DANBURY, CT - The Alfred University football team wrapped up their fall season with a 45-14 loss to Western Connecticut State University as part of the Asa S. Bushnell Bowl on Saturday. 

Chris Kelly (Lake Ronkonkoma, NY/Lake Ronkonkoma) finished the game with 163 passing yards to go with a pair of touchdowns. Max Freeman IV (Painted Post, NY/Corning-Painted Post) led the backfield with 80 rushing yards. Joe Copp (Minoa, NY/East Syracuse-Minoa) and Jack Bestpitch (Buffalo, NY/St. Mary's of Lancaster) each recorded seven tackles for AU. 

"I want to congratulate our seniors, our coaching staff, and the entire team on a good season," Head Coach Bob Rankl said. "Today did not end the way that we were expecting it to. We did not play our best football, but I am proud of the way that our team, and particularly our seniors, battled all year long."

The Wolves built a 14-0 lead in the first half, but the Saxons responded with a 19-yard passing touchdown from Kelly to Freeman in the second quarter. WestConn tallied 10 additional points before taking a 24-7 lead into halftime. Jayden Noel (Brooklyn, NY/Automotive) made an impressive play on the defensive end for Alfred University in the second half, recording an interception in opposing territory. The last scoring opportunity for AU came in the final stages of the fourth quarter, as Kelly found Carmine Hoag (Salamanca, NY/Salamanca) for a 12-yard touchdown. 

Alfred University football has enjoyed a historic season in which five different players made their way onto the all-time record book. The ECAC appearance for the Saxons marks the fifth overall under Coach Rankl, with the team not having the opportunity to compete in a bowl game dating back to the 2018 season.