GAME #1 - BUFFALO STATE BENGALS VS. BROCKPORT GOLDEN EAGLES
Thursday, Sep. 4, 2025 - 7:00 PM
Coyer Field – Buffalo, NY
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THE MATCHUP… Buffalo State is set to open the 2025 football season as they will Brockport to battle the Golden Eagles in the annual I-90 Bowl. Both teams are eager to get back into the action and start the season off with a win. All-time, Brockport holds the series lead with a record of 25-17 against the Bengals, including a win in each of the last eight matchups.
THE BENGALS' LAST GAME… Buffalo State closed out the regular season in 2024 falling short, 26-18, against St. Lawrence.
Amir Cameron (Brooklyn, NY/ James Madison) led the Bengals in rushing yards, finishing the day with 149 yards on 18 carries. He also tailed 26 yards passing on three completions.
Cody Phillips (Lancaster, NY/Lancaster) and
Ale Wilson (Bronx, NY/KIPP College Prep) each scored a touchdown for the Bengals.
Quadir McEachin (Brooklyn, NY/James Madison) led the Bengals in tackles with 10 total, while
Shamond Phillips (Brooklyn, NY/It Takes a Village Academy) led in total tackles for loss with three.
Basiaka Butcher (White Plains, NY/Valhalla) picked up two interceptions on the day.
The Bengals went the length of the field, putting up a touchdown on their first drive of the afternoon. The Saints would answer with a touchdown of their own on the ensuing drive, bringing this game to a 7-7 tie as the first quarter ended. Things would get hectic in the second quarter, as the Saints took advantage of a special team mistake by the Bengals, moving the score to 14-7. After this, the scoring would continue with the Saints making the Bengals pay for their mistakes, getting a field goal and a safety, seemingly pulling away with this game with a 19-7 lead.
But credit to the Bengals offense, who would lead a drive as the second quarter came to a finish, getting a touchdown and a two-point conversion, heading into halftime down 19-15. In the third quarter, both team's defenses made some necessary adjustments, forcing punts on each team's first possession. The Saints would answer from a stagnant first drive, going up 26-15 midway through the third quarter. The Bengals would respond with a field goal from
Nick Sciandra (North Tonawanda, NY/North Tonawanda), going into the fourth quarter only down 26-18. The fourth quarter would see the Saints sit on the ball, only giving the Bengals two possessions for the entire fourth quarter. A late push by the Buffalo State offense would come up short with an interception by Saints sealing the win.
LAST TIME WE MET... The two sides met to kick-off the 2024 season where Brockport came away with a 27-0 victory.
Noah Kimble (Depew, NY/Lancaster) was 13-33 for 161 yards.
Mikai Johnson (Far Rockaway, NY/James Madison) led the Bengals receivers with five catches for 80 yards while
Kenneth Mosley (Buffalo, NY/Kenmore West) paced the Bengals defense with nine tackles.
Brockport got the scoring started early as Isaiah Simmons ran 77 yards for the touchdown on just the third play of the game. The Bengals responded with a strong opening drive which included a beautiful 40-yard completion from Kimble to Johnson, however, Brockport was able to intercept the ball in the red zone. After a few back-and-forth drives, the Golden Eagles surged downfield to score another touchdown. Buffalo State held strong on defense, but the offense couldn't find the endzone as the Bengals trailed 13-0 at halftime.
After a three-and-out opening the second half for Buffalo State, Brockport took over just short of midfield. As the Golden Eagles marched towards the redzone, Butcher was able to snag the interception off a deflection and give the Bengals some momentum. The Bengals were unable to capitalize as they trailed into the final quarter by just two possessions. Brockport was able to hold the Bengals on defense and add two more scores on offense as they cruised the final minutes to earn the victory.
OH CAPTAIN! MY CAPTAIN!… Leading the Bengals this season are captains
Amir Cameron,
Mikai Johnson,
Carlos Almeyda,
Brody Stevens, and
Ian Behrens.
ABOUT THE BENGALS' COACH… Lazarus Morgan is in his fourth season at the helm of the Buffalo State football program in 2025 after being appointed as the sixth football coach in Buffalo State history in January 2022.
In his first season as head coach, Morgan guided six student-athletes to Liberty League All-Conference selections, as well as seven All-Academic team winners. In 2023, the team saw nine All-Conference picks and six All-Academic winners. A year ago, Morgan's squad added six All-Liberty League selections and 13 All-Academic honorees.
He arrived in Buffalo after serving as the defensive coordinator at SUNY Cortland during the 2021 season, coordinating the fifth-ranked overall defense in NCAA Division III, helping guide the Red Dragons to an 11-1 record, an Empire 8 title, and a trip to the NCAA playoffs.
A native of the Bronx, Morgan played defensive back at Utica College from 2006-08, then began his coaching career at his alma mater from 2009-13. He then moved to Alfred University from 2014-19, serving as the Saxon's defensive coordinator in the final four seasons.
SCHEDULES/RESULTS...
BUFFALO STATE (0-0, 0-0 LIBERTY LEAGUE)
| Sept. 4 |
BROCKPORT |
7 PM |
| Sept. 13 |
HARTWICK |
12 PM |
| Sept. 20 |
at Alfred State |
6 PM |
| Sept. 27 |
at Hilbert *** |
12 PM |
| Oct. 4 |
UNION (HOMECOMING) *** |
4 PM |
| Oct. 11 |
at RPI *** |
1 PM |
| Oct. 25 |
ROCHESTER *** |
3 PM |
| Nov. 1 |
at Ithaca *** |
12 PM |
| Nov. 8 |
ST. LAWRENCE *** |
1 PM |
| Nov. 15 |
at Hobart *** |
1 PM |
*** LIBERTY LEAGUE CONTEST ***
BROCKPORT (0-0, 0-0 EMPIRE 8)
| Sept. 4 |
at Buffalo State |
7 PM |
| Sept. 13 |
HOBART |
12 PM |
| Sept. 20 |
at RPI |
12 PM |
| Sept. 27 |
HARTWICK *** |
1 PM |
| Oct. 4 |
at St. John Fisher *** |
12 PM |
| Oct. 18 |
ALFRED STATE *** |
12 PM |
| Oct. 25 |
at Morrisville *** |
12 PM |
| Nov. 1 |
ALFRED *** |
12 PM |
| Nov. 8 |
at Cortland *** |
12 pm |
| Nov. 15 |
UTICA *** |
2 PM |
*** EMPIRE 8 CONTEST ***
