September 16, 2023
12:00 p.m.
Schmidt Stadium
 
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The Wilkes University football team is still in search for its first win of the 2023 season as it hosts another tough non-conference opponent in SUNY Brockport Saturday at 12:00 p.m. at Schmidt Stadium.
 
Wilkes enters the game with an 0-2 overall record after falling 38-14 at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) last week. Wilkes tied the game late in the first quarter at 7-7, but from there RPI scored 28 unanswered points on way to the three-touchdown win.
 
Offensively Wilkes continues to rely on Elijah Jules (Red Bank, NJ/Red Bank Catholic), the second leading rusher in the Landmark, to move the chains and keep the unit on the field. Jules has rushed for 141 yards on 32 carries, but has yet to reach the endzone this season. Quarterback Isaiah Rodriguez (Lebanon, PA/Lebanon) has thrown for 312 yards on 30-for-47 passing including three touchdowns. Jimmy Johnson (Fallston, MD/Fallston) has been the Colonels top threat on the outside this season posting eight catches for a team-high 140 yards and one score.
 
Defensively Wilkes has been led by linebacker Tallen Murray (Vineland, NJ/Saint Joseph Academy), the second leading tackler in the Landmark, who has posted 18 total tackles. Angel Ramos (Allentown, PA/Parkland) and Lance Priestas (Bethlehem, PA/Liberty) continue to put pressure on opposing quarterbacks each posting 2.0 sacks. The Colonel secondary has yet to intercept a pass, but Jesse Addesso (Staten Island, NY/St. Joseph's by the Sea) is tops in the group with 12 total tackles and one pass breakup.
 
Alex Orlando (Allentown, PA/Emmaus) has won the field position battle over two weeks punting for an average of 40.56 yards including one inside the 20. Nick Volpone (Delco, PA/Ridley) remains 0-1 on field goal attempts having not had an attempt last week at RPI.
 
Brockport enters the contest with a 1-1 overall record after falling 6-5 last week in a defensive battle with No. 22 Susquehanna University. A late field goal with two seconds remaining gave the River Hawks the 6-5 win to spoil the Golden Eagles' home opener.
 
The Golden Eagles continue to rely heavily on its run game behind its big offensive line. Jala Coad has rushed for a total of 149 yards for two scores on a total of 35 carries. Gino Fontanarosa has 18 rushing attempts for 57 yards and one touchdown. Quarterback Todd Simonds has called his own number for 16 rushes, 81 yards, and a score. Two weeks into the season, only Cortland (99 rushes) has handed the ball off more than Brockport within the Empire 8 Conference.
 
With 19 total tackles, Ben Robinson leads the Brockport defensive unit in stops. He has also got in for 2.5 tackles for a loss, 0.5 sacs, and two pass breakups. Mike Talbert Jr. has been all over the field defensively for the Golden Eagles. He has 18 tackles, five tackles for a loss, one sack, and four pass breakups. Kyle Haettich has been credited with both takeaways for Brockport through two weeks. He has caused and recovered one fumble, made one interception, and recorded 17 tackles.
  
Brockport's special teams has produced a few big plays so far this season, including a punt return for a touchdown and two blocked kicks against Susquehanna.
 
Following the game, Wilkes takes to the road next Saturday for its final non-conference matchup of the season at St. John Fisher at 4:00 p.m. in Rochester, N.Y.