Men's Football

OFFICIAL HOME OF UTICA COLLEGE ATHLETICS

UC FOOTBALL BACK TO ITS WINNING WAYS WITH 43-7 ROMP OF ANNA MARIA

Men's Football

Release Date

10/10/2009
[Go to UC Sports News]

#10 Cody Elliot

BOX SCORE

PAXTON, Mass. –The Utica College football team (3-3, 0-2 E8) defeated host Anna Maria College (0-6) 43-7 in non conference play Saturday in Paxton, MA. The Pioneers jumped out to a 33-0 first half lead and never looked back en route to snapping a three game skid. The Pioneers grossed 503 yards of total offense, good for third all-time in the program's nine year history, including 225 yards rushing and 278 yards passing.

Senior wide receiver Cody Elliot became the College's all-time leader in receiving yards after snagging four balls for 133 yards and a touchdown. He now has 146 career catches for 1,847 yards receiving in 34 games dawning the blue and orange. Zach Jones rushed the ball nine times for 45 yards and a touchdown and he also caught one pass, on the Pioneers first drive of the game, for 40 yards and a touchdown. Don Pinnisi totaled a career-high and team-high nine tackles, while Chris Walrath added seven tackles and one sack for the Pioneer defense. Sophomore kicker Dennis Avdic knocked down a school-record 50 yard field goal and also added a 47 yard field goal for Utica.

Recap From Anna Maria Sports Information Office -

After winning the coin toss and electing to receive, the Pioneers scored the first touchdown of the contest in a quick three-play drive. Freshman quarterback Andrew Benkwitt (Mamaroneck, N.Y.) opened the game with a 35-yard pass to Cody Elliot (Sloan, N.Y.) who leaped over two Anna Maria defenders to come down with the reception. After Anna Maria stuffed the ensuing running play for no gain, Benkwitt swung a screen pass to running back Zach Jones (Blossvale, N.Y.), who broke three tackles on his 40-yard run to pay dirt.

On the following kickoff, Anna Maria fumbled, allowing the Pioneers to recovery on the 31 yard line of Anna Maria. Zach Jones rushed four times for 30 yards, including a two yard touchdown run to cap off the drive.

Nearing the end of the first quarter, Lamar Jones (East Longmeadow, Mass.) intercepted Andrew Benkwitt, setting up Anna Maria inside Utica territory. The AMCATS could not capitalize on the turnover, following up the interception with a three-and-out. The Pioneers took over on the Anna Maria 20 after the Kevin Kelly (Rochdale, Mass.) punt sailed out of the end zone. It didn’t take long for them to respond, as the ensuing drive took only two plays, the first being a Tim Millerick (Whitman, Mass.) 12-yard reception, and the latter being a Cody Elliot 68-yard touchdown, giving the Pioneers a 21-0 advantage at the end of the first frame.

Utica started the second quarter with the ball on the Anna Maria 49 when William Northey (Sherburne, N.Y.) ripped a 19-yard run on the first play. Mark Jones (East Longmeadow, Mass.) made a defensive stuff and Nii Quartey (Worcester, Mass.) deflected a pass to halt the Pioneers’ drive, however, Denis Avdic (Utica, N.Y.) booted a 47-yard field goal to tack on three more points for the visitors.

The special teams woes continued for the AMCATS, as they fumbled the subsequent kick off from the Pioneers for the third time in the half. Anna Maria recovered at their own three, but were forced to punt again. The snap to Kevin Kelly was botched, sailing out of the back of the end zone and leading to a safety for Utica.

Following the free kick, William Northey rushed four times for 38 yards, including a 30-yard run, which set up his 1-yard touchdown plunge. Neither team scored again during the half, as the visitors took a 33-0 lead into the locker room. The Pioneers amassed over 300 yards of total offense in the half, including 192 passing from Andrew Benkwitt, while Anna Maria could only muster 37 total yards.

In the third quarter, the Pioneers ran their consecutive points-scored streak to 43, receiving a booming 50-yard field goal from Denis Avdic and a five-yard touchdown run by freshman Dan McNamara (Amsterdam, N.Y.).

Anna Maria finally got on the board following a fumble recovery by Anthony Colon (Fitchburg, Mass.) at the Utica 38 yard line. The AMCATS marched down the field on a nine play, four minute drive led by Nate Adames (Salem, N.H.). Adames grinded out 21 yards on seven carries while Jose Rivera (Lawerence, Mass.) capped the drive with a one-yard touchdown sneak.

The AMCATS played much better football in the second half, allowing just 10 points, while outscoring Utica 7-0 in the final quarter.

Andrew Benkwitt (218 passing yards, 2 TDs), Cody Elliot (133 receiving yards, TD), William Northey, Zach Jones, and Dan McNamara (Rushing TD each) starred for the Pioneers, while Nii Quarterly (10 tackles, 1 deflection), Jose Rivera (Rushing TD), and Dom Concepcion (5 receptions, 61 yards) played well in the loss for the AMCATS.

Anna Maria hosts Castleton State October 17th at 1:00 p.m. during AMC’s Homecoming Weekend, while Utica travels to St. John Fisher October 17th at 7:00 p.m.