UTICA, NY - The Utica College football program begins its nineteenth season as a varsity sport on Saturday night as it hosts St. Lawrence University in its 2019 home opener at Charles A. Gaetano Stadium. Opening kickoff of the non-conference game is set for 7 p.m.

Orange Out: Saturday night's contest has been designated as an "ORANGE OUT" by the team. Fans are strongly encouraged to wear orange to the game this weekend in support of a season-opening win. In addition, the first 300 fans in attendance will receive a FREE orange Utica College football rally towel courtesy of Brian and Sarah McQueen of the Believe 271 Foundation. Brian serves as the football program's community outreach assistant, and is the vice president of the foundation. Sarah serves on the foundation's board. The Believe 271 foundation has been a continual supporter of the football program and encourages fans to bring their towels back again to Gaetano in October for the Believe Bowl against St. John Fisher.

Video Broadcast Information: Fans can follow the contest via Pioneers All-Access live video and stats: http://bit.ly/2wtxUV5. Sports Information Assistant Ray Biggs teams up with Utica College student David J. Cooney for the call of the opener. Fans interested in viewing the game on their televisions are also offered a streamlined experience for their television connected devices through the Empire 8 digital apps. The apps are available for popular devices including Roku, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire. See your respective app store for availability.

Radio Broadcast Information: Saturday's game, and all 2019 Utica College Football home games will be carried by WPNR 90.7 FM, Utica College Pioneer Radio. The station is available over-the-air locally. Fans can listen online anywhere at PioneerRadio.org. Utica College students Adam Ziobrowski and Rob Stevens will have the call for WPNR-FM. 

Save The Dates: Join us on campus from October 18th to 20th as Utica College celebrates its 2019 Homecoming, Alumni, and Family Weekend. As part of the festivities, the Pioneers will take on local rival Morrisville State on Saturday, October 19th at 1 p.m. More information on the weekend's events will be coming soon at http://homecoming.utica.edu/.

Believe Bowl: Saturday, October 12th marks the third edition of the New York State Tool Believe Bowl. Come on out to Gaetano Stadium that day as the Pioneers match up with St. John Fisher. The Believe Bowl was created by the Believe 271 Foundation, New York State Tool, and Utica College football to assist children at the Thea Bowman House as well as firefighters battling cancer and life-threatening illnesses. More information on the game will be made available in the near future.

12th Man Club: Applications for the Utica College Football 12th Man Club are still being accepted for the 2019 season. Your tax deductible membership donation provides valuable support to the Utica College Football program in their continued pursuit of excellence. Your membership can get you access to exclusive items, including parking passes, season tickets, apparel items, and more. More information on how to join the 12th Man Club can be found here.

All-Time Series: This will be the eighth all-time meeting between Utica and St. Lawrence. Utica has won five of the seven meetings between the two sides, including each of the last five meetings to take place between 2010 and 2018. The last Saint Lawrence win in the series came on September 4th, 2004 by a 35-10 score. The Pioneers most recently won last year's meeting by a 9-6 score at SLU's Leckonby Stadium. The game was the closest meeting in the history of a series that dates back to 2003. Utica has outscored St. Lawrence 148 to 68 over their five game winning streak against the Saints.

The Hunt for 75: Utica has the 75th win in the history of the program within attainable reach to begin 2019. The Pioneers have won 72 games in the history of their program, with 54 wins coming under current head coach Blaise Faggiano. Faggiano is entering his twelfth season as head coach this fall.

Non-Conference Success: In eleven seasons under Faggiano, the Pioneers are 26-12 in non-conference play, good for a 68.4 percent winning percentage.

