UTICA, NY - History was made at Charles A. Gaetano Stadium on Saturday afternoon in Utica's convincing 65-16 win over the Alfred University Saxons. 

The victory marked the Pioneers' eighth of the season, setting a new single season program record, while Nate Palmer (Verona, NY/Vernon Verona Sherrill) tied the single season program record for receiving touchdowns at 15 after reeling in three. With that, Braeden Zenelovic (Ontario Center, NY/Wayne Central) tossed a single game program record seven touchdowns. 

Utica's defense started the game with a quick three and out. The offense then took the field in which Zenelovic hit Nate Palmer (Verona, NY/Vernon Verona Sherrill) for a 32 yard touchdown on 4th down to put the Pioneers up 7-0. Alfred responded with running back Max Freeman IV running for over 60 yards on the drive and then punching in a touchdown to make the score 7-6 after Utica blocked the ensuing point after attempt. 

On Utica's next drive, Zenelovic did an excellent job spreading the ball as Joey Nare (Canajoharie, NY/Canajoharie), Travis Decker (Oneida, NY/Vernon-Verona-Sherrill), Tyler Kolenda (Harwinton, CT/Lewis S. Mills), and Palmer all had a catch. The stellar duo of Zenelovic and Palmer connected again for another 30 plus yard touchdown to put the Pioneers up 14-6. The first quarter ended with Alfred recording two three and outs and Utica ending the first quarter with a three and out.

Alfred put together a nice drive that ended with a field goal to close the gap to 14-9. The Pioneers moved down the field quickly and Zenelovic found Palmer for the duo's third touchdown of the game to put Utica ahead 21-9 halfway through the second quarter. Zenelovic and Matt Brantley (Rochester, NY/Eastridge) stormed the offense down the field and Zenelovic found Kolenda in the back of the endzone for a 28-9 edge. The Pioneer defense held strong and forced an Alfred punt. Utica's offense marched down the field and set up a 26 yard field goal for Corey Lichtman (Bellemore, NY/Mepham) to take a 31-9 advantage into the half.

Utica got the ball after the half  and James Salles (West Babylon, NY/West Babylon) had a big gain of 36 yards to put the drive into Alfred's territory. Zenelovic then connected with Nare for a three yard touchdown and put the Pioneers up 38-9. The Saxons responded with a touchdown of their own to cut the lead to 38-16. Zenelovic would drive down the field and throw a beautiful twenty four yard pass to Matt Brantley (Rochester, NY/Eastridge) for another Pioneer score to put the team up 44-16 to end the third quarter.

The Pioneer offense continued to have their way and Zenelovic threw a touchdown to Izzy Maldonado (Island Park, NY/Long Beach) to begin the fourth quarter and lead 51-16. Utica's defense continued to shut down the Alfred offense and gave the ball right back to the offense. Brantley and Jason Haas (Holland Patent, NY/Holland Patent) marched down the field with multiple runs and Haas punched in a one yard score to make it a 58-16 game before Utica added one more touchdown at the end. 

Zenelovic's seven touchdowns came on 372 passing yards and 29-of-40 passing. Palmer led the receivers with 110 yards, seven catches and three touchdowns while Nare had six catches for 67 yards and a score. On defense, Jimmie Warren (Suffern, NY/Suffern) and Anthony Novello (Mepham, NY/Mepham) led the team with seven tackles while Warren also had 2.5 tackles for a loss and a sack. Novello added an interception to his line. 

Utica (8-1, 4-1 Empire 8) will wrap up the regular season on the road next Saturday, November 12, when the team takes on St. John Fisher University.