UTICA, NY - The regular season comes to a rousing conclusion this weekend, as the Utica University football team looks to cap off a stellar regular season with a big road win against the SUNY Brockport Golden Eagles. The Western New York powerhouse presents a solid opportunity for the orange and blue to build upon their resume heading into Selection Sunday. The Pioneers will kick off against the green and gold at 2:00 PM this Saturday in Brockport, New York.
 
You can stream Saturday's game by heading to the following link: https://www.empire8network.com/brockport/
 
Interested spectators can also view live statistics by heading to this link:
https://gobrockport.com/sidearmstats/football/summary
 
Highlights will be available on our athletics YouTube either late Saturday evening or early Sunday morning. Click the links below to get caught up on game highlights from the previous Utica football games:
 
Week One at W&J: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1uwz6mKYyM&t=531s
 
Week Two vs RPI: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktlJmXAs8HY&t=9s
 
Week Three at Hobart: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNq7-fe0Dmo&t=6s
 
Week Four vs Alfred State: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJTkmX2tGK0&t=11s
 
Week Five at Cortland: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fncsbpbvSg0&t=8s
 
Week Six vs Morrisville: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMxhQjCwQTI
 
Week Eight vs Alfred University: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIVTP06Rf88
 
Week Nine vs St. John Fisher: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1uWbsPQZlg
 
Week Ten vs Hartwick: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOeMgsvgoVc&t=18s
 
Week Ten Recap: With a perfect home record hanging in the balance, the Pioneers delivered a Saturday stomping over Hartwick College this past weekend, defeating the Hawks by a 64-7 margin as they continued their remarkable run. Thanks to the huge victory, the orange and blue will finish their 25th anniversary season with a perfect 5-0 record at Gaetano Stadium. Numerous seniors got in on the action, as the Pioneers managed to outgain their opponent by over 400 yards of total offense. A 30-point first quarter set the tone, as the hosts rolled their way to a Senior Day/Veterans Day Game rout.
 
Three Big Things: 

1 - Ball Hawks: During the opening drive of Saturday's matchup, the Hawks managed to gain some momentum, coming out with a threatening drive that brought them down to the Pioneers' redzone. However, an agile Pioneer defense was up for the challenge, as they managed to intercept the Hawks' quarterback, halting an early drive.
 
This would mark the beginning of a first quarter that included FOUR takeaways by the Pioneers, as they picked off Hartwick signal caller Dennis Riordan three times, also recovering a fumble for the game's opening touchdown, all occurring in the first 15 minutes of play. Thanks to these key takeaways, the Pioneer offense was able to get rolling, as they put together a massive quarter to all but end the game even before the onset of the second frame. Luke Sheldon (Lake George, NY/Lake George Central), Isaiah Thomas (Kingston, NY/Kingston), and Eli Douglas (Ausable Forks, NY/Ausable Valley) were the three men who managed to record a pick in that first quarter, with Nicholas DeForrest (Rome, NY/Holland Patent) recovering the scoop n' score off of a failed screen pass.
 
The Pioneers capitalized on these early errors, spawning an insurmountable gap before the Hartwick offense would manage to make it back into the redzone again.
 
2 - Ground Generals: A massive reason why the Pioneers were able to outgain their opposition by such an outrageous amount was the rushing game, with the team piling up a season-high 257 rushing yards in the matchup.
 
This combined effort on the ground allowed the team to produce two rushing scores, while also helping them control the tempo throughout in order to protect their massive lead. This outstanding ground game was thanks in large part to a Pioneer offensive line that hasn't given up a sack in four games, dating back to before the team's bye week. By opening gaps and providing run blocking support, the offensive line was able to make way for the team's top rushers in Matthew Pallouras (Rochelle Park, NJ/Hackensack) and Eze Frazier (Garnerville, NY/North Rockland).
 
