Salute to Seniors: Garet Lynch

If the outpouring of points during the Northwest Bowl wasn't enough to thrill the audience, Garet Lynch added to the excitement by putting the football in the end zone seven times, while rewriting Brockport football history along the way. The seven touchdowns tied a national record, and set a new mark for The College at Brockport. Along with the touchdowns, Lynch set plenty of rushing records throughout the game and entire 2008 season.Garet set the tone early, rushing for 190 yards and two touchdowns in the season opening win over William Patterson.

The senior averaged slightly more than 151 yards per game, with only three games that fell under the 100-yard mark. Against Montclair State, Rowan University and Cortland the running back didn't reach triple digits, and the Golden Eagles lost all the games.


The senior had a total of 1,665 rushing yards, setting a new school record for most rushing yards in a season.

As a Golden Eagle, Garet totaled 3,195 yards, which puts him in second place all time for rushing yards at Brockport. This career season follows a 2007 campaign where Garet served as a support for Matt McCormick, only finding 533 yards and three touchdowns.


Garet wouldn't stop with just breaking records in the rushing category. The running back is now the leader in touchdowns scored in a season with 26, and leads the college in career scores with 37.

The 26 touchdowns in the 2008 season shatters a year-old record set by McCormick last season.


Garet received numerous forms of recognition for his efforts, including a nod from Brockport head coach Rocco Salamone. Salamone noted the Brockport offensive line, a crucial part to any running game.


"Garet just had a terrific season," said Salamone. "He was really somebody to count on every Saturday."

The team agrees.


"He's a work horse," quarterback Zack Luke said.

However, it wasn't just the team that recognized the efforts Garet gave each week. After the record-setting game against Hartwick, Garet was named the New Jersey Athletic Conference "Offensive Player of the Week," and received Rochester Area College Athletics Player of the Week honors.


Garet was also named Golden Eagle "Male Athlete of the Week" three times this season, including the week after the shootout Northwest Bowl, where Garet fell 12 yards short of a national record for most yards rushed in a game. In the same game, Garet set the new national record for most yards set in a single half. Although the running game was so affective against Hartwick, Garet struggled with cramping late in the game that sidelined him for most of the final quarter.


"It's too bad he started cramping up," Salamone said. "Who knows what kind of numbers he would have put up."

Salamone admitted Garet became so reliable during the game that both he and offensive coordinator Jason Mangone knew anytime the Golden Eagles were close to the goal line, Garet would make the play.


The senior celebrated his last game as a Golden Eagle being named as Eastern College Athletic Conference Northwest Bowl Most Valuable Player.

With Garet ending his career at Brockport, the Golden Eagles will turn the running game over to the younger class, including junior Chad Moore and freshmen Travis Fuller and Brian Kelleher.

As with any position, competition will breed success for the Brockport running game, and Garet has set the bar for success high for those to come.