UTICA, NY - The Utica University football team will host St. John Fisher University on GPO Federal Credit Union Veterans Day at 1 p.m. on Saturday. The regular season finale will also mark the team's Senior Day.
Follow Along: Those unable to attend can keep up with live video and/or stats through
https://portal.stretchinternet.com/utica/.
Last Time Out: Prior to the team's week 10 bye, Utica fell in Empire 8 action to SUNY Brockport, 38-3, on Saturday afternoon.
Brett Fuller (Port Jervis, NY/Port Jervis) was 12-for-27 with 83 passing yards and was sacked three times on the afternoon.
Matt Brantley (Rochester, NY/Eastridge) was the team's top rusher gaining 19 yards on eight carries while
James Salles (West Babylon, NY/West Babylon),
Gabe Zawolo (Rochester, NY/McQuaid Jesuit), and
Jimmy Polito (Hull, MA/Hull) all saw time in the backfield.
Peyton Ausfeld (Amsterdam, NY/Amsterdam) led the team with 29 receiving yards on three catches.
Doug Elsesser (Massapequa, NY/Plainedge) had the longest reception of the day going for 20 yards with
Joey Nare (Canajoharie, NY/Canajoharie) leading Utica with four receptions for just 14 yards.
Eli Douglas (Ausable Forks, NY/Ausable Valley) and
John Stroughn (Baldwin, NY/Holy Trinity) were terrific, each making more than 13 tackles and were all over the field.
Anthony Fasano (Deer Park, NY/Deer Park),
Terrance Toussaint (West Orange, NJ/West Orange), and
Aedan McDonald (Huntington, NY/Huntington) played well in the middle of the field each making at least seven tackles. Fasano and Stroughn combined for the team's lone sack of the day.
Nick Billand (Towaco, NJ/Montville) had an interception while
Jason LaScala (Massapequa, NY/Plainedge) forced a fumble. Brockport opened the scoring midway through the 1st quarter on a nine yard rush. That touchdown marked the only points for either side through the first 15 minutes of play. The Pioneers eventually responded with what would be the team's only scoring drive of the day. Capping off a 10 play, 39 yard drive,
Corey Lichtman (Bellmore, NY/Mepham) converted on a yard field goal to pull within four points at 7-3 with just over nine minutes to play in the half. However, the Golden Eagles took off from there. The hosts finished the final 35-plus minutes on a 35-0 run that began with an 11 yard rushing touchdown and a field goal as the 2nd quarter expired to make it 17-3 at half. From there, Brockport added 14 points in the 3rd quarter on two more rushing touchdowns before finding the end zone once more in the 4th quarter, this time through the air, to pull away with the league win.
Getting In: For those attending, tickets will be $5 for adults and $2 for students with a valid ID
Game Sponsor: GPO Federal Credit Union will be the presenting sponsor of Saturday's game between Utica and Fisher. GPO strives to make a positive impact on the generations they serve by being the primary financial resource, building memorable partnerships by doing what's right for the members and creating opportunities to make life easier. For more information, visit them on their
website.
Where we Stand: Through nine games, Utica University sits at 7-2. The program is on the rise with its third winning season in a row. With a fourth-ranked offense, and third-ranked defense, the Pioneers have been a middle of the road team statistically amongst its Empire 8 competitors. This weekend against St John Fisher, the program chases its eighth victory, a mark that has only been reached once in program history. A win in the final week of the season will set the Pioneers up with a chance to host one of the three ECAC bowl games next weekend.