Pallouras picked up nearly all of his yards on just one play, as he logged a school record 97-yard rush right at the beginning of the second quarter. The raven set specialist proved his dual threat capability a few plays later, fooling the defense with a passing touchdown to Logan Frederick (Little Falls, NY/Little Falls).
 
Frazier also had a solid outing as the lead back, rushing 11 times for 79 yards and a touchdown, averaging 7.1 yards per carry as he set the pace of the Pioneer offense.
 
Tyler Hall (Holbrook, NY/Sachem North) even got in on the scoring action, rushing in a touchdown to help the team grow its gigantic advantage.
 
3 - Perfectly Balanced: The effort on both sides of the ball was immaculate from many different fronts, as there wasn't one or two players who could be credited as the catalysts for the big win. It's interesting to see that during a week with such an awesome combined effort, the Pioneers failed to receive some sort of individual recognition for the first time this season. The reason isn't due to bad play, though, but rather, that's just how balanced the victory was, with no player really popping off the page despite the 64-point outing.
 
This speaks to the depth of the Pioneer lineup, which has been displayed all season. On defense, no player recorded more than four tackles in the outing, even with the team only allowing seven points during the entire matchup. On offense, the two top rushers weren't separated by too many yards, while the top two receiving targets were only separated by about 40 yards. This was a total team victory for the orange and blue, and helped cap off a spectacular Senior Day showing with a resounding victory.
 
Where They Stand: With SUNY Cortland capturing the Empire 8 Football Championship, the Pioneers' hopes of an NCAA Tournament berth lie in the hands of the NPI. The team has done well all season to help its case and sits firmly in the at-large conversation entering the final week of play. Down below, we will highlight which matchups have the biggest impact on the Pioneers' chances at an at-large berth and their second-ever appearance in the Division III NCAA Tournament
 
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS DATA IS UNOFFICIAL, BUT IS VERY VERY CLOSE TO THE OFFICIAL RANKINGS.
 
The top 13 teams that do not win their conference will gain entry to the 2025 NCAA Division III Tournament. Here are the teams currently ranked 10-25.
 
10: Wabash (8-1) | 24th overall
11: Wheaton (Ill.) (7-2) | 27th overall
12: DePauw (8-1) | 30th overall
13: Muhlenberg (7-2) | 33rd overall
____________________________
 
14: Curry (8-1) | 34th overall
15: Grove City (7-2) | 35th overall
16: Adrian (8-1) | 16th overall
17: Ohio Northern (7-2) | 38th overall
18: Coast Guard (7-2) | 40th overall
19: Utica (7-2) | 41st overall
20: Mary Hardin-Baylor (6-3) | 43rd overall
21: Coe (7-2) | 45th overall
22: Augustana (7-2) | 46th overall
23: Ithaca (7-2) | 23rd overall
24: University of New England (7-2) | 49th overall
25: Baldwin Wallace (7-2) | 50th overall
 
Even though there are many teams ahead of the Pioneers in terms of the race for that number 13 spot, the overall rankings see all of these teams grouped together, so a few losses by these teams and a few fortunate wins by teams the Pioneers have already played could help them jump up into that at-large spot.
 
Below is a guide to which teams the Pioneers want to see win or lose this weekend. The most important matchups are underlined.
 
Teams that can lose (causing their NPI to fall)
 
Depauw (8-1) vs Wabash (8-1) | 1:00 PM
North Park (3-6) vs Wheaton (7-2) | 1:00 PM
Muhlenberg (7-2) vs Dickinson (5-4) | 1:00 PM
Endicott (8-1) vs Curry (8-1) | 12:00 PM
Hiram (3-6) vs Grove City (7-2) | 1:00 PM
Alma (7-2) vs Adrian (8-1) | 2:00 PM
Otterbein (1-8) vs Ohio Northern (7-2) | 12:00 PM
Coast Guard (7-2) vs Merchant Marine (6-2) | 12:05
Howard Payne (4-5) vs Mary Hardin Baylor (6-3) | 2:00 PM
Central (IA) (8-1) vs Coe (7-2) | 2:00 PM
Augustana (7-2) vs WashU (7-2) | 1:00 PM
Ithaca (7-2) vs Cortland (8-1) | 12:00 PM
UNE (7-2) vs New England College (1-8) | 12:00 PM
Baldwin Wallace (7-2) vs Heidelberg (6-3) | 1:30 PM
 
