UTICA, NY - The Utica College football team lost to visiting Springfield College 49-12 Saturday in Empire 8 Conference action at Charles A. Gaetano Stadium. The football game was part of Homecoming festivities for Utica College.

The Pioneers are now 1-3 overall and 0-1 in conference, while the Pride improved to 2-2 and 1-1 in conference. The Pioneers are 1-3 all-time against the Pride. UC defeated Springfield 34-33 in 2005.

Erich Timmermen (Middletown/Goshen) returned the opening kick off 82 yards to give the Pride an early 7-0 lead. Timmerman, a senior wide receiver, was returning the first kick of his four year career.

The Pioneers opening drive ended in a failed 42-yard field goal attempt by sophomore kicker Casey McNulty (Red Hook, NY/Red Hook). Pride fullback Baldwin Cunningham (East Hartford/Manchester, CT) fumbled on the ensuing possession after a hit by UC senior linebacker Cory Jure (Brooklyn, NY/Sheepshead Bay). Senior free safety Marcus Maroney (Utica, NY/Lockport) picked up the fumble and returned it 47 yards for their first touchdown since week one when they posted 41 points in a win over Becker College. McNulty pushed the extra point wide right and the Pride led 7-6 at the eight minute mark of the first quarter.

Springfield answered back less than six minutes later after a nine play 46 yard drive was capped by a Derron Walker (Valhalla/White Plains) one yard touchdown run. Sophomore kicker Chris Bush (Cooperstown Central/Fly Creek) knocked home the extra point to give the Pride a 14-6 lead.

The Pioneers went three and out to start the second quarter. UC punter Ben Atwood (Verona, NY/Vernon-Verona-Sherrill) kicked a line drive 38 yard punt that was fielded by Jarred Burrell (Pilgrim/Cranston, RI). Sophomore Peter Vano (Mahopac, NY/Mahopac) laid a big hit on Burrell and caused a fumble that was picked up by Pioneer strong safety Bryan Johnson (Bristol, PA/Bristol). Ten plays and 20 yards later McNulty redeemed himself with a 28-yard field goal making the score 14-9.

Springfield marched down the field on the ensuing possession and senior quarterback Chris Sharpe (Pinkerton/Derry, NH), the NCAA Division III Player of the Year last season, capped a five play 56 yard drive with a two yard touchdown run. Sharpe added his second touchdown of the day with one minute remaining in the first half. The Pride entered halftime with a 28-9 lead.

Springfield tallied 253 first half yards on 34 plays compared to the Pioneers 139 yards of total offense on 37 plays. The Pride threw just four passes in the first half.

Utica opened the second half scoring when McNulty knocked down a 27-yard field goal less than four minutes into the half to cut the Springfield lead to 16 points.

The Pride scored the games next two touchdowns and led 42-12 with 5:04 left in the third quarter. Sharpe tallied his third touchdown of day on a 34-yard scamper up the middle. He now has 10 touchdowns on the year. Sharpe rushed for 69 yards on 12 carries and also threw for a career-high 149 yards on 4-of-6 passing.

UC quarterback Greg Pinelli (Bristol, PA/Bristol) closed out the day 17-for-33 for 159 yards passing, while James Proniewych (Medford, NY/Patchogue-Medford) caught a game-high seven passes for 66 yards.

UC sophomore linebacker Eric Kahl (Lockwood, NY/Spencer-Van-Etten) led all tacklers with 12 stops, while Vinson Jones (Philadelphia, PA/Roxborough) and Maroney each made six stops. Jure made seven tackles, while Johnson tallied five.

Utica returns to action against host Mt. Ida next Saturday at 1 p.m. Springfield takes on visiting Husson College next Saturday at 1 p.m.