a start you can ask for from a first-year leg. In his collegiate debut with Brockport in Week 1, he went 9-for-9 on extra points and nailed a 27-yard field goal to go 100% with his foot to start the year. Totaling 12 points, he is currently tied for 24^th in NCAA Division III football in total points scored. On the other end of special teams, Brockport was able to score points by way of a safety. Buffalo State's punter was tackled in the end zone by Elijah Campbell in the fourth quarter, helping Brockport win in all three phases of the game.
 
First Look at Hobart: Hobart College opened the season at home in Week 1 with a hard-fought, 24-17, win over Alfred University. EJ Taylor got loose on the ground for 137 rushing yards (6.5 per carry) and a touchdown. Taylor also had two catches for 78 yards and a score. QB Aidan Conrath rushed for 48 yards, while also going 10-for-17 in the air with 172 yards and a pair of TD passes. To go with 408 yard of total offense, the Statesmen showed a strong pass rush that secured seven sacks against the Saxons. Hunter Vos and Billy Brosko each got to the quarterback twice in the season opener.
 
Golden Eagles vs Statesmen: Brockport and Hobart have collided 13 times, dating all the way back to 1949. Brockport owns the all-time series lead, 8-5, and has a 3-2 edge in the last five meetings. In 2025, the Golden Eagles beat the Statemen, 14-10, with a late touchdown in the fourth. Down 10-7 with 5:39 to play, Ben Gocella helped lead an 8-play, 90-yard touchdown drive to take the lead. That followed up by a quick turnover on downs forced by the Brockport defense sealed the victory at home.
 
Homecoming Weekend Ahead: For Week 3 the Brockport Golden Eagles return home to Bob Boozer Field for Homecoming Weekend. On Saturday, September 19^th, Brockport will take on RPI at 1pm as part of the special annual weekend on the campus of SUNY Brockport.