2018 Season In A Flash: The Pioneers finished the 2018 season with a record of 7-4. It was a historic campaign as the Pioneers tied their program best for wins in a season, and took it one step further with the first postseason win in school history, a 44-42 win over Ithaca in the ECAC Scotty Whitelaw Bowl game. Defensive lineman Keanu Heedram (Rochester, NY/Rush-Henrietta) was named a D3Football.com All-Region selection to lead the defense, and freshman quarterback Logan Wilcox (Utica, NY/Proctor) was named the Empire 8 Conference Rookie of the Year on offense. Running back Malcolm Stowe (Coram, NY/Longwood) became the first back in school history to crack 1,000 rushing yards in a single season, and also became the team's all-time career leader in rushing yards. Slot receiver Peyton Miller (Chemung, NY/Waverly) led the conference with 987 receiving yards in just his first full season at the position. The linebacking corps led the team in tackles, with Antonio Scala's (Coram, NY/Longwood) 93 total stops setting the pace. A school record thirteen players were named All-Conference. Highlights of the regular season include wins over St. Lawrence, Catholic, St. John Fisher, Alfred, Hartwick, and Buffalo State, and a nail biting thriller against nationally-ranked RPI that went into overtime. 

Defend Gaetano: The Utica College football program has an established tradition of success at home in recent years. The Pioneers have finished at a .500 record or above in each of the last five seasons when playing at Charles A. Gaetano Stadium.

Season-Opening Success: The Pioneers are now 14-4 all-time in season-opening contests and they have started the year with a victory in 10 consecutive seasons. Blaise Faggiano is 10-1 in season openers as a head coach, and the Pioneers have won ten straight home openers. 

A Small Army of Seniors: This season, Utica sports a total of 32 seniors on the roster. The senior class represents the largest one in the nineteen year history of the program, and is also indicative of the program's continued growth under head coach Blaise Faggiano.

Captain? Captain: Utica announced its four 2019 captains during the offseason. Peyton Miller (Chemung, NY/Waverly) and Michael Carr-Johnson (Buffalo, NY/Hutch Tech) will be the team's offensive captains. On defense, Jack Derby (Fonda, NY/Fultonville Fonda) and Antonio Scala (Coram, NY/Longwood) earn the captain designation for the upcoming season.

All-Conference Talent: Utica returns an impressive seven all-conference performers to the roster in 2019. Quarterback Logan Wilcox (Utica, NY/Proctor), linebackers Antonio Scala (Coram, NY/Longwood) and Kwasi Addo (Menands, NY/Shaker), defensive back Anthony Beaubrun (West Hempstead, NY/West Hempstead), defensive lineman Jack Derby (Fonda, NY/Fultonville Fonda), wide receiver Peyton Miller (Chemung, NY/Waverly), and kicking specialist Maki Medici (Watervliet, NY/Shaker) are all set for another campaign at Utica. 

Conference Game Sites: This season, the Pioneers will play three conference home games against Morrisville, St. John Fisher, and Hartwick. They will meet Alfred, Brockport, and Cortland on the road.

Give Me Liberty: Utica's non-conference schedule this season consists entirely of teams out of the Liberty League. After matching up against the Saints in week one, the Pioneers will host newly minted Liberty League member Buffalo State in week two. The Pioneers conclude an opening non-conference stretch with a night contest at 2018 NCAA tournament participant Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. The Pioneers will play a rare late season non-conference game against Union at Frank Bailey Field in Schenectady on November 9th.

Postseason Dreams: The Pioneers continue their pursuit of their first Empire 8 conference title and an NCAA tournament appearance this fall. The Pioneers have taken a vital step towards that goal with the first postseason win in school history in 2018 as part of the ECAC Bowl Series. The Pioneers have been selected to participate in that event three times in the last five years. 

Keeping Count: The Pioneers were third in the Empire 8 conference last season in scoring offense at 32.7 points per game, and fourth in scoring defense at 22.4 points per game.

The Third Down Battle: In 2018, the Pioneers offense converted 38.6 percent of its third downs, while the defense was fourth in the conference by keeping opponents to 35.2 percent. 

