Brockport, NY – Brockport gave the 2024 Homecoming crowd a win to celebrate, defeating Wilkes University on Bob Boozer Field, 31-17. The Golden Eagles scored 24 points in the second half on the way to the win, improving to 2-1.
Brockport's defense forced four turnovers in the contest with three interceptions and one fumble. Preseason All-American Kyle Haettich came up with a pair of picks, including one he took back 93 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter. Mike Talbert Jr. (INT) and Jahmere Clarke (FR) had the other two takeaways, as Malik Kelly caused the fumble.
Brockport's offense totaled 374 yards behind Ben Gocella's season-high 247 yards passing. He went 24-for-36 with two touchdowns and one pick. Brian Caldwell Jr. and Daniel Manneh both caught one touchdown. The run game totaled 127 yards in the contest. Isaiah Simmons led the effort with 18 touches for 91 yards and a score.
The visiting Colonels started the game with the ball and were forced to punt after just one first down. However, Brockport would fumble to punt and give the ball back to Wilkes on the 9-yard line. Brockport's defense held strong on the goal line to force a field goal, as Wilkes went up 3-0 early.
Later in the first quarter, the Golden Eagle offense got the home crowd excited with an explosive play. After crossing midfield, Gocella found Caldwell down the far sideline for a 40-yard touchdown pass. After Sal Montaperto's extra point, Brockport took a 7-3 lead going into the second quarter.
Wilkes University answered back on the next drive. A defensive penalty on Brockport combined with a 30-yard completion for the Colonels helped move them down the field. They converted on a fourth down play, which setup a redzone score to make it a 10-7 lead for the visiting team.
Neither offense was able to add to their totals on the scoreboard before the break. Brockport entered halftime trailing Wilkes by three points, 10-7, expecting the ball to start the third quarter.
The first Brockport drive was highlighted by a big play from Isaiah Simmons in the run game. Breaking multiple tackles, he sophomore broke loose for a 33 yards rush to get into scoring territory. The Golden Eagles settled for a field goal to tie the game up at 10-10. Montaperto connected from 28-yards out to tie the score.
On the ensuing drive, Wilkes threatened to score again in response. However, Mike Talbert Jr. came up with a big interception to halt the drive. Talbert finished the day with a team-high 10 tackles (3 solo, 7 assisted). The Golden Eagle defense returned the ball back to the offense with 5:57 left in the third.
Early in the next drive, Gocella connected on four passes to move the chains. This provided room for the run game to finish off the drive for the Green and Gold. On third down, Simmons got loose again. This time the Brockport running back went 20 yards for a touchdown to create a 17-10 lead going into the fourth.
It took Wilkes just three plays to answer with a score of its own. Quarterback Xavier Powell completed passes of 38 and 40 yards on back-to-back plays to get the Colonels in the endzone. With 14:01 left in regulation the score was tied up once again at 17-17.
The Golden Eagles were ready to respond offensively to regain the lead on their next series. It began with a 25-yard completion to Nolan Slywka, who finished with a team-high nine receptions for 84 yards. Gocella finished the drive off by finding Daniel Manneh for a 19-yard touchdown. Brockport held a 24-17 lead with 9:03 left to play.
The Homecoming Weekend crowd witnessed some drama as Wilkes resumed possession after the kickoff. Powell broke loose for a 43-yard rush for the Colonels, but had the ball punched out from behind by Malik Kelly at the end of the run. Powell's fumble was recovered by Brockport's Jahmere Clarke on the 32-yard line. Two plays later, the Colonels picked off Gocella to take the ball back.
With time winding down in the fourth quarter, Wilkes entered the redzone looking to tie the score. On a crucial fourth down play, Powell threw an interception to Brockport's Kyle Haettich. Haettich turned on the jets and ran 93 yards for the pick six. The Golden Eagles made it a two-score game, going up 31-17 with 2:54 left on the clock.
In the final minute of play, Wilkes looked to soften the loss with more points on the scoreboard. Back in scoring position, the Colonels backup quarterback Cooper King turned the ball over. It was Kyle Haettich once again with another interception, putting the game away for good. Brockport assumed victory formation, taking a knee to kill the clock for the 31-17 win.
The Golden Eagles have a bye in week four to provide time to prepare for the beginning of Empire 8 play. They will host St. John Fisher on Saturday, October 4th at 1pm for the annual Courage Bowl.