MORRISVILLE, N.Y. – The Morrisville State College football team opened their inaugural Empire 8 season Saturday night at nearby Utica College, suffering a 38-14 setback to the hosts at Gaetano Stadium.

The loss drops Morrisville State to 1-1 overall following the bye week, 0-1 in conference action.

The Mustangs struggled offensively, registering 25 yards total offense while Utica racked up 526. Most of Morrisville State's game came through the passing game as junior quarterback Cory Benedetto (Rochester, N.Y.) completed 13-of-27 passes for 187 yards and one touchdown.

Anthony Mella (Brooklyn, N.Y.) led the receiving unit for a second straight game, posting 106 yards on four catches. Anthony Gray (Smallwood, N.Y.) added 29 yards on three catches and a touchdown.

Cristian Pena (Ridgewood, N.Y.) was able to gain a team high 50 yards in the running game, posting a rushing score, as Morrisville State collected just 70 total rushing yards on the night.

Defensively, Caleb Wright (Cortland, N.Y.) led the Mustang efforts, recording 12 total stops, 11 solo, while teammate Colton Evans (West Winfield, N.Y.) added 11 total tackles.

Both teams played to a scoreless first quarter, but Utica got off to a quick start in the second, posting an early 10-0 lead just five minutes in before Pena brought the Mustangs within three, breaking out for a 28-yard rushing score with under seven to go in the second quarter. Jesse Astudillo (Wheeling, Ill.) sent the PAT through the uprights, making it a 10-7 game in favor of the hosts.

That was as close as Morrisville State would get, though, as Utica rattled off three additional scores, one of which was a 19-yard field goal with 1:47 to go before the half, and another a 23-yard passing score from Teddy VanGalen to Jerred Beniquez with seven seconds showing on the clock.

Midway through the third, VanGalen again connected with another Pioneer wide receiver, hitting Gregory Palmer on a 20-yard pass play for the 26-7 lead.

A seven yard scoring pass from Benedetto to Gray with 4:34 remaining in the third brought the Mustangs within striking distance, the Utica defense took over the in fourth, posting a team safety and adding a defensive touchdown on a two-yard fumble recovery.

VanGalen finished the game for Utica with 313 yards and two scores on 25-of-39 completions, 161 to Alex DeRusso on nine receptions.

Ryan Burnett gained 88 yards in the running game for the Pioneers, who posted a game total 213 on the night on 48 carries.

Morrisville State returns to the field Saturday, hosting Buffalo State at 1 p.m. on Drake Field for Mustang Weekend.

Morrisville State's curricula are enriched with applied learning and pave the way for opportunity at both the Morrisville and Norwich campuses. An action-oriented, interactive learning lab, the college is a national leader in technology and has been lauded for its exemplary, innovative and effective community service programs.

In addition to being named to the 2014 President's Higher Community Education Service Honor Roll, the college was recognized by U.S. News and World Report as an institution in the top tier of the Best Regional Colleges list and ranked second among regional colleges nationwide for outperforming its anticipated graduation rate. For more information visit www.morrisville.edu.

#30#