Pioneers Head to Buffalo State on Saturday

Posted on Oct 19 2016 - 12:25pm by Jeff Pexton
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Courtesy of Utica College Sports Information Dept.

 

Utica, NY – The Utica College football team is in the receiving votes category of the D3football.com and American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) National Polls released Monday. The Pioneers are receiving one vote in each poll after topping 13th-ranked St. John Fisher College, 23-6, for the first time in program-history on Saturday in Empire 8 Conference play at Charles A. Gaetano.

Utica is making its third appearance of the season in the D3football.com receiving votes category.  The Pioneers received six votes after defeating nationally-ranked Ohio Northern in Week Two.  Utica then received 21 votes after improving to 4-0 with a win over nationally-ranked Cortland State in week four.

 

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The Pioneers are now 5-2 overall for just the fourth time in program-history, matching their record through seven games which they also recorded in 2010, 2011 and 2012.

Utica’s offense currently ranks 21st in the country and leads the Empire 8 Conference with 156 first downs this season.  The Pioneers also rank 13th nationally and first in the Empire 8 with an average of 25.25 yards per kickoff return.

Senior quarterback Teddy VanGalen (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa) ranks 20th in the country with 1,785 total passing yards and he leads the Empire 8 with 22.57 completions per game.  Senior Jerred Beniquez (Port Ewen, NY/Kingston) ranks 18th nationally and leads the E8 with an average of 8.0 receptions per game.  Freshman running back Lindell Reed (Rome, NY/Rome Free Academy) ranks 33rd nationally with eight rushing touchdowns this season.

 

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The Pioneers will return to action against host Buffalo State (4-2, 2-2 E8) on Saturday in hopes of avenging last year’s home loss to the Bengals. Game time is set for 12 p.m. The ESPN Utica Rome broadcast of the contest can be heard live right here on midyorksportsreport.com