BROCKPORT, N.Y.- The No. 3 College at Brockport football team defeated Framingham State 40-27 Saturday, in the first round of 2018 NCAA Division III Football Championship Playoffs. The Golden Eagles improve to 11-0 this season and advance to the Sweet 16 round of the Championship.
Brockport showcased their talent at the beginning of the first quarter, collecting points on their first drive of the game. The touchdown came from a 90-yard offensive drive, capped by a three-yard rush by quarterback Joe Germinerio. The remainder of the quarter was a back-and-forth battle, with neither defense giving up much.
The second frame brought about Framingham frustrations as they began to take unsportsmanlike penalties, putting Brockport in great field position for their second touchdown of the day. Germinerio led the offense up the field and finished the drive with a 20-yard pass to Joe Benedict. The Green and Gold defense continued to shut down the Rams offense and it allowed the offense to stay hot. A 24-yard completion to Alex Benson put Brockport up 21-0 with little time remaining in the half. More penalties by Framingham allowed Brockport to sink a 22-yard field goal before a Matt Arita interception kept the Rams scoreless. The Golden Eagles headed into the half with a 24-0 cushion.
After the break, the Green and Gold would see their counterparts sneak onto the board, but Brockport fought to provide the answer. Following an opening drive score for the Rams, the Golden Eagles only needed two-plays to find the endzone, with a 68-yard completion from Germinerio to DaQuan Hubbard to go ahead 30-7. Framingham fought to find endzone before the close of the quarter, but a failed two-point conversion gave Brockport the 30-13 edge heading into the final frame.
The scoring wasn't complete, as the Golden Eagles added a touchdown and a field goal in the fourth, capping an 87-yard/13-play drive to work in the score off a Jala Coad rush. The Rams fought the impending end of their season, adding a pair of TDs of their own, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Golden Eagles, who held on for the 40-27 win.
The Green and Gold were led offensively by Germinerio, who threw for 315-yards and three scores and rushed in a TD. Coad picked up 70-yards of offense on 14-carries with a score, while Joe Benedict added 58-yards on 12-rushes. Hubbard had five catches on the day for 159-yards and a score, including the 68-yard reception he took to the house.
Defensively, the Golden Eagles produced across the board, with Tim Terry leading the way in tackles with seven, including one for a loss. Cedric Campbell II posted six tackles, while Vernon Smith, Alex West, Ben Marshall and Josh Greenwood each accounted for five a piece. The Green and Gold wreaked havoc on the offense, tallying quarterback hurries and hits. Dean picked up five QB hits, a sack and two tackles for loss.
The Golden Eagles will face Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute matchup on Nov. 24 at 12 p.m. in the Second Round of the 2018 NCAA Division III Football Championship.
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