The Utica College football team picked up a win in exhibition play this past Sunday during its international exchange trip to Quebec City, Canada.  The Pioneers downed the Cegep de Levis-Lauzon, 39-31.
 
NCAA Division III teams are allowed to play an international game once every three off-seasons. The last time Utica took an exhibition trip to Canada was in 2014 when the Pioneers defeated the Cegep de Levis-Lauzon 47-3.  Utica is now 4-0 all-time in international contests.
 
Despite falling behind 14-0 in the first 10 minutes of play, the Pioneers responded with a pair of touchdown catches by Darrell Jones II (Coram, NY/Longwood) to make it 14-13.  Utica took the lead with a safety halfway through the second quarter to make the score 15-14. 
 
UC added another score with 7:46 remaining in the first half as Josh Connor (Dix Hills, NY/Half Hollow Hills West) had a 60-yard punt return for a touchdown to give the Pioneers a 22-14 lead.  Utica notched its fourth straight touchdown with just 29 second left in the second quarter as Donovan Brunson (White Plains, NY/White Plains) rushed it in for the score to send the teams into halftime with Utica leading 29-14.
 
The Falcons scored the first touchdown of the second half, but it was short lived as Brunson returned the ensuing kickoff 90 yards for the score.  Utica tacked on a field goal by Brandon Few (Lockport, NY/Lockport) to seal the victory.
 
Peyton Miller (Chemung, NY/Waverly) was named the Offensive Player of the Game, as he was 7 for 11 passing for 112 yards and two touchdowns.  Miller also rushed for 57 yards. Vinny Aloi (Chester, NY/Chester Academy) had four carries for 31 yards, while Brunson finished the day with two carries for 28 yards and one TD and he also logged 133 return yards. Connor led the wide outs with five catches for 51 yards, followed by Jones II, who caught three passes for 49 yards. 
 
Ryan Oliver (Vernon Center, NY/Vernon-Verona-Sherrill) was named the Defensive Player of the Game for the Pioneers as he had a hand in four tackles, including a team-high two sacks.  Antonia Scala led Utica with 13 tackles, including four solo, and one sack.  Matthew McCoy (Sherrill, NY/Vernon Verona Sherrill), Ben Vargas (Holbrook, NY/Sachem East), and John Nish (Canastota, NY/Oneida) each had one interception. 
 
The Pioneers open up the 2017 campaign on Saturday, September 2 as they host St. Lawrence University.  Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m.