Click here for Game Highlights
UTICA, NY - The #22 Utica University Pioneers battled #17 SUNY Cortland in a highly anticipated Homecoming showdown on Saturday afternoon, but a pair of momentum-shifting plays proved costly as the Pioneers fell 31-21. Despite winning the turnover battle 3-2, converting 12-of-20 third-down opportunities, allowing just three second half points to the Red Dragons, and finishing just seven yards shy of Cortland's total offense, the orange and blue came up just short against their undefeated rival.
The orange and blue fought back from an early deficit and mounted a late rally in front of a packed Homecoming crowd at Charles A. Gaetano Stadium. The loss moves Utica to 4-1 overall and 1-1 in Empire 8 play, while Cortland remains undefeated at 5-0 and improves to 3-0 in conference action.
Cortland seized control early, scoring twice in the opening quarter to build a 14-0 advantage. Running back Ethan Gallo capped a 12-play, 61-yard opening drive with a two-yard touchdown run before breaking loose for a six-yard score later in the quarter. The Red Dragons added another touchdown early in the second quarter, with Gallo punching it in from one yard out to extend the lead to 21-0.
The Pioneers answered with a methodical drive of their own, covering 75 yards in 15 plays to get on the board. Quarterback Tyler Szalkowski (Rochester, NY/Aquinas Institute) connected with Drevariis Yeomas (Victor, NY/Victor) for a 10-yard touchdown with 5:34 remaining in the first half, cutting the deficit to 21-7. Utica continued to threaten just before halftime, putting together an 88-yard drive that reached the Cortland one-yard line. However, the Red Dragons delivered the most consequential play of the afternoon as time expired. Nazair Jean-Lubin intercepted a pass in the end zone and returned it 100 yards for a touchdown, sending Cortland into the locker room with a 28-7 lead.
Neither team found the end zone in the third quarter, but Utica's defense came up with a crucial stop to keep the Pioneers within reach. After Cortland marched 65 yards on 11 plays and reached the Utica five-yard line, Jordyn Davis (Hempstead, NY/Uniondale) forced a fumble that Joseph Gentile (Utica, NY/Thomas R. Proctor) recovered, ending the Red Dragons' scoring threat. The Pioneers carried that defensive momentum into the fourth quarter, putting together a 12-play, 42-yard drive that culminated in a seven-yard touchdown reception by Logan Frederick (Little Falls, NY/Little Falls) from Szalkowski at 12:19, making it a 28-14 game.
Cortland responded with a 24-yard field goal with 4:52 remaining to restore its 17-point cushion, but Utica continued to push. Frederick hauled in his second touchdown of the afternoon, this time on a 15-yard pass from Szalkowski with 1:03 left, bringing the Pioneers within 10. The orange and blue attempted an onside kick in hopes of getting the ball back, but Cortland recovered and ran out the clock to secure the 31-21 victory.
Saturday Spotlight: The Pioneer defense forced three turnovers against one of the nation's top teams, with four players making key contributions to create or secure takeaways.
Nathan Hernandez (Mechanicville, NY/Mechanicville) came up with Utica's lone interception, picking off a pass from Cortland quarterback Ethan Gallo in the second quarter. The takeaway halted a Red Dragon drive that had reached the Utica 45-yard line and gave the Pioneers possession with an opportunity to build momentum. The interception also marked Hernandez's fourth of the season, keeping him on pace for nearly one pick per game.
On the defensive interior, Jordyn Davis (Hempstead, NY/Uniondale) delivered one of the biggest plays of the afternoon in the third quarter, forcing a fumble on Cortland's fourth-down attempt from the Utica eight-yard line. The turnover came after the Red Dragons had driven 65 yards and threatened to extend their lead, giving the Pioneers a critical chance to keep the game within reach.
Joseph Gentile (Utica, NY/Thomas R. Proctor) was there to recover Davis's forced fumble at the Utica five, shutting down Cortland's scoring opportunity and preserving the 28-7 score. Gentile finished the afternoon with six tackles and added half a tackle for loss.
Andrew Lake (Johnstown, NY/Johnstown) produced another timely takeaway late in the fourth quarter. After Utica's defense forced a turnover on downs, Cortland fumbled on its ensuing possession, and Lake recovered the ball before returning it 15 yards to the Red Dragons' 38-yard line. The recovery gave the Pioneers a late opportunity to cut further into the deficit, setting up Frederick's second touchdown and helping Utica reach 21 points against a stout Cortland defense.
