Alfred NY- Alfred State football took a win against the Gallaudet Bisons in what came down to the wire to make into the conference championship. The Pios won 28-26, to push the record to 4-5 and 2-1 in the conference.

Justin Horvath went 22-32 for 208 and two touchdowns. On the ground, Nicholas Cuomo went for 81 yards on 11 carries for two touchdowns. On the defensive end, Chris Bergman tallied two interceptions and David Harrell notched the game interception. Silas Egenlauf came away with 14 tackles.

The Bison got on the board first with a touchdown in the first quarter and opened the second quarter with a touchdown for the 13-0 lead. Pios scored their first touchdown of the game in the second quarter, on the following drive, as Cuomo broke off a 45-yard touchdown run to shorten the deficit to 13-7 after a successful Richard Brice II field goal.

After another Bison score, the Pios put together a scoring drive of their own. Horvath threw a 40-yard pass that found Frank Tomaro for a first down. Nicholas Cuomo with a one-yard rush down up the middle and found the endzone. Then on their next possession, took their first lead of the game, as they put together a successful drive to take a 21-20 lead into half. Noah Currier capped the drive with a five-yard touchdown reception from Horvath.

After a scoreless third quarter, Pios kicked off the first few minutes of the fourth quarter by increasing their lead. Horvath completed a pass to Currier for 8 yards. After a successful kick by Brice, the Pioneers lead 28-20. Gallaudet would then cut their deficit to two with a touchdown but the Pioneers stopped the two point conversion to hang on to the lead 28-26.

Pios put on a defensive display for the rest of the game by keeping the Bisons away. Chris Bergman and David Harrell each caught an interception with less than 5 minutes remaining, helping Alfred win 28-26.

The Pioneers advance to the ECFC Championship at Anna Maria on November 16 at 12 pm.