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BROCKPORT, N.Y. – The No. 10 ranked College at Brockport football team clinched the Empire 8 title, and with it a berth into the NCAA Championship Playoffs with Saturday's thrilling 35-25 win over Alfred University. The Golden Eagles are now 9-0 for the first time in program history, and could complete a perfect season with a victory at St. Lawrence next weekend.
Today's game was senior day, with 22 senior members of the football team being recognized before kickoff. The seniors did not disappoint, as Jake O'Connell and Julius Mizro, who will both be graduating in 2018, recorded timely interceptions to help secure the win for the Green and Gold.
Mizro's interception came with 3:32 left in the fourth quarter and Brockport leading 28-25. The Saxons took the ball with all the momentum, having scored the last two touchdowns, but on the first play of the drive, Mizro jumped the passing lane and returned the interception 24 yards, putting the Golden Eagles back in control deep in Alfred territory. Christian Hollister put the game away, taking four carries to get the yardage necessary for a Golden Eagle touchdown that put them up by 10.
O'Connell's third quarter pick also stifled a momentum swing for Alfred, as they trailed just 14-10 and had the ball back after a fourth down stop deep in their own territory. On the first play of the Saxon drive, O'Connell picked off the ball and brought it back 15 yards for his second defensive touchdown of the season, extending the Brockport lead to 21-10.
QB Joe Germinerio threw for a pair of touchdowns in the game, finding Jerry Thompson on an 11 yard pass early in the first quarter before throwing a screen pass to Tyree Brown in the third quarter that allowed the freshman to show off his incredible speed on the way to a 44-yard touchdown.
Germinerio also ran for a score, a one-yard scamper that capped off an 11 play, 59 yard drive early in the second quarter. The sophomore ended the day with 228 yards off offense, throwing for 208 while rushing for another 20.
Austin Dean had his best game of the season, leading the team with nine tackles, including a pair of sacks and 3.5 tackles for loss. Alex West was right on his heels with eight tackles (seven solo), and a sack. The Brockport defense, which leads the country in team sacks, finished this game with six altogether.
This marks the first time since the 2003 season that the Brockport football team will play in the NCAA Championship Playoffs, which will begin in two weeks on November 18th. The Golden Eagles are ranked second in the East Region, and have the potential to host a playoff game pending the outcome of week 11 games.
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