Brockport, NY – The Golden Eagle football team took care of business at home on Saturday, defeating the Utica University Pioneers, 38-3. Brockport extends its win streak to six, improving to 7-1 overall and 4-0 in the Empire 8.
It was yet another fantastic performance from the Brockport defense, proving once again why its one of the best defensive units in the nation. Allowing a total of just 64 yards of offense (83 passing, -19 rushing), the Golden Eagles only gave Utica four first downs in the game. They have now held the opposing offense to just four first downs in back-to-back weeks. This also marks the third week in a row the Brockport defense has kept the opponent to less than 100 yards of total offense. In the last three games, opposing offenses have scored a total of three points.
Shutting down the Pioneer offense, the Golden Eagle defenders compiled three sacks to go with six tackles in the backfield for a loss of yards. Vincent Daviero, Dawin Fanor, and Joseph Rodda all got to the quarterback, while Mike Talbert Jr. had a pair of QB hurries. Talbert and Daviero were joined by Raylens Boutin in defending the air, as all three broke up one pass play. Ben Robinson led the team with five tackles (2 solo, 3 assisted) from his linebacker spot.
Offensively, the Green and Gold have broken 400 yards of total offense for the third game in a row. Following behind the big offensive line up front, Brockport rushed for 288 yards and four touchdowns. To go with the work on the ground, the offense put up 137 yards through the air with one passing touchdown.
Freshman Isaiah Simmons nearly hit the century-mark, rushing for a career-high 94 yards to lead a busy backfield in the game. Simmons was joined by Chris McGuire, Jala Coad, and Cameron Mesh in finding the endzone for a rushing score.
Ben Gocella remains undefeated as the starting QB in a healthy freshman campaign. He completed 9-of-17 passes for 104 yards and one interception. McGuire went 2-for-3 on his throws, including an 15-yard touchdown connection to Nolan Slywka.
Slywka's catch highlighted the work from the receivers, as he totaled three catches for 36 yards and a touchdown. Rashad Law, Alex Card, Brian Caldwell Jr., Isaiah Simmons, and James Altenburger all made catches against the Utica secondary.
The kickers from both teams made good on their lone field goal attempts in this one. Brockport's Nate Wigent is still perfect with his leg in 2023, making his lone FG attempt from 20 yards out and going 5-for-5 on extra points.
In the first quarter it was Chris McGuire that put Brockport on the board first. On a QB keeper, McGuire tucked the ball away and scampered free for a 9-yard rushing score midway through the first.
Utica was able to block a punt early on in the second, which gave the Pioneers offense a short field to work with. They ended up settling for a 29-yard field goal, as the Brockport defense held up. The score read, 7-3, in favor of the Green and Gold at home with plenty of time remaining in the second.
Sticking to the run game as usual, the Golden Eagles marched down the field for another rushing score. This time it was Jala Coad who found the endzone on an 11-yard run to make it a 14-3 tally on the board. Brockport closed out the half with a 20-yard field goal from Nate Wigent, taking a 17-3 lead into the locker room at halftime.
Isaiah Simmons broke loose fairly early in the third quarter to add to Brockport's lead. He capped off the 7-play, 79-yard drive with his 24-yard rushing touchdown to make it a 24-3 advantage. The Green and Gold did not take long to find paydirt again, with Cameron Mesh breaking through on a 6-yard run.
The Golden Eagles entered the fourth quarter with a 31-3 lead, and complete control of the game. Their defense continued to get stops, allowing the offense to start killing the clock with the run game. Saturday's performance was topped off with Nolan Slwyka's 15-yard touchdown reception from McGuire with just under five minutes to play.
Brockport cruised through the finish line for the 38-3 win at home, ahead of a crucial matchup next week on the road.
The Golden Eagles will now prepare for a highly anticipated Empire 8 battle with No. 17 Cortland on the road next week. Kickoff is scheduled for 12pm on Saturday, November 4th down in Cortland, NY.