UTICA, NY - Utica University Football held its awards banquet for the 2025 season this past Spring. At the event, the team honored lots of individual and collective accomplishments that were achieved during this past season. There were lots of awards to pass around following the team's outstanding 2025 season where they piled up an 8-3 record, second place finish in the Empire 8, and the most individual accolades received in program history.
Pioneer Football, in addition to honoring its many award-winning players who received recognition from outlets such as the Empire 8 and D3football.com, also gave out their own individual awards to standout players from this past season. Below is a list of each Pioneer who received special recognition from the staff and coaches for their superb seasons.
"Matt Dunn" Pioneer Award - Michael Mecca (Oceanside, NY/Oceanside) | Defensive Back, Senior
"Steve Alcala" Offensive Player of the Year - Tyler Szalkowski (Rochester, NY/Aquinas Institute) | Quarterback, Senior
Defensive Player of the Year - Eli Douglas (Ausable Forks, NY/Ausable Valley) | Defensive Back, Junior (Back-to-Back)
"Big John" Offensive Lineman of the Year - ADante Bianchino (Albany, NY/Shaker) | Offensive Line, Junior
Defensive Lineman of the Year - Jordyn Davis (Hempstead, NY/Uniondale) | Defensive Line, Junior (Back-to-Back)
Special Teams Player of the Year - Devin Taylor (New Port Richey, FL/Wendell Krinn Technical) | Punter/Kicker, Senior
Offensive Rookie of the Year - Martino Rocco (Frankfort, NY/Frankfort-Schuyler) | Wide Receiver, Freshman
Defensive Rookie of the Year - Austin DeGroat (Oneida, NY/Oneida) | Defensive Line, Freshman
The team also took a moment to acknowledge the program's success in the classroom during the 2025-2026 academic year, noting every player who recorded a 3.0 or above GPA this year so far. Here is the list of high academic achievers for the team:
Players who achieved a 4.0: Logan Hewitt (Mohawk, NY/Central Valley Academy), Martino Rocco (Frankfort, NY/Frankfort-Schuyler).
Players who achieved a 3.5 or higher: ADante Bianchino (Albany, NY/Shaker), Jack Bosinski (Orchard Park, NY/Orchard Park), Dylan Clute (Verona, NY/Vernon-Verona Sherill), Micah Davis (Fredonia, NY/Fredonia), Nico Duarte (Kearny, NJ/Saint Peter's Prep), Brandon Frank (Johnstown, NY/Johnstown), Logan Frederick (Little Falls, NY/Little Falls), Vincent Geritano (Bay Shore, NY/Bay Shore), Brendan Griffey (West Seneca, NY/West Seneca West), Nick Graziano (Albany, NY/Shaker), Tyler Hall (Holbrook, NY/Sachem North), Frederick Haynes Jr., Charlie Higgins (Saint James, NY/Smithtown East), Nuallan King (Pen Argyl, PA/Pen Argyl Area High School), Justin Laniyan (West Orange, NJ/West Orange), Ronaldo Lewis (Brooklyn, NY/Abraham Lincoln), Carter Madison (Dolgeville, NY/Dolgeville), Bryce Palmer (Verona, NY/Vernon-Verona-Sherrill), Nicholas Reardon, Luke Sheldon (Lake George, NY/Lake George Central), Carson Tessitore (East Islip, NY/East Islip), Aidan Terry (Centerport, NY/Harborfields), Devin Taylor (New Port Richey, FL/Wendell Krinn Technical).