Under Center: Utica returns its starter at the quarterback position as sophomore Logan Wilcox (Utica, NY/Proctor) enters his second year under center. As a freshman, Wilcox grabbed hold of the starting job for a week 2 game against Catholic and went on to the most productive and successful season by a freshman quarterback in school history. He finished the season by completing 202 of 394 passes. The Empire 8 Conference Rookie of the Year set school freshman records in passing yards (2,725), passing touchdowns (23), passes completed, and passes attempted. He tied the single season school-record for passes attempted. He also set the school record for passing yards with 467 in the bowl game against Ithaca, and has the school record for longest completion at 81 yards. He was 24th in the nation in total passing yards, 41st in passing touchdowns, and 17th in passing yards per game. The Pioneers have some depth at quarterback, as experienced signal caller Ryan VanGalen (Clifton Park, NY/Shenedehowa) turned in a strong training camp and has taken varsity level snaps before.

Getting Downfield: The Pioneers were second in the Empire 8 conference with 274.5 passing yards per game last year, and Utica returns a boatload of weapons at receiver for Wilcox to utilize. Highlighting the receiver group is emergent star Peyton Miller (Chemung, NY/Waverly). The first team All-Conference selection at the slot position had 987 receiving yards in ten games to rank second for a single season in school history, and he set a new school record with 7.9 receptions per game, which was also fourteenth in the nation. He caught six touchdown passes. Sophomore Nate Palmer (Verona, NY/Vernon Verona Sherrill) caught 24 passes for 316 yards and two touchdowns as a rookie last year, and will play a more prominent role. Other contributing returners at receiver include Josh Hood (Oneida, NY/Oneida), Keegan Wright (Cicero, NY/Cicero North Syracuse), and Robert Nicholas (Montclair, NJ/Montclair).

A Proven Playmaker: The passing game will have the added benefit of a talented transfer at receiver this year. Connor Darmetko (Menands, NY/Watervliet) transferred to Utica from Hartwick for the Spring 2019 semester and enters his first season in blue and orange. He led the Hawks' pass oriented attack last season with 447 receiving yards in the eight games where the team's statistics were credited last season. 

End Of The Line: Tight ends John James O'Connor (Auburn, NY/Weedsport) and Jacob Messie (Liverpool, NY/Cicero North Syracuse) stand atop the depth chart at that position to begin the 2019 season. O'Connor is an experienced option and brings tremendous athleticism to the tight end spot, and Messie is a product of the Syracuse area with a chance to make a big impact as a sophomore.

The Running Game: Entering 2019, the Pioneers will have to replace the services of all-time leading rusher Malcolm Stowe (Coram, NY/Longwood), who carried the ball for 1,963 yards in his four year career, including the college's first 1,000 yard season last year. Utica will look to a committee approach to get the job done, led by senior Brad Dougherty (Rome, NY/Rome Free Academy). The RFA graduate has plenty of game experience for the Pioneers, as he rushed for 146 net rushing yards and a touchdown last year. Utica will also look to local product Jamarious Morgan (Utica, NY/Thomas R. Proctor) to provide a spark out of the backfield. The newcomer spent his freshman year at Division I Wagner, and transferred to Cortland last season before returning home. Veteran backs Tim Hogan (Glen Cove, NY/Glen Cove) and Lamont McGriff (Yonkers, NY/Iona Prep) will also be major factors into the Pioneers' plans.

The Offensive Line: The Pioneers return an offensive line with a plethora of game experience this season. Durable exterior lineman Matthew Nell (Vernon, NY/Vernon Verona Sherrill) returns for another year to start at right tackle, with the talented Michael Carr-Johnson (Buffalo, NY/Hutch Tech) earning the nod protecting the open side of quarterback Logan Wilcox (Utica, NY/Proctor) at left tackle. Ryan McCormac (New Hartford, NY/New Hartford) and Nick Badalamente (Scranton, PA/Abington Heights) are the leading pair at guard, and fans will see plenty of sophomores Alvin Munjakovic (Utica, NY/Proctor) and Cory Evans (Canastota, NY/Canastota) over the course of the year. Benjamin Widas (Liverpool, NY/Liverpool) is the team's starting center. Utica did an exemplary job of evolving up front as the season progressed last year. The Pioneer front blocked for the first 1,000 yard rusher in school history, and also saw a measurable improvement in pass protection last year. In the first two weeks, Utica allowed ten sacks. They allowed just seven in the remaining nine weeks of the year.

