Isaiah Thomas (Kingston, NY/Kingston) and Devin Taylor (New Port Richey, FL/Wendell Krinn Technical) have been named the Empire 8 Defensive Player of the Week and Empire 8 Special Teams Player of the Week, respectively. This is the first career Empire 8 honor for both players. 

Thomas put together another monster outing in the Pioneers' 27-21 win vs Morrisville. Despite a few injuries in the linebacking corps during the course of the matchup, Thomas made up the extra ground by himself, logging an unbelievable game-high 17 tackles (four solo), while also recording a key quarterback hurry to help seal the game in the final moments. His 17 tackles tied for 10th in the Pioneers' single-game total tackles column. His timely stops and superb decision-making also helped the Pioneer defense halt the Morrisville comeback in its tracks. 

Pioneer punter Devin Taylor (New Port Richey, FL/Wendell Krinn Technical) helped set the Utica defense up for success on Saturday. The senior specialist boomed all three of his kicks during the contest, averaging 43.7 yards per kick and even launching a 50-yard boot late in the game. That last kick pinned the Mustangs back inside their own 20, setting up a big stop with the clock winding down. His ability to flip the field was integral in a slow and methodical matchup between the two teams. 

The Pioneers will be on a bye week this coming Saturday before hitting the road to play Alfred the following week.