UTICA, NY - Three members of the Utica College Football team will play in postseason senior all-star games this upcoming weekend. Senior offensive linemen Pat Gagan and Dan Busold (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa), and linebacker Dehstin Smart (Paterson, NJ/Hackensack) will all be traveling to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina to play in all-star contests as part of FreeAgentFootball.com's International Scouting Showcase.

Per NCAA rules, graduating seniors who have exhausted or no longer plan to use their eligibility may play in a senior all-star contest. The games provide an opportunity for players to showcase their skills live in front of professional scouts, and additionally grant players the opportunity to celebrate their accomplishments over a four year collegiate football career by representing their school on the gridiron one more time.

Starting offensive linemen Pat Gagan and Dan Busold (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa) will play in the D3 Senior Classic on Friday. The game will kick off at 7 p.m. at Doug Shaw Stadium. Busold held starting time at the center and guard positions over the course of his collegiate career, and was a two year captain for the Pioneers on the offensive side of the ball. Gagan was named as a first team all-Empire 8 conference selection for his work at left tackle this season, and did an excellent job of keeping left handed quarterback Logan Wilcox's (Utica, NY/Proctor) front side clean as the season went along. The pair helped pave the way for Utica's first ever 1,000 yard rusher along with single season and career rushing records set this season by running back Malcolm Stowe (Coram, NY/Longwood). Utica's offensive line also allowed just seven sacks in the final nine games of the season.

Linebacker Dehstin Smart (Paterson, NJ/Hackensack) will play in the FCS Senior Scout Bowl on Saturday at 4 p.m. Following a brilliant senior campaign, Smart will have the opportunity to match up against all-conference caliber talent from levels as high as the NCAA's Division I Football Championship Subdivision. Smart was fourth on the team with 59 tackles while sharing his time between rover linebacker and safety. He posted five tackles for loss, an interception, seven pass breakups, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. Highlights of his season included a nine solo tackle performance with three going for a loss against Cortland, and a fourth quarter fumble return touchdown against Alfred.

The week's events also include an optional Pro Day, and five total All-Star contests will be played at all levels over the course of the weekend.

The Pioneers concluded their 2018 season with a school-record seven wins and a victory over Ithaca in the Scotty Whitelaw Bowl at Cornell University. Up next for the Pioneers following the new year will be the team banquet on February 17th.