Box Score ALLIANCE, OH - The Utica University football team's 2022 season came to a close on Saturday afternoon following a - loss at the No. 2 University of Mount Union Purple Raiders in the NCAA Division III Football Tournament second round. 
 
The Purple Raiders opened the game with a strong passing attack. Seven of their nine opening drive plays were through the air however, it was running back Deandre Parker who capped off the 75 yard drive with a rushing score. 
 
Utica began its first drive of the afternoon from its own 27 yard line. Braeden Zenelovic (Ontario Center, NY/Wayne Central) hit Joey Nare (Canajoharie, NY/Canajoharie) over the middle for 12 yards while two plays later, James Salles (West Babylon, NY/West Babylon) went up the guy for eight yards to set up a 3rd & 2. After an incomplete pass, the Pioneers decided to go for it on 4th and 2 from their own 47. With the play clock winding down, Zenelovic dumped a pass down to Salles for five yards to pick up a key first down. 
 
Later on 2nd & 17 from the Mount Union 38, Zenelovic looked deep over the middle to Nate Palmer (Verona, NY/Vernon Verona Sherrill) but the pass sailed high and was intercepted by Jesse Vail who returned the ball to the Raider 43. 
 
Mount Union used five plays to get within the Utica 10 yard line. Two plays later on 3rd and 11, the Pioneers stopped the Raiders on the six yard line but a penalty was called for an offensive holding, backing Mount Union up to the 15 yard line. On the next play, quarterback Braxton Plunk hit an open Orreon Finley in the back of the end zone for six more. Following the point after, the Raiders led 14-0 with 2:51 to play in the first quarter. 
 
The Pioneers went three-and-out on their next drive while Sam Florio (Port Jefferson, NY/Port Jefferson) punted the ball 51 yards down the Raiders 22 yard line. 
 
Utica returned the favor, forcing the Raiders to a three-and-out headlined by a Jimmie Warren (Suffern, NY/Suffern) sack on second down. Mount Union punted the ball away to start the second quarter on what was a low kick to the Pioneers 40 while Palmer returned it 10 yards to midfield. The Pioneers moved the chains once while three consecutive incompletions forced Utica to punt it away. 
 
Mount Union started their fourth drive of the game at its own 12 yard line with just under 13 minutes to go in the half. The Raiders put together another impressive 10 play drive however, the Utica defense stiffened up on 3rd and goal from the six and forced Mount Union to kick a field goal, making it 17-0 with 7:43 in the first half. 
 
Setting up shop from their own 28, Zenelovic, who was under intense pressure, found Palmer over the middle and after a few shifty moves, Palmer took the ball beyond midfield. However, a holding call on Nare backed Utica up to its own 45. Two plays later on 3rd and 11, Palmer made a six yard reception to midfield but was not enough for a first down as Utica mounted the ball down to the Raiders nine yard line with 5:44 left in the second. 
 
The Raiders jumped ahead 24-0 with 50 seconds to play in the half after an 11 play, 91 yard drive. Utica would go on to wind the clock down to bring the game to halftime. 
 
Mount Union controlled the ball for 20:06 in the first half while the Pioneers were on offense for 9:54. 
 
Utica couldn't mount much on the opening drive of the half as the team went 15 yards to its own 40 before Zenelovic was intercepted again. The Raiders took over at the Utica 35 and scored on a 29 yard touchdown pass on the second play to take a 31-0 lead. 
 
Mount Union scored twice more to go up 45-0 before the Pioneers found the end zone with 10:45 to play. Zenelovic connected with Tyler Kolenda (Harwinton, CT/Lewis S. Mills) who darted 53 yards down the sideline while the Corey Lichtman (Bellemore, NY/Mepham) point after was successful. 
 
The Pioneers forced the Raiders to punt on their ensuing drive as Utica took over possession from its own 17 with 3:55 to play. Zenelovic completed passes of 36 and 31 yards to help set up a 1st & goal from the Mount Union one. However, three straight incomplete passes and a loss of one yard on 4th & goal gave Mount Union the ball back with 2:10 to go deep within its own territory. 
 
The Raiders opened their drive with an 85 yard rush all the way down to the Utica 13, all but sealing the deal as the Raiders ran out the clock to take the second round win. 
 
On offense, Zenelovic went 25-for-41 through the air for 301 yards with a touchdown and three interceptions. Palmer led receivers with nine catches while Travis Decker (Oneida, NY/Vernon-Verona-Sherrill) topped the group with 92 yards on six receptions. Warren and Dan Amady (Suffern, NY/Suffern) led the defense with 11 tackles each. 
 
Utica finishes its season at 10-2 overall, the winningest season in program history, while having qualified for its first NCAA Tournament and having won its first NCAA game in program history. No. 2 Mount Union will advance to the quarterfinals to take on No. 14 Delaware Valley.