BUFFALO, NY – Receiver Koree Reed (Baldwinsville, NY/Central Conn. St. Univ.) hauled in six catches for an astounding 253 receptions yards and two scores on Saturday, but it wasn't enough as Buffalo State defeated Hartwick in an Empire 8 game at Coyer Field in Buffalo.
           
Reed scored on a 71-yard touchdown pass to start the day's scoring and added a 99-yard touchdown catch early in the second half for the Hawks. His 253 yards receiving signifies the fourth-highest single game total in Division III football this season.
           
With the loss, Hartwick slips to 2-6 overall and 1-5 in the Empire 8 Conference. The Bengals up their season records to 5-3 and 3-3 in conference.
             
Senior quarterback Billy Pine (Hoosick Falls, NY/Hoosick Falls HS) completed 16-of-36 passes on the day for the Hawks, good enough for 342 passing yards, including the two TDs to Reed. He also ran for two more scores. Shawn McNeil (Mechanicville, NY/Stillwater HS) caught four balls for 46 yards for 'Wick.
           
Mark Hackett (Hoosick Falls, NY/Hoosick Falls) led Hartwick in tackles with nine. Eugene Allen III (Laurel, NY/Mattituck) contributed six hits and Frank Sorrenti (Endwell, NY/Maine-Endwell HS) and Malik Wynter (Auburn, NY/Auburn) each added five tackles.
           
The Hawks would accumulate 405 yards of offense in the contest. Buffalo State registered 523 yards of offense on 328 passing yards and 195 rushing and scored on eight of 14 possessions.
           
Hartwick needed just two plays from scrimmage to get on the scoreboard as Pine and Reed hooked up on a 71-yard pass 58 seconds into the game. Buffalo State picked up a field goal on its first possession to make the score 6-3, but after forcing a Hartwick punt, the Bengals took the lead for good on a 58-yard touchdown run from Tre Jones after 6:11 of action.
           
The Bengals scored again early in the second quarter to extend their lead to 17-6, but Hartwick drove 63 yards on seven plays, capped by a Pine 1-yard touchdown run, to trim the Buff State lead to four, 17-13.
           
After another Buffalo State touchdown extended its lead to 11 again, Marcus Mistersaro (Leroy, NY/Leroy HS) intercepted a Kyle Hoppy pass and ran it back 80 yards for a Hartwick touchdown with 4:40 left in the half.
           
The Bengals came right back 1:45 later to grab the final points of the half on a Jones 10-yard rushing touchdown, and the hosts led 31-20 at half.
           
Hartwick's defense forced a three and out on Buffalo State's first possession of the second half. Pine then connected with Reed for the huge 99-yarder to trim the gap to four once again, 31-27.
           
The Hawks had a chance to drive for the lead but they were forced to punt. Buffalo State countered with a 19-yard passing touchdown for a 37-27 advantage.
           
The Bengals converted a Hartwick turnover into points early in the fourth to open up a 44-27 edge. They added their final touchdown for a 51-27 lead with 5:28 left in the game.
           
Pine closed out the scoring with 2:10 left in the contest with a nine-yard touchdown run.
           
Jones rushed for 161 yards for the Bengals. Hoppy threw for 328 yards and three scores on 20-of-33 passing. Had Bryant led the Bengal receiving corps with 10 catches for 164 yards and two TDs.
           
Hartwick is back on the road next Saturday, November 5 as it takes on #24 St. John Fisher in Pittsford, NY beginning at 1 p.m.