UTICA, NY - The Utica College Pioneer football team fell victim to turnovers and a strong rushing performance by Cortland State reserve running back Tim Hammer, who took 25 carries for a game-high 147 yards and two touchdowns, in a 43-7 setback on Saturday afternoon at Charles A. Gaetano Stadium.

The loss was the Pioneers' fourth in a row and sent the team's overall record to 1-8 on the year, while the Red Dragons of Cortland pulled their record even at 4-4 with the lopsided victory.

The Pioneers, who were plagued by turnovers all afternoon, watched as all four of their miscues led to easy Cortland scores.

Cortland's Steve Davis capitalized on a Joe Bulone fumble recovery less than two minutes into regulation with a 13-yard touchdown run, before Chuck Eich returned his first of two interceptions for a touchdown a minute and a half later. Cortland's first-quarter dominance also consisted of a 17-yard touchdown delivery from J.J. Tutwiler to Dan Bryant with just over a minute remaining.

UC sophomore fullback Paul Hart (Whitesboro, NY/Oriskany) capped off a noteworthy 15-play, 80-yard drive with a 5-yard end zone reception from senior quarterback Adam Luciano (Mechanicville, NY/Mechanicville) to post the Pioneers' only points of the afternoon at the 9:20 mark of the second quarter.

Hammer completed the Red Dragon's offensive onslaught, which included generating 223 yards rushing and 104 yards through the air, with two touchdown runs in the third quarter (1-, 2-yard).

Sophomore running back Chad Clark (Cambridge, NY/Cambridge) led the Pioneer ground game with 66 yards rushing on 19 carries, while Luciano completed 9-of-23 passing attempts for 76 yards and one interception to highlight UC's aerial attack. Freshman receiver Brandon Cooper (Rochester, NY/Spencerport) collected three receptions for a team-high 31 yards.

Senior linebacker Jason Colunio (Canandaigua, NY/Canandaigua) managed a game-high nine tackles to lead the UC defensive unit, while senior linebacker Anthony Venturino (Utica, NY/DeSales) finished the afternoon with eight solo hits, including one for a loss of three yards, and one interception. Other top defensive performers for UC included senior defensive back JP Lignowski (Walden, NY/Valley Central), who tallied seven tackles, junior defensive end Jon Griffith (Cambridge, NY/Cambridge), who had four tackles, including two for a loss, and freshman linebacker Eric Cassidy (Troy, NY/LaSalle), who was credited with four tackles and the Pioneers' only sack of the day.

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