UTICA, NY - Exactly 30 days remain until the Utica University football team returns to the gridiron, and the team is excited to unveil the group of leaders who will be guiding the Pioneers come early September. The team will head into the 2026 season ranked just outside the top 25, as the program continues its run as a nationally-recognized squad, accruing 17 votes on the D3football.com Pre-season Top 25 poll. 
 
The program has named two players as captains: one returns as a captain, while the other earns the honor for the first time, thanks to a stellar sophomore season during the team's 25th Anniversary Campaign this past fall.
 
In addition, the program has named 12 players to its Leadership Council for the 2026 season. These players will help provide guidance for the Pioneer football squad, assisting coaches in mentoring the team's 100+ athletes this coming year.
 
2026 UTICA FOOTBALL CAPTAINS
SR | QB | Tyler Szalkowski (Rochester, NY/Aquinas Institute)
JR | LB | Isaiah Thomas (Kingston, NY/Kingston)
 
2026 UTICA FOOTBALL LEADERSHIP COUNCIL
SR | QB | Tyler Szalkowski (Rochester, NY/Aquinas Institute)
JR | LB | Isaiah Thomas (Kingston, NY/Kingston)
SR | OL | A'Dante Bianchino
SR | DL | Jordyn Davis (Hempstead, NY/Uniondale)
JR | OL/LS | Caiden Ott (Kingston, NY/Kingston)
GR | TE | Logan Frederick (Little Falls, NY/Little Falls)
JR | LB | Mason Nolan (Hilton, NY/Hilton Central)
SR | QB | Matthew Pallouras (Rochelle Park, NJ/Hackensack)
SR | DL | Nick DeForrest
SO | LB | Nick Graziano (Albany, NY/Shaker)
SO | WR | Martino Rocco (Frankfort, NY/Frankfort-Schuyler)
SO | TE | Logan Hewitt (Mohawk, NY/Central Valley Academy)
 
Tyler Szalkowski (Rochester, NY/Aquinas Institute) - Szalkowski, a 2025 Gagliardi Semifinalist and the 2025 Empire 8 Offensive Player of the Year, returns to the Pioneers for one final season in 2026. The blue and orange signal-caller will be looking to build on an incredible season in which he helped propel the Pioneers to hosting the first-ever postseason game in program history - a big Asa S. Bushnell Bowl tilt against Rowan. This Fall, Szalkowski will be eyeing the program's first-ever Empire 8 Championship, while also attempting to lead the team back to the NCAA Tournament for the second time in program history. The Rochester native was named a team captain ahead of the 2025 season, being recognized by his peers before having played a single snap for the Pioneers. He will return as one of the team's leaders this season, and joining him will be a defensive player who is seeing his first action as a team captain:
 
Isaiah Thomas (Kingston, NY/Kingston) - Thomas joins Szalkowski as a team captain, receiving the honor for the first time in his young career. The speedy linebacker had a breakout campaign in 2025, leading the Pioneers in tackles by a wide margin. His 95 takedowns were 33 more than his next closest teammate, who posted 62. The Empire 8 All-Conference Third Team selection also proved to be quite powerful from the linebacker position, recording 5.5 tackles for loss, an interception, a fumble recovery, and a blocked kick. Thomas also saw a massive increase in responsibility during 2025, as he was one of the main forces guiding the linebacker corps through a season in which the position group suffered a variety of injuries. For his toughness and integrity, Thomas was awarded a role as team captain for 2026.
 
Szalkwoski and Thomas will lead the team into battle during the annual Mastrovito Auto Group Believe Bowl, which will take place on Saturday, September 5th at 12:00 PM against Washington and Jefferson.
 
The Pioneers kick off their 2026 season with a massive showdown against a Washington & Jefferson team that won the PAC Conference last season. In this past season's opening week, Szalkowski had an all-time debut performance against the Presidents, tossing over 500 yards in a 49-31 win. The Presidents would lose the following week, before rattling off eight straight wins to win the PAC and gain a berth in the NCAA Tournament. The Presidents, led by head coach Mike Sirianni (brother of Philadelphia Eagles Head Coach Nick Sirianni), will come to Gaetano seeking revenge. However, the Pioneers will enter the game riding a seven-year win streak in the annual Mastrovito Auto Group Believe Bowl. The game will benefit the Believe 271 Foundation, and will be an ORANGE OUT.
 
Excited for this season? Make sure to grab your tickets NOW!
 
Single-game tickets are $5 and will be available at the gate. Season Tickets are $20 for all five games. Season Tickets can be purchased by Cash, Check, or Venmo. Contact Assistant Coach and New Hartford native Logan Kraft at lokraft@utica.edu to get your season tickets now!
 
Want to be a part of the action? Join the 12th Man! Get your 12th Man apparel and support Utica University Football by following the link below! (All apparel features the new 12th Man logo)
 
Utica Football 12th Man Club
 
Coach Faggiano and the football program are proud of their connection to the Mohawk Valley. The 12th Man is one of the best atmospheres for Division III college football in the entire country. For the third season in a row, every home game gives back to our community in some fashion. Let's be sure to Pack the Gaet', and as always, Fear. the. Moose…