ROCHESTER, NY - After his dazzling Pioneer debut against Washington and Jefferson this past Saturday, Tyler Szalkowski (Rochester, NY/Aquinas Institute) was named the Empire 8 Offensive Player of the Week for the week of September 8th, 2025, bringing his weekly awards total to two after he was named Pioneer Athlete of the Week earlier on Monday.

Szalkowski had one of the greatest weeks in all of Division III this past Saturday, dominating in his Pioneer debut to the tune of a program-record 528 passing yards along with 28 completions and four touchdowns in a 49-31 victory on the road against a highly-touted Washington and Jefferson team. The Division I transfer tore through the Presidents' secondary, launching a barrage of deep balls with extreme precision as he notched passes of 33, 77, and even 82 yards en route to logging nearly 19 yards per completion. The Rochester native shattered the previous program record passing yards mark of 467, generating an all-time great showing in his first-ever start at the Division III level. To top off his legendary outing, Szalkowski also avoided tossing an interception in the matchup, using his mistake-free play to help the team grab a statement victory in the season-opener.

Szalkowski and the football team will have their first party at the 'Gaet this weekend when they welcome RPI for the annual Mastrovito Hyundai Believe Bowl at 6:00 PM on Saturday.