BROCKPORT, NY – The Alfred University football team wrapped up their 2023 season with a 35-14 loss to SUNY Brockport on Saturday from Bob Boozer Field.
The Saxons (4-6, 2-4 Empire 8) totaled 237 yards of offense against the Golden Eagles (7-2, 4-1 Empire 8), 152 of which came from the passing game.
Joe Copp (Minoa, NY/East Syracuse-Minoa) led the defense for AU with 12 tackles, 3 of which were solo.
Steve Cordell Hoskins III (Buffalo, NY/St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute) was credited with an interception.
Max Freeman IV (Painted Post, NY/Corning-Painted Post) rushed for 42 yards and 2 touchdowns across 19 attempts.
"I am proud of our players, and especially our seniors today," Head Coach
Bob Rankl said. "We had an opportunity to win the football game, and unfortunately had some special teams mishaps that ended up costing us. That being said, our players fought and competed for the entire game, just like they have all year. I loved working with this group of young men this year and look forward to getting back to work and hopefully reclaiming an Empire 8 Championship in 2024."
The Saxons were the first to have an opportunity to get on the scoreboard in the first quarter, as a 31-yard field goal went wide. Two plays later, a miscue from the offense of Brockport allowed
Quadir Holmes (Yonkers, NY/Rossevelt) to force a fumble, which was ultimately picked up by
Adam Mietz (Akron, NY/Akron). Neither side managed to find the end zone before entering the second quarter. The Saxons remained patient and put together a 12-play drive that was capped off by a goal line touchdown by Freeman. The defense once again stepped up for AU, as Hoskins forced an interception and brought it back to Brockport's side of the field. During the next drive for the Golden Eagles, they answered with a touchdown of their own to equalize the game before halftime.
The Golden Eagles recorded an early touchdown in the opening stages of the second half from a punt return touchdown. Freeman scored once more in the fourth quarter for AU, but Brockport responded with 21 points of their own to extend the lead and close out the game.
