UTICA, NY – Despite a difficult week, the Hartwick College football team rallied together for a season-ending 45-39 Empire 8 victory over host Utica College on Saturday at Charles Gaetano Stadium. The Hawks close their season with a 4-6 overall mark and 2-6 showing in the Empire 8. They also end their season winners of two of their last three games.
           
The Hawks, who were under the guidance of Interim Head Coach Mark Theophel, registered 489 yards on the day. The 'Wick passing attack, which ranked third nationally entering the game with an average of 361.7 yards per outing, earned another 336 in the contest.
           
Both teams would combine for 980 yards of offense. They would also total 11 turnovers in the game.
           
The Hawks would score on their first possession for the only points of the first quarter. A John Garcia (Warwick, NY/Warwick Valley) to Tanner Williams (Hoosick Falls, NY/Hoosick Falls) 44-yard touchdown pass eight seconds into the second quarter increased the margin and triggered a 42-point second quarter for the two teams.
           
After UC cut the Hawks' lead to 14-7, Tito Pichardo (Washingtonville, NY/Washingtonville) ran the ball into the end zone from 14 yards out for the first of his career-high three rushing scores. After the kickoff, the Pioneers would tie the score at 21-21 thanks to two touchdowns in 22 seconds. A Hartwick fumble on its first play from scrimmage set up Utica's second score in the span, which occurred on the very next play.
           
The Hawks got the ball back with 2:54 left in the half and John Garcia took over with seven consecutive pass completions, capped by a touchdown pass to Pichardo with 12 seconds left. Korey Jubie (Kingston, NY/Kingston) kicked his fourth PAT for a 28-21 Hartwick lead at halftime.
           
The Hawks caught a break early in the third quarter. They received the opening kickoff but were forced to punt. The return was fumbled and Zachary Pitcher (Rhinebeck, NY/Rhinebeck) recovered. Hartwick cashed in the takeaway four plays later on a Pichardo 9-yard touchdown run.
           
Later in the quarter, Ricky Giraldo (Monroe, NY/Monroe-Woodbury) picked off a Teddy VanGalen pass and the Hawks would convert again. Jubie kicked a 22-yard field goal with 5:55 left in the third and Hartwick was in front 38-21.
           
The Pioneers scored a touchdown on their next possession, but the Hawks came right back. Pichardo broke free for a 35-yard scamper and Jubie's extra point would mark the Hawks' final points, 45-27.
           
Utica registered touchdowns on their first two possessions of the fourth quarter. Their second trimmed the gap to 45-39 with 10:28 remaining. Mike Simone (Mahopac, NY/Mahopac) blocked the PAT to keep it a six-point margin.
           
The Pioneers forced the Hawks to punt on the ensuing possession, but again the return was muffed giving the ball back to 'Wick. The Pioneers would come away with an interception only to give the ball right back to the Hawks following a fumble.
           
Jubie would miss a 33-yard field goal to put the game away with 2:45 left in the game, but the Hawks managed to melt three minutes from the game clock during the drive.
           
Utica drove to the Hartwick 40 on its final possession. They faced a 4^th and 6 and Malik Wynter (Auburn, NY/Auburn) would break up a VanGalen pass to put the game on ice for 'Wick.
           
Pichardo had four touchdowns to pace the Hawks. He ran for a career-best 147 yards in the contest. John Garcia, who entered the game ranked 2^nd in the country in passing yards, passing yards per game, and 3^rd in passing yards per completion, threw for 336 yards and three scores on 24 completions. He ends his career with 8,452 passing yards and 66 touchdown passes. Both totals rank 3^rd all-time at Hartwick.
           
Brad Garcia (Warwick, NY/Warwick Valley) registered a career-high 13 catches in the game today. He totaled 182 yards and one touchdown. Tanner Williams (Hoosick Falls, NY/Hoosick Falls) added three catches for 89 yards and a score. Both Brad Garcia and Williams entered the game ranked 4^th and 5^th in the nation, respectively, in reception yards per game. Williams finishes his career as the program's all-time leader in receptions (197) and reception yards (3,757). He is also 4^th in all-purpose yards (5,236), 7^th in touchdown catches (29), 8^th in scoring (188) and 9^th in total touchdowns (31).
           
Jubie made all six of his PAT tries and one field goal in the contest. He ranks 7^th in the record books in field goals made (12) and 7^th in extra points (58).   
           
On the defensive side of the ball, freshman Mark Hackett (Hoosick Falls, NY/Hoosick Falls) had a team-high 10 tackles for the Hawks. Simone added nine hits, a sack, two tackles for loss, a pass defended, and a blocked kick. Wynter registered eight tackles with a forced fumble and two passes defended.
             
Frank Sorrenti (Endwell, NY/Maine-Endwell) recorded seven tackles, one for a loss, and an interception. Savion Black (Huntington Station, NY/Walt Whitman) added six tackles and a pass defended, and Giraldo had five hits, a fumble recovery, and interception, and one pass broken up.