Offensive Highlights: The Pioneers totaled 320 yards of offense, including 260 through the air, while recording 19 first downs and converting 12-of-20 third-down opportunities. Utica found the end zone three times, the most touchdowns Cortland has allowed to an opponent this season.
Szalkowski directed the passing attack, completing 29-of-52 attempts for 260 yards and three touchdowns. He connected with six different receivers, including Frederick, who led the Pioneers with seven receptions for 69 yards and two touchdowns. Frederick's pair of fourth-quarter scores fueled Utica's late rally and made him a key target when the Pioneers needed points most. Across his last two meetings with Cortland, Frederick has now totaled 16 receptions for 204 yards and three touchdowns.
Tyshawn Taylor (Syracuse, NY/Syracuse Institute of Technology) provided another explosive option, hauling in three passes for 72 yards, including a 45-yard reception on a pivotal third-down conversion late in the game. Gabriel Zawolo (Rochester, NY/McQuaid Jesuit) led the team in receptions with 11 catches for 51 yards, while Tony Dorozynski (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) added three receptions for 38 yards. Yeomas contributed two catches for 18 yards and a touchdown, while also carrying the ball five times for 22 yards.
Defensive Highlights: The Pioneer defense forced three turnovers and limited the Red Dragons to just 2-of-7 on third down. Utica also recorded five tackles for loss and a sack while coming up with several timely stops to keep the Pioneers in contention.
Isaiah Thomas (Kingston, NY/Kingston) paced the defense with 11 tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss totaling 10 yards. Hernandez followed with eight tackles and an interception, while Gentile finished with six tackles and a fumble recovery. Lake added five tackles and a fumble recovery, while Austin DeGroat (Oneida, NY/Oneida) and Mason Miranowicz (Pine Bush, NY/Pine Bush) each recorded four tackles and a tackle for loss.
Davis added four tackles on the defensive interior to go along with a half-sack, half a tackle for loss and a forced fumble. Nicholas DeForrest (Rome, NY/Holland Patent) contributed three tackles and a half-sack, combining with Davis to bring down Cortland quarterback Mike Rescigno. The defense's ability to generate takeaways and deliver key stops helped Utica stay within striking distance despite the Red Dragons' early advantage.
The Specialists: Nico Duarte (Kearny, NJ/Saint Peter's Prep) handled punting and kicking duties for Utica, averaging 42.3 yards on three punts, including a long of 54 yards. Duarte was also perfect on the afternoon, converting all three of his extra-point attempts.
Up Next: The Pioneers will look to bounce back next weekend when they travel to Morrisville State for another Empire 8 matchup. Utica will aim to get back in the win column before heading into its bye week. Saturday's contest is scheduled for a 12 p.m. kickoff at Drake Field.
Scoring Summary:
1st Quarter
7:00 | 7-0 CORT | Ethan Gallo – 2-yard rush (Cole Callard kick) – 12 plays, 61 yards (6:56)
4:28 | 14-0 CORT | Ethan Gallo – 6-yard rush (Cole Callard kick) – 2 plays, 77 yards (0:52)
2nd Quarter
12:21 | 21-0 CORT | Ethan Gallo – 1-yard rush (Cole Callard kick) – 3 plays, 18 yards (1:48)
5:34 | 21-7 CORT | Drevariis Yeomas (Victor, NY/Victor) – 10-yard pass from Tyler Szalkowski (Rochester, NY/Aquinas Institute) (Nico Duarte (Kearny, NJ/Saint Peter's Prep) kick) – 15 plays, 75 yards (6:47)
0:00 | 28-7 CORT | Nazair Jean-Lubin – 100-yard interception return (Cole Callard kick)
3rd Quarter
No scoring.
4th Quarter
12:19 | 28-14 CORT | Logan Frederick (Little Falls, NY/Little Falls) – 7-yard pass from Tyler Szalkowski (Rochester, NY/Aquinas Institute) (Nico Duarte (Kearny, NJ/Saint Peter's Prep) kick) – 12 plays, 42 yards (5:10)
4:52 | 31-14 CORT | Cole Callard – 24-yard field goal – 10 plays, 63 yards (7:19)
1:03 | 31-21 CORT | Logan Frederick (Little Falls, NY/Little Falls) – 15-yard pass from Tyler Szalkowski (Rochester, NY/Aquinas Institute) (Nico Duarte (Kearny, NJ/Saint Peter's Prep) kick) – 7 plays, 38 yards (1:58)
