Visiting Alfred University just scored their only touchdown of the game to close to within six points of the lead before Brockport’s offense put on a clinic. They rattled off 21 plays and 11:28 on the clock before a field goal by senior Dustin Moyle secured a 16-7 win to become the second Empire 8 team to win three consecutive regular season titles.
“We just needed to show some toughness right there and we knew we wanted to move the ball on the ground and we found some areas to exploit on that last drive,” senior quarterback Jason Hellwig said. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen a drive like that or been a part of one here, but we knew we needed one more score to finish them off…so that was pretty impressive right there.”
Included in the 84-yard scoring drive were three third-down and one fourth down conversion.
Brockport opened the scoring on their first possession as they ran the ball nine-of-ten plays before sophomore Jala Coad finished the drive with a two-yard touchdown run for the 6-0 lead.
They got the ball right back when senior Allassane Coulibaly stripped the Alfred running back and junior Alaan Montgomery recovered the fumble, but could not convert the turnover into points.
Alfred was forced to punt on their next possession, but a bad snap gave Brockport the ball at the two-yard line where Coad took one play to extend the Golden Eagles lead to 13-0.
Brockport’s defense held the Saxons in check allowing their conference-leading rushing game (averaging 257.5 yards per game coming in) just two first downs and 17 total yards on the ground.
Alfred had the ball at the Brockport four-yard line early in the second quarter, but sophomore Ben Damiani ended the drive with an interception. Montgomery added an interception late in the first half while junior Josh Greenwood and senior Alex West each ended third quarter drives with third-down sacks. West is now one away from tying the program record for career sacks.
The Saxons opened the third quarter with a 66-yard touchdown pass to cut the Brockport lead to 13-7 before “the drive” sealed the win.
“When you haven’t done anything for about 30 minutes except go three-and-out and waste opportunities and then you have that kind of a drive, it says a lot about our kids and the trust we have in our defense,” Brockport head coach Jason Mangone said. “And the trust we have in Moyle – okay he missed a kick or two, but we’re not going to not give him an opportunity, so it was awesome. I can’t wait to watch that on film. For us to do that against that team in that situation speaks volumes.”
Brockport has now won 18 consecutive regular season home games and have not lost in front of the home crowd at Boozer field during a regular season game since September 2016 while also rattling off 21 consecutive Empire 8 Conference contests. They will look to post their third consecutive unbeaten season in conference play Saturday at Morrisville and find out their NCAA playoff first round opponent on Selection Sunday, November 17.
It was Senior Day for 15 seniors including Hilton grad Brandon Cutter, Kareen Leaver, DaQuan Hubbard, Hellwig, Coulibaly, Rob Kleinhammer, Justin Morrison, Joe Ortiz, Bryce Szudzik, Moyle, Danny Houseman, Jason Karteron, Alex Brothers, Ryan Murray and West.
“A lot of these guys have been working hard here for four years and for all those guys to come up with three championships is something pretty special,” Hellwig summarized.