Teams that can win (Teams that boost the Pioneers' NPI resume with wins)
 
Washington & Jefferson (7-2) vs Thiel (1-8) | 1:00 PM
Union (NY) (7-2) vs RPI (7-2) | 1:00 PM
Hobart (4-5) vs Buffalo State (1-8) | 1:00 PM
Ithaca (7-2) vs Cortland (8-1) | 12:00 PM
St. John Fisher (6-3) vs Alfred State (5-4) | 12:00 PM
Hartwick (3-6) vs Hilbert (0-9) | 12:00 PM
Alfred University (3-6) vs Morrisville State (0-9) | 1:00 PM
 
Record Watch:
 
As the Pioneers wrap up the regular season, several players are close to breaking program single-season records. Here are the players and how far they are from these illustrious records:
 
Tyler Szalkowski (Rochester, NY/Aquinas Institute)
32 completions from the total completions record (record: 254, Szalkowski 222)
244 yards from the passing yards record (record: 3,207, Szalkowski: 2,963)
Four passing touchdowns from the record (record: 31, Szalkowski: 27)
Closing in on the completion percentage record (record: 66%, Szalkowski: 71.61%)
Closing in on the passer rating record (record: 159.1, Szalkowski: 178.06)
Closing in on the passing yards per game record (record: 314.3, Szalkowski: 329.22)
 
Matt Pallouras
Four touchdowns away from the rushing TD record (record: 12, Pallouras: 4)
 
Bryce Palmer (Verona, NY/Vernon-Verona-Sherrill)
17 receptions from the total receptions record (record: 87, Palmer: 70)
Closing in on receptions per game (record: 8, Palmer: 7.78)
 
Tyshawn Taylor (Syracuse, NY/Institute of Technology)
Taylor hasn't played since week two due to an injury; however, he will break the yards per catch mark if his numbers stay put (record: 22.55 yards per catch, Taylor: 25 yards per catch)
 
Devin Taylor (New Port Richey, FL/Wendell Krinn Technical)
Closing in on the yards per punt record (record: 42.30, Taylor: 41.95)
 
Eli Douglas (Ausable Forks, NY/Ausable Valley)
Two interceptions away from tying the single-season record (record: 7, Douglas: 5)
 
Isaiah Thomas (Kingston, NY/Kingston)
17 total tackles from the record (record: 98, Thomas: 81)
 
Pioneer Playmakers: Below is a list of each accolade the Pioneers have achieved through eight games this season.
 
Week One at W&J
Tyler Szalkowski (Rochester, NY/Aquinas Institute) - Empire 8 Offensive Player of the Week
Tyler Szalkowski (Rochester, NY/Aquinas Institute) - D3football.com Team of the Week
Tyler Szalkowski (Rochester, NY/Aquinas Institute) - D3football.com Week One Game Ball
Isaiah Thomas (Kingston, NY/Kingston) - D3football.com Team of the Week
 
Week Two vs RPI
Tyler Szalkowski (Rochester, NY/Aquinas Institute) - Empire 8 Offensive Player of the Week (2)
 
Week Three at Hobart
Mason Nolan (Hilton, NY/Hilton Central) - Empire 8 Defensive Player of the Week
 
Week Four vs Alfred State
Tyler Szalkowski (Rochester, NY/Aquinas Institute) - Empire 8 Offensive Player of the Week (3)
 
Week Five at SUNY Cortland
Logan Frederick (Little Falls, NY/Little Falls) - D3football.com Team of the Week
 
