Football | 10/1/2026 1:30:00 PM
On Saturday, the No. 21/22 Utica Pioneers face their largest test of the season so far, and potentially the biggest regular-season home game in program history, as they take on the unbeaten and six-time reigning Empire 8 Champion Cortland Red Dragons (ranked No. 16/17) in front of what looks to be a huge Homecoming crowd at Gaetano Stadium. The opponents will enter Saturday's contest riding a 35-game conference win streak, one that the Pioneers will be looking to upend in what will be the orange and blue's first ranked vs ranked matchup.
The Pioneers will face their fifth straight undefeated opponent to date, with Cortland also posting a 4-0 record to begin conference play. This weekend's Homecoming/First Source Teacher Appreciation Game will bring Gaetano Stadium to the national spotlight, as eyes from around Division III football will descend on a massive matchup between the top two teams in all of New York State. Get caught up ahead of this weekend's matchup down below!
You can
stream this Saturday's contest by heading to the following link:
https://www.empire8network.com/utica/
For
live statistics, you can head to this link:
https://uticapioneers.com/sidearmstats/football/summary
Tickets can be purchased at the front gate for $5 each. Cash is preferred, but there may be an option for venmo at the box office.
Highlights will be available on Utica Athletics YouTube either late Saturday evening or early Sunday morning. Click the links below to get caught up on game highlights from the previous Utica football games:
Week One vs W&J:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_czjU8x7og
Week Two at RPI:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Fe5s5ZTvf8
Week Three vs Hobart:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHDKr7EhZ3w&t=6s
Week Four at Alfred State:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GzNPylyaxbQ
Week Three Recap: This past Saturday, the Pioneers ventured over to Alfred State to open up Empire 8 play with a big contest against the opposing 3-0 Pioneers. In the matchup of mascots, the orange and blue would storm out to a massive lead, holding a 42-6 advantage by the halftime break due to an outstanding passing performance by Tyler Szalkowski, who delivered three touchdowns through the air in the first 30 minutes. The second half belonged to the Pioneer running game, as the duo of Eze Frazier and Drevariis Yeomas combined for 187 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns in the contest, with Yeomas also posting his first career 100+ yard outing. On defense, the Pioneers held down the Alfred State passing attack with three interceptions and eight pass breakups, totalling 11 passes defended, the team's most in a game since a 65-7 win against Hartwick on October 5th, 2024. Utica's secondary was led by
D3football.com National Team of the Week recipient Tahjir Fernand, who collected six tackles, four of which were solo, along with a tackle for loss, an interception, and two pass breakups. The cornerback helped to lead a group headlined by Nathan Hernandez and Logan Clarey, who each had interceptions in the Empire 8 opener.
The win moved the Pioneers to 4-0 on the season, continuing the team's stellar start. The win also caused the Pioneers to receive a small uptick in this week's polls…
Poll Position: After making their first-ever regular-season appearance in the
D3football.com Top 25 poll following a week three win against Hobart, the Pioneers would build on their ranking this past Saturday, hopping up one spot to #22 following a big win and a big defeat by Susquehanna, who fell 21-0 vs a ranked Christopher Newport side to drop from #14 to #23. The #22 spot places the Pioneers ahead of perennial playoff programs such as Mount Union (#24), Randolph-Macon (#25), and Johns Hopkins (RV). The blue and orange's opponent also experienced a similar rise following an overwhelming win against Morrisville, as Cortland moved from #18 to #17, cementing this weekend's matchup as the #22 vs #17 teams in the
D3football.com poll.
In the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), the Pioneers experienced a similar story over the past few weeks. Following the win over Hobart, the blue and orange entered the poll at #24. However, the main difference between the two polls is shown in this past week's movement, as the Pioneers jumped up to #21, leaping over Mount Union, DePauw, and Susquehanna. Cortland, much like the
D3football.com poll, moved up one spot from #17 to #16.
Pioneer Performance: The Pioneers have been playing at an elite level to start the season, experiencing better performances on both sides of the ball through the first four weeks compared to the final tallies from a 2025 season that saw the team achieve five wins with a margin of over 20 points. This is even more impressive considering the team's tough schedule to start 2026, which included teams with a combined record of 6-0, and two teams who were achieving national recognition at the time of their respective matchups with the Pioneers (Washington & Jefferson, RPI).
The Pioneers are currently averaging 39.50 points per game, up 4.41 from 2025's final average of 35.09. Last year's team achieved offensive dominance amongst the Empire 8 throughout the year, with the Pioneers holding the top three receivers in terms of yards, and the conference's Offensive Player of the Year, Tyler Szalkowski. The key to the slight uptick in offensive production could be thanks to an improved running game, as the Pioneers' rushing yards per game average is up 18.6 yards from last season (125.8 - 107.2). Additionally, the Pioneers are breaking into the endzone via the rush much more often, posting eight rushing touchdowns through four games compared to 14 total across 11 games last year. Another stat that's integral to the Pioneers' offensive explosion has been the team's impressive fourth-down percentage. In do-or-die situations, the Pioneers are currently 7-for-9, a ridiculous fourth-down percentage of 77.8% compared to just 47.8% last season (47.8%).
