UTICA, NY - Despite producing just six fewer yards in total offense, the Utica College football team dropped a 35-0 decision to SUNY Brockport on a rainy Saturday afternoon at Charles A. Gaetano Stadium.

The UC home opener saw the Pioneers tally 224 total yards of offense to Brockport's 230 total yards. Utica rushed for 154 yards, while Brockport managed only 122 yards on the ground. The Golden Eagles proved superior in the air, however, as sophomore quarterback Bob Darney had a perfect day, connecting on all eight of his attempts for 108 of the team's 122 yards. UC sophomore quarterback Aaron Rogers (Dundee, NY/Dundee Central) completed nine of his 20 attempts for 70 yards and one interception.

The final score was not completely indicative of the game's output, as UC held possession for 39 minutes of action and completed 16 first down attempts. However, in the end penalty accumulation proved to be the team's downfall. The Pioneer's recorded 13 penalties for 197 yards.

Darney scored the game's first touchdown on a 13-yard run in the first quarter, while junior Jeremy Lynch took back a 47-yard punt return at the end of the second quarter to conclude all first-half scoring.

Trailing by a mere 14 points in the second half, UC watched as Brockport rattled off three more touchdowns in the third period to put the game out of reach and end all scoring. Brockport's third quarter touchdowns came on a 16-yard and 5-yard pass from Darney to senior Paul Paddock and junior Chad DeRock, respectively, and a 12-yard fumble recovery by junior Hash Smith.

The Utica offense was led by sophomore running back Joseph Dattellas (Solvay, NY/Solvay), who took 21 carries for 84 yards and caught five passes for 42 yards, including a 16-yard long. Rounding out UC's top offensive performers was Rogers with 32 yards on the ground on 14 carries, and freshman fullback Paul Hart (Whitesboro, NY/Oriskany) with four catches for 28 yards. Freshman punter Jeff Muha (Boonville, NY/Adirondack) sent seven punts for a total of 223 yards, including three that were downed inside the opposition's 20-yard line.

The Utica defensive unit was led by junior linebacker Jason Colunio (Canandaigua, NY/Canandaigua), who tallied 11 tackles, including four solo hits. Senior linebacker Michael Romandetti (Wallkill, NY/) followed with eight tackles and a forced fumble, while sophomore linesman Jon Griffith (Cambridge, NY/Cambridge) made seven tackles, including two for a loss of five total yards and a fumble recovery.

Utica College will be in action again on Friday, September 27, when the team travels to Hartwick for a 7:00 p.m. kickoff. Brockport State heads to Frostburg State on Saturday, September 28 for a 1:00 p.m. contest.

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