Lethal offensive attack propels Brockport on homecoming

David Premyslovsky/Staff Writer

BROCKPORT, N.Y.-- SUNY Brockport welcomed families and alumni from all over the country to Bob Boozer Field for Homecoming weekend 2026, as the Brockport Golden Eagles (1-1) took on the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) Engineers (1-1). The Golden Eagles totaled over 580 yards of offense as new starting quarterback Zymier Jackson led Brockport to a convincing 45-10 victory.

Following a turnover-plagued loss at Hobart last week, junior quarterback Zymier Jackson was named as Brockport's week three starter. The Golden Eagles wasted no time getting adapted offensively, as on the first play from scrimmage, Jackson found Kyle Slywka for a 75-yard touchdown to set the tone early.

"Monday, Zymier and I sat down and said, 'Let's do this,'" said Brockport head coach Jason Mangone on designing the play to set the tone. "It's easy to say 'Let's throw a quick screen.' But the easiest throw is usually going to be a bomb, and I think Kyle Slywka is one of the most elite athletes in the country," added Mangone on designing the play for Slywka, a traditional defensive back.

"We were practicing all week. I get a choice route, go either way and just throw it up every time," said Slywka on how the play developed for him.

RPI responded with a solid drive of their own. Kayden White had 39 yards rushing on the first drive as the Engineers tied the game up almost immediately, capped off with a 36-yard touchdown pass from Frankie Garbolino to Nate Ehui.

On Brockport's second play from scrimmage, running back Derrion Battle took a handoff 70 yards to the RPI 1-yard line. Quarterback Anthony Vino finished off the drive with a one-yard rushing touchdown to give the Golden Eagles the lead back.

"He's a six-foot-two, 209-pound quarterback who has prepared the right way from day one," said Mangone on the utilization of Vino in short-yardage situations. "So when his chance came, he was ready. I'm really excited to see him do well because that is what you preach constantly, and when kids actually follow through on it, it's a cool thing to see," added Mangone on the preparation Vino put in.

Following a RPI field goal, Brockport responded again as on 4th and one from the 39-yard line of Brockport, Vino kept the ball on a quarterback run, taking it 60 yards to the one-yard line. Vino finished off the drive for his second rushing touchdown of the first half to make it 21-10.

The Golden Eagles kept things rolling from there as late in the second quarter, Jackson rolled out to his left and made a shortstop-like throw to Battle on the sidelines, perfectly hitting him in the chest. Battle did the rest, making a few defenders miss as he walked into the end zone to make it 28-10 going into halftime.

"I just trusted my teammates," said Jackson on what worked for Brockport offensively. "We leaned on each other and got it done together."

In the third quarter, Brockport's Austyn Gollnitz strip-sacked Garbolino, setting up the Golden Eagles in prime field position at the Engineer's 24-yard line. After two positive Jackson rushes, Battle punched in a touchdown from one yard out to make the score 35-10 after the PAT.

Brockport dominated the rest of the game, adding a Christopher Bascetta field goal and an Allen Paul rushing touchdown to make the final score 45-10.

Jackson finished the day 10-for-18 for 188 yards and two touchdowns with an interception. Vino finished four-for-five for 35 yards passing.

Kyle Slywka's 75 yards on one reception led all Brockport receivers. Battle caught one ball for 45 yards and a touchdown. Nolan Slywka had 40 yards on four receptions. Anthony Diaz finished with 33 yards on four receptions, Luke Lockhart had 13 yards on one catch, Dylan Caraballo made one grab for 12 yards, Xavier Smith finished with 12 yards on one grab, and Nathan Williams made one catch for one yard.

Battle led the rushing attack for Brockport, as he totaled 149 yards and a touchdown. Vino finished with 92 yards and two touchdowns rushing. Jackson tacked on 79 yards. Allan Paul had 41 yards and a touchdown. Madison Murrell ran for 10 yards, and Sameer Thomas had one yard rushing.

Defensively, the Golden Eagles held RPI to 10 total first downs, along with forcing two turnovers as they made life hard for the Engineers all game long.

"We start off slow, but we settled in, play our style of defense; that's how we win games," said Kyle Slywka on the defensive play of Brockport.

Brockport, now 2-1, begins their quest for an Empire 8 championship next week on September 26th, as they are on the road at Hartwick to kick off conference play; kickoff is set for 12:00 p.m.