Of course, senior placekicker Nico Duarte has also been a source of offensive strength for the Pioneers, providing perfection in the field goal game. The two-time Empire 8 Special Teams Player of the Week is currently 11-for-11 on field goals and holds the top spot in all of Division III for field goal percentage, gaining the tiebreaker thanks to having more successfully made field goals than any other kicker with a 100% rate in 2026. Duarte is coming off a 10-for-10 performance against Alfred State, nailing all three field goals and all seven extra point attempts.
On defense, the Pioneers are also performing at an elevated level compared to 2025, despite a sample size containing some outstanding offenses in RPI and Alfred State. The Pioneers are allowing slightly fewer points per game through four contests this season when compared to all of last season, currently allowing 16.75 ppg compared to 19.55 in 2025 (down 2.8 points). A major reason for this improvement is a clutch Pioneer secondary that's racked up seven interceptions through four games, an average of 1.75 per contest, compared to 11 total interceptions in 2025, just one per game. 2025 First Team All-Region special teamer Nathan Hernandez is the main force behind this disruption, having three interceptions through four games as the junior safety is out to a stellar start in his expanded defensive role.
The Pioneers have been just as pivotal with fumbles, forcing eight and recovering five, as the orange and blue defenses has been outstanding in finding momentum-swinging plays. This 8-5 mark is right behind the 15 forced fumbles and seven fumble recoveries that the Pioneers had in 2025 with double the games played.
One last area of note is the Pioneers' redzone capability, or rather, their ability to keep opponents away from the goal line. In four games, opponents have only reached the redzone on eight occasions, going 6-for-8 in redzone conversions and 5-for-8 in converting redzone chances into touchdowns. Averaging only two opposing redzone trips per game is an excellent way to keep opponents off the board. If the Pioneers can find the correct schemes to limit desperate, long-range plays, the defense will be as solid as any in the program's history.
Pioneer Playmakers: Below is a list of each accolade the Pioneers have achieved through three weeks of play.
Week One vs W&J
Logan Frederick -
D3football.com National Team of the Week
Nico Duarte - Empire 8 Special Teams Player of the Week
Nico Duarte - Pioneer Athlete of the Week
Logan Frederick - 1,000 career receiving yards
Week Two vs RPI
Tyshawn Taylor -
D3football.com National Team of the Week
Tyshawn Taylor - Empire 8 Offensive Player of the Week
Blaise Faggiano - 100 Career Head Coaching Wins
Week Three vs Hobart
Jack Lamphere -
D3football.com Week Three Game Ball
Tyshawn Taylor - 1,000 career receiving yards
Week Four at Alfred State
Nico Duarte - Empire 8 Special Teams Player of the Week
Tahjir Fernand -
D3football.com National Team of the Week
Total Awards Count
Team:
Empire 8 Players of the Week: 3
D3football.com Team of the Week: 3
Individual:
Nico Duarte - Empire 8 Player of the Week: 2
Tahjir Fernand -
D3football.com Team of the Week: 1
Logan Frederick -
D3football.com Team of the Week: 1
Jack Lamphere -
D3football.com Game Ball
Tyshawn Taylor - Empire 8 Player of the Week: 1
Tyshawn Taylor -
D3football.com Team of the Week: 1
Orange and Blue Archive - SUNY Cortland: The Pioneers will look to begin battling back in the all-time series against SUNY Cortland this weekend, as Utica enters the matchup with a 1-12 all-time record against the Red Dragons. However, none of those matchups had featured two ranked programs until Saturday's eventual showdown. The two programs first met on October 27, 2001, during the Orange and Blue's inaugural season. The Pioneers' lone win in the series came in 2016, when Utica defended its home field with a 24-13 victory. Cortland has won each of the last eight meetings, including a 28-13 decision last season; however, last season's matchup was extremely tight throughout, and the Pioneers are looking to make the series a closely contested one from now on.
Last season, Utica traveled to Cortland for a conference matchup against the nationally ranked Red Dragons and came away on the short end of the aforementioned 28-13 decision. The Pioneers kept pace with Cortland throughout the afternoon, matching the hosts with 393 yards of total offense and staying within one point in the third quarter. Tyler Szalkowski completed 23 of 39 passes for 339 yards and two touchdowns, connecting with Logan Frederick for a 17-yard score in the first quarter before finding Antonio Cianfarani for a 50-yard touchdown late in the third. Frederick led all players with nine receptions for 135 yards, while Cianfarani added seven catches for 112 yards. Utica's defense also limited standout running back Ethan Gallo to just 55 yards on 14 carries. However, three turnovers, and missed opportunities in the red zone proved costly as Cortland pulled away in the fourth quarter to secure the win.
