UTICA, NY - For the fifth time in program history, the Utica University football team is going bowling. The team will travel to Hobart College on Saturday to take on the Statesmen in the ECAC Clayton Chapman Bowl. 
 
Follow Along: Live stats, video and audio will all be provided by Hobart College. Live stats can be found through https://hwsathletics.com/sidearmstats/football/summary, live video through https://hwsathletics.com/watch/?Live=1526&type=Live and audio via https://www.weos.org/. Those in the Utica area can also tune in to WPNR 90.7 FM as Utica University student James Boss will be on the call from Boswell Field at David J. Urick Stadium. 
 
Last Time Out: The team put together its second shutout of the season last Saturday afternoon with a 14-0 win over the visiting St. John Fisher University Cardinals on GPO Federal Credit Union Veterans Day. This game not only marked the Pioneers' second shutout of the season, but also the third game in which the defense did not allow an offensive touchdown. The defensive unit was led by Nick Billand (Towaco, NJ/Montville) and Nick Maritato (Clarkstown, NY/Clarkstown North) who finished with a team high seven tackles. Eli Douglas (Ausable Forks, NY/Ausable Valley), Anthony Fasano (Deer Park, NY/Deer Park), James Lanier (Syracuse, NY/Corcoran) and Aedan McDonald (Huntington, NY/Huntington) all had five-plus tackles as well. For the secondary, Mason Payton (Hopewell, NY/John Jay) and Terrance Toussaint (West Orange, NJ/West Orange) each had an interception in the game while Douglas broke up a pair of passes. The front four and the second level were disruptive all afternoon as the Pioneers finished with a total of six sacks and 13 tackles for a loss. Lanier powered the group with two sacks and three TFL's while Doug Simmons (White Plains, NY/Archbishop Stepinac) continued his monstrous season with a pair of sacks and TFL's as well. Anthony Fasano (Deer Park, NY/Deer Park) and John Stroughn (Baldwin, NY/Holy Trinity) had one sack each in the win too. Matt Brantley (Rochester, NY/Eastridge) had a fantastic outing on the ground as he accounted for 129 yards on 19 touches for 6.8 yards per carry. Brett Fuller (Port Jervis, NY/Port Jervis) completed 14 of 20 passing attempts for 98 yards while Joey Nare (Canajoharie, NY/Canajoharie) led the receiving corps with six catches for 62 yards. Utica's scores both came through Sam Florio (Port Jefferson, NY/Port Jefferson) one way or another as he threw one to Tyler Kolenda (Harwinton, CT/Lewis S. Mills) on a jump pass before later rushing one in from seven yards out. Each team began the game with an opening drive turnover as Payton picked off Fisher quarterback Aaron Chase and brought it back to the Cardinal 14. However, Florio went on to fumble on a 3rd and 3 from the Fisher seven as the Cardinals regained possession. In fact, the defensive battle on the first drives were only beginning as the rest of the first, the second and third quarters were scoreless for both teams as well. However, the first scoring chance of the game for either side came in the opening stages of the fourth quarter. During a drive in which the offense made its way over midfield for the first time on the day, Fisher lined up for a 39 yard field goal attempt. Following a high snap, the kick sailed wide right to keep the score 0-0. Although the Pioneers came away empty on the ensuing drive, special teams made a play that would ultimately decide the game. On Freddie Callo's (Milton, NY/Marlboro Central) punt, Cardinals return man Ryan Romagnoli botched the ball and after it bounced around, Nick Billand (Towaco, NJ/Montville) came out with it to give Utica possession on the Fisher 21. Four plays later, Florio came in and found Koldena in the corner of the end zone for the first points of the day with 7:27 to go in the game. Following another Fisher punt, Matt Brantley (Rochester, NY/Eastridge) took over the game. The Pioneers regained possession on their own 18 with 5:30 to play. From there, Brantley proceeded to rush for 58 yards on three touches to set the team up around the Fisher 20. A few plays later, Florio's number was called again as he bulldozed his way in for six more. Following Corey Lichtman's (Bellmore, NY/Mepham) point after, Utica held a 14-0 lead. And that score from Florio would essentially seal the contest as the Cardinals next five plays resulted in -11 yards as the Pioneers went on to take the regular season finale. 
 
Getting In: Free admission will be granted to all spectators on Saturday. 
 
Tailgate Policy: Tailgating is permitted at Hobart and all Utica fans are encouraged to do so at Odell's South Parking Lot for general fan parking. Use 218 St. Clair St. for GPS directions. For a complete fan guide follow https://hwsathletics.com/sports/2019/10/23/fan-guide-to-boswell-field.aspx?id=803. 
 
Season Wrap-Up: After a historic 10-2 season in 2022, the Pioneers returned in 2023 with the second winningest season in program history going 8-2. Brett Fuller (Port Jervis, NY/Port Jervis) took over the reins of the offense this season, leading the team to score 24.2 points per contest. Fuller has thrown for 1642 yards and 10 touchdowns this season. The sophomore spread the ball around on offense as Joey Nare (Canajoharie, NY/Canajoharie), Peyton Ausfeld (Amsterdam, NY/Amsterdam), Travis Decker (Oneida, NY/Vernon-Verona-Sherrill), and Antonio Cianfarani (Scotia, NY/Scotia Glenville) each had 200 yards on the season. Utica has relied on senior Matt Brantley (Rochester, NY/Eastridge) to lead the backfield, totaling 551 rushing yards thus far and two touchdowns. Utica returned a large portion of their defense this season, as a veteran group has contained opposing teams to scoring 18.6 points per game. Graduate students Anthony Fasano (Deer Park, NY/Deer Park), John Stroughn (Baldwin, NY/Holy Trinity), Anthony Novello (Mepham, NY/Mepham), Nick Billand (Towaco, NJ/Montville), and Terrance Touissaint all returned to make a huge impact on the team this season. Eli Douglas (Ausable Forks, NY/Ausable Valley) stepped up as a sophomore to make large contributions as well. 
 
