GAME INFORMATION
Hilbert College Hawks (0-1, 0-0) vs Alfred State Pioneers (0-1, 0-0)
Saturday, September 13th | 12 PM | St. Francis High School | Hamburg, NY
 
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THE OPPONENT
Alfred State is off to an 0-1 start to the season after last week's 7-6 defeat against Anderson University. The Pioneers looked to tie the game late on a touchdown with 1:05 remaining in the game, but a missed extra point ultimately led to the one-point loss.

Justin Horvath (13-25, 68 passing yards, 15 rushing yards on four carries), and Noah Currier (22 rushes for 121 yards and a score) led the Pioneer offense that did much of its' damage on the ground in the season opener.

The defense of the Pioneers produced big plays all game as the unit tallied 14.5 tackles for a loss, three forced fumbles (one recovered) and two interceptions. Evan Cervantes led Alfred State with 12 total tackles, 4.5 tackles for a loss, two forced fumbles and one recovery, while Gage Cornell and Aaron Ellis each recorded three tackles for a loss to go along with ten and nine tackles, respectively. Ceon Miles III provided the unit's three sacks on the day, while Donnell Hall was responsible for both Pioneer interceptions.

The Pioneers are coached by Scott Linn who enters his 7^th season leading the program. Linn has recorded 27 wins to go along with back-to-back Eastern Collegiate Football Conference championships and trips to the NCAA playoffs in 2023 and 2024 since taking over in 2018.

MATCHUP HISTORY
Saturday's matchup will represent the second time the Hawks and the Pioneers face off, and the first meeting between the two teams in Hamburg.

Hilbert will look to even the all-time series this weekend after falling to Alfred State, 48-7 in 2023. 12 current Hawks made the trip to Alfred Station, NY two years ago, with Brody Hopkins (67 yards, 1 passing TD), Bryce Robinson (three catches for 35 yards), Scotty Winchell (six total tackles, one for a loss) and Clifford Zeigler (sack and a forced fumble) all playing big roles for Hilbert in the program's lone matchup with Alfred State

LAST GAME
The Hawks find themselves 0-1 to begin the year after a week one defeat to Saint Vincent College. Hilbert got in the board in the second quarter to cut the lead to 14-7, but two late touchdowns through the air from the Bearcats denied any comeback attempt in the 28-7 Hilbert defeat.

Hopkins found the endzone from one-yard out following a 7-play, 26-yard drive ignited by Mike Hanlon's special teams forced fumble and recovery to set the offense up just outside the redzone.

On offense, Hanlon paced the ground game with 77 yards on 19 attempts, while Hopkins connected on four passes for 74 yards, including a pair to Bryce Robinson for 49 yards.

Defensively, Clifford Zeigler forced a fumble in the contest to go with his team-leading seven tackles and one sack. Damon Hollister tallied a sack, four total tackles and a pass breakup in his first career game, while Amari Wilbon (two), Kaden Beckerink (one), and Damonte Malone (one) all added PBUs in the secondary.
 
COACHING STAFF
Ted Egger returns for his third year leading the football program at Hilbert after stops at Hocking College, Pearl River Community College, Concordia University, Adams State University, Lock Haven University, Ferris State University, and Northwood University.

Egger is joined by John Noel, Aron Aydelott, Henry Baxter, Justin Mott, and William Goldsworthy on the sidelines.