The 2018 meeting at Gaetano Stadium was one of the most explosive games in the series, with Cortland narrowly escaping with a 45-38 victory. The two teams traded scores throughout the afternoon, combining for 83 points and more than 1,100 yards of total offense. Logan Wilcox put together a standout performance for Utica, completing 30 of 46 passes for 461 yards and four touchdowns. Imani Vincent caught two of those scores, including a 78-yard touchdown in the first quarter and a 25-yard strike in the fourth, while Josh Connor added two touchdown receptions of his own. The Pioneers erased a 38-21 deficit in the second half, scoring 17 unanswered points to tie the game at 38 with just over two minutes remaining. Cortland answered with a touchdown pass with 1:02 left, however, handing Utica a last-second seven-point loss despite the Pioneers' 688 yards of total offense and 32 first downs.
In 2016, the orange and blue defended home field with a 24-13 win over the nationally ranked Red Dragons. The victory helped the Pioneers improve to 4-0 on the season and marked a significant early-season result against a Cortland team ranked No. 23 at the time. Utica built a 12-7 halftime lead before extending its advantage in the second half, with Ryan Burnett providing a pair of key rushing touchdowns, including a 31-yard score in the third quarter. Burnett finished with 144 rushing yards, while quarterback Teddy VanGalen threw for 240 yards. Desmond Akpanoko played a pivotal role on special teams, connecting on four field goals from 28, 24, 20 and 31 yards. His final kick, a 31-yarder with just over three minutes remaining, pushed Utica's lead to 11 and helped seal the 24-13 victory.
Preparing for the Red Dragons: #17 SUNY Cortland enters Saturday's matchup at 4-0, carrying an impressive start into its much-anticipated meeting with #22 Utica. The Red Dragons opened the year with a 28-18 road win over Grove City before shutting out Union 26-0. Cortland then returned home for dominant victories over Hartwick, 55-3, and Morrisville, 62-6. Through four games, the Red Dragons have outscored opponents 171-27, averaging 42.8 points per game while allowing just 6.8. Cortland has also demonstrated its ability to control games on both sides of the ball, combining a productive rushing attack with a defense that has consistently limited opposing offenses. Utica enters the matchup at 4-0 as well, averaging 39.5 points and 461.5 yards of total offense per game - a classic case of unstoppable force vs. immovable object.
Offense: In the past, the Red Dragons boasted a powerful, pass-first offense, operating much like the up-tempo Pioneers have in the past few seasons. However, under second-year head coach Tom Blumenauer, the Cortland offense has shifted to a run-first style, combining designed quarterback runs with a mix of well-executed and methodical passing plays.
The Red Dragons' offense is led by junior quarterback Mike Rescigno, a dual-threat playmaker who can challenge defenses both through the air and on the ground. Rescigno opened the season with 180 passing yards and a touchdown against Grove City, while also rushing for 83 yards and two scores. He followed that performance in week three with a 179-yard, two-touchdown rushing effort against Hartwick, adding 241 passing yards and two touchdown passes in the 55-3 victory. Rescigno's ability to execute looks and create offense with his legs makes him a key focus. However, the Red Dragons' strength comes from the fact that he is far from the only player who requires attention.
Ethan Gallo has also been powerful for the Red Dragon offense, as the senior running back combines with Rescigno to create a devastating one-two punch. Gallo has been a consistent scoring threat of his own, recording 222 rushing yards and five touchdowns through three games. He scored once against Grove City, added two touchdowns against Union, and found the end zone twice more against Hartwick.
Cortland also has depth in the backfield, with Lucas Singleton contributing a rushing touchdown and a receiving score against Hartwick. The Red Dragons continued their ground success against Morrisville, rushing for 314 yards as a team, with Brady Ciano breaking loose for a 47-yard touchdown.
Through the air, Cortland has several targets capable of producing big plays, led by Jacque LaPrarie, Joe Iadevaio, and Jayson Zeva. LaPrarie turned in a standout performance against Morrisville, tying a school record with three touchdown receptions while totaling 91 receiving yards. He also caught a touchdown against Hartwick.. Iadevaio has been a reliable option throughout the opening stretch, leading the team with 12 receptions through the first three games. He caught four passes for 44 yards against Grove City and added three receptions for 42 yards against Hartwick. Zeva has also emerged as a scoring threat, catching a 31-yard touchdown pass against Hartwick before opening the scoring against Morrisville with a seven-yard touchdown reception.
