UTICA, NY - For the third time in four weeks, the Pioneers are represented on the D3football.com National Team of the Week. This time, its sophomore cornerback Tahjir Fernand (Fort Lauderdale, FL/New Rochelle) who received the nod, leaping onto the list thanks to a stat-stuffing performance. This is Fernand's first career D3football.com honor. 

Fernand was in lockdown mode during Saturday's 58-13 win over previously unbeaten Alfred State. In coverage, Fernand managed to rack up two pass breakups in addition to a key redzone interception that stopped a promising Alfred State drive in its tracks. Fernand was also active near the line of scrimmage, grabbing six tackles, including four solo takedowns and a tackle for loss. Fernand's massive outing helped the team limit Alfred State to just 13 points during the opponent's Homecoming matchup. Thanks to his play, the team moved to 4-0, setting up a massive Homecoming matchup against #17 SUNY Cortland this coming Saturday.

Fernand joins Tyshawn Taylor (Syracuse, NY/Syracuse Institute of Technology) and Logan Frederick (Little Falls, NY/Little Falls) as players who have been named D3football.com National Team of the Week selections during the 2026 season. Counting Jack Lamphere's (Chittenango, NY/Chittenango) Game Ball honor that was accrued last weekend, the Pioneers have achieved national honors in each of the first four weeks of the season. 

Here is a look at all of the team's accolades so far this season:

Week one vs W&J - W, 26-11
Nico Duarte (Kearny, NJ/Saint Peter's Prep) - Empire 8 Special Teams Player of the Week
Logan Frederick (Little Falls, NY/Little Falls) - D3football.com National Team of the Week

Week two at RPI - W, 38-14
Tyshawn Taylor (Syracuse, NY/Syracuse Institute of Technology) - Empire 8 Offensive Player of the Week
Tyshawn Taylor (Syracuse, NY/Syracuse Institute of Technology) - D3football.com National Team of the Week

Week three vs Hobart - W, 36-29
Jack Lamphere (Chittenango, NY/Chittenango) - D3football.com Game Ball

Week four at Alfred State - W, 58-13
Nico Duarte (Kearny, NJ/Saint Peter's Prep) - Empire 8 Special Teams Player of the Week
Tahjir Fernand (Fort Lauderdale, FL/New Rochelle) - D3football.com National Team of the Week

The team will welcome #17 SUNY Cortland to town this Saturday for a massive Homecoming matchup, with kickoff set for 1:00 PM at Gaetano Stadium.