ALFRED, NY – Following a successful season that included an ECAC Bowl Game appearance, the Alfred University football team will once again look to establish themselves as Conference Championship this fall. The Saxons will welcome a mix of returning veterans and talented first-year talent to their roster this fall.

Alfred University will be led by Head Coach Bob Rankl, who is entering his 12th season as the head coach of the football program and his 27th year overall with AU.

"I thought we made some great strides last season as a program," Rankl said. "Our goal is to compete in the postseason each season. We did a great job of establishing a strong culture last year with our group of leaders, and we will lean on that again with our talented incoming class. We expressed to our team that we play a very competitive schedule this fall, but our expectations will be geared towards returning as Empire 8 Champions."

Alfred University finished with a 7-4 overall record last season, winning each of their final four matchups within Empire 8 competition. The Saxons later appeared in the ECAC Asa S. Bushnell Bowl against Western Connecticut State. The ECAC Championship appearance by the Saxons marked the team's first bowl game appearance since the 2018 season. In total, AU had five different players made their way onto the program's all-time record book.

Under center, the Saxons will rely on senior quarterback Chris Kelly (Lake Ronkonkoma, NY/Sachem North). The captain enjoyed a breakout junior season, totaling 2,071 yards and 21 touchdowns through the air, while adding 194 yards and a touchdown in the run game. Kelly was selected to the All-Empire 8 Second Team last season.

"Chris has developed a lot since arriving at Alfred University," Rankl said. "When we recruited him, we knew he would be talented. He has done all the small things right to be a leader and an outstanding player. Our success as a team will be tightly linked to his ability to lead."

The offensive unit for Alfred University offense will feature some familiar names, with an emphasis coming from the offensive line. Entering the fall season, both Ryan Belanger (Wayland, NY/Wayland) and Carter Fronk (Avon, NY/Avon) have been honored as team captains. Last fall, Belanger earned All-ECAC Second Team and All-Empire 8 First Team recognition. Fronk was named to the All-Empire 8 Third Team for Alfred University, having played in all 11 games for the Saxons.

"We lost some key players this past year, but we're excited about our group coming into this year," Rankl said. "That all starts with our offensive line. We want to control the line of scrimmage. We have a lot of depth at all skill positions. Steven Bidwell and Tommy Nyquist will both be featured in our backfield. At wide receiver, we have high expectations for Carmine Hoag and Jonye Rosebury Jr. Lucas Freeland at tight end will emerge as a player who can be a dominant run-blocker and a threat in the passing game."

On defense, the Saxons will lean on their experience and leadership to capitalize on their success from the previous season. The linebacker duo of TJ Marsh (East Aurora, NY/East Aurora) and Nicholas McLetchie-Goldman (Rexford, NY/Shenendehowa) has been successful throughout the years, with both players receiving team captain honors. Among the defensive backs, senior captain Thomas Welch (Avon, NY/Avon) will add strength and physicality to an already-impressive depth chart.

"Our defense will be excellent throughout the season," Rankl said. "We have experienced veterans that will be outstanding for us. On the defensive line, Aidan Ploss, Martin Flanders Jr, Jaedon Adjei and Quadir Holmes will be physical up front. Both TJ and Nick add experience and leadership qualities for our linebacker group. We expect for them to be leaders on and off the field. Adding Tommy to the secondary will make us better, especially next to players such as Luke Atlas and Jack Bestpitch."

The special teams unit provided consistency for the Saxons last season, with Dominic Bronco (Rochester, NY/Aquinas) finishing 7-of-8 from field goal range and converting 39 PAT to earn All-Empire 8 Second Team honors. Colin McGovern (New City, NY/Clarkstown North) served as AU's primary punter last fall, setting the program record with 40.7 yards per punt.

"Special teams is a huge key to us returning as Empire 8 Champions," Rankl said. "We have a lot of players that contribute. Both Dominic and Colin were efficient for us. Owen Bishop was excellent with the kickoff group, and Michael Layton is underrated as a long snapper."

Alfred University will begin their 2025 season at home against Hobart College on Friday, September 5 at 7:00 PM. The Saxons will open Empire 8 competition on the road at St. John Fisher University on Saturday, September 27. This year, Homecoming Weekend will be celebrated on Saturday, October 4 against Hartwick College. On November 8, Alfred University and Alfred State will compete in their first-ever matchup as part of the Alfred Cup, which was announced this past April. Beginning this fall, matchups between Alfred University and Alfred State College will use a point-based system that awards two points for a win, one point for a tie, and zero points for a loss in head-to-head matchups or predetermined meets amongst varsity intercollegiate varsity programs. The Saxons will conclude the regular season during Hall of Fame Weekend against SUNY Morrisville on November 15.

"We are continuing to put an emphasis on our team culture," Rankl said. "We have the talent to be success and will look to use the rest of preseason to be the best versions of ourselves. In our eyes, that will allow us to be serious contenders for the Empire 8 Championship."