Selinsgrove, PA – The SUNY Brockport football team moved to 1-1 on the season after a tough, 27-21, loss on the road to No. 11 Susquehanna (2-0).
The first quarter was all Susquehanna, as the River Hawks jumped out to an early 10-0 lead going into the second. Daniel Manneh put Brockport on the board with an electric 81-yard punt return to make it a 10-7 score. Susquehanna would answer to extend its lead to 20-7 going into halftime.
To start the third quarter, the Golden Eagles marched down the field. Isaiah Simmons scored on a 2-yard touchdown run to cap off a 7-play, 74-yard drive. After the Sal Montaperto extra point make, the squad trailed 20-14. The River Hawks responded once again with another touchdown to make it a two score game at 27-14. They would maintain this 13-point advantage heading into the fourth quarter.
Susquehanna looked to run the clock out, but the Green and Gold was able to get a stop to start the fourth. Brockport then moved down the field once again for a 7-play, 85-yard touchdown drive when it was needed most. Ben Gocella linked up with Simmons through the air for a 5-yard score to make it a 27-21 game. With 5:50 left in regulation, the Golden Eagles needed a quick stop to give the offense a chance to score.
Hoping to move the chains and put the game away, the River Hawks connected on a deep pass which put them on the Brockport 17-yard line. The Brockport defense stayed strong and, with some help from a pair of holding penalties, got the clutch stop. The offense took over with 1:36 left to play, and quickly ran into a 4th and 10 situation. Gocella connected with Nolan Slywka for the conversion to keep the late-drive alive.
Brockport moved the chains once again after a 14-yard play to Manneh, nearing midfield. Facing 3rd and 4, Slywka made the catch for first-down yardage, but fumbled the ball. The River Hawks scooped it up and regained control of the momentum. With just 52 seconds left to play, they just ticked the clock out to hold on for the 27-21 win at home.
The Golden Eagle defense contained the River Hawks run game to just 2.8 yards per carry across 46 rushes. This defensive unit made multiple plays to keep Brockport in the game. Both Mike Talbert Jr. and Jayson Thomas each came up with a fumble recovery, while both were caused by Marqwan Fluitt. Brockport had three sacks in the contest as well. Fluitt and Talbert were joined by Ben Robinson with one sack each.
Robinson had a big day with 16 total tackles (8 solo, 8 assisted) to lead the defense. Talbert also had double-digit stops with 10 tackles (6 solo) to go with two hurries and a pass breakup. Kyle Haettich got in on the action with nine tackles (6 solo), including 1.0 tackles for a loss of three yards.
Ben Gocella threw for 205 yards and a touchdown on 18-for-30 passing in the game. His top target of the game was Daniel Manneh who had his best outing as a Golden Eagle. Manneh caught eight passes for 114 yards and scored on an 81-yard punt return. Gocella's one touchdown pass was a 5-yard connect with Isaiah Simmons. Simmons also rushed for 47 yards on 12 carries with one touchdown.
Brockport's punter Dan Giangrasso had a busy day with six punts, after logging just one kick last week. On Saturday he averaged 48.2 yards a punt, hitting three kicks 50 or more yards, and pinning the River Hawks inside their own 20 one time. Montaperto went 3-for-3 on point after touchdowns in his second career game at Brockport.
The name of the game was controlling the ball in this one and Susquehanna won the possession battle. While Brockport went 0-for-8 on third down conversions with 19:35 time of possession, Susquehanna held the ball for 40:04. The River Hawks were 9-for-20 on third downs and even went 3-for-3 on fourth down tries.
Now at 1-1, the Golden Eagles will look to bounce back on Homecoming Weekend. They will host Wilkes University for more non-conference action on Saturday, September 21st at 1pm.