Defense: Cortland's defense has been a major part of its undefeated start, allowing just 27 points through four games while recording a shutout against Union. The Red Dragons held Grove City to 18 points in the season opener, limiting the Wolverines to 85 rushing yards, before delivering a dominant performance against Union. In that 26-0 victory, Cortland held the Garnet Chargers to just 129 total yards and 31 rushing yards while controlling possession for more than 38 minutes. The Red Dragons were even more dominant against Hartwick, surrendering just 96 total yards, including only 10 net rushing yards, while forcing two interceptions and recording three sacks. Cortland carried that momentum into its latest outing, holding Morrisville to 134 total yards and just five first downs in a 62-6 win. The Red Dragons have consistently made it difficult for opponents to sustain drives.
At linebacker, Aidan Lochner and Joe Galea have helped anchor a defense that has been effective at both stopping the run and creating pressure. Lochner led the team with 16 tackles through the first three games, while Galea recorded 14 tackles and a team-high 5.5 tackles for loss, including 3.5 sacks. Whitesboro native Memphis Ferguson has also been productive, totaling 13 tackles and three pass breakups through that stretch. The secondary has contributed to the Red Dragons' disruptive start as well. Shane Reilly and Galea each recorded an interception against Hartwick, while Cortland held Union without a turnover but consistently forced the Garnet Chargers into difficult situations. Against Morrisville, the defense continued to limit the opposition's production, allowing just 100 passing yards and 34 net rushing yards.
Special Teams: Cortland's special teams unit features a reliable kicking option in Cole Callard, who has handled both extra points and field goals. Through the first four games, Callard has converted 21 of 23 extra-point attempts and four of five field-goal tries, including a pair of successful kicks against both Union and Morrisville. His season-long field goal to this point is 34 yards, which he connected on against Union. The Red Dragons have also received consistent punting from Gavin Dandrea, who averaged 40.3 yards per punt through the first three games and posted a 48.5-yard average on two punts against Hartwick.
Keys Against SUNY Cortland:
1: Win the Turnover Battle: In the Pioneers' recent string of games against Cortland, turnovers have been a major reason why the Red Dragons have emerged victorious. Against a battle-tested and veteran group of regining Champions, the Pioneers will need to show that they can also remain strong in the face of pressure and adversity. Cortland is a possession-based, run-heavy team. Gifting the Red Dragons extra possessions can hurt a team even more extensively than against other opposition.
2: Establish the Run: Against an extremely tough Cortland defense, the Pioneers will need to remain multidimensional, and not rely too much on similar plays. Last year, the Pioneers had success through the air, but struggled on the ground, leading to a lot of long-distance third and fourth down plays. If the running game is as strong as last weekend against Alfred State, the Pioneers will put themselves in a great position to take and hold a lead against the reigning conference champions.
3: Control the Atmosphere: Saturday's game is going to be one of the most anticipated matchups in Utica football history, however, for the teams on the field, it is simply another chance to go out and test the mettle against a strong opponent. The Pioneers will have an extremely effective backing, featuring in the Homecoming crowd and a stadium full of fans who are itching to see the blue and orange defeat their longtime conference opponent. The Pioneers will need to remain level amongst the tension and pressure, and approach the Red Dragons as equals.
This Weekend's Game Sponsor: First Source will be there on Saturday to celebrate homecoming with all of our wonderful teachers, thanks to their sponsorship of Utica University Athletics and the Utica University football team. First Source was founded as Utica Teachers' Federal Credit Union in 1938. Education has always been a key component to who they are at their core, and they are happy to be able to give back to the educational community at Saturday's game. First Source is also a long-time supporter of Utica University Athletics and is entrenched in the local community, where they can often be found volunteering, fundraising, and giving back. First Source offers a full suite of teen solutions from checking accounts with debit cards, to teen auto loans and credit cards. Let them help your teen learn smart money habits and start building good credit today! You can learn more about First Source Federal Credit Union at fsource.org.
Along with all of the events put on by First Source, there will also be another special group of Utica icons that will be a part of the action on Saturday:
Pioneer Hall of Fame - Class of 2026: This weekend, Utica Athletics will be welcoming three inductees into the Pioneer Hall of Fame. There will be a special ceremony at halftime of the game to honor these three. This year's class consists of men's lacrosse great Matt Donaldson, softball great Alysa (Russell) Wotten, and the 1970 Utica Football Team. For more information on these individuals and their induction, you can view our official Hall of Fame release by heading to this link:
https://uticapioneers.com/news/2026/8/5/general-utica-university-athletics-announces-2026-hall-of-fame-class.aspx
After Battling Alfred State: The Pioneers will hit the road next Saturday to take on Morrisville State. That game at Drake Field kicks off at 12:00 PM on Saturday, October 10th.
Tune in on Saturday as the Pioneers welcome SUNY Cortland for a Homecoming Classic!