When a football team loses an All-American offensive lineman, a senior quarterback and an all-star running back, a rebuilding year is usually in the offing. In spite of those losses, the Brockport Golden Eagles advanced to the NCAA playoffs for the second year in a row following their 9-1 season.

The Golden Eagles finished the regular season ranked 14th nationally in Division III and were matched up against perennial power Rowan College of New Jersey in the first round of the playoffs. Rowan was ranked fifth nationally after their 8-1 season. The only blemish on Brockport's record is a 35-14 loss to nationally ranked Montclair State in mid-September. The nine wins mark the most ever in one season in school history.

Last season, it was offensive lineman Josh Warner getting several dozen looks from pro scouts and eventually signing a tryout contract with the New York Giants. This season, over ten NFL teams have visited senior linebacker Jay Johnson. He became the 11th player in Brockport history to record 100 or more tackles in a season, led the team with eight quarterback sacks and won ECAC Division III Defensive Player of the Week honors twice this season. Add Jeremy Lunch's team-leading five interceptions and Mike Dumaw's second on the team 61 tackles and you have another strong defensive team that allowed only 16.8 points per game.

On the offensive side of the ball, senior wide receiver Lionel Rhim became the eighth player in the school's history with over 1,000 career receiving yards while partner Tony Streb of Hilton led the team in receiving with 418 yards and 39 receptions. Senior kicker Todd Freelove was named the ECAC Division III Offensive Player of the Week October 29 when he set a 32 year-old school record with a 56-yard field goal against Mt. Ida and set a record in the same game with 16 kicking points.

Probably the biggest surprise has been the play of freshman quarterback Bob Darnley. He has thrown 11 touchdown passes with just six interceptions and 1,064 yards - good for tenth in the team's history. He also was third on the team in rushing with 508 yards and nine touchdowns including a 61-yard scamper in to pull the team back into the final win of the season against Wesley.

Brockport faces a Rowan team with a potent offense averaging over 50 points scored per game. The winner will play the winner of #2 Westfield State versus #7 Western Connecticut on November 24.