The Utica College football team (3-4, 0-3 E8) took an early 10-7 lead behind a 39 yard field goal from Thomas R. Proctor graduate Denis Advic (Proctor/Utica) and a fumble recovered for a touchdown by Rome Free Academy graduate Jeremy Meier (RFA/Rome) but the Pioneers could not hold on, allowing 20 straight points in a span of 24:42 midway through the contest, as they lost 34-17 against host St. John Fisher College (4-2, 2-0 E8) Saturday night in Pittsford, NY.
UC threatened late when Meier scored his second touchdown of the game on an acrobatic one handed grab in the back of the end zone with 6:45 to go in the contest to cut the Cardinal lead to ten points, 27-10. UC recovered the ensuing onside kick but turned the ball over on downs with 5:43 to go in the contest as they dropped to 3-4 overall on the year.
Freshman quarterback Andrew Benkwitt (Mamaroneck, NY) completed 26-of-44 passes for 203 yards but he also threw five interceptions and was sacked five times in the loss. Meier finished the day with four catches for 27 yards and a touchdown, while senior wide receiver Cody Elliot (Sloan, NY) added a game-high nine catches for 54 yards on the day.
Sherrill native Sean Dixon (VVS/Sherrill) led the way for the Pioneer defense with nine tackles while senior middle linebacker Eric Kahl (Lockwood, NY) and classmate Pete Vano (Mohapac, NY) each added eight tackles. Whitesboro's Steve Karboski (Whitesboro, NY) made four stops and added one sack for a loss of four yards in the loss.
Fisher tallied 271 yards rushing on the ground, led by freshman Christian Zemaitis (Spencerport, NY) who carried the ball 21 times for 121 yards and three touchdowns. Senior linebacker Andy Episcopo totaled a game-high 16 tackles, while Chris Sawyer (Troy, NY) added three sacks for the Fisher defense.
After a bye week next Saturday the Pioneers return to the gridiron on Oct. 31 for their final home game of the season against conference foe Hartwick College. The contest is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. on the turf at Charles A. Gaetano Stadium. Links to live video, audio and stats will be available at www.ucpioneers.com.
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