Brockport, NY – On Saturday's Homecoming football game, Brockport's celebration was spoiled by the #13 Cortland Red Dragons. Brockport moves to 3-2 overall and 1-1 in the Empire 8, following the 42-24 loss in this conference rivalry game.
Rashad Law rushed for over 100 yards for the third straight game this season. The lead back ran for 147 yards, on 25 carries, and two touchdowns to set season-highs across the board. Law is now past the halfway point to 1,000 yards, as he has 521 rushing yards on the season.
Ben Damiani and Ben Robinson led the defensive unit with seven total tackles each. Robinson included 1.0 tackles for a loss of two yards, while Damiani was credited with a pass breakup. Defensive backs Raylens Boutin and Ben Marshall both knocked down pass attempts as well in the loss.
Brockport recorded two sacks in the game, resulting in a total loss of 17 yards for Cortland. Ryan Culhane logged his first of the year, while Joseph Rodda also added one to give him 1.5 sacks on the season. Defensive end Hakeem Yaya got in on the action with six total tackles on four assisted and two solo stops.
Prior to leaving the game with an injury, quarterback Todd Simonds completed 4-of-6 passes for 79 yards and a touchdown. He also added 31 yards rushing in the contest. Freshman Chris McGuire stepped into the game, finishing with 43 rushing yards on 12 carries.
James Altenburger caught the lone touchdown pass from Simonds in the second quarter, hauling in an 11-yard score for his first of the year. Will McCarthy led the receiving group with his big play, racking up 58 yards from his one reception. It was the freshman receiver's longest gain of his young career.
The Golden Eagles leaned on the run game, finishing with 248 rushing yards, to notch their second highest running total of 2022. They slightly outgained Cortland in the contest with 327 yards of offense compared to 319 yards. However, a couple early turnovers and a big special teams play greatly benefitted the nationally-ranked Red Dragons.
On Brockport's first possession of the game, Cortland's Joshua Cordero ran an interception back 35 yards to put the visiting team up 7-0. The Golden Eagles would threaten inside of enemy territory on the ensuing drive, but another interception halted the momentum. The defense would be up to the task, forcing a punt shortly after to give the offense the ball back.
Brockport would then go on a 12 play, 65-yard drive, in 7:04 to tie the score up at 7-7 early on in the second quarter. The drive was capped off by Todd Simonds' 11-yard touchdown pass to James Altenburger.
The remainder of the second quarter would be controlled by the Red Dragons, as they went on to score three more touchdowns before halftime. They got on the board with rushing touchdowns from quarterback Zac Boyes and Jaden Alfanostjohn. The other score came on a 94-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Rashad Tucker. Noah Panepinto would make good on a 26-yard kick to add three points to the home team's total. Brockport entered the locker room at the half, trailing 21-10.
The Golden Eagle defense came out to start the third quarter with a big stop and provided solid field position for the offense to begin the next drive. The offensive unit would cut into the lead with a 10-yard rushing touchdown for Rashad Law to cap off an eight play, 70-yard drive. Panepinto's extra point was good, making it a 28-17 game.
After Cortland answered with another Jaden Alfanostjohn rushing touchdown, Brockport found itself down 35-17 heading into the fourth. The squad would put together another solid drive that ended with Law crossing the goal line for his second rushing score of the game. His 1-yard score finished off a 10-play, 75-yard drive to make the score read 35-24 with 14:57 left in regulation.
Starting a drive at 9:14 in the fourth quarter, Cortland would milk the clock with a 13-play, 66-yard drive to take 8:18 off the clock. The drive would end in Alfanostjohn's third score of the game, sealing the 42-24 win. The Red Dragons are now 5-0 overall and 2-0 in the Empire 8.
The Golden Eagles will be on the road next weekend, looking to bounce back against the undefeated Utica University Pioneers (5-0, 1-0 Empire 8). This conference matchup is scheduled for a 5pm kickoff in Utica, NY at Charles A. Gaetano Stadium.