The College at Brockport Football team opens the 2014 season at 1 pm Saturday with a non-conference matchup with Oberlin College. The Golden Eagles enter the game after winning the final seven games of the 2013 season including the ECAC Northwest Bowl championship game. Oberlin and Brockport meet for just the second time ever. Brockport scored a 48-15 win in 1988 and the teams have not played each other since. Check out this week's game notes.
On a Roll: Brockport: Brockport enters the game on a seven-game win streak including a 19-12 win over Waynesburg in the ECAC Northwest Bowl game to end the 2013 season. Oberlin was 3-7 last year but ended the season on a high note with a 47-13 win over Hiram College.
Coaches: Brockport Head Coach Jason Mangone starts his second season at the helm after establishing the best first-year coaching season record in Brockport history with the 8-3 record. Jay Anderson is in his first season at Oberlin. He was the defensive coordinator last year for Oberlin. He has also served on the coaching staff for Notre Dame College in Ohio.
Home Sweet Home: Brockport opened the renovated Bob Boozer Field at Eunice Kennedy Shriver Stadium last year and promptly lost the first two games on the new A-Turf field. The Golden Eagles rebounded quickly and ran off four consecutive wins on the turf to end the season.
Running Wild: The Golden Eagles broke the single season team rushing mark last year racking up 2,354 yards. With all three main running backs returning for the 2014 season with NJAC Offensive Rookie of the Year Dan Andrews and seniors Tyrone Nichols and Shireem Cobb, the record may not stand for more than a year. Andrews finished 2013 with 1,236 yards including three games with at least 200 yards each. Nichols had a 1,000-yard rushing season as a sophomore but was slowed by injury in 2013 and Cobb is nearing the 1,000-yard mark for his career despite being used more as a fullback.
Signal Calling Choices: Junior Ty Stoldt started the 2013 season as the starting quarterback but was replaced by fellow junior Wayne Bonsell after an injury sent him to the sidelines. Bonsell did not disappoint, winning the seven games down the stretch for the Golden Eagles. Bonsell enters the 2014 season as the starter but there is comfort in the fact that a healthy Stoldt with game starting experience is available on the sidelines if needed. Bonsell threw for 1,262 yards and Stoldt added 1,169 yards through the air last season.
Captains: Brockport captains for the 2014 season are seniors Tyrone Nichols, safety Anthony Bianchi, cornerback Colby Morabito and wide receiver Andrew Mrozek.
Next up for Brockport: The Golden Eagles open the season at home against Oberlin before heading to Cortland for a classic matchup September 13. Brockport returns home September 20 for what is expected to be the biggest game in school history with the combination of Homecoming and Courage Bowl X against cross-town rival St. John Fisher. The 6 pm game will be televised live on Time Warner cable across the State and a crowd of nearly 10,000 fans is expected. The proceeds from the game will benefit Camp Good Days and Special Times and marks the first appearance for the Golden Eagles in the Courage Bowl.
Get Your Tickets Now: This year, fans will not have to wait until game day to get their tickets to Brockport games. The Athletic Ticket office has added the option for online ordering of tickets at www.brockportTickets.com. Fans can purchase and print tickets at home and have their tickets scanned at the gate for quick and easy access to the stadium.
Easy for Students Too: For the first time this year, Brockport students can also get their tickets in advance by stopping at the Brockport Student Government ticket office in the Seymour College Union. Students simply need to show their college ID card to receive their free tickets to the game.
Relative Experience: The Golden Eagles have a rebuilt offensive line for the 2014 season after graduating four starters from the record-setting 2013 unit that earned national Offensive Line of the Week twice. The lone returning starter is Sean O'Mara at left guard. The new starting left tackle has connections to one of – if not the best offensive lineman in Brockport history. Junior Tre Fesinger is the nephew of former Golden Eagle All-American and NFL player Josh Warner. The Westhill HS product has worked his way into the starting lineup this year after earning considerable playing time last year. Fellow juniors Nick Cappelletti, Dominick Guglielmo and Phil Tomassi will start at center, right guard and right tackle respectively.
