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BROCKPORT, NY—Ryan Lehotsky (N. Royalton, OH/N. Royalton) was 18 of 24 for 338 yards and five touchdowns and Buffalo State (4-6/4-5) earned its third-straight win to close the season, 56-45, claiming the I-90 Bowl trophy with its first victory over Brockport (2-8/2-7) since 1999 today at Bob Boozer Field. 

Lehotsky finished the season with 23 touchdown passes, breaking the school single-season record of 21 by Chris Henry in 2000.

The Bengals piled up 583 total yards of offense, compared to 418 by Brockport, which included 318 on the ground.

Buffalo State freshman running back Greg Spears (Syracuse, NY/Henninger) backed up his first career 100-yard game a week ago with a new career high 175 yards on 30 carries with a pair of touchdowns. Rob Smith (Rochester, NY/McQuaid) had six catches for 70 yards and two scores, and freshman Mike Doherty (Tonawanda/Kenmore East) had three grabs for 118 yards. Another freshman Josh Mims (Syracuse/Nottingham) led the Bengals defense with a career-high 17 tackles.

Brockport quarterback Joseph Scibilia was just 8 of 18 for 100 yards through the air, but had 186 rushing yards on 29 carries and three touchdowns. Alex Hendrickson also went over the century mark with 116 yards on 25 rushes with a score. Nate Bull led the Golden Eagles on defense with 22 tackles.

Buffalo State opened the scoring midway through the opening quarter with a 3-yard scoring pass from Lehotsky to Rob Smith, capping an 11-pay, 75-yard drive. After forcing a three-and-out on the ensuing Brockport possession, the Bengals wasted little time tacking on seven more points. After a 75-yard catch and run by Doherty, Spears scored on a 1-yard plunge just a few plays later.

Derek Austin returned the following kickoff 51 yards to the Bengals' 14, setting up Brockport's first score, a 7-yard run by Hendrickson, cutting the deficit to 14-7.

Buffalo State assembled a pair of long drives in the second quarter that both resulted in touchdowns, pushing the lead to 28-7. After a 16-yard touchdown strike from Lehotsky to Matt Pagano (Walworth/Gananda) pushed the advantage to 14, Lehotsky connected with Jarrett Smith (Beacon/Beacon) for a 30-yard score to extend the margin to 21.

Brockport answered with the final 10 points of the half, however, scoring on a 5-yard scoring run by Adam Erickson, and then EJ Genzano booted a 17-yard field goal on the final play of the half, making the score 28-17 at the break.

Brockport put a scare in the Bengals, scoring first in the second half on a 3-yard run by Erickson, cutting the difference to just 28-24. Buffalo State reclaimed the two-possession lead on the next possession with an 8-yard scoring reception by Ben Mauer (Corning/Corning West), and never let Brockport get any closer.

Following a Brockport punt, the teams traded touchdowns on six-consecutive possessions before the clock expired on the final Golden Eagles' drive.

Buffalo State scored on a 4-yard reception by Rob Smith, a 2-yard run by Spears, and a 20-yard scamper by Gibran Johnson (Buffalo/Dutchtown GA). Brockport found the end zone on three-straight quarterback keepers by Scibilia, covering 9, 6 and 8 yards.

“That was a great college football game and a great way for us to end the season,” said Buffalo State Coach Jerry Boyes. “The last three weeks showed the tremendous growth of our team this season and will give us great momentum as we move forward. I was so proud and happy for our seniors to close out their careers with this nice run.”