By: Brockport Athletics
ALLENTOWN, PA – The College at Brockport football team lost in the NCAA Division III Football Championship second round, 42-0, on the road at nationally-ranked No. 4 Muhlenberg College on Saturday afternoon. Muhlenberg quarterback Mike Hnatkowsky tied a school-record with five touchdown passes over the course of the first three quarters to help the Mules advance to the tournament quarterfinals where they will take on host Salisbury University next Saturday.
Brockport, making its third straight NCAA appearance, wrapped up its 2019 campaign with a 9-3 overall record. Muhlenberg remained unbeaten on the season and the Mules have now set a new program standard with 12 victories.
"What those seniors did for this program – they won 40 football games in four years here. Most teams are lucky to play 40," said Head Coach
Jason Mangone about Brockport's graduating class. "All I can think about are the guys who have sacrificed and battled to put Brockport on the map. I hope our young guys will carry that forward and be the example for future Golden Eagles. The torch is passed on to our underclassmen and I'm very proud of our seniors."
Junior linebacker Lawrence Jenkins led the way for the Golden Eagles defense as he posted a game-high eight tackles, including one tackle for a loss. Jason Karteron chipped in with six tackles, while Josh Greenwood added six tackles and one sack for the Golden Eagle defense. Senior captain Alex West wrapped up his tremendous career with three tackles, including 1.5 for a loss of three yards. West, an all-American candidate, capped his collegiate career with 192 career tackles to go along with 25.5 sacks.
Freshman quarterback Freddy June completed six passes for 67 yards, while sophomore running back Jala Coad carried the ball 18 times for 66 yards for the Golden Eagles. Coad capped his sophomore campaign with 1,040 yards rushing and 19 total touchdowns. Imhotep Cromer and Joseph Ortiz each caught two balls for Brockport on the day. Ortiz will graduate as the College's all-time leader in career receptions with 238.
Brockport forced a punt on Muhlenberg's first offensive possession of the game, but an unfortunate mistouch on the ensuing punt led to a turnover and an excellent scoring opportunity for the Mules inside Brockport's 20 yard line. Hnatkowsky then connected with tight end Ryan Curtiss on a six yard out to give the home team an early 7-0 lead less than three minutes into the contest. Later in the quarter, completions of 12 and 22 yards to Curtiss set up the second touchdown, a 17-yard pass from Hnatkowsky to junior Mitch Daniel to put the home team on top 14-0 with 4:17 to go in the first.
Trailing 14-0, the Golden Eagles elected to go for it on fourth and short near midfield with 1:03 left in the first quarter, and Muhlenberg junior Nick Sirico broke up the pass. Nine plays and 51 yards later, it was Hnatkowsky to Curtiss from 17 yards out to make it 21-0.
Curtiss finished the day with two TD receptions and he also added a rushing score in the fourth quarter to close out the scoring. Mitch Daniel added two touchdown receptions, including a 41 yard TD pass from Hnatkowsky in the third quarter to push Muhlenberg's lead to 35-0.
Chris Hillburn also added a 10 yard TD catch for the Mules. Joshua Barnett made six stops and posted two sacks to lead the Muhlenberg defense.
Brockport finished the day with 113 rushing yards on the ground, including 38 yards on 11 carries from senior Justin Morrison.
The Golden Eagles have now advanced to the second round of the NCAA Championship in three consecutive seasons and they are 7-7 all-time in NCAA postseason games. In the last three years, the Golden Eagles are 5-3 in postseason games.
Brockport won nine of its last 11 games this season. The Golden Eagles posted three shut outs on the year and they allowed seven points or less in five of 12 games.
Brockport joined elite territory this season, becoming just the second program in the 18 year history of the Empire 8 to win three consecutive conference crowns.
Brockport is now 19-5 in away games dating back to the beginning of the 2016 season. Head Coach
Jason Mangone and his staff recently became the first staff in the 18 year history of the Empire 8 Conference to earn three consecutive E8 staff of the Year honors.