Week Six vs Morrisville
Isaiah Thomas (Kingston, NY/Kingston) - Empire 8 Defensive Player of the Week
Devin Taylor (New Port Richey, FL/Wendell Krinn Technical) - Empire 8 Special Teams Player of the Week
Jordyn Davis (Hempstead, NY/Uniondale) - D3football.com Team of the Week
 
Week Eight vs Alfred University
Mason Payton (Hopewell Junction, NY/John Jay) - Empire 8 Defensive Player of the Week
Logan Frederick (Little Falls, NY/Little Falls) - D3football.com Team of the Week (2)
 
Week Nine vs St. John Fisher
Mason Miranowicz (Pine Bush, NY/Pine Bush) - Empire 8 Defensive Player of the Week
 
Total Awards Count
 
Team:
Empire 8 Players of the Week: 8
D3football.com Team of the Week: 5
 
Individual:
Tyler Szalkowski (Rochester, NY/Aquinas Institute) - Empire 8 Player of the Week: 3
Isaiah Thomas (Kingston, NY/Kingston) - Empire 8 Player of the Week: 1
Mason Nolan (Hilton, NY/Hilton Central) - Empire 8 Player of the Week: 1
Devin Taylor (New Port Richey, FL/Wendell Krinn Technical) - Empire 8 Player of the Week: 1
Mason Payton (Hopewell Junction, NY/John Jay) - Empire 8 Player of the Week: 1
Mason Miranowicz (Pine Bush, NY/Pine Bush) - Empire 8 Player of the Week: 1
 
Logan Frederick (Little Falls, NY/Little Falls) - D3football.com Team of the Week: 2
Tyler Szalkowski (Rochester, NY/Aquinas Institute) - D3football.com Team of the Week: 1
Isaiah Thomas (Kingston, NY/Kingston) - D3football.com Team of the Week: 1
Jordyn Davis (Hempstead, NY/Uniondale) - D3football.com Team of the Week: 1
 
Tyler Szalkowski (Rochester, NY/Aquinas Institute) - D3football.com Week One Game Ball
 
Orange and Blue Archive - vs SUNY Brockport: The Pioneers will be looking to gain an edge in the all-time series this weekend, as they have a 3-9 all-time record against Brockport. After suffering two losses in 2002 and 2003, the two teams didn't meet again until the 2014 season. Following that 11-year gap, the two programs have met in every season since, as Brockport joined the Empire 8 ahead of the 2014 campaign, having previously competed in the NJAC.
 
During Brockport's first two years in the Empire 8, the orange and blue got the better of them, defeating them 42-28 in 2014 and 22-19 in overtime during the 2015 season. After that, Brockport went on a big run during the latter half of the 2010s.
 
In particular, the Pioneers will look to come out hot and attempt to take an early lead on the road, where they've struggled against the Golden Eagles, having a 1-5 all-time record. However, the Pioneers have shown up this season against tons of other teams with big home-field advantages, and this Saturday will hopefully be no different.
 
Last season, the Pioneers found that early lead, taking advantage of a Golden Eagle miscue on the opening kickoff as they turned the game immediately on its head. Up against a Golden Eagle defense that didn't allow a single point through the first four weeks of Empire 8 play, the Pioneers struck against the golden wall on the very first play from scrimmage, shattering their shutout streak in stunning fashion on Senior Day down at Gaetano Stadium. Although the Pioneers would eventually fall by a 20-10 final, they put up a fierce fight against a tough Brockport team.
 
In 2022, current quarterbacks coach Braeden Zenelovic threw for a then-career-high 324 yards on 20-24 passing, helping the Pioneers control the ball throughout their entire 35-21 win over the Golden Eagles. Zenelovic collaborated with star wideout Nate Palmer, who caught eight passes for 162 yards and three touchdowns in the win. The Pioneers advanced to 6-0 with the victory, picking up a crucial win on the way to the team's first-ever Division III NCAA Tournament Appearance.
 
