NORTHFILED, VT – The Utica College football team defeated host Norwich University 30-6 in Empire 8 Conference action Saturday at Sabine Field. The win marks the first conference victory for the Pioneers who improved to 3-6 overall and 1-5 in the E8. Norwich drops to 2-7 overall and 0-5 in conference with the loss.

The Pioneers struck first on a 10 yard touchdown pass from junior quarterback Greg Pinelli (Bristol/Bristol, PA) to wide receiver Jim Pincher (Christian Brothers Academy/Albany), who made an acrobatic catch in the corner of the end zone. The extra point by Cody Elliot (John f. Kennedy/Sloan) was good and the Pioneers took a 7-0 lead at with 6:18 left in the first quarter. Pinelli, who completed four of seven passes for 74 yards on the day, split time behind center with option quarterback Alex Conlon (St. Anthony's/ East Northport).

Elliot missed his first field goal attempt, but knocked home his second, good from 29 yards out, to give the Pioneers a 10-0 lead at 10:23 of the second quarter.

The Pioneers took a 17-0 lead when Conlon found senior captain James Proniewych (Patchouge-Medford/Medford) in the back of the end zone with 2:58 left in the second quarter. Conlon finished the day completing 9-of-20 passes for 107 yards, while also adding 45 yards rushing on 15 carries. Proniewych closed out the day with four catches for 75 yards, while Pincher led the team with five catches for 59 yards. Sophomore receiver Cody Elliot (John F. Kennedy/Sloan) added four catches for 75 yards including a 45-yard grab that set up Pincher's first quarter touchdown.

UC's defense stood strong and the Pioneers took a 17-0 lead into the locker room at the half.

Norwich got on the board with 3:03 left in the third quarter after Conlon was sacked by freshman Tony Giannone, who forced a fumble. The fumble was picked up by sophomore linebacker Reza Afsarmanesh, who returned it ten yards before pitching the ball to junior defensive tackle David Kelly who rumbled 35-yards for the first cadet touchdown of the afternoon.

Freshman running back Brian Jones (Wilby/Waterbury, CT) posted a career-day carrying the ball 17 times for 126 yards, including an 11 yard touchdown run with 3:44 left in the game and a 71 yard touchdown scamper with 1:21 left in the game.

The Pioneers defense was led by Vinson Jones (Roxborough/Philadelphia, PA), who tallied 11 tackles, including five tackles for a loss of 34 yards. Jones also added one and a half sacks on the day. Junior defensive back Lazarus Morgan (Christopher Columbus/Bronx) made five stops and picked off a pass for UC, returning it 28 yards.

Utica posted 422 yards of total offense compared to the Cadets 161. The Pioneers racked up a season-high 241 yards rushing.

UC returns to action next Saturday against visiting Hartwick College in the final game of the season for the Pioneers. Kick off is scheduled for 1:30 pm.

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