Alfred State bests Alfred University by a touchdown
From Alfred State college with Elijah Adams, Athletic Department student
A large crowd at Pioneers Stadium and watched an instant classic as Alfred State earned a hard fought 35-28 victory over Alfred University in the first ever match-up between the two institutions separated by a stoplight. The Pioneers took claim to the Stoplight Trophy and improved to 5-4 on the season.
Head Coach Scott Linn praised his team’s effort after the win: “I am proud of how our guys competed today to come away with the victory. This was a big win for our program, and it was great to have so many of our alums back on campus to be a part of it.”
Justin Horvath was 12 for 18 for 149 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Pioneers. Matthew Mancuso caught four of those passes for 79 yards and two scores while Noah Currie proved to be an all-around threat, tallying three total touchdowns, including a 97-yard kickoff return.
After a scoreless first quarter, Alfred University struck first with a 23-yard field goal by Dominic Bronco. The lead did not last long as Currier weaved through the defense and returned the the ensuing kickoff 97 yards for a score. Ashton Werner dove in from one-yard out to make it 10-7 before Currier powered up the middle for a one-yard rushing score, making it 14-10. Bronco hit his second 23-yard field goal with 49 seconds left in the half. The Pioneers marched down the field and on the last play of the half Mancuso brought in a 25-yard touchdown pass from Horvath to send the Pioneers into half with a 21-13 advantage.
Werner scored for the second time from two yards out to cut into the lead, but ASC stopped a two-point conversion attempt to make it 21-19. Currier capped an eight-minute drive with a two-yard touchdown catch. The extra point was blocked and Jack Bestpitch returned it to make the score 27-21.
With 11:31 remaining, Bestpitch returned an interception 35 yards to give the Saxons a 28-27 lead.
After a defensive stop by AU, Marcus Roney changed the momentum of the game with a diving interception on the Pioneers sideline. One play later, Horvath connected with Mancuso on a 30-yard touchdown pass play. The pair connected again on a two-point conversion to make it 35-28 with 6:40 remaining.
The Saxons had two final drives, but the Alfred State defense held strong. Time expired as a Saxon pass went over the intended receiver in the endzone.
Evan Cerventes and Gage Cornell had twelve tackles in the game. Cornell added 1.5 sacks while Ryan Heinz finished with eleven tackles.
Tommy Nyquist had a big day for AU (3-6) with 236 rushing yards on 33 carries.
After the completion of Alfred Cup competition in the Fall athletic season, Alfred State leads 4-2 with victories in football, men’s soccer, men’s and women’s cross country. Winter Alfred Cup action started today as well, as AU defeated Alfred State to make the yearly battle 4-3.
