ONEONTA, NY – After trailing 10-0 in the first quarter, Hartwick College out-scored visiting Buffalo State 38-6 over the next 36 minutes in a 41-30 come from behind victory Saturday at Wright Stadium. The victory is the Hawks' first in the Empire 8 this season. They are now 3-5 overall. The loss drops the Bengals to 5-3 and 3-3.
The Bengals' defense entered the game without allowing an offensive touchdown in the last 10 quarters. But the Hawks registered four of them on the day in the victory.
Back-to-back touchdown catches from Tanner Williams (Hoosick Falls, NY/Hoosick Falls) and Brad Garcia (Warwick, NY/Warwick Valley) gave Hartwick a 38-16 lead with 9:23 left in the game. The Bengals scored twice in a 1:50 span to cut their deficit to eight, 38-30, with 3:09 to play, but Travis Samuels (New City, NY/Clarkstown North) collected the ensuing onside kick to the Buff State one yard-line and Korey Jubie (Kingston, NY/Kingston) would put the Bengals away with a 23-yard field goal with 1:13 left.
In the game, Williams became the all-time program leader in receptions following a five-catch, 123-yard day. He has 189 in his four-year career. Head coach Mark Carr became the winningest coach in Hartwick history, passing Steve Stetson, with his 59th win on the 'Wick sidelines.
Quarterback John Garcia (Warwick, NY/Warwick Valley) threw for 373 yards and four touchdowns on 18 completions. His brother, Brad, finished the day with five receptions for a game-high 135 yards and two scores. Carl Holmes (Cuba, NY/Cuba-Rushford) made five catches for 65 yards and Marcus Mistersaro (Leroy, NY/Leroy) had two catches for 43 yards and one touchdown.
A huge play in the first half changed the complexion of the game for the Hawks. Trailing 10-3, Buffalo State found itself on the Hawks' three yard-line. Instead of potentially taking a double-digit lead with a touchdown, Bengal quarterback Aaron Ertel was picked off by defensive back Ricky Giraldo (Monroe, NY/Monroe-Woodbury) and he ran it back 95 yards for a 10-10 tie score instead.
Buff State missed a field goal opportunity on its next possession and the Hawks capitalized to take the lead for good. John Garcia found Mistersaro for an 18-yard score and Jubie's PAT made it 17-10.
The Bengals had a chance to pull within four at the half but a 40-yard field goal attempt was missed and 'Wick held on to the seven-point edge at the break.
. Both teams came away empty on each of their first two possessions of the second half. The Bengals got within a point with 1:21 left in the third only to have Samuels block the extra point to preserve the lead.
On the first play from scrimmage, the Garcia brothers hooked up for a 65-yard passing play for a touchdown to extend the Hartwick lead.
On Buffalo State's second play from scrimmage after the kickoff, Frank Sorrenti (Endwell, NY/Maine-Endwell) forced a fumble and Chris Mercieca (Centereach, NY/Centereach) pounced on it in Bengal territory.
Williams' touchdown catch of 24 yards and Jubie's extra point made the score 31-16 Hawks with 14:17 remaining in the game. After the defense forced a Bengal punt, a Garcia-to-Garcia 32-yard score and Jubie kick increased the margin to 22 for 'Wick, 38-16.
With under five minutes left, the Bengals scored two touchdowns, but Samuels' big 45-yard return on the onside kick virtually put the game on ice with 3:01 left. The Hawks would eat almost two minutes off the clock before Jubie put the nail in the coffin.
Hartwick would gain 374 yards for the game, with 373 coming through the air. Buffalo State gained 290 passing yards and 177 rushing for a total of 467.
Samuels led Hartwick with 11 tackles with one pass defended, the blocked kick, and the big return. Sorrenti had 10 tackles, including two for a loss, and he forced two fumbles. Malik Wynter (Auburn, NY/Auburn), Matthew Ali (Sayville, NY/Sayville), and Mercieca each had seven hits. Ali recorded two tackles for loss and Wynter and Mercieca each had fumble recoveries.
Hartwick remains at home next Saturday for Senior Day. The Hawks will host St. John Fisher College at 1 p.m.