MORRISVILLE, N.Y. – Second year Mustang head football coach Eric Jendryaszek and his squad are ready to kick off the 2026 season Saturday, as SUNY Morrisville heads to Kean University Saturday for a noon opening whistle.
 
"We are very excited about the upcoming season and the opportunity to build on the progress we made this spring," said Jendryaszek. "We have a strong group of returning players who understand our expectations and culture, and we believe the team is prepared to take another step forward."
 
Morrisville returns a core of players who contributed to the team a year ago, including leading rusher Isaac Sylvain (Schenectady, N.Y.) who gained 999 net yards and added eight touchdowns to his totals on the season.
 
The battle for the starting role under center heated up during preseason with returner Logan Watson (Lowville, N.Y.) receiving the nod for week one. Watson stepped into the role midway through his sophomore season, registering 797 yards and six touchdown scores in 90 completions.
 
Morrisville returns five to the starting lineup on defense, including three up front to anchor the line. Seniors Aaron Greaves (Goshen, N.Y.), Ja'Mar Harvey (Webester, N.Y.) and Brad Burke (Ilion, N.Y.) are joined by Ty Daughton (Syracuse, N.Y.) who bring a talented and physical presence on the line.
 
In addition to new faces, Morrisville's defense will be under guidance of a new defensive coordinator, Colin Schaeffer. "We are also excited about the addition of Coach Schaeffer, who brings a lot of energy and experience to our defensive staff," he said.
 
Morrisville has added several new faces to the defensive lineup that are expected to make an immediate impact, including linebacker Bruce Wingate (Liverpool, N.Y.) who brings athleticism and physicality to the position.
 
Morrisville will see solid leadership from five captains this season, Cherinoh Kaba (Corona, N.Y.) and Cale Marland (Morrisville, N.Y.) on the offensive side of the ball, while Harvey, KJ Abbott (Lexington, N.Y.) and Thomas Eison (Saint Albans, N.Y.) provide that core on defense.
 
"These players have earned the respect of their teammates through their work ethic, accountability, and commitment to the program," Jendryaszek said. "We expect our captains to set the standard every day and help establish the culture and expectations for the entire team."
 
Morrisville will get their first test of the 2026 season Saturday, traveling to Kean University for a 1 p.m. kick off in New Jersey, and looking to avenge last year's result as the Cougars walked off the field with a game winning field goal as time expired.
 
Sylvain racked up 120 net yards and two scores for the Mustangs a year ago against the Cougars, with fellow senior Mason Ondreyko (Wallkill, N.Y.) collecting 107 yards in the receiving game. DeSean Bruce (Geneva, N.Y.) added an interception in the defensive efforts for the Mustangs.
 
Morrisville will be on the road for a second time the following week at the University of Rochester before opening the home slate on Sept. 19 against Union College on Mustang Weekend in Morrisville.
 
The Mustangs will see their first Empire 8 action of the season on the 26^th on the road at Cortland, returning home for two straight in October, the first against Alfred State on the 3^rd and Utica on the 10^th.
 
Morrisville will head to Brockport on the 24^th, hosting Hartwick on the 31^st to close out the October schedule.
 
A final conference road game at St. John Fisher will open November's slate, before Morrisville wraps up the regular season against Alfred University on Drake Field on the 14^th.
 
"Our goal is to compete at a high level every week while continuing to build a program centered around toughness, discipline, and accountability," Jendryaszek said.
 
A complete roster and schedule with links for live coverage is available on the college's athletics website.

SUNY Morrisville's curricula are enriched with applied learning and pave the way for opportunity at the Morrisville and Norwich campuses. The college is positioning itself to offer expanded graduate offerings, workforce programming and microcredentials. Future development of industry and educational partnerships will increase student success and response to student demand and market. For more information about SUNY Morrisville, visit www.morrisville.edu.
 
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