PITTSFORD, NY – The Utica College football team lost to host St. John Fisher College 32-27 in Empire 8 Conference action at Growney Stadium on Saturday.  UC's Jerred Beniquez (Port Ewen, NY/Kingston) punched in a two yard touchdown run with just 32 seconds to go in regulation to make it a five point ball game, but the Cardinals recovered the ensuing onside kick to hang on for the 32-27 victory.

Beniquez finished the day with 189 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns, but it was not enough as the Pioneers snapped a two-game win streak and saw their record drop to 4-3 overall and 3-2 in the conference.  All three of Utica's losses this season have come by seven points or less. After a slow start to the season, Fisher has now won three of its last four games and improved to 3-3 overall and 3-2 in the E8.

Utica quarterback Teddy VanGalen (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa) completed 25 passes for 335 yards and one touchdown through the air.  Senior wide receiver Gregory Palmer (Richland, NY/APW) made seven catches for a team-best 123 yards.  Palmer now ranks sixth on the College's single season list with 716 yards receiving this year.

The ground game may have told the story on the day as Fisher outrushed the Pioneers' 202-57.  Utica also lost two crucial fumbles, including one on the first play from scrimmage after a 53 yard pass from VanGalen to Palmer.

Fisher jumped out to a 20-7 lead in the first 16:58 of the contest behind two scores from Tony Fusco and a one yard plunge from quarterback Matt Naton.  Utica's lone score of the first half was a one yard rush by VanGalen that came with 2:17 to go in the first quarter.  The Pioneer score was set up by a 38 yard completion from VanGalen to former high school teammate Alex DeRusso (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa).  DeRusso finished the day with five catches for 73 yards.

The Pioneers opened up the second half with a bang, as sophomore Matthew McCoy (Sherrill, NY/Vernon Verona Sherrill) picked off a Naton pass and returned it 76 yards for the score to make it a 20-14 ball game.  The 76 yard interception return is the third longest in program-history.  McCoy now has a team-best three interceptions this season and four for his career.

Fisher responded with a 59 yard touchdown pass from Naton to Nathan Nigolian, and the Cardinals held a 26-14 edge with 3:54 remaining in the third quarter.

The Pioneers would not slow down, as Van Galen connected with Beniquez for a 22 yard touchdown pass late in the third quarter to set the score at 26-21 headed into the final 15 minutes of play. 

Fisher responded with a touchdown to open the fourth quarter to give the home team an 11 point lead, 32-21, with 11:39 to go.  It was Nigolian's second touchdown catch of the afternoon that put the Pioneers down two scores in the fourth.

UC put the pressure on late, as Beniquez punched in a two-yard rush with 32 seconds to go, but it proved to be too late as the Cardinals earned the five point victory and the key Empire 8 win.

Utica's Juwan Wilson (South Ozone Park, NY/Holy Cross) led the visitors with nine tackles and one sack, while Chance Harris (West Henrietta, NY/Rush Henrietta) added eight tackles.  Nick Woodman (Utica, NY/Proctor) also posted eight tackles (2.0 for a loss) and Nick Bruzzese posted seven tackles and one sack.  Anthony Bierria-Anderson (Freeport, NY/Freeport) made his first career interception for Utica, while Mike Kata (West Babylon, NY/West Babylon) chipped in with six tackles and one sack.

Fisher quarterback Matt Naton finished the day with 11 completions for 256 yards and three touchdowns. The Cardinals averaged an impressive 23.3 yards per completion on the afternoon. Tony Fusco gashed the UC defense for 182 yards on 26 carries, while Nigolian caught six balls for 143 yards and two scores.

Utica returns home from its two game road trip next Saturday when they take on Buffalo State in Empire 8 play at Charles A. Gaetano Stadium (2 p.m.). 

All Utica College football games will be broadcast on the radio locally at WTLB 99.1 FM/1310 AM (ESPN Radio) by Dave Peroni and UC alum Ray Biggs.  Live streaming audio can also be accessed on WTLB's website, www.espnur.com. Fans can also download the free ESPNUR App in the Google Play Store or on Itunes.

History Update
- Teddy VanGalen (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa) has 11 touchdown passes this season which ranks sixth on the College's single season list.
- Jerred Beniquez (Port Ewen, NY/Kingston) has 49 catches this year, ranking him seventh on the program's single-season list.  He also has 1,062 all-purpose yards this year which ranks 10^th all-time. 
- Kicker Thomas Woodburn (West Islip, NY/West Islip)'s 67 points (19 PAT/16 FG) rank third all-time on the College's single season list. Woodburn also holds the school's single season record with 16 field goals made.
- Matthew McCoy (Sherrill, NY/Vernon Verona Sherrill)'s three interceptions in a single season are tied for seventh all-time at UC.
- Nick Woodman (Utica, NY/Proctor)'s eight sacks this year rank fourth on the College's single season list.