Football | 9/14/2024 6:10:00 PM
ALFRED, NY - Multiple milestones were reached for the Alfred University football team as part of a 64-28 win over Juniata College on Saturday afternoon from Yunevich Stadium. The Saxons (1-1, 0-0 Empire 8) scored their most points dating back to the 1933 season as part of their winning efforts.
Alfred University was led by
Chris Kelly (Lake Ronkonkoma, NY/Sachem North), who totaled 357 passing yards along with four touchdowns. The passing yards for Kelly marked the fourth-most in a single game in program history.
Dion Anderson (Buffalo, NY/St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute) enjoyed a historical game that included 10 receptions, 279 receiving yards and three touchdowns. Anderson set the program record for most receiving yards in a single game for AU.
Max Freeman IV (Corning, NY/Corning-Painted Post) led the backfield with 117 total yards to go with a pair of touchdowns. The defense was led by
Braden Heim (Paxinos, PA/Southern Columbia) and
Landon Spencer (Syracuse, NY/West Genesee), who finished the game with 18 combined tackles for the Saxons.
Juniata put pressure on Alfred University early, scoring on the third play of the game to take the initial lead. The Saxons responded with a 36-yard reception from Anderson that led to a field goal from
Owen Bishop (Penn Yan, NY/Penn Yan Academy) to put AU on the scoreboard. The next possession for Alfred University resulted in an 11-play drive that was capped off by Freeman's first touchdown of the afternoon. The Eagles were forced to punt following three quick plays, allowing AU to take a 9-7 lead into the second quarter.
The Saxons extended their lead early in the second quarter thanks to a six-yard pass from Kelly to Freeman. The Eagles felt the pressure on their next possession, attempting a fake punt before
Damarie Hilson (Niagara Falls, NY/Niagara Wheatfield) made a huge tackle to give the ball back to AU.
Braden Alexander (Herkimer, NY/Herkimer) rushed the ball five times before finding the end zone, as Alfred University took a 23-7 lead into halftime.
Anderson led the receiving core for AU throughout the game, beginning the third quarter with a 32-yard touchdown. The Eagles scored once before the Saxons quickly responded with a 67-yard touchdown from Kelly to Anderson. Following a failed fourth down conversion from Juniata, Anderson added to his historic afternoon with a 68-yard touchdown, as the Saxons carried a 43-21 advantage into the final quarter.
Alfred University utilized their run game throughout the final quarter, as
Alexander Coffey (Columbia, MD/Long Reach) scored following a five-yard rush. In the following possession, Coffey scored once again for AU thanks to a 37-yard run. Juniata managed to find the end zone, but
Noah Hill (Rochester, NY/University Prep Rochester) neutralized the damage with a 62-yard play from under center. The defense held the Eagles without a point in each of their final two possessions, closing out their weekend with a win.
Alfred University will next enjoy their bye week before hosting Catholic University on Saturday, September 28 at 1:00 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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