Junior running back Isaiah Simmons was named Empire 8 co-offensive player of the week after a dominant performance in a 51-0 victory over Alfred in which he recorded 236 yards on 22 attempts and three touchdowns to go along with five receptions for five yards. Simmons also recorded a 99-yard touchdown run in the third quarter, breaking a 58-year school record for longest rush in history.
Coming into the game riding two consecutive blowout victories, Simmons and the rest of the Golden Eagles were looking to get revenge on an Alfred team that upset Brockport in the final regular season game last year.
“We wanted our get back for sure. This was a big game for us, and we were ready for it,” Simmons said on the mentality of the team coming into the game.
Right out the gate, the Golden Eagle offense was feeding Simmons as he recorded seven rushes for 41 yards on the opening drive, which resulted in a Zach McGowan field goal.
Then, after two empty drives, Simmons contributed 14 yards, which led to another field goal to make the score 6-0 in the early second quarter. On the ensuing Brockport drive, Simmons recorded his first touchdown of the game on an 11-yard rush. Simmons continued to contribute as Brockport took a 23-0 lead into the half.
Simmons scored his second touchdown on a 14-yard run early in the third quarter. The highlight of the day for Simmons, though, came after a one-yard goal line stand from the Golden Eagles defense.
After that, history was made as Simmons took a carry from his own endzone down the middle and aided by his offensive line, broke free down the left-hand side for a school record 99-yard touchdown run.
“Insane, right,” Simmons said on his record-breaking play. “That fired us up seeing the defense do something like that, and we kept it going.”
After that play Simmons was rested for the remainder of the game. Simmons finished the day with 241 all-purpose yards, only adding to the second-highest total in the Empire 8.
“We were moving the ball for sure, especially up the middle,” Simmons said on what was working offensively for the Golden Eagles. “It opened up and the O-line was making holes.”
Brockport is now 6-2 (4-1) on the season, thanks in large part to the play of Simmons, who has already eclipsed 1000 yards rushing. The Golden Eagles control their own destiny in the race for the Empire 8 title and will be in action at top-seeded Cortland (7-1) on Saturday, November 8th, with kickoff at noon.
