Pioneers battle Utica Tough but can't Overcome Big 3rd Quarter

A 22-point 3rd quarter lifted Utica College over Alfred State, 39-21, in the 2021 season opener for both teams. Utica led 16-14 before scoring 16 unanswered points.

Utica got on the board first on a 30 yard field goal by Maki Medici just under five minutes into the game. Alfred State answered back on the their next offensive play when Aaron Jenkins (Canfield, OH) connected with Roman Napoleon (Allegany Limestone) on a 75-yard touchdown pass.

Utica scored the lone points in the 2nd quarter on a 19-yard touchdown pass from Sonny Badyna to Elijah Parker. Utica went to the locker rooms with a 10-7 advantage.

They made it a nine-point game when they drove down the field on the opening possession of the 2nd half and scored when Badyna recovered a fumble by one of his teammates in the endzone.

Napoleon and Jenkins connected again two plays later on a 62-yard pass play to cut it 16-14. 

Utica scored the next 16 points on a eight-yard touchdown run by Badyna, a one-yard pass from Badyna to Cliff Manns, and safety recorded by Anthony Novello.

Alfred State scored their last points of the game with 12:30 remaining when Jake Palmer (Voorheesville) dove in from one yard out. The score came one play after Jenkins connected with Shy'rel Broadwater (Cicero North Syracuse) on a 38-yard pass play. 

Neither team got much going until Utica added an insurance score when Badyna hit Nate Palmer on a 54-yard pass play to make it 39-21.

Jenkins passed for 250 yards on the day and two scores. Napoleon caught five passes for 164 yards (124 yards after catch) while Broadwater had two catches for 62.

Joel Smith (Livonia) led the defense with 12 tackles (four for a loss) while Rylie Van Fleet (Maine Endwell) chipped in ten with two pass break-ups.

Badyna finished 27 for 44 for 350 yards and three scores. Nate Palmer caught nine passes for 180 yards and a score to lead the way. John Stroughn and Kwasi Addo both had five tackles and a sack for the defense.

Alfred State travels down 390 next weekend for a Noon kickoff with the University of Rochester.