BUFFALO, N.Y. - The Hartwick Football team traveled to Buffalo on Saturday afternoon and came away with a hard-fought 29-27 victory over Buffalo State, powered by a relentless defense and a balanced rushing attack.

THE BASICS

• Final Score: Hartwick 29 Buffalo State 27

• Location: Buffalo, N.Y. | Coyer Field

• Records: Hartwick (2-0 0-0 Empire 8) Buffalo State (0-2, 0-0 Liberty League)

BY THE NUMBERS 

• The Hawks open their season 2-0 for the first time since 2015 after opening with a 56-7 win over Maine Maritime last Saturday.

• Robert Kennedy (Hudson, N.Y.) was a nightmare for the Bengals' passing game, picking off three passes including returning one for a 15 yard touchdown.

• The defensive unit was stellar, forcing two fumbles and collecting four interceptions in the triumph.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Hawks opened strong on their first drive, converting a 4th-and-15 as quarterback Dennis Riordan (New City, N.Y.) hit Nicholas Massaregli (Pelham, N.Y.) on a 28-yard screen pass for the game's first touchdown. The Bengals struggled early but were gifted new life on a roughing-the-kicker penalty, only to see the Hartwick defense respond with a forced fumble recovered by Matthew Muntzenberger (New Hyde Park, N.Y.).

Buffalo State broke through late in the first quarter with a blocked punt returned for a score, though David Shafer Mooney (Cicero, N.Y.) stuffed the extra point attempt to keep things even at 6-6. Hartwick's ground game took control in the second quarter, with Akil Williams (Chester, N.Y.) and Massaregli setting the tone before Riordan powered in from a yard out to regain the lead. Two explosive runs from the Bengals, plus a successful two-point try, sent the hosts into halftime up 14-13.

The defenses settled in after the break, but Robert Kennedy (Hudson, N.Y.) flipped momentum with a 15-yard pick-six midway through the third quarter. Buffalo State answered quickly, striking for a 78-yard touchdown to tie things up early in the fourth. The Hawks' special teams had the response, as Brennan McNeilly (Lindenhurst, N.Y.) blocked the extra point and Troy Madden (Williston Park, N.Y.) returned it the other way for a two-point safety and a 22-20 lead.

Kennedy's third interception of the day thwarted another Bengals drive, and Williams delivered the final blow with a late touchdown run to seal the win. Buffalo State added a score in the final minute, but the Hawks' defense held firm to secure the 29-27 triumph.

COMMENTS FROM HEAD COACH MATT ROGERS
"So proud of our guys with our win today, we won the turnover battle and had a few real momentum changers.I am proud of how our guys remain poised in some adverse situations. It's always tough to win on the road but we showed some real toughness and that will bode well for the rest of the season."

UP NEXT FOR THE HAWKS

The Hawks will return to Wright Stadium, taking on the #23 Cortland Red Dragons on Saturday, September 20 at 3PM during True Blue Weekend.

About Hartwick College:
Hartwick, often referred to as The Life Balance College, is a private liberal arts and sciences institution in Oneonta, N.Y. Through its distinctive FlightPath approach, Hartwick blends academic excellence, career preparation and an active campus life to help students achieve a balanced and fulfilling college experience. With transparent tuition and a focus on health and wellness, Hartwick prepares students for lifelong success—both professionally and personally.