Brockport Stuns Kean in Final Seconds, 36-34

UNION, N.J. (10/18/08) - The College at Brockport scored the game-winning touchdown with just six seconds remaining to stun Kean University, 36-34, in front of 1,514 Homecoming fans at Kean Alumni Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

After the Cougars took the lead at 34-30 with just 1:31 left, Brockport senior running back Garet Lynch (Valley Stream, N.Y.) scored on a one-yard run with 6.5 seconds remaining to regain the lead for the Golden Eagles (3-3, 3-2 NJAC).  A Cougar pass on the final play of the game was knocked down to preserve the two-point victory.

For the Cougars (4-2, 3-2 NJAC), senior wide receiver Durell Dukes (Elizabeth, N.J.) (pictured right) had another solid all-around game, with a total of 191 all-purpose yards and four touchdowns, while also breaking the single season touchdown record and a pair of career records. 

Lynch had 125 yards rushing and three touchdowns to lead Brockport, while senior quarterback Zack Luke (Cambridge, N.Y.) had nearly half of his 161 passing yards on the game-winning drive.

In a back-and-forth fourth quarter, the Cougars (4-2, 3-2 NJAC) took a 34-30 lead with just 1:31 remaining when sophomore fullback Sean Atkins (Perth Amboy, N.J.) rumbled across the goal line from less than a yard out.  The Cougars attempted to extend the lead to six points, however the pass attempt on the two-point conversion failed.

The Golden Eagles started their game-winning drive back at their own 20-yard line after a holding penalty on the kick return.  Luke completed 4-of-5 passes, including a 35-yard completion to junior Felipe Diaz (Syracuse, N.Y.) on third-and-two and a 30-yard completion to junior Hector Rosas (Angola, N.Y.) to give Brockport first-and-goal at the Kean three-yard line. 

On first-and-goal, Lynch ran the ball two yards to just outside the goal line and then followed with the touchdown run of 1-yard to lift the Golden Eagles.  On the extra-point attempt, a low snap forced holder Chris Grace (Allegany, N.Y.) to pick the ball up before being brought down by the Cougars.

Kean sophomore Louis Haynes (Tinton Falls, N.J.) returned the ball 15-yards on the kickoff to the Cougars' 29-yard line with less than a second remaining, before the pass attempt from rookie quarterback Thomas D'Ambrisi (Eatontown, N.J.) to junior Derric Harris (Freehold, N.J.) was knocked down by sophomore Nick Dadamio (Port Crane, N.Y.) to end the game. 

The Cougars had a comeback of their own in the works, trailing 27-14 in the third quarter, before regaining the lead on two separate occasions in the final minutes.  Dukes capped a 12-play, 84-yard drive spanning the third and fourth quarters, scoring on the first play of the final quarter with a 15-yard rush to pull the Cougars to within 27-21. 

On the next Brockport possession, Kean senior outside linebacker Jake Pew (Sussez, N.J.) (pictured left) intercepted the Luke pass on the second play of the drive at the Brockport 31-yard line.  The Cougars took advantage of the short field position, and D'Ambrisi connected with Dukes on a 27-yard catch and run to give the Cougars the 28-27 lead after the extra point by freshman Billy Daniels (Ridgefield, N.J.). 

Brockport regained the lead on its next drive, taking advantage of a kick-off that went out-of-bounds and a face-mask penalty that would eventually move the ball into Cougar territory.  After getting the ball down to the 14-yard line, sophomore Jeff Cook (Rochester, N.Y.) gave the Golden Eagles a 30-28 lead on the 30-yard field goal. 

On the short kickoff, Dukes returned the ball 15 yards to the Kean 44-yard line, giving the Cougars good field position with 5:39 left in the game.  Chunn carried the ball five times and D'Ambrisi added a 15-yard rush to move the Cougars inside the Brockport 10-yard line.  After a Chunn seven-yard run moved the ball to within inches of the endzone, Atkins crossed the goal-line for the touchdown and the 34-30 edge.

In the first-half, turnovers proved costly for the Cougars with three trips inside the red-zone resulting in a blocked field goal attempt, an interception and a fumble.

