Saturday Night Lights

       The Pioneers are gearing up for their home opener.  Utica welcomes Union College to the second night contest ever at Gaetano Stadium.  So far it's been so good for the pioneers, starting off with a road win and racking up over four hundred yards of offense along the way.  Andrew Benkwitt led Utica's offense, passing for 233 yards last week.  He knows the mentality needed for this week's game.  "Like any other opponent you have to respect them, got to watch film, in order to know what their tendencies are and what they're going to do to change this week and then come out and play your game."

    As a junior, Benkwitt understands the anticipation of a night game but knows experience is the key.  "I think it's going to make us more prepared than last year. I don't think we knew what was in store for us last year. We know what's coming this year we know it's going to be a big game and guys can't wait for it."

Head Coach Blaise Faggiano is in the midst of his fourth season with the Pioneers and he understands how big this game is for not only his team but the community as well.  "It means the world to us, our program and our college is very tied to this community and you'll see it tomorrow night. We're a school of twenty-five hundred students and you're going to see over four thousand people maybe five thousand people tomorrow night."  Coach Faggiano hopes the emotions of tomorrow don't affect the practice today.