In 2015, Utica kicking king Thomas Woodburn would nail a 35-yard field goal to give the Pioneers a big 22-19 overtime victory over Brockport. Woodburn, who led all of Division III in field goals per game up to that point, continued his kicking crusade, going 5-5 in a game where the team needed every single point. In the final few minutes, Derrick Sekuterski snagged an interception in the endzone, setting up an ensuing 63-yard drive for the Pioneers that ended with Woodburn sending the game to overtime, where the team would eventually emerge victorious.
 
Preparing for the Golden Eagles: Last season, the Golden Eagles finished 8-3 on the season, utilizing their impressive defense to also notch a 5-2 conference record. The Golden Eagles were inches away from upsetting Cortland in a pseudo "Empire 8 Championship", eventually falling by a 29-28 final. A defeat to Alfred University the following week would cause Brockport's NCAA Tournament aspirations to dissolve, as they instead entered the ECAC Clayton Chapman Bowl against Rochester, a game they would win by a 42-23 final.
 
This season, the team is 6-3, a slight decline, although their three losses have come to top-tier teams in RPI (24-30), St. John Fisher (24-31), and Cortland (14-44). However, despite those setbacks, the Golden Eagles are still an extremely dangerous opponent, with star running back Isaiah Thomas (Kingston, NY/Kingston) still patrolling the backfield, solid signal caller Ben Gocella back under center, and a rugged defense to shore up the other side of the ball.
 
Simmons has had another stellar season, rushing for 1239 yards on 200 attempts, an average of six yards per rush, and 133.67 yards per game. This will be yet another big game for the Pioneer defensive front, as they look to halt Simmons, who is tied for the league lead in rushing touchdowns with Noah Currier of Alfred State. Both players have 18 rushing scores.
 
Gocella brings the offense together, providing a threatening dual attack with Simmons. The Brockport quarterback has completed 146 of his 214 passes (68.22%) for 1818 yards and 16 passing touchdowns, numbers that rank him the league's clear second-best quarterback behind Szalkowski.
 
Gocella's main look is to the Golden Eagles' most explosive offensive weapon, wideout Daniel Manneh. Manneh, a senior, leads the team by a significant margin in all receiving categories, having 56 catches for 788 yards and seven touchdowns. All of those numbers are nearly double, if not more so, than the next closest player. This is all without mentioning Manneh's dominance in the return game, as the Golden Eagle return man averages 11.25 yards per punt return and 36.86 yards per kick return. Manneh has a touchdown on both a punt and kick return, two scores that helped him get named to the D3football.com Team of the Week earlier this year.
 
On defense, Brockport brings forth an extremely balanced effort, with many players having similar numbers near the top of the team tackling category. Luca Friedman leads the way with 56 takedowns, also leading the team with 3.5 sacks on the season.
 
Liam Nealy is the main disruptor for the Golden Eagles, possessing two interceptions and five breakups from his spot in the secondary.
 
The green and gold defense is also very good in the clutch, holding its opponents to just 30.4% on third-down conversion tries.
 
Keys Against Brockport: A fast start and a solid game plan against the Brockport rush will help the Pioneer offense mightily in this matchup. In a place where the orange and blue have historically met resistance, using their ability to notch momentum-changing plays during the opening few drives of games will give them a massive advantage. The Brockport defense is hard to defeat when playing from behind, and the Pioneers will be in a much more advantageous spot with the lead thanks to their ability to control the clock.
 
On the other side, limiting Isaiah Simmons as the rushing game will help make Brockport one-dimensional, allowing for the speedy secondary to do its thing. If the Pioneers can control both of these phases and stay disciplined, they'll have the keys to finish out the regular season on a strong note.
 
After Squaring Off With the Golden Eagles: The Pioneers will await their fate ahead of Sunday's selection show. Keep an eye on our social media channels for additional information after Saturday's season finale!
 
Tune in on Saturday as the Pioneers clash with the Golden Eagles!