UTICA, NY – It took four overtimes and a combined 142 points, but when it was all said and done the Hartwick College football team earned a share of the Empire 8 Conference Championship and an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament after defeating host Utica College 72-70 Saturday.
The combined 142 points was a NCAA Divison III all-time record eclipsing the old record of 131 points set by Earlham (69) and Manchester (62) on September 10, 2005. 70 points is also an all-time record for points scored by a losing team. The old record was 63 scored by Cornell College in a losing effort against Coe on October 25, 2003.
Each team scored three touchdowns in overtime but the determining factor was a failed two-point conversion attempt by the Pioneers, after wide receiver Jim Pincher scored on a 23-yard touchdown grab in the fourth overtime.
The Pioneers closed out the 2007 season by posting a program record 70 points and finishing with a 3-7 overall record. Hartwicks' storied season continues as they improve to 8-2 overall and 5-1 in conference. St. John Fisher defeated Alfred University 39-18 Saturday, which means Hartwick and Fisher share the Empire 8 Conference title. Hartwick won the head-to-head match-up against Fisher 31-28 on September 29th and earned the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
Wide receiver Jack Phelan (Slingerlands, NY/Guilderland) and junior quarterback Jason Boltus (Baldwinsville/C.W. Baker) were the offensive stars for the Hawks on the day. Phelan caught 11 passes for a career-high 240 yards and four touchdowns, including two 25 yard catches in overtime to seal the victory for the Hawks. Boltus completed 22-of-41 passes for 420 yards and six touchdowns on the day, while also running for one touchdown.
The Pioneers offense was guided by a solid rushing attack, complimented nicely by option quarterback Conlon's (St. Anthony's/East Northport) 13 completions for 216 yards and four touchdowns. Conlon also led the team with 97 rushing yards and one 14-yard touchdown scamper. Freshman Brian Jones (Wilby/Waterbury, CT) carried the ball 15 times for 83 yards and tallied two touchdowns for the second consecutive game. Sophomore receiver Cody Elliot (John F. Kennedy/Sloan) caught six passes for 98 yards, while senior captain James Proniewych (Patchogue-Medford/Medford) caught four passes for 80 yards, including a 60 yard touchdown on the Pioneers first play from scrimmage to give UC a 7-0 lead at 14:51 in the first quarter.
Hartwicks' high-powered offense answered right back when junior quarterback Jason Boltus (Baldwinsville/C.W. Baker), who leads the nation in yards passing, hit senior fullback Ryan Yetto (Hoosick Falls/Hoosick Falls) for a 35-yard touchdown pass at 12:54.
The Pioneers recovered two fumbles for touchdowns on the day. Sophomore utility player Keith Barone (Manchester Township/Point Pleasant, NJ) jumped on an Elliot fumble in the end zone to give UC a 14-7 lead at 8:14 of the first quarter.
Hartwick closed out the first half and began the second half with three touchdowns to take a 28-21 lead. The Hawks scored twice in the final 2:27 of the first half on a one-yard pass from Boltus to Yetto and also a one-yard run by Boltus. Hartwick opened the second half with a two-play, 62 yard drive capped by a 28-yard touchdown pass from Boltus to Phelan.
Elliot tied the game up at 28-28 for the Pioneers when he returned the ensuing kickoff 87 yards for the touchdown. Hartwick fired back with two straight touchdowns, including a 21-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown by sophomore Daniel Martin (Fairport, NY/Fairport) at 6:17 of the third quarter to give the Hawks a 42-28 lead.
The Pioneers then jabbed back with two touchdowns of their own and tied the game up at 42-42. Senior tight end Marc Neff (Dolgeville/Little Falls) caught his first of two touchdown passes and Jones scored his first of two touchdowns on a 22-yard run with 2:24 left in the third quarter.
The fourth quarter proved to be the lowest scoring quarter opened by a three-yard touchdown run by fullback TJ Rizzo (Highland, NY/Highland) to give the Hawks a seven point advantage. Utica sent the game into overtime when Neff caught a two-yard touchdown pass from Conlon with just 17 seconds left on the clock. UC kicker Casey McNulty (Red Hook/Red Hook) knocked home the extra point to tie the game up at 49-49.
Both teams held each other scoreless in the first overtime. McNulty attempted a 34-yard field goal but it hit the cross bar and was deemed no good. Junior defensive back Lazarus Morgan (Christopher Columbus/Bronx) intercepted a Boltus pass on the Hawks next scoring attempt to set up a second overtime.
Senior running back Lindy Crea (Binghamton/Windsor) opened the overtime scoring with a six-yard touchdown run. The Pioneers tied the game up at 56-56 on a seven-yard touchdown run by Jones to send it to the third overtime.
Sophomore running back Kamaal Mabry (Goshen/Goshen) tallied a six yard touchdown run for the Pioneers and Elliot completed the two point conversion on a pass from Conlon to put the pressure on Hartwick in the third overtime. Boltus connected with Phelan on the first play for a 25-yard touchdown pass to send the game to a fourth and final overtime period.
Former all-conference defensive back Justin Oelgeschlager (Highland/Highland) recorded a game-high 13 tackles for the Hawks, while all-region free safety Marcus Maroney (Lockport/Utica) wrapped up his illustrious career with the Pioneers by posting a team-high nine tackles.
The Hawks will find out Sunday which seed they earned for the NCAA Tournament and who they will be playing in the first round.
