MORRISVILLE, NY – The Utica College football team fell into a 21-3 hole midway through the first half and could not overcome the early deficit in a 41-24 loss at Morrisville State in an Empire 8 Conference contest on Saturday.

Utica's record moved to 3-3 overall and 1-2 in conference play while the host Mustangs also saw their record turn to 3-3, 1-2 E8. 

The Pioneers cut their deficit to just two scores on two occasions in the second half, but Morrisville seemed to have every answer and scored as time expired to secure a 17-point victory. 

Utica freshman quarterback Logan Wilcox (Utica, NY/Proctor) completed 30-of-54 passes for 315 yards and three touchdowns on the day. All three of his TD passes came in the final 34:49 of the contest.  Two of those were completed to Imani Vincent (Brooklyn, NY/Sheepshead Bay), who caught a 17-yard TD pass to pull the Pioneers within 12 points in the third quarter (28-16). Vincent added his second TD catch of the day with 2:24 to go in the contest to make the score 35-24 in favor of the home team. Vincent finished the day with nine catches for 97 yards. 

Peyton Miller (Chemung, NY/Waverly) caught a game-high 11 passes for 127 yards on the day. Miller has caught 10 balls in three of six games this year for the Pioneers. 

Utica sophomore linebacker Kwasi Addo (Menands, NY/Shaker) led the way for the Pioneer defense with a career-high 20 tackles. He also added two tackles for a loss. Antonio Scala (Coram, NY/Longwood) continued his best season in a Pioneer uniform to date as he posted 12 tackles. Defensive lineman Keanu Heedram (Rochester, NY/Rush-Henrietta) tied his career-high with 10 stops. 

Morrisville controlled the game on the ground as Nick Edmond carried the ball 32 times for 153 yards and one touchdown.

Morrisville's early lead was in part due to an excellent defensive effort in the opening 15 minutes.  The Mustangs held the Pioneers to just seven yards total offense in the opening quarter.

Morrisville State quarterback Brandon Gwinner completed 11-of-16 passes for 210 yards and three touchdowns, also adding another 22 yards on seven carries. Gwinner hit six targets throughout the game, with four serving as main targets including Petrit Boga who pulled in three for 73 yards and a score. Toure Hall collected 67 yards on four receptions and a score. 

Morrisville limited Utica to 77 yards rushing, with Pioneer Lamont McGriff (Yonkers, NY/Iona Prep) leading the way with 38 yards on eight carries.

Utica kicker Maki Medici (Watervliet, NY/Shaker) got the Pioneers on the board in the 2^ndquarter as he drilled a 31 yard field goal to make the score 14-3 with 11:06 to go before the half.  UC's Nate Palmer (Verona, NY/Vernon Verona Sherrill) added a second quarter TD catch from Wilcox to make the score 21-10 with 4:39 left in the first half. Palmer finished the day with five catches for 61 yards.

Utica returns home on Saturday when the Pioneers host Alfred University for Empire 8 Conference play at 2 p.m. at Charles A. Gaetano Stadium.