UTICA, NY - For a fifth time in the last six years, the Utica University football team is out to a 2-0 start. The Pioneers countered the efforts of Moravian not once - but twice to earn the win on Saturday. After surrendering the opening touchdown to the Greyhounds, the Pioneers scored three of the next four touchdowns in the game. When Moravian pulled within a point in the fourth quarter, the Pioneers responded again with two late touchdowns to seal a 35-20 non-conference win in the 2023 Mastrovito Hyundai Believe Bowl at Charles A. Gaetano Stadium.

The Mastrovito Hyundai Believe Bowl, in its 6th edition, benefits the mission of the Believe 271 Foundation. The Believe 271 Foundation was created in March of 2014 as a means of helping members of the fire service who are affected by cancer. The organization aims to help local firefighters, who are often at increased cancer risk because of their work in the line of duty, with the immense financial and personal burdens that can come with battling cancer.  
 
Utica landed their second non-conference win of the season, and is now 5-1 in Believe Bowl contests all-time. They have won the game in five consecutive Believe Bowl events since a loss in the inaugural edition. The meeting was Utica's first-ever against Moravian. The win also was Utica's fifteenth consecutive victory in a home opener contest. The last time they lost a home opener was on September 20th, 2008 against RPI. 
 
The game featured over 850 yards of total offense, with the Pioneers holding a 464-390 edge in total offense. They amassed a 346-299 advantage through the air, and a 118-91 rushing yardage advantage. The Utica defense allowed just four of sixteen third downs to be converted by the Greyhounds. The Utica offense averaged eight yards per play.

Utica forced seven punts by the Greyhounds, while Freddie Callo (Milton, NY/Marlboro Central) Jr. had to punt just twice for Utica. 
 
Starting quarterback Brett Fuller (Port Jervis, NY/Port Jervis) was terrific in his home debut as Utica's varsity starter. The Port Jervis grad was 24-of-33 for 346 yards and two touchdowns.

Two Pioneer receivers went over 100 yards to help Fuller amass his totals. Joey Nare (Canajoharie, NY/Canajoharie) made seven grabs for 141 yards and had the team's longest reception of the day at 41 yards. Peyton Ausfeld (Amsterdam, NY/Amsterdam) was an imposing presence at slot receiver with five catches, 104 yards, and two touchdowns on the day. Antonio Cianfarani (Scotia, NY/Scotia Glenville) contributed four catches for 81 yards, and Tyler Kolenda (Harwinton, CT/Lewis S. Mills) made three catches at the tight end position. 
 
Matt Brantley (Rochester, NY/Eastridge) had 57 net yards on 11 carries to guide the ground attack. Sam Florio (Port Jefferson, NY/Port Jefferson) rushed for two scores while participating in his usual role as a second quarterback option. James Salles (West Babylon, NY/West Babylon) had 44 net rushing yards. 
 
On the defensive side of the ball, Anthony Novello (Mepham, NY/Mepham) totaled 13 tackles while Eli Douglas (Ausable Forks, NY/Ausable Valley) and Anthony Fasano (Deer Park, NY/Deer Park) ended with 10 each. Doug Simmons (White Plains, NY/Archbishop Stepinac) caused havoc in the backfield all afternoon with 1.5 sacks for -17 yards and eight total tackles. The secondary consisting of Terrance Toussaint (West Orange, NJ/West Orange) and Nick Billand (Towaco, NJ/Montville) each came away with an interception while Toussaint, Novello and Eli Douglas (Ausable Forks, NY/Ausable Valley) each had a pass breakup. 
 
Following a botched punt return by Utica, Moravian regained possession at the Pioneers' 48 yard line. Eight plays and just over three minutes later, Jordan Bingham received a 12 yard pass from Jared Jenkins in the back of the end zone to jump ahead 6-0. The Greyhounds opted to go for two points however, the attempt failed. 
 
The Pioneers broke through midway through the 2nd quarter. After five plays went for 50 yards, Brett Fuller (Port Jervis, NY/Port Jervis) put the team on the board with a 30 yard connection to newcomer Peyton Ausfeld (Amsterdam, NY/Amsterdam) and, following Corey Lichtman's (Bellmore, NY/Mepham) point after, Utica jumped ahead 7-6. 
 
Utica took over possession once again with just under five minutes left in the half as the team looked to create some breathing room before the new half opened up. Following chunk plays through the air to Logan Kraft (New Hartford, NY/New Hartford) and Joey Nare (Canajoharie, NY/Canajoharie), Fuller and Ausfeld connected for 38 yards to set Utica up on the Moravian 30. Four plays later, with much thanks to a James Salles (West Babylon, NY/West Babylon) 17 yard run, Sam Florio (Port Jefferson, NY/Port Jefferson) pounded the ball in for a one yard score and a 14-6 edge entering halftime. 
 
The Greyhounds clawed back early in the 3rd quarter on a five yard Nate Boyle run however, the team once again failed on a two-point attempt to allow the Pioneers to still lead 14-12. 
 
Later in the quarter, Matt Brantley (Rochester, NY/Eastridge) capped off a seven play, 62 yard drive with a 17 yard rushing score to open Utica's lead to 21-12. Not long after, Moravian finished off a 10 play drive of its own that resulted in six points. This time, the Greyhounds converted on the two-point try to make it a 21-20 game with 12 minutes to play in the game. 
 
The sides traded scoreless drives before Utica regained possession again with just over eight minutes to go. Over a two minute span, Fuller went 4-for-5 in the air with the exclamation point being a 17 yard touchdown pass to Ausfeld for his second of the game and a 28-20 lead. With under a minute left, Florio ran one in from four yards out for good measure to seal the 35-20 win. 
 
Utica (2-0, 0-0 Empire 8) will travel to Lycoming College at noon on September 16 to take on the Warriors.