Score All The Points: The Pioneers set a new school record last year with 360 points. They finished with 46 touchdowns and 13 field goals made.

Tough As Nails: The Pioneers sported a defense that was incredibly difficult for opposing running games to solve in 2018. Utica allowed just six rushing touchdowns in eleven games last year, and were second in the Empire 8 conference in rushing defense at just 91.1 yards per game allowed. The 2018 Pioneers set a new single game program best for rushing yardage defense on two different occasions. They held St. John Fisher to -12 rushing yards, then held Hartwick to -19 yards at the end of the regular season to again set the program record. 

Watch Your Back: Last season, the Pioneers set a new school single-game best for team quarterback sacks in a game with 10, and sacks in a season with 36. Opponents lost a school-record 227 yards on those sacks. Much of that pressure returns in 2019, as linebacker Kwasi Addo (Menands, NY/Shaker) returns to the fold with 5.5 sacks and a team-best 11.5 tackles for loss a season ago. Returning defensive tackle Shane Walpole (Mechanicville, NY/Shenendehowa) and returning defensive end Robbie Schempp (Webster, NY/Webster Thomas) each posted four sacks apiece. Empire 8 honorable mention defensive end Jack Derby (Fonda, NY/Fultonville Fonda) will also be a threat after logging two sacks in an injury-shortened season.

Tackling Machines: The Pioneers return eight defensive starters, including five of their top seven tacklers from last year. Antonio Scala (Coram, NY/Longwood) is the team's leading returning tackler with 93 tackles last year. Kwasi Addo (Menands, NY/Shaker) was second with 82 total stops. Anthony Beaubrun (West Hempstead, NY/West Hempstead) was fifth with 56 total tackles on the season, with Shane Walpole (Mechanicville, NY/Shenendehowa) and Mark Taylor (Buffalo, NY/Kenmore West) tying for sixth with 40 tackles apiece.

Oh, Brother: Some extra veteran leadership will be provided in the Pioneer linebacking corps by graduate student Ryan Oliver (Vernon Center, NY/Vernon-Verona-Sherrill). Oliver was granted an extra season as he begins his graduate studies after being limited to just two games in 2018. He had 44 tackles in nine games back in 2017 after growing into a significant role the season before. The extra year of eligibility also provides Oliver with a special opportunity to play alongside brother Alex Oliver (Vernon, NY/Vernon-Verona-Sherrill). Alex is a freshman currently practicing at the rover linebacker spot for the Pioneers. He was a two-way starter for Vernon-Verona-Sherrill as a high school senior.

The Defensive Backfield: The Pioneers will sport a new look defensive backfield for this season. Longtime starter Mark Taylor (Buffalo, NY/Kenmore West) will move from corner to safety, where he will play alongside seasoned veteran Anthony Beaubrun (West Hempstead, NY/West Hempstead). Beaubrun has six career interceptions to rank fifth in school history, and finished 2019 with 56 total tackles, two interceptions, six pass breakups, and two forced fumbles. Sophomore Dan Amady (Suffern, NY/Suffern) and junior Chris Robillard (Spring Valley, NY/Spring Valley) are also high on the depth charts at the safety spot for week one. Taylor had 40 tackles and two interceptions last year, including one returned for a touchdown against St. John Fisher. Some talent moves from offense to defense as former wide receiver Marquis Simpson (Middle Island, NY/Longwood) has emerged as one of the team's top corners. Sophomore Robert Diaz-Judson (Rochester, NY/Irondequoit), senior Eli Belle, and freshman Terrance Toussaint (West Orange, NJ/West Orange) are among the others who could contribute at that position. Last season, the defense set a new school single-season record for interceptions with eighteen, while returning a school-record five of them for touchdowns and piling up a school-best 344 return yards along the way for the season. They were sixteenth in the nation in team interceptions and tied for third nationally in interception return touchdowns and defensive touchdowns. The Pioneers allowed 280 yards per game through the air last season.

