UTICA, NY - The Utica College football team not only recorded its first win of the 2002 season on Saturday afternoon at Charles A. Gaetano Stadium, but also its first official win against a four-year institution as a varsity program. The Pioneers, led by freshman fullback Paul Hart's (Whitesboro, NY/Oriskany) two-touchdown performance, defeated visiting Mount Ida College, 22-6.

UC, in only its second year as a varsity program, jumped out to an 8-0 lead early in the second quarter on a four-yard touchdown run by Hart, and a successful two-point conversion reception by freshman Matthew Connors (Pleasant Valley, NY/Arlington) on a Christopher Sargis (Syracuse, NY/Bishop Ludden) pass. Mount Ida answered with its only score of the game just four minutes later, as quarterback P.J. Matthews capped off a 12-play drive with a 16-yard touchdown run. The Mustangs two-point conversion attempt was denied by UC's defensive unit, leaving the score 8-6 at the half.

UC would go on to seal the victory and begin a new chapter in Utica football history by scoring two fourth-quarter touchdowns. Sophomore running back Joseph Dattellas (Solvay, NY/Solvay) cushioned the UC lead with a 10-yard rushing touchdown at the 7:26 mark of the fourth quarter, while Hart cemented UC's fate by darting into the end zone from four yards out with just 3:47 remaining in regulation.

The Utica College running game proved to be a major factor in the game's outcome as Dattellas and Hart combined for 196 yards on the ground and three touchdowns. Dattellas took 20 carries for 109 yards, while Hart ran 16 carries for 87 yards. As a team, UC tallied 213 total yards rushing and a mere 21 yards passing. Mount Ida was credited with 110 yards on the ground and 82 yards in the air.

Jon Klosner (Ilion, NY/Ilion) sparked a gritty UC defensive effort with three interceptions, which he returned for a total of 64 yards, and three pass deflections. Klosner's three interceptions mark the second time this year that the sophomore defensive back has performed such a feat.

Other UC defensive highlights included junior co-captain Anthony Venturino's (Utica, NY/DeSales) game-high 10 tackles, including two for a loss of 10 yards, and senior Michael Romandetti's (Wallkill, NY/) nine tackles. Junior Jason Colunio (Canandaigua, NY/Canandaigua) also had a big day with eight tackles, including two for losses, and one forced fumble.

Junior quarterback Adam Luciano (Mechanicville, NY/Mechanicville), starting for the first time this year, completed three of his 13 pass attempts for 21 yards. Mount Ida's Matthews handled a majority of his team's snaps, completing eight of 32 pass attempts for 78 yards and two interceptions.

The Pioneers are in action again on Saturday, October 19, when the team travels to Alfred University for a 1:00 p.m. kickoff.

Click here for game statistics.