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Utica, N.Y. (10/26/2010) - The Utica College football team (5-2, 0-2 Empire 8) looks to make history Saturday as it travels to Butterfield Stadium to take on Empire 8 Conference rival Ithaca College (5-2, 2-1 Empire 8) at 1 p.m. The Pioneers, who are fresh off a bye week, hope to tie the school-record for wins in a single season (six) and defeat the Bombers for the first-time in the program's ten year history. This will be no easy task for Utica at Ithaca -- which defeated Springfield last Saturday 23-14 – especially because the Bombers only two losses of the season came on the road.

This Season

The Pioneers are entering game two of a three game road trip after spending four straight weeks at the friendly confines of Charles A. Gaetano Stadium. The Pioneers look to get back to their winning ways Saturday after losing two of their last three contests. Utica opened up the season with a school-record four straight victories.

UC is currently ranked 21st in the nation in scoring offense averaging 39.14 points per game. The Pioneers have scored 24 or more points in six-of-seven games this season including a school-record 78 points in the season-opening victory over Becker College. The high scoring offense has been led by a scorching passing game, which still leads the conference and ranks 12th nationally in passing offense, averaging 301.57 yards per contest.

Sophomore quarterback Andrew Benkwitt (Mamaroneck, NY/Mamaroneck) is second in the E8 and 20th in the nation averaging 281.9 passing yards per game. Sophomore running back Jake Scott (Rochester, NY/Irondequoit) looks to continue his storied season on Saturday and he currently leads the conference averaging 8.6 points per contest.

Junior wide receiver Jeremy Meier (Rome, NY/Rome Free Academy) looks to remain hot after catching a game-high nine passes for 128 yards, including a 24-yard touchdown reception, in the Pioneers' 20-16 loss to Springfield two weekends ago. Meier currently leads the team and ranks third in the conference averaging 5.71 catches per contest. He has a team-high five touchdowns and now ranks third on the College's all-time touchdown receptions list with 11 for his career. He needs just two more touchdowns to tie the school's career record set by James Proniewych in 2007.

Senior linebacker Travis Ladd (Mexico, NY/Mexico Academy) will need to have another huge day at Ithaca if the Pioneers plan to return to Utica with a victory. Ladd still leads the conference and ranks 15th nationally averaging 11.6 tackles per game. Senior defensive end Tracy Branch (Bay Shore, NY/Brentwood) hopes to continue his high pressure attack off the edge and he needs just one more sack to break the school-record. He currently has 14.5 sacks.

The Series

The Pioneers are 0-9 all-time against the Bombers in nine previous meetings. Last season Ithaca was ranked No. 20 in the nation when it traveled to Gaetano to square off against UC. The Pioneers opened up a 24-14 lead in the first half but five second half turnovers led to 13 points and a slim three point victory for the Bombers.

Scouting the Opponent

Ithaca College (5-2, 2-1 E8) should be a quality match-up for the visiting Pioneers. The Bombers come in with the second best total defense in the Empire 8 allowing 288.3 yards per game and they are the least penalized team in the conference with 44.4 yards per game. On the flip side, the Bombers are last in total offense averaging 317.9 yards per game.

Last week Ithaca stunned Springfield 23-14, they were able to hold the Pride's third-ranked rushing attack to nearly 250 yards below its season average.

Did You Know?

Utica third year Head Coach Blaise Faggiano played college football at Ithaca, helping the Bombers to a Division III National Championship in 1991.