Football | 9/19/2026 7:04:00 PM
UTICA, NY - The Utica University football team took down Hobart for the second time in the program's history this afternoon, using a forceful first half to create an edge, ultimately winning 36-29 over the Statesmen to improve to 3-0 for the first time since 2023.
The Pioneers built a 23-0 halftime advantage before holding off a furious fourth-quarter comeback from the Statesmen to secure the seven-point victory during the team's annual Mohawk Valley Challengers Day Game. The orange and blue's depth proved to be a major factor throughout the afternoon, with several players stepping up off the bench in critical moments to help the hosts remain undefeated.
The Pioneers opened the scoring with just 21 seconds remaining in the first quarter, as Matthew Pallouras punched in the season's first Raven set score, a two-yard touchdown run to give Utica a 6-0 advantage. After a blocked extra point, the Pioneer defense held firm to preserve the early lead throughout the half. The offense then extended the advantage early in the second quarter when Tyler Szalkowski found Gabriel Zawolo for a 20-yard touchdown. Nico Duarte later connected on a 31-yard field goal before the defense produced another massive play, as Jack Lamphere scooped up a Hobart fumble and returned it 24 yards for a touchdown with 49 seconds remaining in the half. The play sent Utica into the locker room with a commanding 23-0 lead.
Hobart finally broke through early in the third quarter, but the Pioneers answered once again. Szalkowski connected with Zawolo for their second touchdown of the afternoon, this time from three yards out, giving Utica a 29-7 advantage. The Statesmen would not go quietly, however, scoring 22 fourth-quarter points to make things interesting down the stretch. The Pioneers responded with a lengthy fourth-quarter drive that covered 75 yards on 12 plays, with Logan Hewitt finding the end zone on an orthodox play from the goal line with 3:20 remaining. Pallouras attempted to break the plane on a designed QB run, fumbling the ball just before the goal line. However, Hewitt was on the spot, recording his first career touchdown on a game-sealing fumble recovery. The touchdown pushed Utica's lead back to two scores and proved to be a critical answer before Hobart scored one final touchdown to bring the game to its final margin of 36-29.
A major key in the victory was Utica's ability to consistently sustain drives. The Pioneers finished with 27 first downs and 397 yards of total offense while converting 8-of-12 third-down opportunities. Utica also controlled the clock for 34:23 and held the ball for nearly nine minutes longer than Hobart, despite an 11-minute drive to start the second half by Hobart.
The Pioneers, who were the top vote-getter in this week's
D3football.com Top 25 rankings, will await the results of this weekend's games for the potential of receiving the program's second-ever ranking inside D3football.com's weekly poll.
Saturday Spotlight: Saturday's victory was a dashing display of the Pioneers' depth. While the Pioneers received major statistical contributions from several of their regular starters, many players who typically operate outside of the spotlight came through in major moments.
The aforementioned Hewitt was one of those players. The third-string tight end was called upon in a critical fourth-quarter situation and delivered the game-sealing touchdown. The score came with just 3:20 remaining and gave Utica a 36-22 advantage, providing a crucial two-touchdown cushion during a frantic fourth quarter.
Jack Lamphere made perhaps the biggest play of the afternoon before halftime. The backup safety recovered a Hobart fumble, which was forced by starting cornerback Jah-Kobiah Cancer, and raced 24 yards to the end zone, turning a defensive takeaway into seven points and pushing the Pioneer lead to 23-0 with less than a minute remaining in the first half. Lamphere also added two tackles and a key pass breakup in the victory.
Speaking of pass breakups, Calvin Crews also made his presence felt in the secondary. The backup cornerback, who previously played wide receiver, recorded two tackles and two pass breakups as he contributed in a major spot for the Pioneer defense. Both of his breakups prevented sure-touchdowns, helping keep Hobart off the scoreboard.
The local flavor continued with Tony Dorozynski, a backup wide receiver from neighboring Whitesboro. Dorozynski came through with three receptions for 51 yards, including catches of 14 and 18 yards that moved the chains for the Pioneer offense. He also snatched a massive one-handed grab near the end of the first half to help generate even more Pioneer momentum. His performance, along with those of Hewitt and Lamphere, represented another strong showing from the Central New York recruiting pipeline that continues to provide depth for the orange and blue.
The four players also represented the importance of the entire Pioneer roster. Three of the four are Section III products and local Central New York recruits, and all four were able to make meaningful contributions when their opportunities arrived.
