BROCKPORT, N.Y. – The No. 19 ranked College at Brockport football team took down Utica College 28-14 on Saturday afternoon to move to 4-0 on the season (2-0 Empire 8). This is the first time the Golden Eagles have begun a season 4-0 since 2003, which was the last time they appeared in the NCAA Championship Playoffs.
Brockport had to play from behind for the first time all season, as the Pioneers got on the board first to take a 7-0 lead. Dehstin Smart returned an interception 78 yards all the way to the Brockport two yard line, allowing Lindell Reed to run in a one-yard score two plays later.
The Green and Gold did not take long to respond though, as after a quick series on the ensuing drive, Eric Yaeger boomed a 58-yard punt, pinning Utica within their own five yard line. Three plays later, Jake O'Connell picked off his third pass of the season and returned it nine yards, giving the Golden Eagles prime field position at the Utica 12.
After an incomplete pass, Justin Morrison took a handoff from Joe Germinerio and barreled into the end zone from 12 yards out for his sixth score of the season, knotting the game at 7-7.
The score would remain that way until midway through the second quarter, when Germinerio found his favorite deep threat, DaQuan Hubbard for a 74-yard score. The duo of Germinerio to Hubbard has frustrated opposing defenses all year long, and here it gave Brockport a 14-7 lead with 08:37 remaining in the half.
The Golden Eagles would tack on one more before the half, this time using a methodical 11-play, 77-yard drive to put give them a two possession lead with less than two minutes to play in the half. Germinerio was responsible for the scoring play this time, showing off his mobility with a sixteen yard rush to put the ball at the Utica 2 yard line, before taking it himself yet again for the score. The defense forced a three-and-out on the ensuing kickoff, and the Golden Eagles carried a 21-7 lead into the half.
Neither team was able to find the end zone in the third quarter, but the Brockport defense was particularly dominant, forcing two three and outs and allowing just 21 total yards in the frame. Brockport had a good scoring chance at the end of the quarter when they marched 57 yards down the field all the way to the Utica one yard line, but a fourth down stop gave the Pioneers back the ball.
Brockport added some insurance with just under nine minutes in regulation when Morrison broke another huge run, breaking through a hole in the line and taking it 78 yards to the house. The Pioneers added another score late, but it was to no avail as the Golden Eagles were able to hang on for the 28-14 victory.
Germinerio finished the game with 244 yards passing and another 71 on the ground, throwing and running for a touchdown. Morrison had another 100-yard rushing game, netting 127 and running in two scores.
On the defensive side of the ball, Matt Szymanski and Nathaniel Keith III had 11 tackles apiece, with Keith III also recording a 3-yard sack. O'Connell and Alex West each recorded interceptions, and combined to return them for 27 yards.
Brockport will be on the road next weekend when they travel to Cortland for a game beginning at 2 p.m. They'll then have a week off before beginning the second half of their 10-game schedule.
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