Utica, NY – The SUNY Brockport football team nearly overcame a 21-7 halftime deficit on the road against Utica. Brockport tied the score up at 21-21 early in the fourth, before ultimately falling, 35-21.
Brockport is now 3-3 overall and 1-2 in the Empire 8, while Utica remains unbeaten at 6-0 overall and 2-0 in the conference.
In his first career start at quarterback, freshman Chris McGuire completed 10-of-16 pass attempts for 130 yards and a touchdown. McGuire also rushed for 59 yards, including a 42-yard score with his feet in the third quarter.
Rashad Law has now gained over 100 yards rushing in fourth consecutive games, finishing with 103 yards on 18 carries. Law's biggest gain of the day was a 51-yard run, his longest of the year.
Defensive tackle, Jordan Harris came up with a huge play on defense in the second quarter. Harris gave Brockport its first points of the game with a 2-yard interception return for a touchdown. Harris also had three quarterback hurries, four total tackles, and 0.5 stops for a loss.
Jared Maurino led the Green and Gold receivers with four catches for 66 yards. Anthony Testa made just one catch, scoring on a 16-yard touchdown pass from Chris McGuire in the fourth.
Giovanni Frisenda got in on seven assisted tackles on the way to a team-high nine tackles. Ben Robinson stepped up for eight stops for the defensive unit, while Ben Damiani made seven tackles and had two quarterback hurries. Hakeem Yaya had 1.0 sacks for a loss of 18 yards.
The Utica Pioneers scored on the opening possession of the game to go up 7-0 early. Braeden Zenelovic hooked up with Nate Palmer for a 25-yard touchdown pass to get the action started. Zenelovic threw for 324 yards and four touchdowns on 20-for-26 passing.
Down by a score heading into the second quarter, Brockport would get a spark from its strong defensive unit. Just before the 10-minute mark, Jordan Harris would pick off Zenelovic and run it in for the pick six. Noah Panepitno's extra point would tie the game up at 7-7.
Utica found the endzone twice in the final six minutes of the first half, as Palmer caught two more touchdown passes from Zenelovic. Palmer totaled eight receptions, 162 yards, and three scores through the air. The Pioneers led, 21-7, going into the break.
After a big stop by the defense as the third quarter got going, it would be the freshman quarterback to make a big play for Brockport. Chris McGuire would provide an explosive 42-yard touchdown run for the Golden Eagles. McGuire's first collegiate touchdown closed the gap, making it a 21-14 game after Panepinto's extra point.
The Golden Eagles held Utica without points in the third quarter, staying within striking distance going into the fourth. They would put together a clutch drive that ended with a 16-yard touchdown pass from McGuire to Anthony Testa. Noah Panepinto would make the point after once again, making the score tied at 21-21 with 14:50 remaining in regulation.
Zenelovic would provide an answer for Utica, marching the offense down the field quickly for a score to break the tie. Utica's quarterback would punch it in for an 8-yard rushing score to put the Pioneers ahead, 28-21, with 12:05 on the clock.
On the ensuing Brockport drive, a tough sack on third and long forced the Green and Gold to punt with time winding down. The defense forced a third down in hopes to get the offense a chance to tie the game back up. However, Zenelovic would hook up with Joey Nare for a 39-yard score through the air to make it a two-score game.
Gino Fontanarosa kept the comeback hopes alive with a 61-yard kickoff return to give Brockport great field position at the Utica 22-yard line. With just over three minutes left to play, the team needed a quick score. However, on a do-or-die fourth and long situation, McGuire's pass was intercepted by Utica's Eli Douglas to seal the deal.
The Golden Eagles now prepare for another Empire 8 matchup on the road against Hartwick next weekend. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:30pm on Saturday, October 22nd at Wright Stadium in Oneonta, NY.