Football | 10/24/2026 7:41:00 PM
UTICA, NY – Pioneer football returned from the bye in a big way on Saturday afternoon, shutting out Alfred University 35-0 while allowing just six rushing yards and holding the ball for over 40 minutes as they dominated the ground game against a tough Saxon squad. This was the Pioneers' first home shutout since a 2023 win over St. John Fisher, and only the second shutout at Gaetano Stadium since a 43-0 win over Frostburg State in 2012.
The Pioneers improved to 6-1 overall and 3-1 in Empire 8 play with the win.
The orange and blue controlled the contest from the opening whistle, scoring once in each of the first three quarters before adding two more touchdowns in the fourth. The Pioneer defense forced four interceptions, consistently disrupted Alfred's offense, and kept the visitors off the scoreboard for all 60 minutes. Meanwhile, the hosts controlled possession for 40:16, recorded 25 first downs, and accumulated 430 yards of total offense.
The afternoon began with an exciting intro, as senior linebacker Nick DiStefano energized the pink-clad crowd by shredding the national anthem on an electric guitar. You can find footage of that intro here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkNIpx7c9nc
The Pioneers opened the scoring with 43 seconds remaining in the first quarter, as Drevariis Yeomas punched in a four-yard touchdown run to cap a six-play, 59-yard drive. Yeomas found the end zone again late in the second quarter, finishing a nine-play, 66-yard drive with a seven-yard scoring run to send Utica into halftime with a 14-0 advantage.
The hosts extended their lead midway through the third quarter when quarterback Tyler Szalkowski powered into the end zone from one yard out, capping an eight-play drive that began following another defensive stop, along with two overturned touchdowns on the pair of plays immediately preceding the score. The Pioneers added to their advantage later in the quarter when Szalkowski connected with Logan Frederick for a 13-yard touchdown pass to make it 28-0.
The offense put the finishing touches on the shutout early in the fourth quarter. After the defense came up with another takeaway, Szalkowski found Tyshawn Taylor for a 32-yard touchdown strike, bringing the score to its final margin of 35-0.
The Pioneer defense was relentless throughout the afternoon, limiting Alfred to just 112 total yards and forcing four interceptions from a Saxons team that had thrown only one interception through its first six games. Nathan Hernandez recorded his sixth interception of the season, which is one pick away from tying the all-time single-season record set by Jon Klosner in 2002. Hernandez also returned it 24 yards to set up a Utica touchdown on the following few plays. The Pioneers also received interceptions from Tahjir Fernand and Andrew Lake, with Fernand grabbing a pair of picks.
The defensive front made life difficult for Alfred all day, recording three sacks and four tackles for loss while holding the Saxons to just 6 rushing yards on 18 attempts. Jordyn Davis, Nicholas DeForrest, and Darrien Insogna each recorded a sack, helping the Pioneers consistently disrupt Alfred's backfield.
Offensively, Utica rushed for 216 yards on 47 attempts, averaging 4.6 yards per carry, while adding 214 yards through the air. Szalkowski completed 18 passes for 214 yards and two touchdowns, spreading the ball across the field as the Pioneers balanced their attack. Tyler Hall led the rushing committee with 74 yards on 16 carries, while Yeomas contributed 48 yards and two touchdowns on 10 attempts. Micah Davis added 27 yards on four carries, and Szalkowski chipped in 51 rushing yards and a touchdown of his own, even adding a few nifty jukes to get by a few Saxon defenders.
Saturday Spotlight: Saturday's shutout was powered by a dominant performance from the Pioneer defensive line and linebackers, who combined to nearly completely erase Alfred's ground game, allowing just six total yards.
The six-yard rushing total represents Utica's lowest mark allowed since surrendering just one rushing yard against Hartwick in 2024. The Pioneers consistently won battles at the line of scrimmage, limiting Alfred to just one rushing first down and preventing the Saxons from establishing any rhythm on the ground. Davis, DeForrest, and Insogna led the pass rush with one sack apiece, while Isaiah Thomas, Luke Sheldon, and Mason Miranowicz were among the contributors who helped keep Alfred's offense in check.
Up Next: The Pioneers will now look towards a big battle at St. John Fisher next Saturday, taking on a Cardinal team that nearly upset SUNY Cortland in the Dragon's Den. That game kicks off at 2:00 PM next Saturday at Growney Stadium.
Scoring Summary:
1st Quarter
0:43 | 7-0 UTC | Drevariis Yeomas – 4-yard rush (Nico Duarte kick) – 6 plays, 59 yards (3:23)
2nd Quarter
1:23 | 14-0 UTC | Drevariis Yeomas – 7-yard rush (Nico Duarte kick) – 9 plays, 66 yards (2:49)
3rd Quarter
3:30 | 21-0 UTC | Tyler Szalkowski – 1-yard rush (Nico Duarte kick) – 8 plays, 11 yards (4:11)
9:49 | 28-0 UTC | Logan Frederick – 13-yard pass from Tyler Szalkowski (Nico Duarte kick) – 12 plays, 64 yards (7:13)
4th Quarter
1:15 | 35-0 UTC | Tyshawn Taylor – 32-yard pass from Tyler Szalkowski (Nico Duarte kick) – 9 plays, 80 yards (5:40)