Football | 10/17/2026 5:22:00 PM
ALFRED, NY — The SUNY Brockport football team rallied from an early two-touchdown deficit by scoring 24 unanswered points to defeat host Alfred State, 24-14, on Saturday afternoon at Pioneer Stadium. With the victory, the Golden Eagles improve to 5-1 overall and remain perfect in Empire 8 play at 3-0.
Alfred State (4-2, 1-2 E8) seized the momentum early. The Pioneers struck first midway through the opening quarter on a 3-yard touchdown run by Chase Shepanski, capping a 9-play, 74-yard march. Early in the second quarter, Ryan Joseph extended the lead to 14-0 with a 2-yard touchdown plunge.
Brockport answered before halftime behind a pair of scoring strikes from quarterback Zymier Jackson to receiver Nolan Slywka. Jackson got the Golden Eagles on the board with a 13-yard touchdown pass to Slywka at the 7:12 mark. Just before the break, the duo connected again on a 3-yard touchdown pass with 13 seconds remaining, putting the cap on a 12-play, 70-yard drive to send the teams into the locker room deadlocked at 14-14.
The Golden Eagle defense completely controlled the second half, holding the Pioneers to just 24 total yards after halftime. Brockport dominated time of possession in the third quarter (10:45 to 4:15) to keep Alfred State pinned deep.
Brockport took its first lead early in the fourth quarter when linebacker Austyn Gollnitz intercepted a pass and returned it 19 yards for a pick-six touchdown with 11:13 left in regulation. Kicker Christopher Bascetta provided insurance with 3:29 remaining, drilling a 22-yard field goal to close out a 9-play drive and extend the margin to 24-14.
Brockport outgained Alfred State 370 to 174 in total offensive yards and held the Pioneers to 0-for-4 on fourth-down conversions. The Golden Eagle front seven dominated the line of scrimmage, recording 10 tackles for loss and six sacks, holding Alfred State to 24 net rushing yards on 33 carries (0.7 yards per carry).
Week 7 will bring the Golden Eagles back home to Bob Boozer Field to host SUNY Morrisville for their Senior Day on Saturday, October 24th, for a 12 PM kickoff.
Top Performers:
- Allan Paul: 22 carries, 136 rushing yards (6.2 avg)
- Nolan Slywka: 11 receptions, 90 receiving yards, 2 TDs
- Zymier Jackson: 19-for-28 passing, 194 passing yards, 2 TDs
- Anthony Diaz: 2 receptions, 42 receiving yards (Long: 29)
- Austyn Gollnitz: 5 tackles, 1.0 TFL, 1.0 sack, 19-yard INT return for TD
- Nazhier Wilson: 6 tackles, 3.0 TFL, 1.0 sack, 1 forced fumble
- Jayden Ferrell: 5 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 2.0 sacks
- Aiden Cronkhite: 4 tackles, 2.0 TFL, 2.0 sacks, 1 pass breakup
- Colton Thorp: 8 tackles (6 solo), 1 pass breakup