New On The Staff: The Pioneers welcomed some new additions to their coaching staff this offseason. A few alumni are now on board with the 2019 staff, including Matt McCoy, who will work with the team's rovers. Former offensive lineman Dan Busold (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa) draws the assignment of working with the team's tight ends. Recent grads Pat Gagan and Paul Litvak (Brooklyn, NY/Abraham Lincoln) are helping the program as student assistants this year. Outside of the team's alumni base, the Pioneers were fortunate to welcome a few newcomers to the mix. Herkimer native Dan Appley will work with the linebackers this season after a tremendous playing career at Cortland. Former Edinboro defensive back Zuril Hendrick makes the transition to coaching and will mentor the running backs at Utica after an All-American playing career that saw him net 21 interceptions. Keith Scranton returns to the staff after a hiatus to tutor the kicking and punting specialists.

The Return Battle: Utica was among the best kick returning and punt returning squads in the Empire 8 last season. They were third as a team in kickoff return average, and second in punt return average. Tim Hogan (Glen Cove, NY/Glen Cove) scored the team's lone kick return touchdown of the 2018 season in the matchup against Hartwick. Utica's punt coverage unit was one of the best in the nation as they convincingly led the Empire 8 in punt return yards allowed. Opponents managed a diminutive six total net return yards for the entire season against the Pioneers. Utica was fourth in the nation in punt return defense.

Oh, Snap: Long snapper Anthony DiCunto (Westwood, NJ/Paramus Catholic) was recently selected as a FreeAgentFootball.com preseason All-American. The 6-3 long snapper was picked to the second team. He is part of the team's leadership council.

Can We Kick It? Yes We Can: After a season that ended with a bowl game winning field goal, Maki Medici (Watervliet, NY/Shaker) returns to handle the field goal kicking and punting chores in 2019. He led the conference with nine field goals made in 2018. He did so with a season long of 36 yards. He has a career long field goal of 44 yards. He added punting duties last season and led the conference with a 37.4 yard punting average. He had seven punts of 50 yards or more, left opponents inside the twenty 18 times, and had 30 of his 55 kicks fair caught.  Dan Tette (Rochester, NY/West Irondequoit) returns to handle kickoffs.

Last Time Against St. Lawrence: After trailing 6-0 from the second quarter on, Utica quarterback Vinny Aloi (Chester, NY/Chester Academy) forced overtime when he tied the score at 6-6 after a 20 yard touchdown run with 32 seconds left in regulation. Kicker Dan Tette (Rochester, NY/West Irondequoit) made his first career field goal in the first overtime to help lift the Pioneers to a 9-6 win against the Saints. Utica overcame over 200 yards in penalties to win. Peyton Miller (Chemung, NY/Waverly) had 89 yards receiving for the Pioneers, and out-rushed the Saints by a 152-51 net yardage margin. Dylan Sekuterski (Depew, NY/Depew) finished with seven total tackles, while returning Pioneers Antonio Scala (Coram, NY/Longwood), Shane Walpole (Mechanicville, NY/Shenendehowa), and Mark Taylor (Buffalo, NY/Kenmore West) had five tackles each. 

About St. Lawrence: The Saints finished 2-8 in 2018, with a 1-4 record in the Liberty League. Quarterbacks Tyler Grochot and Aaron Ruthman both return and have significant playing experience. Leading rusher Jamie Battaglia and leading receiver Anthony Ferraro are also back for a team that returns nine offensive starters in total. The defense returns its top four tacklers, led by linebacker Liam Murray's 94 stops a season ago. 

Up Next: The Pioneers remain home to host Buffalo State on Saturday, September 14th. The matchup kicks off at noon.