BROCKPORT, N.Y. – A late fourth-quarter rally from the Alfred University football team fell just short, as the Saxons fell to No. 25 Brockport by a 16-7 score in Empire 8 action from Bob Boozer Field Saturday afternoon.
 
Alfred drops to 5-4 overall and 2-3 in Empire 8 action. Brockport, ranked 25^th in the latest American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) rankings, wins its eighth consecutive contest, improving to 8-1 and 5-0. In addition, Brockport wins its third consecutive Empire 8 title and will represent the conference in the upcoming NCAA Division III Football Championship Tournament.
 
It was a mixed bag offensively for the Saxons. Quarterback Casey Boston (Brooklyn, N.Y./Midwood) had one of his better passing yardage totals of the season, throwing for 214 yards and a touchdown, but completed just 11-of-28 passes, throwing a pair of interceptions. Aaron Griffin (Queens, N.Y./Holy Cross) rushed for just 38 yards on 17 carries, as the nation's best run defense (23.1 rushing yards allowed per game) entering the game held the Empire 8's best running back in check. Griffin also added a pair of receptions for 19 yards. In the air, A.O. Othman (Syracuse, N.Y./Christian Brothers Academy) had his best effort of his collegiate career, pulling in four receptions for 127 yards and a touchdown. E.J. Staniszewski (South Wales, N.Y./Holland) caught one ball for 44 yards.
 
The AU defense held a potent Brockport offense at bay, as the Golden Eagles were able to manage just 69 yards through the air and 5-of-18 on third downs. Leading the way was Raeqwon Greer (Buffalo, N.Y./Canisius), totaling 15 tackles (12 solo), one for loss, and a sack. Nick Milgate (Hilton, N.Y./Hilton) tallied his sixth consecutive double-digit tackle effort, racking up 10 tackles, all solo, with two for loss. Jason Gauthier (Java Center, N.Y./Pioneer) and Caleb Marshall (Owego, N.Y./Owego Free Academy) also tallied a sack.
 
Brockport was led by running back Jala Coad, who rushed for 81 yards on 26 carries, scoring twice. Rashad Law added 77 yards on just five carries. Jason Hellwig completed 5-of-16 passes for 69 yards. Alex West led the defense with nine tackles, one for loss, adding a sack.
 
The Golden Eagles struck first on their opening drive, going 10 plays and 74 yards. Coad capped off the drive with a two-yard touchdown run, but a failed point-after try gave Brockport a 6-0 lead. Alfred took control on its own 27, but a rare Griffin fumble on a second-and-8 situation gave the ball right back to the Golden Eagles. The AU defense held, giving the ball right back to the Alfred offense.
 
AU's second drive went backwards due to a few penalties. Facing a fourth-and-20 situation, the Brockport defense stopped Saxon running back Kevin Bragaglia (Holbrook, N.Y./Sachem North) for a loss, as the Golden Eagles took over on the Alfred 2-yard line. The next play, Coad scored his second touchdown of the day from two yards out, as the hosts took a 13-0 lead.
 
The Saxons got going on the third drive, as Boston completed a 58-yard pass to Othman on a third-and-10 play, setting AU up at the Brockport 15-yard line. A few plays later, facing fourth-and-3 from the 8-yard line, Dustin McCaslin's (Ashville, N.Y./Chautauqua Lake) field goal from 25 yards out was blocked by Makhai Murphy, keeping AU off the board.
 
Alfred continued to make big plays on offense, beginning the second quarter with a 44-yard pass from Boston to Staniszewski, as he was brought down at the Brockport 7-yard line. The offense couldn't get points from the drive, as Boston's pass was intercepted at the goal line by Ben Damiani.
 
The Alfred defense held Brockport at bay for most of the game, with the unit forcing a few three-and-outs, as well as a missed 33-yard field goal after a stalled Brockport drive.
 
AU broke the scoring drought in a big way on its first possession in the fourth quarter. After a three-yard Griffin run on first-and-10, Boston found Othman for a 66-yard touchdown pass, as the Saxons trailed just 13-7 with 14:12 to go in regulation.
 
Needing a big stop to get the ball back, the Golden Eagles embarked on a long 21-play, 84-yard drive, converting on a third-and-long situation and even a fourth-and-short play. Alfred halted Brockport's drive on its own 7-yard line, but Dustin Moyle converted a 24-yard field goal, extending the lead to 16-7 after an 11:28 drive. Alfred had one more possession but failed to convert on a fourth and medium situation, as Brockport kneeled on the ball to complete the victory.
 
The Saxons will conclude the regular season next Saturday, traveling to St. John Fisher College for a 1 p.m. contest.