Senior Send Off: The Utica University football team is honoring seniors,
John Aliberti (Bellmore, NY/Mepham),
Peyton Ausfeld (Amsterdam, NY/Amsterdam),
Nick Billand (Towaco, NJ/Montville),
Matt Brantley (Rochester, NY/Eastridge),
Jaylen Bush (Huntington, NY/Huntington),
Travis Decker (Oneida, NY/Vernon-Verona-Sherrill),
Robert Dunn (New Hyde Park, NY/New Hyde Park),
Doug Elsesser (Massapequa, NY/Plainedge), Tom Elsesser,
Anthony Fasano (Deer Park, NY/Deer Park),
Sam Florio (Port Jefferson, NY/Port Jefferson),
Nick Gicewicz (Delmar, NY/Bethlehem),
Evan Gohringer (Utica, NY/Proctor),
Jason Haas (Holland Patent, NY/Holland Patent),
Ben Helfeld (Syracuse, NY/Westhill),
Darius Johnson (Webster, NY/Webster),
Jordan Kalberer (Glen Cove, NY/Glen Cove),
James Lanier (Syracuse, NY/Corcoran),
Corey Lichtman (Bellmore, NY/Mepham),
Aedan McDonald (Huntington, NY/Huntington),
Luke McMahon (Buffalo, NY/Bishop Timon - St. Jude),
Thomas Moss (Lancaster, NY/St. Mary's),
Joey Nare (Canajoharie, NY/Canajoharie),
Jake Notarino (Latham, NY/Shaker), Anthony Novelllo,
Andrew Payne (Freedom, NY/Pioneer), Cameron Provenzano, Sammy-Adair Quinnones,
Brian Reitberger,
Elijah Stowe (Coram, NY/Longwood),
John Stroughn (Baldwin, NY/Holy Trinity), and
Jordan Weaver (Goshen, NY/Goshen). These seniors have been a part of the winningest stretch in program history and were members of the team's first ever NCAA Tournament appearance and NCAA Tournament victory in the 2022 season. The program would also like to honor football staff members,
Natalie Dipres, Thassandre Arris, and
Tanner Deveans.
Sophomore Standout: In the Pioneers defeat against Brockport,
Eli Douglas (Ausable Forks, NY/Ausable Valley) was a bright spot on defense. The sophomore led the team with 14 tackles. This was Douglas's third game of the season with at least 10 tackles, upping his season total to second most on the team with 58. His efforts in his first full season as a starter have made a huge impact on the team's defensive success.
The Vets: Graduate students
John Stroughn (Baldwin, NY/Holy Trinity) and
Anthony Fasano (Deer Park, NY/Deer Park) were both terrific against Brockport as well. Stroughn accounted for 13 tackles and Fasano had nine. The duo combined for Utica's lone sack on the day. They also combined for 4.5 tackles for a loss. In their final campaign with the team, both Stroughn and Fasano have been integral members of the defense all season.
Under Center: Despite being contained against Brockport,
Brett Fuller (Port Jervis, NY/Port Jervis) has played solid football in his first season as Utica's starting quarterback. Fuller has thrown for 1,708 yards, placing him behind only Zac Boyes of Cortland in the Empire 8, along with 12 touchdowns. His play making abilities and rocket of an arm have led the Pioneers to seven victories in which they have scored 25.3 points per game.
History vs. Fisher: Historically, Utica is 5-16 against St. John Fisher, but the tides have turned in recent years with the Pioneers taking five out of the last six matchups. The one loss in this six year span came in 2017 where Utica fell 39-36 in a game that went to five OT's. Most recently, Utica defeated St. John Fisher 35-21. In this matchup
Braeden Zenelovic threw for 290 yards and four touchdowns.
Nate Palmer (Verona, NY/Vernon Verona Sherrill) led all receivers with 105 yards and two touchdowns on the day.
Travis Decker (Oneida, NY/Vernon-Verona-Sherrill) had six catches for 88 yards and a touchdown, and
Joey Nare (Canajoharie, NY/Canajoharie) caught three passes for 53 yards as well. This victory last season propelled them into their first ever NCAA Tournament appearance where they were selected through an at-large bid.
About Fisher: The St. John Fisher Cardinals are a modest 5-4 on the season. They are in pursuit of their first winning season since 2016. The Cardinals have been formidable on offense this season, scoring 27.6 points per game, headlined by a strong run game. Running back Peyton Nolan has been phenomenal this season. The junior leads the conference with 1,011 yards rushed and 11 touchdowns. Giovanni DiCaprio has served as a nice compliment to Nolan as well. The change of pace back has rushed for 417 yards and two touchdowns. Quarterback, Aaron Chase has put together a solid senior campaign for the team. Chase has thrown for 1,494 yards and 16 touchdowns which ranks second best in the conference. His top targets are Michael Escobar and Ethan Curtis who both have over 300 yards receiving on the season. St John Fisher's defense is led by linebacker Joe Miscia. The 6'3, 230 pound linebacker has 82 tackles, ranking fourth in the conference, and a team leading three interceptions.
Up Next: The Pioneers will look to be selected to play in one of the three ECAC bowl games that are set for 1 p.m. on Saturday, November 18.
