Football | 10/31/2026 8:06:00 PM
PITTSFORD, NY - Scary good. That was the sentiment for a stellar Pioneer offense during a 35-14 Halloween Day victory over a tough St. John Fisher squad over in Rochester, as the team piled up 425 yards, averaged 5.4 yards per play, went 9-for-13 on third down, and scored on all five redzone trips.
The Pioneers came out firing, building a 21-0 lead over the Cardinals before halftime and never relinquishing control. Utica improved to 7-1 overall and 4-1 in conference play with the win, while Fisher fell to 5-3 and 2-3 in the Empire 8.
Saturday Spotlight: The Pioneer offense put together a tremendous all-around performance, led by a record-chasing afternoon from
Tyler Szalkowski. The senior quarterback completed 36-of-43 passes for 259 yards and three touchdowns without throwing an interception, consistently moving the Pioneers down the field against a tough Cardinal defense.
Szalkowski finished just two completions shy of the program's single-game record, while helping Utica sustain drives and dominate time of possession. The Pioneers held the ball for nearly 38 minutes, putting together a balanced and efficient offensive effort that helped them build an early three-touchdown advantage and maintain control throughout the matchup.
Offensive Highlights: As a whole, the Pioneers finished with 425 yards of total offense, including 259 through the air and 166 on the ground. The Pioneers recorded 31 first downs while converting 11 of their 15 combined third- and fourth-down opportunities.
The rushing attack was once again paced by
Drevariis Yeomas, who turned in another strong performance with 115 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries. The Section V product was powerful in his return to Rochester, as he averaged 5.2 yards per carry and found the end zone on a 13-yard run in the second quarter, extending Utica's lead to 21-0.
Through the air,
Logan Frederick and
Gabriel Zawolo led the way. Frederick hauled in 14 receptions for 132 yards and two touchdowns, while Zawolo added 11 catches for 46 yards. Both receivers entered Saturday's matchup ranked among the top 50 players in Division III in receptions, and lived up to the label during the contest. Frederick's 14 catches also tied the Utica single-game program record, matching the mark set by Jerred Beniquez in 2016.
Frederick opened the scoring with a six-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter before adding an 18-yard scoring catch early in the second. Fellow tight end and Rochester native
Scotty Thompson capped the scoring for the Pioneers with an important five-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter, extending the lead to 35-7.
Defensive Highlights: The Pioneer defense continued its dominant work up front, limiting St. John Fisher to just 50 rushing yards on 14 attempts. After allowing only six rushing yards the previous week, Utica's defensive front followed with another impressive performance, holding the Cardinals' leading rusher, senior quarterback Ryan Whitney, to just 39 yards on the ground.
The Pioneers also made life difficult for the Fisher offense on third down, allowing the Cardinals to convert just one of eight opportunities. Utica brought consistent pressure throughout the afternoon, recording two sacks, seven quarterback hurries and seven pass breakups.
Austin DeGroat led the way up front with three total tackles, including two sacks for a loss of seven yards, while also adding a pass breakup.
Jordyn Davis contributed two quarterback hurries and a tackle for loss, helping keep pressure on Whitney throughout the contest.
In the secondary,
Andrew Lake recorded seven tackles, a pass breakup and a quarterback hurry.
Isaiah Thomas added six tackles, while
Joseph Gentile finished with five tackles and two pass breakups. The Pioneers held Fisher to 298 total yards, 127 fewer than their own offensive output.
Up Next: The Pioneers have outscored their opponents 70-14 since exiting the bye week, and will look to do the same next Saturday against Hartwick in the penultimate game of the regular season. Kickoff for next Saturday's contest is scheduled for 1:00 PM at Wright Stadium. The Pioneers will return home the following Saturday for a Senior Day showdown with SUNY Brockport.
Scoring Summary:
1st Quarter
5:40 | 7-0 UTC | Frederick – 6-yard pass from Szalkowski (Duarte kick) – 15 plays, 77 yards (9:14)
2nd Quarter
13:14 | 14-0 UTC | Frederick – 18-yard pass from Szalkowski (Duarte kick) – 1 play, 18 yards (0:06)
5:11 | 21-0 UTC | Yeomas – 13-yard rush (Duarte kick) – 8 plays, 69 yards (4:40)
3rd Quarter
3:54 | 28-0 UTC | Szalkowski – 1-yard rush (Duarte kick) – 11 plays, 46 yards (4:41)
2:18 | 28-7 UTC | Jackson Cusack – 11-yard pass from Ryan Whitney (Logan Laratta kick) – 3 plays, 71 yards (1:29)
4th Quarter
11:32 | 35-7 UTC | Thompson – 5-yard pass from Szalkowski (Duarte kick) – 12 plays, 72 yards (5:38)
1:06 | 35-14 UTC | Cusack – 15-yard pass from Whitney (Laratta kick) – 13 plays, 78 yards (2:00)