Schenectady, NY - The Utica University football team headed to Schenectady with designs on a big win. With some resolve in the second half, they made their goals reality. Down 24-7 at halftime, the Pioneers outscored #25 Union 24-0 in the second half and went on to win 31-24 in a non-conference game held at Union's Frank Bailey Field.
The win improves Utica to 4-0 overall for the first time since the 2016 season, when the Pioneers knocked off nationally-ranked Ohio Northern and SUNY Cortland on their way to a quartet of season-opening wins. Union falls to 3-1. The Pioneers take a 5-2 lead in the all-time series while snapping a two game skid in games played against the Dutchmen.
Nate Palmer was the hero of the game for the Pioneers with two clutch plays down the stretch. Palmer caught a nine yard touchdown pass from Braeden Zenelovic with 11:44 left that set up the tying extra point, then ran back a 43 yard punt return for a touchdown as Utica got the ball back following the next Union series. He had six catches for 92 yards and the tying score. Travis Decker had two catches for 74 yards and a 68-yard touchdown reception. Joey Nare made six catches for 51 yards.
Zenelovic had a fine day at quarterback with 274 yards passing and a pair of touchdown passes. He completed 21 of 28 passes on a highly efficient day. James Salles was Utica's leading rusher with 40 yards on the ground.
Defensively, the Pioneers did not allow a point in the second half, which bought time for the team to rally in dramatic fashion. Defensive back Dan Amady had a sparkling day with eleven total tackles and a tackle for loss. Defensive linemen Jimmie Warren and John Stroughn had eight tackles apiece, with two of Warren's going for a loss. Joey Lipani added on an interception. Star wide receiver Andre Ross was held to just one catch for 31 yards and was targeted just three times.
Cory Lichtman finished the day 1-for-2 on field goal attempts.
The Pioneers held a 363-327 edge in total offense, fueled by a 274-103 advantage in passing yards. The Dutchmen were just 5-of-13 on third down, while Utica thrived at 8-of-14. The Pioneers also held the edge in time of possession.
Union held the first two scores of the game to build a 10-0 lead by the early stages of the second quarter. Andre Ross hauled in a 31 yard pass from Union quarterback Donovan Pacatte with 8:22 left in the first quarter, and Andre Lau connected on a 30 yard field goal with 11:14 left in the second quarter.
The Pioneers got on the board with 9:38 left in the half as Travis Decker hauled in a 68 yard touchdown pass from Zenelovic. The kick was good, and the Pioneers trimmed the hole down to 10-7. Union opened up their largest lead of the game at halftime on an 84 yard run by All-American running back Ike Irabor, and a one yard touchdown run by Mike Fiore to assume a 24-7 halftime advantage.
From there, the rally was on. With 6:26 to go, a quarterback scramble by Brandon Belott nearly went haywire, as he fumbled while approaching the Union goal line. Offensive lineman Ryan Walker was there to collect the loose change, as he recovered the fumble for his first collegiate touchdown with 6:26 left in the third quarter. A Cory Lichtman field goal of 19 yards in the final minute of the frame trimmed the deficit down to 17-24.
In the fourth, Nate Palmer set up the tying extra point with his nine yard touchdown reception. That capped off a quick four play, 67 yard scoring drive that knotted the game at 24 points apiece.
The defense dug in its heels to force a three-and-out, and that's where Palmer worked his magic again. On the ensuing punt by Lau, Palmer fielded the ball and scampered 43 yards to pay dirt for the winning score. The Utica defensive unit controlled the game the rest of the way, as the Dutchmen did not convert another first down on their way to the home loss.
The Pioneers return home on Saturday, October 1st for their homecoming game against Hartwick. The Pioneers' E8 opener starts at 1 p.m.