CORTLAND, NY – A high-scoring affair resulted in a 59-21 loss for the Alfred University football team against #17 SUNY Cortland on Saturday from Grady Field.

The Saxons (3-3, 1-1 Empire 8) scored in each of the final three quarters against the Red Dragons (5-1, 3-0 Empire 8).

"We tip our hats to Cortland," Head Coach Bob Rankl said. "We could have made it more of a competitive contest, but congrats to them on the win. We are now focused on a talented Utica team. It's a big Empire 8 matchup for us with the hope of making a postseason run."

Derek Johnson (Stony Point, NY/Archbishop Stepinac) made his first career start for Alfred University under center, finishing the game with 100 passing yards and 2 touchdowns. Max Freeman IV (Painted Post, NY/Corning-Painted Post) 100 scrimmage yards and a touchdown. Joe Copp (Minoa, NY/East Syracuse-Minoa) led all defenders with a game-high 14 tackles. Roque Sanitago (Canisteo, NY/Canisteo-Greenwood) and Preston C. Guynup (Massena, NY/Massena Central) were each credited with a forced fumble. 

The Red Dragons jumped out to an early 21-0 lead in the opening quarter, but a 14-play drive was capped off by a 34-yard touchdown pass from Johnson to Dion Anderson (Buffalo, NY/St. Joseph's Collegiate Academy) to get the Saxons on the scoreboard. SUNY Cortland responded with 21 additional points in the second quarter before going into halftime with a 42-7 lead. SUNY Cortland continued to find offensive success in the second half, but the Saxons relied on touchdowns from both Freeman and Johnson to spark the offense before the closing minutes.  

Alfred University will next return home to host Utica University next Saturday at 12:00 PM.