Football | 9/23/2023 4:08:00 PM
WASHINGTON, D.C. – A strong defensive performance from the Alfred University football team resulted in a 9-6 win over Catholic University on Saturday afternoon from Cardinal Stadium.
The Saxons (1-2, 0-0 Empire 8) held the Cardinals (2-2, 0-0 Landmark Conference) to 9-of-21 in third down attempts as part of their winning efforts.
Alfred University was led by
Max Freeman IV (Painted Post, NY/Corning-Painted Post), who totaled 71 yards and a touchdown across 22 attempts.
Joe Copp (Minoa, NY/East Syracuse-Minoa) finished the game with 19 tackles, 10 of which were solo.
TJ Marsh (East Aurora, NY/East Aurora) added a career-high 17 tackles for AU.
"Our defense really stepped up in a game that brought some tough weather," Head Coach
Bob Rankl said. "We continued to grind it out and I'm proud of our guys for remaining physical and finding ways to capitalize. We're excited to be 2-2 going into our bye week before competing at home against a talented Morrisville team."
The Saxons defense stepped up early in the opening quarter, forcing turnover on downs thanks to a tackle from Marsh and
JJ Mundo (Pottstown, PA/Pottstown). Later in the quarter, a miscue from the Catholic offense near their own goal line resulted in a safety to put AU on the scoreboard. A 31-yard field goal from the Cardinals put the Saxons into an unusual 3-2 deficit. A 14-yard drive later in the second quarter resulted in a 24-yard field goal for Catholic, putting Alfred University behind 6-2 going into halftime.
A fumble recovery by Copp in the third quarter gave the Saxons possession at the opposing 18-yard line. Four plays later, a 10-yard rush from Freeman gave Alfred University their first lead of the second half. The heroics for Copp continued in the fourth quarter, as a fourth-down play from the Cardinals failed following a solo tackle from the senior captain. Catholic had an opportunity to tie the game with a 35-yard field goal attempt in the closing seconds, but it went wide right, allowing Alfred University to hold on for the win.
Alfred University will next enjoy the bye week before hosting SUNY Morrisville as part of Homecoming Weekend on Saturday, October 7 at 2:00 PM.
ABOUT THE EMPIRE 8 CONFERENCE
The members of the Empire 8 Conference are committed first and foremost to the pursuit of academic excellence and the league is regarded as an outstanding NCAA Division III conference. The membership has distinguished itself among its peer group for its quality institutions, spirited and sportsmanlike competition, outstanding services and highly ethical policies and practices. Its commitment to serve the educational needs of its student-athletes is the hallmark of the E8. For more on the Empire 8 visit
www.empire8.com.
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