Football | 10/21/2023 3:55:00 PM
ALFRED, NY - Nine years after its 55-0 over Misericordia University, the Utica University football team once again held an opponent scoreless thanks to its 28-0 road win at Alfred University on Saturday.
The Pioneer defense limited the Saxons to just eight first downs over the course of the contest - two of which stemming from penalties. Utica limited Alfred to under 100 yards both in the air and on the ground (75 passing yards, 81 rushing) and forced a pair of turnovers. Along with that, the Pioneers held Alfred to 1-of-12 on 3rd downs as well as 0-for-2 on 4th.
James Lanier led the defensive unit with six tackles while Anthony Fasano totaled five. John Stroughn continued his red-hot play on the defensive line with three tackles, a sack, a tackle for loss and a forced fumble. Aedan McDonald and Liam Horodnik had one sack each also. In the secondary, Mason Payton had an interception and a pass breakup which was one of five from the Utica defense.
Utica also dominated time of possession with a whopping 42 minutes of offense to just 22 for the Saxons. Under center, Brett Fuller went 24-of-33 for 225 yards, two touchdown passes and an interception. The sophomore also rushed one in for three total scores. Also on the ground, Matt Brantley dazzled for 107 yards on 21 touches. The receiving corps were led by Antonio Cianfarani, who totaled six receptions for 72 yards and a touchdown. Travis Decker added five catches for 66 yards and a score while Peyton Ausfeld led the team with eight receptions for 52 yards.
After an empty opening drive for Utica, the team struck on its second possession. On the eighth play of what would be a 71 yard drive, Fuller connected with Decker for a 28 yard score for what would be a 7-0 lead following Corey Lichtman's converted point after.
The Pioneers opened the second quarter in gorgeous field position from the Alfred 49. Right away, Brantley took a handoff 42 yards to the Alfred seven. However, the Saxons' defense stiffened up, forcing Utica and Lichtman to settle for a field goal to make it 10-0.
Following an Alfred three-and-out, the Pioneers once again began their drive from the Saxons' 49 - this time ensuring a six-spot would go on the board. Deep into the possession from the Alfred five, Fuller connected with Cianfarani in the end zone to cap off an 11 play, 51 yard drive and, once again, a converted Lichtman extra point made it 17-0.
Utica's ensuing possession began with 2:28 left in the half with the ball once again near midfield. Calm and collected, Fuller completed all three passes and, with help from Brantley on the ground, took the Pioneers down to the goal line. With 30 seconds left in the quarter, Fuller pounded the ball into the end zone for six more. Alfred was able to block the extra point as the game moved into halftime with the Pioneers ahead 23-0.
On what would be their only drive of the 3rd quarter, Lichtman tacked on three more points with a 27 yard field goal to push the lead to 26-0. On this possession, however, Utica ate up over eight minutes of the clock to push Alfred farther away from any comeback hopes.
The only points scored in the 4th quarter came on an Alfred safety - much of this thanks to Freddie Callo. On what was his first punt of the game, Callo sent a 66 yard rocket deep into Alfred territory that would be downed at the one yard line. On the Saxons' first play, Lanier broke through for the tackle for loss and the two Utica points that sealed the game.
Utica (7-1, 3-1 Empire 8) will take to the road again next weekend when the team travels to take on SUNY Brockport at 2 p.m.
ABOUT THE EMPIRE 8 CONFERENCE
The members of the Empire 8 Conference are committed first and foremost to the pursuit of academic excellence and the league is regarded as an outstanding NCAA Division III conference. The membership has distinguished itself among its peer group for its quality institutions, spirited and sportsmanlike competition, outstanding services and highly ethical policies and practices. Its commitment to serve the educational needs of its student-athletes is the hallmark of the E8. For more on the Empire 8 visit
www.empire8.com.
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