Football | 11/1/2025 9:20:00 PM
BROCKPORT, NY – Brockport football honored its founding father, Bob Boozer, on the day his memorial plaque was unveiled with a dominant performance. The Golden Eagles defeated Alfred University, 51-0, for a third straight win. They improved 6-2 overall and 4-1 in the Empire 8.
Brockport held its Bob Boozer Plaque Presentation prior to opening kickoff, in honor of the first Head Coach in program history, Bob Boozer. Starting the program in 1947, coaching through the 1959 season, Bob Boozer's legacy continues to inspire Brockport. A beautifully crafted plaque now resides at Bob Boozer Field in his honor.
Following the short ceremony, the Golden Eagles would receive the opening kickoff to start the game. A healthy diet of Isaiah Simmons would help put points on the board for the Green and Gold. With about a 7-minute opening series, Zach McGowan would be called upon from 25-yards out to put Brockport up 3-0 in the first.
Defensively, Brockport gave up almost nothing in the opening period to the visiting Saxons. They were forced to punt twice in the first quarter, and one more time right away in the second. Brockport's 3-0 lead at the end of one, would soon grow with the offense ready to roll in the second.
Taking over with 14:46 on the clock in the second, Brockport moved down the field thanks to a couple chunk plays in the passing game from Ben Gocella. Ultimately, the Golden Eagles would settle for their second field goal of the game. McGowan knocked it through the uprights from 35-yards out to make it a 6-0 lead with 9:23 on the clock.
Another quick stop from the Golden Eagles' defense brought the ball back to the offense looking to add to the scoreboard. After a 32-yard punt return from Daniel Manneh, Brockport had excellent field position to start the drive (ALF 32). This setup an 11-yard touchdown rush for Isaiah Simmons, his first score of the day. Brockport now led 13-0 over the Saxons.
The next series would result in a very similar story. Brockport's defense forcing a 3-and-out, which allowed the offense to score another touchdown. This time it was a 25-yard connection from Gocella to Manneh, making it a 20-0 lead for the home team.
One last stop from the defense in quarter would give McGowan another chance to kick for points to end the half. Making from 41-yards out this time, Brockport's top leg gave the squad a 23-0 lead heading into halftime.
After a dominant, 23-0, first half from the Golden Eagles, they would blow the game wide open with 21 points in the third quarter. Up first was a 14-yard rushing touchdown from Simmons, his second of the day. His third and final score would be one to remember.
Isaiah Simmons would go for a record-breaking, 99-yard rushing touchdown. Going the distance of the field for the longest run from scrimmage in program history, breaking a 68-year old record set in 1954 by Jim Royston (tied in 1957 by Joe Massi) of 95 yards. Simmons' day would end with 236 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 22 carries.
A special teams touchdown would finish off the scoring for Brockport in the period. Kyle Slywka got loose to block the Alfred U punt, scooping up the ball for a 33-yard return for a touchdown. It was a commanding 44-0 lead for the Golden Eagles going into the fourth.
One last touchdown for the Green and Gold would cap off a convincing win in front of the home crowd. Zymier Jackson finished off a 12-play, 72-yard drive with a 17-yard rushing touchdown. Jackson's score with McGowan's kick created the final score of 51-0.
Brockport's defense forced nine punts on the day, allowing only seven total first downs to the Alfred offense. The Saxons totaled just 107 yards of total offense (46 rushing, 61 passing), as the Golden Eagles go two games in a row without allowing a touchdown.
Offensively, 502 yards of total offense was highlighted by a season-high 344 rushing yards (158 passing). Brockport had four rushing touchdowns and one passing touchdown as well in the team's fifth 40-point performance of the season.
Simmons led the backfield behind a great effort from his big offensive line, totaling 236 yards and three touchdowns. Zymier Jackson found the endzone as well (2 car, 23 yds). Ben Gocella went 18-for-26, tossing for 158 yards and one touchdown. He found Daniel Maneh nine times for 125 yards and a score.
Luca Friedman (4 tackles) and Darius Cervi (5 tackles) both registered sacks for the defense, with Cervi causing a fumble on his play. The recovery was scooped up by Jayden Ferrell, for Brockport's lone takeaway of the contest. Jahmere Clarke and Nazhier Wislon both registered five tackles for the squad.
Multiple players in the secondary came up with deflections to force incompletions and made tackles in space. Kyle Slywka not only had four solo stops, but he also had that blocked punt returned for a touchdown on special teams. Elijah Grooms (2), Liam Nealy (1), Austyn Gollnitz (1), Colton Thorp (1), and Destin Branch-El (1) all had pass breakups.
The two-time, back-to-back Empire 8 Special Teams player of the week, Zach McGowan, had another great outing. He went perfect with his leg on field goals and extra points on the day. He was 6-for-6 on PATs and 3-for-3 on field goals from 25, 25, and 41 yards out.
With just two games left in the regular season, Brockport finds itself at 4-1 in conference play with crucial E8 matchups coming up. Next week is the road matchup against the Cortland Red Dragons, starting at 12 pm on Saturday, November 8.