All-Conference Honors: 13 members of the Utica University football team have earned All-Empire 8 accolades, as announced by the league on Thursday. These 13 players accounted for 15 different All-Empire 8 honors. John Strough (DL) earned All-Empire 8 First Team honors while second teamers included John Aliberti (Bellmore, NY/Mepham) (OL), Peyton Ausfeld (Amsterdam, NY/Amsterdam) (WR), Sam Florio (Port Jefferson, NY/Port Jefferson) (All-Purpose), Anthony Novello (Mepham, NY/Mepham) (LB), Terrance Toussaint (West Orange, NJ/West Orange) (DB), Freddie Callo (Milton, NY/Marlboro Central) (P) and Ausfeld (Return Specialist). All-Empire 8 Third Team honorees include Matt Brantley (Rochester, NY/Eastridge) (RB), Evan Gohringer (Utica, NY/Proctor) (DL), Doug Simmons (White Plains, NY/Archbishop Stepinac) (DL), Anthony Fasano (Deer Park, NY/Deer Park) (LB), Corey Licthman (K) and Joey Nare (Canajoharie, NY/Canajoharie) (Return Specialist). Brantley was also Utica's recipient of the Empire 8 Sportsman of the Year award. 
 
Agent Zero: Sam Florio (Port Jefferson, NY/Port Jefferson) continued to display his versatility in the Utica victory over Fisher. In a game where there was no offense until the fourth quarter, Florio gave the Pioneers life, scoring both touchdowns. With seven and half minutes left in the fourth quarter, he took the ball under center and connected with Tyler Kolenda (Harwinton, CT/Lewis S. Mills) for a six yard touchdown. Florio, while listed as a quarterback, has rarely thrown the ball. However, his two completions on the season have both been touchdown passes. With just over two minutes left, Florio was called upon again. This time running the ball directly from the snap for a seven yard score. Florio has a team high eight rushing touchdowns and the season, and 10 total touchdowns, trailing only Brett Fuller (Port Jervis, NY/Port Jervis) who has 11. 
 
Mr. 1K: Matt Brantley (Rochester, NY/Eastridge) had a massive day against St. John Fisher with a career high 147 yards from scrimmage. The explosive runner carried the ball 19 times for 129 yards, averaging an amazing 6.8 yards per carry. He also caught four passes for 19 yards. He was unstoppable in the fourth quarter, picking up first downs with ease as the clock kept running. While having a huge game, he also reached a career milestone of 1000 rushing yards in his career. Only 7 other players have reached this mark in program history. Brantley has had a great senior campaign with 551 rushing yards which marks him fourth in the conference along with 31 receiving yards through eight games played. 
 
Stackin' My Billand's: Nick Billand (Towaco, NJ/Montville) was named the Empire 8 Co-Defensive Player of the Week for his exceptional performance on Saturday. Billand led the stout Utica defense with seven tackles including .5 TFL. He made his mark on the game with a crucial fumble recovery in the fourth quarter, setting up Utica's first score. The graduate student has been an integral part of the defense all season, making 46 tackles, two interceptions, and 1 fumble recovery. 
 
Defensive Domination: Utica's defense was once again dominant, not allowing a point for the third time this season. It had been since 2014 since Utica had a defensive shutout before this season. On the season, the Pioneers are allowing 18.6 points per game which is third best in the conference. Against St. John Fisher the defense had 12.5 TFL's and six sacks. James Lanier (Syracuse, NY/Corcoran) and Doug Simmons (White Plains, NY/Archbishop Stepinac) had two sacks apiece, Anthony Fasano (Deer Park, NY/Deer Park), and John Stroughn (Baldwin, NY/Holy Trinity) each had one. Elijah Stowe (Coram, NY/Longwood) added 2 TFL'S for nine yards and Evan Gohringer (Utica, NY/Proctor) had 1.5 TFL's as well. 
 
About Hobart: Competing in the Liberty League, the Hobart Statesmen are 8-2 on the season, most recently defeating the University of Rochester 27-23. Hobart has played very well this season on both ends, scoring 31.2 points per game and allowing only 14.8. Junior quarterback, Jeremy Colombi is in his first full season as the starting quarterback. He has been a dual threat rushing for 339 yards and passing for 1,547. Colombi spreads the ball out on offense as five receivers have over 200-plus receiving yards. Rane Daramola and Ahmad Crowell lead the team with over 300 yards apiece and seven touchdowns combined. The Statesmen have a solid running game, with a pair of senior running backs averaging 60-plus rushing yards a game. Rayshawn Boswell leads the team with 612 yards and Tim Denham Jr. has 481. Linebacker's Anthony Romano and Jaimen Bliss headline the strong Hobart defense. With 137 combined tackles, 6.5 sacks, and three interceptions, this duo have helped shutdown offenses all season. 
 
Bowl Game History: Utica's nomination to play in the Clayton Chapman Bowl this Saturday marks the fifth bowl game the team has played in since the inaugural season in 2001. Through four bowl games, the Pioneers are 1-3. Their lone victory came in the ECAC Scotty Whitelaw Bowl in 2018 over Ithaca where they defeated the Bombers in a thrilling 44-42 game at Cornell University.