Football | 9/15/2026 10:00:00 AM
Utica University senior wide receiver
Tyshawn Taylor and SUNY Brockport sophomore linebacker
Nazhier Wilson were named to the D3football.com Team of the Week for Week 2 of the 2026 Division III College Football season on Tuesday, Sept. 15.
Taylor, who hails from Syracuse, NY, hauled in just eight receptions, but turned them into a career-high 244 yards, totaling the second-most single-game receiving yards in program history. Taylor capped off his stellar showing with a 69-yard touchdown, powering the Pioneer offense throughout the afternoon in a 38-14 win over Rensselaer. He had catches of 69, 51, 38, and 31 in the win, with each of his eight receptions going for over 10 yards as he produced 30.5 yards per reception. He was named the Empire 8 Offensive Player of the Week on Monday.
Wilson, a native of Rochester, NY, set a new career-high in solo, assisted, and total tackles in Brockport's contest at Hobart Saturday. The second-year linebacker finished with seven solo and 10 assisted tackles for 17 on the afternoon. Wilson also put pressure on the Statesmen quarterback, getting credited with three hurries.
All eight E8 teams are in action on Saturday, Sept. 19 with Hartwick traveling to SUNY Cortland to begin the regular season league schedule. The remaining six teams are all in action against Liberty League opponents. Alfred University hosts St. Lawrence and SUNY Morrisville hosts Union at noon, while Brockport takes on Rensselaer. Utica, St. John Fisher University and Alfred State College all look to go to 3-0 in 2026. Utica hosts Hobart at 1 p.m. and Alfred State heads to Buffalo State for a 1 p.m. kickoff, while the Cardinals host University of Rochester at 2 p.m.
Here is the complete 2026 Empire 8 football schedule.
2026 Empire 8 D3football.com Team of the Week Recipients
Sept. 15 (Week 1) - Tyshawn Taylor, WR, Utica
Sept. 15 (Week 1) - Nazhier Wilson, LB, SUNY Brockport
Sept. 8 (Week 1) - Jack Bierman, LB, St. John Fisher
Sept. 8 (Week 1) - Noah Currier, RB, Alfred State
Sept. 8 (Week 1) - Logan Frederick, TE, Utica
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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