Players who achieved a 3.0 or higher: Christian Babiarz (Yorkville, NY/Notre Dame), Nehemiah Brown (Rochester, NY/Wilson Magnet), Jameson Brownell (Schuylerville, NY/Schuylerville), Carter Cheney (Johnstown, NY/Johnstown), Calvin Crews (Cuddebackville, NY/Port Jervis), Michael Devlin (St. James, NY/Smithtown East), Tony Dorozynski (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro), Tahjir Fernand (New Rochelle, NY/New Rochelle), Joseph Gentile (Utica, NY/Proctor), Gavin Grech (Merrick, NY/Sanford H. Calhoun), Nathan Hernandez (Mechanicville, NY/Mechanicville), Aidan Higgins (Merrick, NY/Sanford H. Calhoun), Darrien Insogna (Ballston Spa, NY/Ballston Spa), Jayden McIntyre, Sam Pucci (Fairport, NY/Fairport), Noah Rivera (Holland Patent, NY/Holland Patent), Anthony Russo (Lagrangeville, NY/Arlington), Aidan Ryan (Ballston Spa, NY/Ballston Spa), Adonis Singletary (Coram, NY/Brentwood), Gavin Stricker (Rochester, NY/Rush-Henrietta), Jad Qualli, Avery Tomm (Binghamton, NY/Chenango Valley).
In addition to this wealth of academic success, the Pioneers also saw 13 players be named to the Empire 8 Fall 2025 President's List, and another 13 be named to the Empire 8 Spring 2026 President's List, an exclusive honor given to scholar athletes who achieve a GPA of 3.75 or higher during the given semester. Here are the athletes that were bestowed the academic honor throughout the 2025-2026 academic year.
Empire 8 President's List Fall 2025 Honorees: Vincent Bernardo (Ossining, NY/Ossining), Jack Bosinski (Orchard Park, NY/Orchard Park), Jeremiah Boyko (West Winfield, NY/Mount Markham), Dylan Clute (Verona, NY/Vernon-Verona Sherill), Tyler Hall (Holbrook, NY/Sachem North), Frederick Haynes Jr., Logan Hewitt (Mohawk, NY/Central Valley Academy), Charlie Higgins (Saint James, NY/Smithtown East), Vincent Geritano (Bay Shore, NY/Bay Shore), Justin Laniyan (West Orange, NJ/West Orange), Martino Rocco (Frankfort, NY/Frankfort-Schuyler), Jad Squalli (Rochester, NY/Brighton), Aidan Terry (Centerport, NY/Harborfields).
Empire 8 President's List Spring 2026 Honorees: Jack Bosinski (Orchard Park, NY/Orchard Park), Dylan Clute (Verona, NY/Vernon-Verona Sherill), Richie Crews (Cuddebackville, NY/Port Jervis), Eli Douglas (Ausable Forks, NY/Ausable Valley), Nico Duarte (Kearny, NJ/Saint Peter's Prep), Logan Frederick (Little Falls, NY/Little Falls), Tyler Hall (Holbrook, NY/Sachem North), Nuallan King (Pen Argyl, PA/Pen Argyl Area High School), Martino Rocco (Frankfort, NY/Frankfort-Schuyler), Luke Sheldon (Lake George, NY/Lake George Central), Devin Taylor (New Port Richey, FL/Wendell Krinn Technical), Aidan Terry (Centerport, NY/Harborfields), Cardon Tessitore.
On the field, the team had one of the greatest seasons in program history, due in large part to the Empire 8 Offensive Player of the Year, and the Pioneers' second-ever Gagliardi Trophy Semifinalist - Quarterback
Tyler Szalkowski (Rochester, NY/Aquinas Institute).
Szalkowski had a season for the ages, picking up a slew of accolades and records en route to one of the most decorated individual seasons in Utica Athletics history.
