Venue & Logistics
Location: Charles A. Gaetano Stadium, Utica, New York (home of Utica University Pioneers)
Kickoff Time: 1:00 PM ET (10:00 AM PT)
Conference Context:
Alfred State – First season as a member of the Empire 8 Conference in 2025
Utica – Longtime Empire 8 contender, regularly in the top half of the league
Context: This is Alfred State’s first-ever Empire 8 matchup against Utica, making it a historic meeting.
Weather Forecast (Utica, NY)
Temperature: ~65°F (18°C) at kickoff
Conditions: Partly cloudy with light winds (5–8 mph)
Precipitation: ~20% chance of scattered showers
Impact: Mild fall conditions, no major weather disruptions expected
Injury Report (as of latest updates)
Alfred State Pioneers: No major reported injuries; offensive line depth remains a concern after a physical non-conference slate.
Utica Pioneers: No confirmed long-term absences; defensive rotation expected after a strong start to the season.
(Note: DIII programs often release limited injury details, so official confirmations may be sparse.)
Key Player Matchups
Quarterback Play:
Alfred State: QB has shown flashes but struggled in close losses to Alfred University and Utica in 2024. Needs to limit turnovers.
Utica: QB has been sharp, leading a 49–31 win over Washington & Jefferson (Sept 6, 2025) and a 41–14 rout of RPI (Sept 13, 2025).
Running Game:
Alfred State: RB corps has been steady, but the offense has lacked explosive plays against top-tier defenses.
Utica: Ground game has been dominant, producing multiple 100-yard performances in September.
Defensive Edge:
Alfred State: Defense held Alfred University to 28 in a narrow loss in 2024, but depth remains a concern.
Utica: Defense has been opportunistic, forcing turnovers in each of their first two games this season.
Recent Team Form
Alfred State Pioneers (2025 season so far)
W vs. Anderson (Sept 6, 2025)
W vs. Hilbert (Sept 13, 2025)
L vs. Buffalo State (Sept 20, 2025)
Mixed form: Strong start, but fell flat in their homecoming game
Utica Pioneers (2025 season so far)
W 49–31 @ Washington & Jefferson (Sept 6, 2025)
W 41–14 vs. RPI (Sept 13, 2025)
Momentum: Undefeated, averaging 45 points per game, defense allowing just 22.5
Series History
All-time head-to-head: First-ever meeting between Alfred State and Utica
Trend: Historic matchup as Alfred State joins the Empire 8 in 2025
Betting Trends
Alfred State is 2–1 ATS (against the spread) in 2025
Utica is 2–0 ATS this season
The Over has hit in 2 of Utica’s 2 games
Alfred State has failed to cover in 4 of its last 6 road games
Utica has covered in 6 of its last 7 home games
Historical Betting Results
2024 (Alfred State): Lost 20–34 to Buffalo State (ATS loss, Over hit)
2024 (Utica): Beat St. John Fisher 35–20 (ATS win, Over hit)
Totals: Utica has trended toward Overs, Alfred State toward Unders in recent years
Game Odds
Alfred State Pioneers 53
Utica Pioneers – 16.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, September 26, 2025