Offensive Highlights: The Pioneers finished the afternoon with 397 total yards against a staunch Statesmen defense. Szalkowski completed 33 of his 42 passes, spreading the ball around to seven different receivers while avoiding a turnover through the air. That last part was extremely key, as the Hobart secondary was coming off of a five-interception showing the prior week against Brockport. The senior signal-caller's 79% completion percentage completed the clinical performance, with Szalkowski having a great day against a superb Hobart defense.
Zawolo continued his impressive start to the season, totaling 11 receptions for 111 yards and two touchdowns one week after going for 13 catches, 104 yards, and one touchdown. Frederick also surpassed the century mark with 12 catches for 103 yards, while Taylor added five receptions for 50 yards. Dorozynski chipped in three catches for 51 yards, providing timely production from the backup wide receiver spot.
On the ground, Eze Frazier led the way with 75 yards on 20 carries. Additionally, Drevariis Yeomas finished with 19 yards on four carries, but toted the rock for an average of 4.8 yards per carry, taking advantage of his touches.
Defensive Highlights: The Pioneer defense came through with several major plays throughout the afternoon, forcing one Hobart turnover and turning it into seven points on Lamphere's 24-yard fumble return touchdown. The orange and blue also recorded four sacks and eight tackles for loss while holding the Statesmen scoreless through the first half.
Mason Miranowicz was particularly disruptive on the interior, putting together one of the strongest defensive performances of the afternoon. Miranowicz recorded four tackles, two tackles for loss, and two sacks for seven yards, consistently creating pressure from the middle of the Pioneer defensive front.
Darrien Insogna added three tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks, while Jah-Kobiah Cancer had an all-around excellent matchup, recording three tackles, two tackles for loss, a forced fumble, and a pass breakup. Austin DeGroat had a breakout matchup on the left side, as he led the Pioneers with seven tackles, while Andrew Lake and Isaiah Thomas each recorded six tackles.
The Pioneer secondary also came up with several timely plays. Crews recorded two pass breakups, while Lamphere added another. Jordyn Davis contributed a pass breakup from the interior defensive line and also grabbed a quarterback hurry as Utica worked to contain a Hobart passing attack that eventually produced 261 yards and three touchdowns.
The Specialists: Duarte connected on a 31-yard field goal in the second quarter and added three successful extra points for the Pioneers, remaining perfect from the spot on the season. Gavin Grech also had an under-the-radar highlight, as the 6'5, 285-pound offensive lineman chased down a blocked kick recovery, tackling the runner in the open field to prevent extra points for the visiting Statesmen. Utica's special teams also helped maintain field position throughout the afternoon as the Pioneers controlled the game for long stretches.
Up Next: The Pioneers will travel to Alfred next Saturday for a showdown with the opposing Pioneers. Next weekend will be the Pioneers' fourth straight facing a team with zero losses, as the two 3-0 programs are set for a 1:00 PM kickoff.
Scoring Summary:
1st Quarter
0:21 | 6-0 UTC | Matthew Pallouras – 2-yard rush (kick blocked) – 11 plays, 60 yards (5:50)
2nd Quarter
9:05 | 13-0 UTC | [Gabriel Zawolo] – 20-yard pass from Tyler Szalkowski (Nico Duarte kick) – 9 plays, 70 yards (4:12)
1:08 | 16-0 UTC | Nico Duarte – 31-yard field goal – 10 plays, 59 yards (3:32)
0:49 | 23-0 UTC | Jack Lamphere – 24-yard fumble recovery (Nico Duarte kick) – 0 plays, 0 yards (0:12)
3rd Quarter
12:52 | 23-7 UTC | E.J. Taylor – 47-yard rush (McNulty kick) – 3 plays, 58 yards (1:59)
7:28 | 29-7 UTC | Gabriel Zawolo – 3-yard pass from Tyler Szalkowski (kick blocked) – 13 plays, 85 yards (5:17)
4th Quarter
11:39 | 29-14 UTC | Timothy McKeever – 10-yard pass from Aidan Conrath (E.J. Taylor rush) – 19 plays, 75 yards (10:49)
10:10 | 29-22 UTC | Timothy McKeever – 27-yard pass from Aidan Conrath (McNulty kick) – 2 plays, 32 yards (0:43)
3:20 | 36-22 UTC | Logan Hewitt – Fumble Recovery Touchdown (Nico Duarte kick) – 12 plays, 75 yards (6:50)
2:04 | 36-29 UTC | E.J. Taylor – 69-yard pass from Aidan Conrath (McNulty kick) – 4 plays, 71 yards (0:51)