BOX SCORE

The Utica College football team scored 21 unanswered points on its way to a convincing 42-21 victory over visiting RPI Saturday afternoon on the turf at Charles A. Gaetano Stadium. The Pioneers are now 3-0 for the first time in the program's ten year history. Sophomore Andrew Benkwitt (Mamaroneck, NY/Mamaroneck) threw for 335 yards and four touchdowns while freshman wide out Anthony Acevedo (New Hartford, NY/New Hartford) had another huge day catching four balls for 141 yards and two touchdowns.

The Pioneers, who had not beaten RPI (1-1) since 2004, headed into the contest leading the nation in scoring with an average of 68.5 points per contest. UC has outscored its opponents 179-62 over the course of three games this season.

The first six drives of the contest featured two interceptions, one fumble, one turnover on downs and two punts until both teams decided to turn on the offense late in the first quarter. In fact, five touchdowns were scored – three for Utica and two for RPI – in the final 4:49 of the first quarter.

UC got the scoring started when Jake Scott (Rochester, NY/Irondequoit) capped a seven play 69 yard drive with a five yard touchdown run to give UC a 7-0 lead at 4:49. RPI answered right back 1:17 later with a 49 yard touchdown pass from sophomore quarterback Mike Hermann to Pat McCarthy to knot the score at 7-7.

On the ensuing drive Benkwitt connected with Acevedo on a 67 yard streak to give the Pioneers a seven point advantage. Like clockwork, RPI answered right back with a 58 yard touchdown run just 31 second later to tie the score back up.

UC would have the final laugh of the first quarter when junior receiver Josh Mason (Schenectady, NY/Schenectady) caught a 58 yard touchdown pass from Benkwitt with 18 seconds to go in the first.

RPI opened the second quarter with a 10-play 73 yard drive that resulted in a 27 yard touchdown pass from Hermann to Austin Caswell to knot the score up at 21-21 with 11 minutes to go in the half. That would prove to be RPI's final score of the day as the Pioneers defense stood strong and the UC offense continued to roll.

Jake Scott (Rochester, NY/Irondequoit) gave UC the lead for good, 28-21, when he scored his second touchdown of the day on a one yard scamper with 4:44 to go in the third quarter. UC's two fourth quarter touchdowns sealed the Pioneers victory. Acevedo caught a career-long 74 yard touchdown pass, while sophomore tight end Matt Dunn (Miller Place, NY/Miller Place) closed out the scoring on the day with a five yard touchdown grab.

The Pioneers amassed an incredible 441 yards of total offense, including 116 on the ground from Jake Scott (Rochester, NY/Irondequoit). Dunn led all Utica receivers with five catches ad Jeremy Meier (Rome, NY/Rome Free Academy) added four catches for 54 yards. Mason finished the day with three catches for 94 yards and a touchdown.

Senior captain Kevin Hennion (Dumont, NJ/Dumont) led the Pioneer defense with 11 tackles and one forced fumble, while four other Pioneers added eight tackles including Jonathan White, Terrell Cunningham (Rochester, NY/Marshall), Travis Ladd (Mexico, NY/Mexico Academy) and Genaro Scampone (Utica, NY/Proctor). Ladd also picked off one pass and added a half a sack. Sophomore James Brain (Minisink Valley, NY/Westtown) registered one and a half sacks and one key forced fumble.

RPI rushed for a combined 138 yards on 40 carries. Colin King led the way for the RPI defense with eight tackles, including two for a loss of three yards. He also added an interception. Colin Hinrichs totaled six tackles. Matt Wood paced the RPI ground game with 95 yards on eight carries, good for an average of 11.9 yards per carry, and one touchdown.

Hermann finished the day with 209 yards passing on 20 completions and he added two touchdown throws. Austin Caswell caught a team-best seven catches for 97 yards.

The Pioneers return home next Saturday for the second of a four game home Saturday when they take on Wilkes as a part of the College's homecoming weekend. The contest will be telecast live on Time Warner Cable Sports 2.

                                                                                 --- www.ucpioneers.com ---