BUFFALO, N.Y. – Morrisville State football posted their third straight win Saturday afternoon behind a stingy defensive game while running wild offensively as they posted a 38-14 Empire 8 win over host Buffalo State College at Coyer Field in Buffalo.
Morrisville State's defensive unit set the tone of the contest early and restated that often, forcing the hosts to a three-and-out on their opening drive, before Mike Bodnar (Miller Place, N.Y.) stopped in front of the Bengal pass on the ensuing Buffalo drive returning the ball 45 yards for the defensive touchdown and 7-0 visitor lead.
The Bengals again felt the impact of the Mustangs defensive unit on the next Buffalo possession, as Sadeeq Nathanel (Bronx, N.Y.) posted his first of two interceptions, setting up the five-yard rushing score by senior Kraig Gilbert (Silver Creek, N.Y.) with three minutes to go in the quarter for a 14-0 Morrisville State lead.
After Buffalo regained possession, the Mustang defense forced their third straight turnover, as Nathanel collected his second interception and returned the ball 52 yards for the defensive touchdown, the second of the opening quarter, giving the visitors the 21-0 advantage after one.
Morrisville State's offensive unit made it back to the field early in the second quarter, and expanded their lead to 24-0 as Brandon Gwinner (Schenectady, N.Y.) connected with fellow senior Raffaele Bradshaw (Westbury, N.Y.) for the 27-yard pass play on third and 29, but settled for a 24-yard Zan Stewart (Norwich, N.Y.) field goal to completing the 10-play, 57-yard drive.
Buffalo State put together a 12-play drive to start the third quarter, but again the defense came up big for the visitors as lineman Jermaine Rankine (Newburgh, N.Y.) stripped the ball from the quarterbacks hands and Rob Heitzmann (Oriskany, N.Y.) recovered to regain possession for the Mustangs.
The Bengals though, could force Morrisville State to punt on their ensuing drive, and were able to put one on the board as they blocked Stewart's kick and recovered it in the end zone for the touchdown.
Morrisville State would get that score back on their following drive, as Nick Edmond (Blythe, Calif.) completed the option pass to tight end Kyle Tuohy (Amaranth, ON) for the 24-yard touchdown score.
After trading drives early in the fourth quarter, Edmond broke through three tables and scrambled 49 yards on the second play of the drive, to give the Mustangs a 38-7 advantage.
Buffalo State added one final score on their next possession to cut into the Mustangs lead, but ran out of time as the defensive unit didn't allow the Bengals any closer than the Morrisville State 43 yard line.
THE BASICS:
- Final score: Morrisville 38, Buffalo State 14 (halftime: Morrisville 24-0)
- Location: Coyer Field, Buffalo, N.Y.
- Records: Morrisville 5-3 (3-2 E8), Buffalo State1-7 (1-4 E8)
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
- Morrisville State's defensive unit forced four Bengal turnovers, three interceptions, four sacks, four pass break ups, while limiting the hosts to 263 yards total offense.
- Rob Heitzmann (Oriskany, N.Y.) led the defense with nine total tackles, recovering a fumble, while safeties Deondrade Wells (Goshen, N.Y.) and Jose Garcia (New York, N.Y.) each added seven.
- Mike Bodnar (Miller Place, N.Y.) and Sadeeq Nathanel (Bronx, N.Y.) each recorded interceptions returned for touchdowns, both in the first quarter of action. Nathanel collected an additional interception, while recording two pass break ups.
- Offensively the Mustangs put up 335 total offensive yards, 192 in the running game behind the power of running back Nick Edmond (Blythe, Calif.) who collected 136 net yards on 24 carries for a touchdown. Edmond added to the game in the air, as well, completing 1-of-1 pass attempts for 24 yards and a touchdown.
- Brandon Gwinner (Schenectady, N.Y.) got the nod under center to start, and completed 8-of-13 passes for 119 yards, adding another 17 yards on the ground.
- Raffaele Bradshaw (Westbury, N.Y.) led all receivers on the day with a total 61 yards on three catches.
- Zan Stewart (Norwich, N.Y.) completed all five PAT attempts, while adding a 24-yard field goal on the day.
WHAT'S NEXT:
- Morrisville State will return to Drake for the final two regular season games, hosting Hartwick on Saturday, Nov. 3rd in a 1 p.m. Empire 8 showdown with the Hawks.
Morrisville State College's curricula are enriched with applied learning and pave the way for opportunity at both the Morrisville and Norwich campuses. An action-oriented, interactive learning lab, the college is a national leader in technology and has been lauded for its exemplary, innovative and effective community service programs.
The college was ranked among the Best Regional Colleges in the North by U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges 2018 issue and was also recognized in the Top Public Schools, Regional Colleges North in the 2018 Best Colleges rankings. For more information about Morrisville State College, visit www.morrisville.edu.
#30#