Box Score Click Here for Game Highlights

ONEONTA, NY - The Pioneer defense made yet another statement on Saturday afternoon, as the #22 Utica University football team dominated Hartwick 39-3 on the road to improve to 8-1 overall and 5-1 in Empire 8 play. The Pioneers held the Hawks to just 53 passing yards, collected three interceptions, and forced four total turnovers in a commanding all-around performance.

Division III's 22nd-ranked team controlled the contest from the opening whistle, building a 13-0 lead in the first quarter before adding 17 more points in the second. The Pioneers continued to make life difficult for Hartwick after halftime, adding a safety and another touchdown to secure their third consecutive victory.

Saturday Spotlight: The Pioneer secondary turned in one of its best performances of the season, highlighted by a pair of interceptions and a defensive touchdown from Tahjir Fernand (Fort Lauderdale, FL/New Rochelle). The sophomore cornerback hauled in two interceptions, including a 52-yard pick-six early in the second quarter for Utica's first interception-return touchdown of the season. Fernand's second interception helped bring Hartwick's passing attack to a halt, as he leaped over a defender to snatch a highlight-reel takeaway. The Hawks barely racked up any yards following that decisive moment.

The Pioneers entered Saturday tied for ninth nationally in Division III with 14 interceptions. After adding three more against Hartwick, Utica now has 17 on the season and could climb the national leaderboard. Fernand's two-pick afternoon also moved him closer to Nathan Hernandez (Mechanicville, NY/Mechanicville), who leads the team with six interceptions. With the program's single-season record of seven interceptions set by Jon Klosner in 2002, both defenders are now within reach of the mark.

Nick DiStefano (Rochester, NY/Webster Schroeder) added the Pioneers' third interception of the afternoon, returning his pick nine yards while finishing with six total tackles during an awesome performance for the senior. Luke Sheldon (Lake George, NY/Lake George) led the defense with nine tackles, including a half-tackle for loss and a pass breakup, while Isaiah Thomas (Kingston, NY/Kingston) contributed six tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, a sack and a pass breakup. Andrew Lake (Johnstown, NY/Johnstown) added five tackles, while Hernandez chipped in four.

The Pioneer secondary's effort extended beyond the defensive side of the ball, as defensive back Calvin Crews (Cuddebackville, NY/Port Jervis) forced a fumble on Hartwick's first kickoff return of the game, which was recovered by safety Joseph Gentile (Utica, NY/Thomas R. Proctor) to give the Pioneers possession deep in Hawk territory. Nick DeForrest also contributed two tackles, a half-tackle for loss and a quarterback hurry. Utica finished with four total takeaways, two sacks, four tackles for loss and three pass breakups, while holding Hartwick to just two conversions on 12 third-down attempts.

Offensive Highlights: The Pioneers finished with 413 yards of total offense, including 259 through the air and 154 on the ground. Utica averaged 6.6 yards per play, recorded 18 first downs and converted nine of its 15 third-down opportunities, dominating in clutch situations for the second consecutive week.

The rushing attack was paced by Drevariis Yeomas (Victor, NY/Victor), who turned in his second consecutive 100-yard performance with 113 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries. Yeomas averaged 5.9 yards per carry and broke off a 38-yard run, before finding the end zone on a three-yard rush in the second quarter to extend Utica's lead to 27-3.

The Pioneers got the scoring started with a memorable moment from All-Conference offensive lineman ADante Bianchino (Albany, NY/Shaker), who powered his way into the end zone on a four-yard run for the first touchdown of his career. Quarterback Tyler Szalkowski (Rochester, NY/Aquinas Institute) added a one-yard rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter, capping a nine-play, 40-yard drive. Utica finished with three rushing touchdowns on the afternoon.

Through the air, Tyshawn Taylor (Syracuse, NY/Syracuse Institute of Technology) continued his stellar season with seven receptions for 169 yards. Taylor averaged 24.1 yards per catch and hauled in two passes of more than 45 yards, including a 51-yard reception that helped stretch the Hartwick defense. Szalkowski completed 18-of-28 passes for 249 yards.

Defensive Highlights: The Pioneer defense limited Hartwick to 198 total yards, including just 53 passing yards on a 6-of-15 passing performance. The Hawks were held scoreless after a second-quarter field goal, and managed only two third-down conversions in 12 attempts.

Utica's pressure up front helped set the tone, as the Pioneers recorded two sacks and four tackles for loss. Thomas led the way with a sack and 1.5 tackles for loss, while Jordyn Davis (Hempstead, NY/Uniondale) added a sack for a loss of six yards. Sheldon, DeForrest and Mason Miranowicz (Pine Bush, NY/Pine Bush) also contributed tackles for loss, helping disrupt the Hartwick offense throughout the afternoon.

The Pioneers' four takeaways proved pivotal, beginning with Crews' forced fumble and Gentile's recovery on the opening kickoff return by Hartwick. Fernand's two interceptions and DiStefano's pick added to the turnover total, with Fernand's 52-yard return providing a major momentum swing and the first defensive touchdown of the season. Utica also added a safety in the third quarter after forcing Hartwick back into its own end zone.

Specialists: Nico Duarte (Kearny, NJ/Saint Peter's Prep) was perfect on the afternoon, connecting on all three of his field goal attempts from 22, 23 and 31 yards while also converting all four extra-point attempts. His three field goals helped the Pioneers build their early advantage, and he finished with 13 points.

Up Next: The Pioneers return home next Saturday, November 14, to close out the regular season with a Senior Day and Veterans Day Game matchup against SUNY Brockport. Kickoff is scheduled for 12:00 PM at ABM Field at Charles A. Gaetano Stadium. The Senior Day Ceremony is set for 10:30 AM, so swing by early as the team honors its large group of seniors!

Scoring Summary:

1st Quarter
12:24 | 7-0 UTC | Bianchino – 4-yard rush (Duarte kick) – 6 plays, 66 yards (2:30)
9:10 | 10-0 UTC | Duarte – 22-yard field goal – 8 plays, 27 yards (3:06)
3:07 | 13-0 UTC | Duarte – 23-yard field goal – 7 plays, 34 yards (4:24)

2nd Quarter
14:25 | 20-0 UTC | Fernand – 52-yard interception return (Duarte kick)
7:45 | 20-3 UTC | Smith – 28-yard field goal – 12 plays, 57 yards (6:34)
5:07 | 27-3 UTC | Yeomas – 3-yard rush (Duarte kick) – 8 plays, 69 yards (2:33)
0:03 | 30-3 UTC | Duarte – 31-yard field goal – 2 plays, 19 yards (0:23)

3rd Quarter
3:22 | 32-3 UTC | Safety

4th Quarter
12:56 | 39-3 UTC | Szalkowski – 1-yard rush (Duarte kick) – 9 plays, 40 yards (5:19)