Football | 11/11/2025 12:00:00 PM
Alfred State defensive tackle
Gage Cornell and SUNY Cortland linebacker
Aidan Lochner were named to the D3football.com Team of the Week on Tuesday, Nov. 11. The pair becomes the 14th and 15th different Empire 8 student-athletes to earn the prestigious weekly honor in 2025.
Cornell, a sophomore from Gouverneur, NY, tallied 12 tackles (six solo, six assisted), with 2.5 tackles for a loss and 1.5 sacks in Alfred State’s 35-28 win over Alfred University to claim the Stoplight Trophy. His 2.5 tackles for a loss totaled 11 yards. He was named the Empire 8 Defensive Player of the Week on Monday.
Cornell is tied for third in the E8, averaging a tackle for loss per game, with nine total on the year. He also has 50 total tackles and 2.5 sacks in 2025.
Lochner, a junior who hails from Ravena, NY, recorded six tackles, four solo, intercepted a pass and registered two pass breakups to help Cortland defeat Brockport, 44-14, and clinch the Empire 8 title for the fifth straight year. Lochner's interception came early in the fourth quarter with the Red Dragons up 30-14. He returned the ball 14 yards to the Brockport 6-yard line, and Cortland scored on the next play to extend the lead to 37-14.
Lochner leads Cortland with 53 total tackles on the season to go along with a pair of interceptions. He is also tied for the Empire 8 lead with three fumble recoveries in 2025.
All E8 teams are in action on Saturday, Nov. 15 to wrap up the regular season. Empire 8 Champion SUNY Cortland will head to Ithaca to play in the 66th Cortaca Jug at noon. In league play, SUNY Brockport hosts Utica University in a key Empire 8 battle at 2 p.m. St. John Fisher University hosts Alfred State at noon, while Alfred University hosts SUNY Morrisville at 1 p.m. Hartwick also plays out of conference, hosting Liberty League foe Hilbert College at noon.
Here is the complete 2025 Empire 8 football schedule.
2025 Empire 8 D3football.com Team of the Week Recipients
Nov. 11 (Week 10) - Gage Cornell, DT, Alfred State
Nov. 11 (Week 10) - Aidan Lochner LB, SUNY Cortland
Nov. 4 (Week 9) - Zach McGowan, K, SUNY Brockport
Oct. 28 (Week 8) - Chris Bergman, S, Alfred State
Oct. 28 (Week 8) - Logan Frederick, TE, Utica
Oct. 21 (Week 7) - Colton Thorp, DB, SUNY Brockport
Oct. 14 (Week 6) - Jordyn Davis, DL, Utica
Oct. 7 (Week 5) - Noah Currier, RB, Alfred State
Oct. 7 (Week 5) - Logan Frederick, TE, Utica
Oct. 7 (Week 5) - Donnell Hall, S, Alfred St.
Oct. 7 (Week 5) - Jack Tanoory, LB, St. John Fisher
Sept. 30 (Week 4) - Daniel Manneh, WR/RET, SUNY Brockport
Sept. 16 (Week 2) - Robert Kennedy, CB, Hartwick
Sept. 16 (Week 2) - Tim Vanderbrink, S, St. John Fisher
Sept. 9 (Week 1) - Tyler Szalkowski, QB, Utica
Sept. 9 (Week 1) - Isaiah Thomas, LB, Utica