ROCHESTER, NY - Mason Nolan (Hilton, NY/Hilton Central) has been named the Empire 8 Defensive Player of the Week after a dominant defensive performance against a rugged Hobart team over the weekend. This is the sophomore linebacker's first career conference honor, and marks the third consecutive week that the Pioneers have achieved an Empire 8 accolade to begin the 2025 season. 

Nolan had a breakout game this past Saturday against the Hobart Statesmen, leading a Pioneer defense that held the hosts to under 250 total yards. Nolan managed to rack up four tackles (two solo) while also raiding the opposing backfield for two powerful sacks, costing the Statesmen 21 yards in the process. Nolan's aggressive defense halted multiple opposing drives in their tracks, as he shut down the Statesmen with his pair of quarterback takedowns. This is the sophomore's first season at the top of the depth chart and has been a breakout season so far for the outside linebacker. 

Nolan and the football team will welcome Alfred State this weekend for the Teacher Appreciation/Homecoming Game sponsored by First Source Federal Credit Union. That game is slated for a 1:00 PM kickoff at Gaetano Stadium this Saturday. For more information about the matchup, check out our weekly football preview which goes live at 12:00 each Thursday. 

Utica football accolades this season:

Week one at W&J:
Tyler Szalkowski (Rochester, NY/Aquinas Institute) 
- Empire 8 Offensive Player of the Week
- D3football.com National Team of the Week
- D3football.com Game Ball
- Pioneer Athlete of the Week
Isaiah Thomas (Kingston, NY/Kingston)
- D3football.com National Team of the Week

Week two vs RPI: 
Tyler Szalkowski (Rochester, NY/Aquinas Institute) 
- Empire 8 Offensive Player of the Week

Week three at Hobart:
Mason Nolan (Hilton, NY/Hilton Central)
- Empire 8 Defensive Player of the Week