Szalkowski was also named to the Empire 8 First Team, headlining a season where the Pioneers received their most ever recognition on the Empire 8's All-Conference teams, with 16 Pioneers notching a spot amongst the Empire 8's elite talent. Here are the team's All-Empire 8 honorees:
All-Empire 8 First Team
- Antonio Cianfarani (Scotia, NY/Scotia Glenville) (Wide Receiver, Senior)
- Jordyn Davis (Hempstead, NY/Uniondale) (Defensive Line, Junior)
- Eli Douglas (Ausable Forks, NY/Ausable Valley) (Defensive Back, Senior)
- Logan Frederick (Little Falls, NY/Little Falls) (Tight End, Senior)
- Bryce Palmer (Verona, NY/Vernon-Verona-Sherrill) (Wide Receiver, Senior)
- Tyler Szalkowski (Rochester, NY/Aquinas Institute) (Quarterback, Senior)
- Devin Taylor (New Port Richey, FL/Wendell Krinn Technical) (Punter/Kicker, Senior)
All-Empire 8 Second Team
All-Empire 8 Third Team
- Aidan Olsen (Rotterdam, NY/Schalmont) (Offensive Line, Junior)
- Matthew Pallouras (Rochelle Park, NJ/Hackensack) (All Purpose, Junior)
- Mason Payton (Hopewell Junction, NY/John Jay) (Defensive Back, Senior)
- Isaiah Thomas (Kingston, NY/Kingston) (Linebacker, Sophomore)
Empire 8 Sportsman of the Year (Utica Nominee)
- Eze Frazier (Garnerville, NY/North Rockland) (Running Back, Junior)
Along with the conference recognition, an array of Pioneers also attained national recognition, being honored for their excellent seasons with some high-profile accolades.
Logan Frederick (Little Falls, NY/Little Falls) (Tight End, Senior)
- 2nd Team All-American (Tight End) - Associated Press
- 4th Team All-American (Tight End) - D3football.com
- Walter Camp Division III All-American (Tight End)
- 1st Team All-Region II (Tight End) - D3football.com
- 1st Team All-ECAC (Tight End) - ECAC
- Empire 8 Torchbearer Recipient
Eli Douglas (Ausable Forks, NY/Ausable Valley) (Defensive Back, Senior)
- 3rd Team All-American (Defensive Back) - Associated Press
- 2nd Team All-Region II (Defensive Back) - D3football.com
- 1st Team All-ECAC (Defensive Back) - ECAC
- Utica Athletics Richard "Dick" Miller Award Recipient
Tyler Szalkowski (Rochester, NY/Aquinas Institute) (Quarterback, Senior)
- Empire 8 Offensive Player of the Year
- Gagliardi Trophy Semifinalist (DIII Player of the Year)
- 2nd Team All-ECAC (Quarterback) - ECAC
ADante Bianchino (Albany, NY/Shaker) (Offensive Line, Junior)
- 3rd Team All-Region II (Offensive Line) - D3football.com
- 1st Team All-ECAC (Offensive Line) - ECAC
Bryce Palmer (Verona, NY/Vernon-Verona-Sherrill) (Wide Receiver, Senior)
- 3rd Team All-Region II (Wide Receiver) - D3football.com
- 1st Team All-ECAC (Wide Receiver) - ECAC
Devin Taylor (New Port Richey, FL/Wendell Krinn Technical) (Punter/Kicker, Senior)
- 2nd Team All-ECAC (Punter) - ECAC
Nathan Hernandez (Mechanicville, NY/Mechanicville) (Defensive Back, Sophomore)
- 1st Team All-Region II (Special Teams) - D3football.com
Of course, after such an immaculate season, there is sure to be a few changes in the record books. Here are the new individual and team records that were established this past season.
