UTICA, NY - The Utica College football team dropped their final home game of the season Saturday, losing 13-33 to Norwich University and falling to 2-7 overall.

The first score of the game came with 4:24 left in the first quarter when Norwich freshman Michael Norton (Boothbay/Newcastle, ME) returned a fumble by sophomore Nick Martin (Rome, NY/Rome Free Academy) 19 yards for a touchdown. Martin was hurt on that same play, causing him to miss the remainder of the game and was replaced by freshman Greg Pinelli (Bristol, PA/Bristol).

The Pioneers quickly capitalized on a forced fumble caused by senior Anthony Venturino (Utica, NY/DeSales), which was brought back 49 yards to the Norwich one yard line by sophomore Jim Tedesco (Staten Island, NY/Moore Catholic). That set up a one-yard touchdown run by junior Jeff Muha (Boonville, NY/Adirondack), to tie the game late in the first quarter.

Norwich went on to score 19 unanswered points, including a four-yard run by senior Eddie El'Sulton (Buena Reg/Newtonville, NJ) and two field goals by senior Rhett Soltas (Brandon/Brandon, FL) to end the half and a 60-yard touchdown reception by freshman wide receiver Pierre Garcon (John I Leonard/W. Palm Beach, FL) with 2:06 left in the third quarter.

A fumble recovery by freshman Mike DeBetta (Harpursville, NY/Harpursville) at the Norwich 20 yard line set up Muha's second touchdown of the day and helped the Pioneers cut the lead to 14 early in the fourth quarter, but a late fumble recovery by Norwich junior Roy Rose (John Marshall/San Antonio, TX) that was returned for a touchdown would secure the victory for Norwich.

Pinelli completed 9-of-24 pass completions for 70 yards and two interceptions in backup duty. Sophomore Tyrell Robinson (Middletown, NY/Middletown) led the Pioneers on the ground, finishing with 65 yards on 16 carries, while freshman James Proniewych (Medford, NY/Patchogue-Medford) led the team through the air, catching four passes for 21 yards.

Venturino led the defensive effort by the Pioneers, finishing the day with 13 total tackles, a forced fumble and a pass breakup. Sophomore Marco Rubino (Utica, NY/Thomas R. Proctor) also posted a solid outing, finishing with nine tackles and two and a half tackles for loss. Freshman Bryan Johnson (Bristol, PA/Bristol) finished with five total tackles, two tackles for loss and a blocked punt. Along with his two rushing touchdowns, Muha finished the day with 11 punts for 379 total yards.

The Pioneers will travel to Oneonta to play their final game of the season next Saturday, where they will face Hartwick College.


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