Wilkes-Barre, PA – The SUNY Brockport football team took care of business on the road against the Wilkes University Colonels. Brockport pulled out the 31-7 victory, improving to 2-1 on the season.
Brockport made game-winning plays in all three phases of the game for the bounce-back win in week three. The defense fought hard not to give anything up, the offense scored on the ground and through the air, and the special teams unit had two big plays.
The Golden Eagles defense didn't allow much to happen for the opposing offense, allowing just 145 yards of total offense in the game. They forced two turnovers coming from a Raylens Boutin interception and a fumble caused by Dylan Mann, recovered by Ryan Culhane. Wilkes was only able to gain 10 first downs for the game, being held to an average of 2.7 yards per play.
Mike Talbert Jr. continues his impressive season, leading the defense with eight total tackles and one pass breakup. Talbert also got a hand on the ball to block a field goal for the Golden Eagles. Ben Robinson made seven stops, and was credited with 1.5 tackles for a loss. Mann got the lone sack of the day for the Green and Gold. Kyle Haettich caused disruptions in the passing game with three breakups.
Making his first collegiate start, freshman QB Ben Gocella completed 8-of-17 passes for 98 yards and a touchdown. His first career touchdown pass was a 61-yard connect to running back Gino Fontanarosa. Brockport's offense outgained Wilkes, 323-145, in the contest. The team relied on the run game, rushing for a season-high 225 yards.
Fontanarosa got loose in the running game for a long score to go with his long touchdown reception. His 70-yard rushing touchdown in the first quarter led him to 113 yards on the ground for the day. Overall he totaled two touchdowns and 174 yards of offense in the week three victory. Jala Coad also found the endzone to cap of his day with 21 carries for 77 yards.
The special teams unit continues to stay hot for the Golden Eagles. They have scored points on special teams in all three games so far this season. Against the Colonels, Louie Usera recovered a muffed punt for a touchdown in the first quarter. Brockport also blocked a field goal for the second game in a row. Mike Talbert Jr. was in on the play this week, denying Wilkes of three potential points.
Kicker Nate Wigent remains perfect on both field goal and extra point attempts. He went 4-for-4 on PATs and 1-for-1 with a 30-yard kick in the game. On the season he is 2-for-2 on field goals and 10-for-10 on the extra point try. Punter Dan Giangrasso had seven kicks for 261 yards, including three punts inside the 20 and long of 58 yards.
In the first quarter, the Golden Eagles would have two big plays to jump out in front. On the first drive of the game, Gino Fontanarosa broke free for a 70-yard touchdown run. His career-long rushing score is the longest play from scrimmage for Brockport since 2019. Nate Wigent's extra point gave the squad an early 7-0 lead on the road.
The defense was ready to go as well right from the start for the Green and Gold. The first two defensive possessions resulted in a total of -3 yards on six plays and just 1:17 of time for Wilkes University's offense.
With 6:32 left in the first quarter, the Golden Eagles would double their lead to 14-0 by capitalizing on a special teams mistake by Wilkes. Dan Giangrasso's punt was fumbled by the Colonel's punt returner. Louie Usera would end up with the fumble recovery for a touchdown. Making it three weeks straight the Brockport special teams unit has come up with a score.
As the second quarter began, the Wilkes offense found itself in the redzone threatening to score. Raylens Boutin put an end to the drive with his first interception of the season. The Preseason All-American now has 13 picks for his career at Brockport.
The Colonels would eventually get on the board in the second quarter to cut into the deficit. Starting the drive on Brockport's 45-yard line, a 34-yard pass play set Wilkes up at 1st and Goal from the seven. Quarterback Isaiah Rodriguez punched it in, making it a 14-7 score with 8:58 left in the period.
With halftime approaching, Wilkes University was driving down the field looking to close the gap further. The possession would stall on the Brockport 11-yard line, as the Colonels had to settle for a field goal. For the second week in a row the Golden Eagles special teams unit blocked the kick. Kyle Haettich picked up the live ball and returned it 50 yards to flip the field for Brockport's advantage. With no more points added to the board before the quarter ended, Brockport held its 14-7 lead going into halftime.
The third quarter saw both defenses getting stops early on before another big play by the Golden Eagle offense. Freshman QB Ben Gocella hit Gino Fontanarosa, who took it 61 yards for the first touchdown pass of Gocella's career. Wigent nailed the point after attempt once again to make it a 21-7 lead for the Green and Gold.
After another stop by the defense, Brockport would get in position to add to its two-touchdown lead. Facing a short field, Jala Coad's 19-yard run put the Golden Eagles in field goal range. With a 30-yard field goal from Wigent, they created a 24-7 lead with less than five minutes left in the third quarter.
Wilkes would continue to struggle to get a first down offensively, quickly giving the possession back to the Brockport offense as the fourth quarter approached. A steady diet of rushes for Coad helped kill 6:31 off the clock on the drive, before Giangrasso punted the ball away.
The Colonels found themselves down by 21 points with 11 minutes remaining to play in the fourth. On 3rd and 6, Rodriguez was sacked by Dylan Mann to force a fumble that was recovered by Ryan Culhane. Brockport's offense took over once again, this time at the Wilkes 22-yard line.
A series filled with handoffs resulted in another touchdown drive for the Golden Eagles. Six straight rushes for Coad and a penalty on Wilkes led to a 2-yard score. With 6:42 left to play, Brockport had pushed its lead to the final score of 31-7.
Improving to 2-1 through three games, Brockport football will return to its home field for next week's action. Lycoming College comes to Bob Boozer Field on Saturday, September 23rd for a 12pm kickoff.
Full Team Effort Gives Brockport 31-7 Win at Wilkes
/seasons/2023/boxscores/20230916_6dip.xml
2023
Brockport
31
Wilkes
7
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brockport (2-1) | 14 | 0 | 10 | 7 | 31 |
| Wilkes (0-3) | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
Sep 16, 2023