Team Single-Season Records:
- First-ever home postseason game (Asa S. Bushnell Bowl)
- Most passing completions (296 Completions)
- Most passing yards (3770 yards)
- Most passing touchdowns (37 touchdowns)
- Highest pass completion rate (67.4%)
- Highest pass efficiency (163.7)
- Highest average yards per pass (8.6 Yards/Pass)
- Most passing yards per game (342.7 Yards/Game)
- Most total offense yards (4949 Yards)
- Highest total offense per play (6.53 Yards/Play)
- Most total points scored (386 Points)
- Most touchdowns scored (54 Touchdowns)
- Most fumble recoveries (7 Fumbles Recovered)
- Most quarterback hurries (27 QB Hurries)
- Most blocked kicks (10 Blocked Kicks)
- Fewest yards per completion allowed (10.7 Yards/Completion)
- Fewest opposing yards per passing game allowed (130.4 Yards/Game)
- Fewest total offensive yards per game allowed (274.5 Yards/Game)
- Fewest total yards allowed (3019 Yards)
- Tied - Fewest passing touchdowns allowed (8)
- 2nd team ever and 2nd team in a row with 0 punt return touchdowns allowed
Individual Single-Season Records:
- Tyler Szalkowski (Rochester, NY/Aquinas Institute) - Most pass completions (285 Completions)
- Tyler Szalkowski (Rochester, NY/Aquinas Institute) - Most passing yards (3638 Yards)
- Tyler Szalkowski (Rochester, NY/Aquinas Institute) - Most passing touchdowns (33 Touchdowns)
- Tyler Szalkowski (Rochester, NY/Aquinas Institute) - Highest completion percentage (67.7%)
- Tyler Szalkowski (Rochester, NY/Aquinas Institute) - Highest passing efficiency (162.8)
- Tyler Szalkowski (Rochester, NY/Aquinas Institute) - Yards per pass (8.6 Yards/Pass)
- Tyler Szalkowski (Rochester, NY/Aquinas Institute) - Passing yards per game (330.7 Yards/Game)
- Tyler Szalkowski (Rochester, NY/Aquinas Institute) - Total offense yards (3723 Yards)
- Tyler Szalkowski (Rochester, NY/Aquinas Institute) - Total touchdowns (34 Touchdowns)
- Tyler Szalkowski (Rochester, NY/Aquinas Institute) - Total offense per game (338.5 Yards/Game)
- Tyler Szalkowski (Rochester, NY/Aquinas Institute) - Total yards per play (7.87 Yards/Play)
- Bryce Palmer (Verona, NY/Vernon-Verona-Sherrill) - Most single-season receptions (91) (Empire 8 Record)
- Bryce Palmer (Verona, NY/Vernon-Verona-Sherrill) - Receptions per game (8.27 Catches/Game)
- Tyshawn Taylor (Syracuse, NY/Institute of Technology) - Yards per reception (25 Yards/Catch)
- Devin Taylor (New Port Richey, FL/Wendell Krinn Technical) - Yards per punt (42.93 Yards/Punt)
- Mason Mascari (Webster, NY/Webster Schroeder) - Tied - Most fumble recoveries (2 Recoveries)
- Mason Mascari (Webster, NY/Webster Schroeder) - Tied - Most fumble recovery touchdowns (1 Touchdown)
- Nicholas DeForrest (Rome, NY/Holland Patent) - Tied - Most fumble recovery touchdowns (1 Touchdown)
Career Records (Graduating Players)
- Brett Fuller (Port Jervis, NY/Port Jervis) - Tied - Third most passing touchdowns (33 Touchdowns)
- Brett Fuller (Port Jervis, NY/Port Jervis) - Tied - Fourth most passing completions (400 Completions)
- Devin Taylor (New Port Richey, FL/Wendell Krinn Technical) - First in average yards per punt (43.86 Yards/Punt)
- Eli Douglas (Ausable Forks, NY/Ausable Valley) - First in interception return touchdowns (4 Pick 6's)
- Eli Douglas (Ausable Forks, NY/Ausable Valley) - First in interception return yards (269 Yards)
- Eli Douglas (Ausable Forks, NY/Ausable Valley) - Third in total interceptions (14 Interceptions)
The Pioneers will open their season in 110 days with a much-anticipated Believe Bowl matchup at home against Washington and Jefferson, which is scheduled to be next year's season-opener. The Presidents went 8-3 last season, winning the PAC conference before falling to Susquehanna in the first round of the 2025 NCAA Division III Football Tournament. For details about the entire schedule, check out the schedule release, which can be found through this link:
https://uticapioneers.com/news/2026/5/15/utica-pioneer-football-releases-2026-home-schedule-and-information.aspx
