UTICA, NY - The Alfred University football team wrapped up its final road game of the fall season with a 65-16 loss to Utica University on Saturday afternoon from Charles A. Gaetano Stadium. 

The Saxons (2-7, 1-4 Empire 8) totaled 291 yards of offense against the Pioneers (8-1, 4-1 Empire 8), 172 of which came from the run game. 

Max Freeman IV (Painted Post, NY/Corning-Painted Post) led Alfred University with 127 rushing yards and one touchdown across 23 attempts. Seth Walden (Bath, NY/Haverling) recorded his first collegiate touchdown with the Saxons. Christopher Cox (Rochester, NY/Pittsford-Sutherland) led the defense with a game-high 13 tackles, including three sacks. 

"I am frustrated with our team's performance today," Head Coach Bob Rankl said. "We need and expect to play better than that as a football program. We are going to need to play a lot better than that in all three phases of the game in order to beat Brockport next Saturday."

The Pioneers found success in the passing game early in the first quarter following a 32-yard passing touchdown to take the initial lead. The Saxons responded with an eight-play drive that was capped off by a two-yard rushing touchdown by Freeman. Later in the quarter, Utica found the end zone once again to put the Saxons behind 14-6 entering the second quarter. Alfred University was the first to get on the scoreboard in the second quarter, as an 11-play drive set up a 29-yard field goal for Ian Barbini (Tunkhannock, PA/Tunkhannock Area). The Pioneers retaliated with 17 unanswered points to finish the first half, as the Saxons trailed 31-9 going into the break. 

Following an additional touchdown from Utica in the third quarter, Alfred University cut their deficit thanks to a 15-yard passing touchdown from Chris Kelly (Lake Ronkonkoma, NY/Sachem North) to Walden. The Pioneers finished the game with 27 consecutive points to extend their lead and secure the win.

Alfred University will next host SUNY Brockport next Saturday to conclude their fall season as part of Hall of Fame Weekend with kickoff scheduled for 1:00 PM.