Box Score Alfred 41, Utica 13 - Box Score

Alfred, NY (11/12/2011) - The Utica College football team closed out regular season play Saturday with a 41-13 loss against Empire 8 Conference foe Alfred University at Merrill Field.  Sophomore receiver Anthony Acevedo (New Hartford, NY/New Hartford) caught 12 balls for 103 yards and two touchdowns, while junior quarterback Andrew Benkwitt (Mamaroneck, NY/Mamaroneck) broke his own record for completions in a single-season after totaling 27 completions for 228 yards.  The Pioneers closed out the regular season with a 5-5 overall record, marking a tie for the second most wins in the program's 11 year history. 

UC's second half woes continued for the second straight week as it could not muster a touchdown in the final 30 minutes.  Alfred netted 281 yards rushing on the ground, compared to the Pioneers' 26, as the Saxons moved to 7-3 on the year.  Austin Dwyer carried the ball 20 times for 109 yards, while Tyler DeRosa added 105 yards on 13 carries for Alfred. 

Alfred used nine plays to drive the ball 66 yards on the first drive of the game to take a 7-0 lead with 9:31 to go on the first half clock.  UC was able to answer with a 63 yard touchdown drive on the ensuing possession, capped with a 15 yard touchdown pass from Benkwitt to Acevedo.  Kicker Seth Mitchell (Fonda, NY/Fonda-Fultonville) missed the extra point to give the Saxon's a 7-6 lead in the first quarter.

The Saxons were able to score on their next two possessions to take a 20-6 lead early in the second quarter.  Benkwitt and Acevedo hooked up for their second touchdown of the day with 6:53 left in the second quarter to cut the home teams lead to 20-13.  That's when Alfred turned it on for two more scores before the half, including a 27 yard touchdown pass from T.J. Kilcarr to Justin Oliver with six second left before halftime, and the Saxons held a 34-13 lead at the intermission.

Alfred managed seven second half points and held the Pioneers scoreless to earn the 28 point victory. 

Utica sophomore linebacker Dana Christofferson (Richford, NY/Dryden) totaled a career-high 16 tackles, while Luke Manolescu (New York Mills, NY/Notre Dame) added 12 stops.  Junior captain Genaro Scampone (Utica, NY/Proctor) and sophomore linebacker Ryan Hansen (Woodcliff Lake, NJ/Pascack Hills) each added eight stops for Utica. 

Acevedo fell 14 yards short of breaking the College's single season mark for receiving yards in a single season which was set by Cody Elliot back in 2008.

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