Southern Virginia Shuts Out Pioneers

Alfred State could never get anything going and fell 30-0 to Southern Virginia University.  The Pioneers fall to 4-5 on the year while the Knights improve to a program best 7-2.

Southern Virginia got on the board on their first two possessions of the contest.  Andy Jones connected with Dee Sanford on a 12-yard play less than five minutes into the game and on a 9-yard pass five eight minutes later.

The Pioneers had two scoring chances in the 2nd quarter but both drives were stalled deep in the Knights territory after interceptions.

SVU added to their lead with 5:38 remaining in the 3rd when Jones raced in from 5-yards out.

A Davis Cragun 27-yard field goal with 12:05 remaining and a Nate Caldwell 10-yard run with 9:35 remaining added insurance for the Knights.

The Pioneers were held to just 172 yards of offense on the day, including just 18 on the ground. 

Gregory Hampton (Uniondale) was 12 for 27 for 109 yards.  Keegan Phalen (East Aurora) led receivers with 45 yards while Ismail El-Amin (Rochester/Wilson) caught two passes for 41 yards.

Jones finished the day 10 for 22 for 172 yards and rushed for 70 yards.  Sanford caught four passes for 67 yards.

Nick DePofi (Union Endicott) led the Pioneer defense with 15 tackles and a forced fumble while Rory Spain (Tully) chipped in 12.  John Garborwski (Mohegan Lake) finished with 10 tackles while Phalen recorded eight.  Ray Onabanjo (Staten Island/Curtis) picked off a pass and Matt Munson (Clyde Savannah) recovered a fumble.

Keaton epps led the Knights with six tackles while Matthew Gregory picked off two passes.

Alfred State was just 2 of 12 on 3rd down conversions while SVU was 11 of 17.  The Knights picked up 22 1st downs compared to Alfred's 8 and held the ball for 38:37 of the contest.

The Pioneers finish the season next Saturday when they travel to Wesley College for a 1 p.m. kickoff in Dover, DE.