Box Score #19/25 Salisbury 70, Utica 45 - Box Score

Utica, N.Y. (10/1/2011) - The nationally-ranked No. 19/25 Salisbury University football team came away with a 70-45 victory over host Utica College Saturday in a contest that featured a combined 115 points and 994 yards of total offense at Charles A. Gaetano Stadium.  The Pioneers led by as many at 14 points early in the second half, but the visitors mustered an incredible 49 points in the final 25 minutes of play to earn the Empire 8 Conference victory. 

“I'm proud of the way our guys played against one of the top teams in the country,” said fourth year Head Coach Blaise Faggiano.  “We proved that we can play with anyone today.  Now we just have minimize the mistakes.  A few key plays allowed them to get back in the game, and they are not the kind of team that we can let hang around.”

Salisbury's record remained unblemished on the season as it improved to 4-0 overall and 2-0 in the E8, while the Pioneers have now lost two straight conference games and dropped to 2-2 overall and 0-2 in conference play. 

UC sophomore wide receiver and return man Anthony Acevedo (New Hartford, NY/New Hartford) amassed 380 all purpose yards (175 return yards, 146 receiving yards, 46 passing yards, 13 rushing yards) and added two touchdowns to pace the Pioneers.  Senior receiver Jeremy Meier (Rome, NY/Rome Free Academy) added 97 yards on eight catches, including two touchdowns, in his first game back from injury, while junior running back Jake Larson (Bemus Point, NY/Maple Grove) recorded his first collegiate 100 yard rushing game and added two touchdowns for UC. 

All told, the two squads combined for 16 touchdowns, but the Sea Gulls' triple option attack wore down the Pioneers in the second half, as they scored seven of the game's final nine touchdowns to earn the victory.  Salisbury posted 565 yards rushing and nine touchdowns on the ground.  Randall Smedley recorded a game-high 113 yards rushing and two touchdowns, while junior quarterback Dan Griffin registered 75 yards on 13 carries, to go along with three touchdowns.  Ross Flannigan added 85 yards rushing and returned four kickoffs for 154 yards, including a key 85 yard kickoff return for a touchdown to put the visitors on top, 42-38 with 6:38 to go in the third quarter of play. 

After Salisbury's Joe Benedetti capped the game's opening drive with a 14 yard touchdown, the Pioneers' proved they would not lay down early, and immediately responded with a 66 yard touchdown connection from junior quarterback Andrew Benkwitt (Mamaroneck, NY/Mamaroneck) to Acevedo to knot the score at 7-7 just over five minutes into the contest.  Benkwitt finished the day with 268 yards passing on 22 completions, and he also threw for four touchdowns.

The two offensive juggernauts' exchanged blows over the course of the next 17 minutes of play and the score was tied up at 21-21 after Meier caught his first touchdown pass of the day for Utica with 7:26 to go in the first half of play.  Utica then forced a turnover on downs and started the final drive of the first half with 2:33 to go before the intermission.  Benkwitt marched the Pioneers' on a 10 play ,83 yard scoring drive in a span of 2:02, capped by Meier's second straight touchdown catch, to give UC a 28-21 lead at the half. 

Deferring the opening kick gave the Pioneers the possession to open the second half and they did not disappoint, totaling 70 yards on eight plays, and Larson picked up his second one yard touchdown run of the day to put UC up by two scores, 35-21, with 11:44 to go in the third quarter. 

Salisbury's Dan Griffin then turned it up a notch, scoring two straight touchdowns to get the visitors right back in the game midway through the third quarter.  A key fumble by the Pioneers' on their own three yard line played a major role in the turn of events.

However, the Pioneers refused to go down easily as junior kicker Seth Mitchell (Fonda, NY/Fonda-Fultonville) remained perfect on the year (5-for-5) after drilling a 36 yard field goal with 6:38 to go in the third quarter to put UC on top by three, 38-35. 

Salisbury's Ross Flannigan returned the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown to take the wind out of the Pioneers' sails, and it also gave the Sea Gulls the lead for good, 42-38. 

Salisbury went on to score four of the game's final five touchdowns to earn the 25 point victory.

Senior cornerback Zachary Jones (Blossvale, NY/Camden) totaled a team-high 12 tackles for UC, while Luke Manolescu (New York Mills, NY/Notre Dame) posted another big day, making 11 stops.  Junior captain Genaro Scampone (Utica, NY/Proctor) recorded nine tackles and three other Pioneers' tallied eight tackles, including freshman Jon Treen, who was making his first collegiate start at linebacker. 

Cornerback Calvin Ford made ten tackles for Salisbury and broke up one pass, while Chris Everett added eight tackles.  Andre Carter picked off one pass and Matt Leon added 1.5 sacks and five tackles. 

The Pioneers return to the gridiron next Saturday when they travel to RPI to take on the Engineers at 1 p.m. in Troy, N.Y.  Check www.ucpioneers .com for links to live video, audio and stats.  Salisbury returns home next Saturday when it hosts Springfield for an Empire 8 Conference game at 12 p.m.

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