Football | 9/20/2025 3:38:00 PM
CANTON, NY – The Alfred University football team concluded non-conference competition with a 35-13 win over St. Lawrence University on Saturday afternoon. The Saxons improve to 2-1 on the season, while St. Lawrence drops to 1-2.
Chris Kelly (Lake Ronkonkoma, NY/Sachem North) finished the game with 246 passing yards to go with a pair of passing touchdowns.
Carmine Hoag (Salamanca, NY Salamanca) registered a career-high 126 receiving yards along with one touchdown.
TJ Marsh (East Aurora, NY East Aurora) led the defense with seven tackles, including 2.5 sacks for AU.
"I am very proud of the way our players came out and performed today," Head Coach
Bob Rankl said. "It was a long trip up here and I thought their week of preparation really paid off. We are definitley enjoying this win, but our focus is on starting Empire 8 play next week when we travel to St. John Fisher. I am happy for our players and happy about our performance today."
The Saxons were forced to play from behind following an opening field goal by the Saints. Later in the quarter, Kelly found Hoag for a 40-yard connection to put AU in opposing territory. Three plays later, Kelly found
Jonye Rosebury Jr (Tampa, FL Tampa Bay Tech) for a 34-yard touchdown and the 7-3 lead entering the second quarter. In the early stages of the second quarter, St. Lawrence relied on a 36-yard field goal to cut into AU's advantage. The Saxons responded with a 13-play drive before Kelly tossed a 15-yard touchdown to Hoag. The Saints were driving down the field in the closing minute of the first half, but a combined sack between Marsh and
Vinci Armas (Winter Garden, FL Horizon) had the Saxons leading 14-6 going into halftime.
With Alfred University in favorable field position in the third quarter, the Saxons only needed five plays during their drive before
Steven Bidwell (Owego, NY Owego Free Academy) found the end zone. The backfield for the Saxons continued to find success throughout the afternoon, as
Tommy Nyquist (Warren, PA Warren Area) scored for AU in the following drive to extend the lead. The lone score for Alfred University in the fourth quarter came on the defensive end, as
Jack Bestpitch (Buffalo, NY St. Mary's of Lancaster) returned an interception for a touchdown. The Saints scored in the closing minutes of the fourth quarter, but the Saxons were the ones to come away with the win.
Alfred University will next open Empire 8 competition on the road against St. John Fisher University next Saturday at 2:00 PM.