Football | 11/5/2022 7:12:00 PM
UTICA, NY - History was made at Charles A. Gaetano Stadium on Saturday afternoon in Utica's convincing 65-16 win over the Alfred University Saxons. The victory marked the Pioneers' eighth of the season, setting a new single season program record, while Nate Palmer tied the single-season program record for receiving touchdowns at 15 after reeling in three. With that, Braeden Zenelovic tossed a single game program record seven touchdowns.
Utica's defense started the game with a quick three and out. The offense then took the field in which Zenelovic hit Nate Palmer for a 32 yard touchdown on 4th down to put the Pioneers up 7-0. Alfred responded with running back Max Freeman IV running for over 60 yards on the drive and then punching in a touchdown to make the score 7-6 after Utica blocked the ensuing point after attempt.
On Utica's next drive, Zenelovic did an excellent job spreading the ball as Joey Nare, Travis Decker, Tyler Kolenda, and Palmer all had a catch. The stellar duo of Zenelovic and Palmer connected again for another 30 plus yard touchdown to put the Pioneers up 14-6. The first quarter ended with Alfred recording two three and outs and Utica ending the first quarter with a three and out.
Alfred put together a nice drive that ended with a field goal to close the gap to 14-9. The Pioneers moved down the field quickly and Zenelovic found Palmer for the duo's third touchdown of the game to put Utica ahead 21-9 halfway through the second quarter. Zenelovic and Matt Brantley stormed the offense down the field and Zenelovic found Kolenda in the back of the endzone for a 28-9 edge. The Pioneer defense held strong and forced an Alfred punt. Utica's offense marched down the field and set up a 26 yard field goal for Corey Lichtman to take a 31-9 advantage into the half.
Utica got the ball after the half and James Salles had a big gain of 36 yards to put the drive into Alfred's territory. Zenelovic then connected with Nare for a three yard touchdown and put the Pioneers up 38-9. The Saxons responded with a touchdown of their own to cut the lead to 38-16. Zenelovic would drive down the field and throw a beautiful twenty four yard pass to Matt Brantley for another Pioneer score to put the team up 44-16 to end the third quarter.
The Pioneer offense continued to have their way and Zenelovic threw a touchdown to Izzy Maldonado to begin the fourth quarter and lead 51-16. Utica's defense continued to shut down the Alfred offense and gave the ball right back to the offense. Brantley and Jason Haas marched down the field with multiple runs and Haas punched in a one yard score to make it a 58-16 game before Utica added one more touchdown at the end.
Zenelovic's seven touchdowns came on 372 passing yards and 29-of-40 passing. Palmer led the receivers with 110 yards, seven catches and three touchdowns while Nare had six catches for 67 yards and a score. On defense, Jimmie Warren and Anthony Novello led the team with seven tackles while Warren also had 2.5 tackles for a loss and a sack. Novello added an interception to his line.
Utica (8-1, 4-1 Empire 8) will wrap up the regular season on the road next Saturday, November 12, when the team takes on St. John Fisher University.