With the first drive of the game, the Cougars pushed the ball inside the red-zone.  After four rushes for 37 yards and a face-mask penalty moved the ball to the 11-yard line, a Chunn rush of five yards gave the Cougars first-and-goal at the Brockport six-yard line.  The Golden Eagle defense forced the Cougars back to the 13-yard line and after an incomplete pass, the Cougars attempted the 30-yard field goal.  The Daniels kick was blocked by sophomore Neil Fay (Olean, N.Y.) and junior Cevon Carver (Bronx, N.Y.) picked the ball up and ran it back for a touchdown and the early 7-0 lead.

The Golden Eagles took advantage of a D'Ambrisi interception on the Cougars' next possession, as Lynch was responsible for all 33-yards, carrying the ball six times and capping the drive with a nine-yard touchdown run.  The Cougars blocked the extra point attempt to keep the Brockport lead at 13-0 with 6:36 left in the first quarter.

On the next drive, the Cougars kept the ball on the ground, as D'Ambrisi rushed for 24 yards on two carries and Chunn (pictured right) carried the ball four times for 20 yards, moving the ball inside the Brockport 20-yard line.  On fourth and seven at the Brockport 17-yard line, the Cougars elected to go for it and D'Ambrisi was picked off by senior Ryan Hynes (Dansville, N.Y.) at the 13-yard line to end the Cougar scoring threat.

The game's lone punt of the afternoon in the second quarter gave the Cougars excellent field position at the 36-yard line, and D'Ambrisi and Dukes connected on a 25-yard touchdown reception to cut the lead to 13-7 early in the second quarter.

After the Golden Eagles extended the lead to 19-7 when Lynch scored on a 8-yard run with 9:47 remaining in the first half, the Cougars went back to work on the ground, carrying the ball at least four yards on each of their six attempts and adding nine-yard completion to junior Alex Cade (Galloway, N.J.).  Dukes closed out the drive with a six-yard touchdown run and the Cougars pulled to within 19-14 after the extra point attempt was good by Daniels.

The Cougars forced a turnover on the next Golden Eagle possession, as sophomore Jordan Cagle (Mount Holly, N.J.) forced the fumble and junior nose tackle Darryl Jackson (Red Bank, N.J.) (pictured left) recovered the ball at the Kean 47-yard line, giving the Cougars the ball back near midfield with 4:40 remaining in the half.

On the ensuing drive, Chunn carried the ball four times for 30 yards and a three-yard carry by Dukes gave the Cougars a third and one at the Brockport five-yard line.  However, the Cougars fumbled the snap on the exchange and Brockport recovered to end the threat as the first half drew to a close.

Brockport scored the only touchdown of the third quarter on the first drive of the half, as Luke completed a 10-yard pass to Diaz and then ran the ball in on the two-point conversion for the 27-14 lead with 11:57 remaining in the third. 

Dukes became Kean's all-time receptions and touchdown leader after making five catches for 67 yards, while his four touchdowns are tied for the second most in a single game and gave him 13 touchdowns for the season to break the mark of 12 held by Joe Troise (1974). 

In just three seasons, Dukes has 145 career receptions, breaking the mark of 142 held by Kevin McGuirl (1985-88).  He also has 32 career scores to surpass the record of 30, also held by McGuirl.  Dukes added 77 yards rushing on 12 carries and had two kick-off returns for 47 yards. 

For the fourth time this season, Chunn rushed for over 100 yards, as he carried the ball 30 times for 145 yards.  D'Ambrisi had a solid afternoon running the ball, gaining 76 yards on just eight carries.  Through the air, the rookie was just 8-of-16 for just 108 yards and two touchdowns, while also throwing three interceptions. 

In the win for Brockport, Lynch had 125 yards rushing and three touchdowns on 29 carries, while Luke completed 16-of-22 passes for 161 yards and one touchdown.  Diaz made six receptions for 79 yards.

Defensivly, senior linebacker Jarrett Woodfork (Syracuse, N.Y.) made a game-high 16 tackles, including 13 solo stops, while sophomore Nathan Bull (Brockport, N.Y.) and Hynes added 10 and nine tackles, respectively.

Kean sophomore Victor D'Arrigo (Staten Island, N.Y.) (pictured right) had a team-high seven tackles, while rookie Joseph Laguna (Middletown, N.J.) and senior Tony Olamiju (Teaneck, N.J.) each added six tackles. 

The Cougars travel to Morrisville State College on Saturday, October 25, to face the Mustangs in their first season of NJAC action.  Kick-off is set for 1 p.m.