ALFRED, NY - The Alfred University football team picked up their third straight win as part of a 47-0 shutout victory over Hilbert College on Saturday. 

"We are definitely happy to get the conference win at home today," Head Coach Bob Rankl. "I do think that we have a lot to work on, and a lot that we can improve on moving forward still. We've got to make a lot less mistakes in all three phases of the game next week against Morrisville in order to have success."

The Saxons wasted no time getting on the scoreboard in the opening quarter, as the offense only needed five plays before Max Freeman IV (Corning, NY/Corning Painted-Post) found the end zone for the initial lead. In the following offensive possession, a 41-yard pass from Chris Kelly (Lake Ronkonkoma, NY/Lake Ronkonkoma) to Zach Kelsey (Rochester, NY/Aquinas) extended the lead for AU. A six-play drive for Hilbert was stopped thanks to a fumble recovery by Roque Santiago (Canisteo, NY/Canisteo-Greenwood), as Alfred University took a 14-0 lead into the second quarter. 

Following a blocked punt, Kelly tossed up a 10-yard passing touchdown to Dion Anderson (Buffalo, NY/St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute) to open the second quarter. An eight-play drive for Hilbert was snapped on fourth and long thanks to a fumble recovery by Aidan Ploss (Herkimer, NY/Herkimer). Five plays later, Kelly found Andrew Morling (Canisteo, NY/Canisteo-Greenwood) in the end zone before carrying a 28-0 lead into halftime. 

A miscue from Hilbert in the third quarter during a special teams situation led to a safety for Alfred University. Neither side managed to add to the scoreboard for the rest of the third quarter, but AU was ahead 30-0 with one quarter to play. 

Alexander Coffey (Columbia, MD/Long Reach) added to his impressive fall season in the fourth quarter, rushing for a 29-yard touchdown. In the next drive for the Hawks, Jack Bestpitch (Buffalo, NY/St. Mary's of Lancaster) recorded an interception for the Saxons defense. Bestpitch added a fumble recovery later in the quarter for AU. Alfred University eventually put themselves in field goal range for Dominic Bronco (Rochester, NY/Aquinas) to add to their lead. Steven Bidwell (Owego, NY/Owego Free Academy) was the final Saxon to find the end zone, as the team came away with the shutout win. 

Alfred University will next be on the road to visit Morrisville next Saturday at 1:00 PM.