Playing without several key players due to injuries, including their starting quarterback and wide receiver, the Utica College football team was dealt a 37-0 home loss to Ithaca College on Saturday afternoon at Charles A. Gaetano Stadium. The Pioneers were also victimized by eight turnovers and it was the first time that the Pioneers were shutout this season. Utica drops their overall record to 4-3 overall and 1-2 in the Empire 8. Ithaca improved to 6-1 and remained perfect in the conferences at 4-0.

The Ithaca defense proved to be a big obstacle as the Pioneers couldn't mount any serious scoring chances on the day. Utica did not have one red zone possession during the game and was outgained in total net yards 395-221.

Freshman quarterback Alex Conlon (E. Northport, NY/Suffolk CCC) started in place of injured junior quarterback Nick Martin (Rome, NY/Rome Free Academy) and finished just 6-for-24 for 48 yards with an unfortunate four interceptions.

Junior fullback Dan Ross (Tonawanda, NY/Tonawanda) got Ithaca on the board after hauling in a 15-yard scoring pass from senior quarterback Josh Felicetti (Doylestown, PA/Central Bucks East) with 9:18 left to play in the first quarter. That was the first of three touchdown passes on the day from Felicetti who finished 13-for-21 for 187 yards. Felicetti also connected with sophomore running back Jamie Donovan (Washington, D.C./Sidwell Friends) on an 18-yard scoring pass with 8:23 to go in the opening period as Ithaca led 13-0 after one quarter.

Senior running back Chad Clark (Cambridge, NY/Cambridge) was a bright spot for Utica on the day as he finished with 134 yards rushing on 24 carries. Sophomore running back Mike Capra (Schenectady, NY/Schenectady) added 38 yards on 10 carries.

Donovan led Ithaca on the ground with 98 yards on 20 carries.

Utica returns to action on Saturday, October 29 when it travels to Rochester, NY to face St. John Fisher College in Empire 8 play at 1:00 pm.