Box Score

UTICA, NY – Wilkes University was tied with undefeated Utica College at seven apiece at halftime but was then outscored by the Pioneers 17-3 in the second half as the Colonels fell 24-10 in Saturday's non-conference football game at Charles A. Gaetano Stadium.

The first quarter ended scoreless after neither team was able to put together a full drive. Wilkes (1-2) was able to push it to the Utica 37-yard line on its third possession, but ended up pinning the Pioneers deep on a punt from Chris Horn (New Tripoli, Northwestern Lehigh).

Utica (4-0) opened up the scoring on its first possession of the second quarter, taking over at the Colonels 46-yard line and taking it the rest of the way in five plays and getting an 11-yard touchdown pass from Andrew Benkwitt to Joshua Mason.

The next Wilkes drive would stall after three plays, but the ensuing punt would be fumbled by the Pioneers as the Colonels recovered, starting their drive at the Utica nine-yard line after a penalty. They wasted little time, getting a touchdown run from Zach Tivald (Edison, NJ, Edison) on the first play, knotting the score at 7-7.

The Pioneers did put together a drive at the end of the half, but it would stall after penalties and a Wilkes sack from Ryan Clifford (Raritan, NJ, Bridgewater) and Chris Swinarski (Old Bridge, Old Bridge).

Utica came out efficient in the third quarter, scoring on each of its three drives to take a commanding lead. The Pioneers first drive ended with a TJ Losowski 36-yard field goal to take a three-point advantage. The Colonels started to put something together on the next possession but a sack on third down forced a punt that would be partially blocked by Utica and the Pioneers took over at the Wilkes 39. Utica capitalized on the good field position, getting a 14-yard pass from Benkwitt to Jeremy Meier as the Pioneers took a 17-7 lead.

The next Utica drive again started in Colonels territory as the Pioneers intercepted Marc Persing's (Coal Township, Shamonkin) pass, returning in to the Wilkes 40-yard line. On the third play of the drive, two plays after a 20-yard run by Justin Becker, Benkwitt threw for his third touchdown, a 22-yarder to Matt Dunn as the Pioneers took a 24-7 lead into the fourth quarter.

After stuffing the Utica's second drive of the fourth quarter, getting a sack from Rob Houseknecht (South Williamsport, South Williamsport), the Colonels blocked the Pioneers ensuing punt, recovering it at the Utica 23-yard line with 5:38 left in the game. Wilkes ended up settling for a 39-yard field goal from Horn, narrowing its deficit to 24-10 where it would stay, and giving the Pioneers the win.

Benkwittt ended 22-of-35 for 239 yards and those three scores while Becker led the Pioneers ground game with 117 yards on 13 carries.

Tivald finished the day with 70 yards on 17 carries and a score. The Colonels were led defensively by Kevin Gerhart (Hummelstown, Lower Dauphin), who had 16 tackles. Tate Moore-Jacobs (New Cumberland, Cedar Cliff) had 15 tackles, his third straight game with at least 13, and Clifford added nine tackles, a sack and two tackles-for-loss.

The Colonels will look to get back on the winning side next Saturday as their open up their Freedom Conference schedule hosting Albright College at the Ralston Athletic Complex on Homecoming. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m.