BANGOR – In a shootout that produced 939 total yards and a 92-yard kickoff return, it was a defensive play that proved pivotal in Utica College’s 46-24 win over Husson College during Homecoming at the Winkin Complex Saturday.

With Husson trailing 40-24 and driving for a second straight score at the Utica-18 yard line midway through the third quarter, sophomore linebacker Jim Tedesco ripped the ball out of the arms of Husson freshman running back Mike Prentiss, who was battling for some extra yards.

Uitca then put together a clinching 11-play, 81-yard drive capped by a 10-yard touchdown pass from sophomore quarterback Nick Martin to freshman wide receiver James Proniewych.

“The linebacker, Corey Jure, blew the play up and I came in over the top. The ball was coming out and I just took it,” said Tedesco of the key turnover.

“He made a great play,” said Martin, who completed 23 of 34 passes for 381 yards and five TDs, three to Proniewych.

He completed 17 of 22 for 330 yards in the 40-point first half.

“Their quarterback did a great job,” said Husson QB David Chase, who also put up impressive numbers (14-for-25, 275 yards, one TD).

Utica scored on its first six possessions en route to its first ever road win in its four-year existence.

Utica rolled up 572 total yards to Husson’s 367.

Several of Martin’s completions came on screens and other short routes that became big gainers when his backs and receivers consistently broke tackles.

“I had some big days in high school because we threw the ball a lot. But I’ve never had a day like this,” said Martin. “The backs and receivers made me look good today. And the line did an unbelievable job.”

“We had to make up for last week [35-10 loss to St. Lawrence]. We had to play tougher,” said Utica senior center Dustin Coleman.

Husson coach Gabby Price was “very proud” of his team’s effort but said his team’s tackling has to improve.

“It’s not a lack of courage. We don’t seem to be bringing our feet with us [when we tackle]. We tried hard. We just need to play and get some experience. Utica looked outstanding today,” said Price.

Martin found Proniewych at the right flag for a 39-yard score just 1:54 into the game and he hit him again with a quick slant-in that turned into a 69-yard TD when Proniewych spun away from his cover man 2:31 later.

Chase found wide open tight end Matt Mulligan over the middle for a 74-yard TD but Paul Hart’s 25-yard run and Mike Blanchfield’s 23-yard field goal made it 24-6.

The 0-2 Eagles cut the lead to 24-12 on Adam Scott’s one-yard plunge right after Scott Wetherell recovered a fumbled punt.

Martin came right back and tossed a 20-yard TD pass to John Slopnick and Hart converted a short curl pass into a 65-yard TD by breaking several tackles.

The shifty Prentiss, who amassed more than 200 return yards, raced 92 yards with the ensuing kickoff to slice the lead to 37-18.

Blanchfield’s 35-yard field goal closed out the half.

Prentiss opened the second half with a three-yard TD run that finished off an 11-play, 63-yard drive.

Utica’s Tyrell Robinson led all rushers with 81 yards on 14 carries. Proniewych caught five passes for 136 yards and Hart had four catches for 80 yards.

Husson’s Mulligan had five catches for 135 yards and Scott had a team-high 44 rushing yard on 16 carries.

PIONEERS 46, EAGLES 24

Utica (1-1) 24 16 6 0 ? 46

Husson (2-0) 12 6 6 0 ? 24

U ? Proniewych 39 pass from Martin (Blanchfield kick)

U ? Proniewych 69 pass from Martin (Blanchfield kick)

H ? Mulligan 74 pass from Chase (kick failed)

U ? Hart 25 run (Blanchfield kick)

U ? Blanchfield 23 field goal

H ? Scott 1 run (pass failed)

U ? Slopnick 20 pass from Martin (Blanchfield kick)

U ? Hart 65 pass from Martin (pass failed)

H ? Prentiss 92 kickoff return (pass failed)

U ? Blanchfield 35 field goal

H ? Prentiss 3 run (rush failed)

U ? Proniewych 10 pass from Martin (pass failed)

Utica Husson

First downs 25 15

Rushing att.-yards 34-191 46-84

Passing comp.-att. 22-35 15-26

Passing yards 381 283

Total yards 572 367

Punts-avg. 2-44.5 3-39

Fumbles-lost 4-2 1-1

Intercepted by 0 0

Penalties-yards 7-50 2-20

Rushing

Utica: Robinson 14-81, Clark 8-48, Hart 4-38, Keller 4-13, Delrio 2-7, Martin 2-4; Husson: Scott 16-44, Hilton 8-33, Prentiss 9-15, Jack 2-8, Wetherell 3-5, Taylor 1-4, Heber 1-4, Chase 7-(-29)

Passing

Utica: Martin 23-34-0-381, Pinelli 0-1-0-0; Husson: Chase 14-25-0-275, Lockard 1-1-0-8

Receiving

Utica: Proniewych 5-136, Hart 4-80, Slopnick 3-44, Cooper 3-37, Clark 2-30, Barth 2-23, Muhammed 2-16, Robinson 2-15; Husson: Mulligan 5-135, Poissonier 3-67, Horne 3-42, Dobson 3-31, Hanscom 1-8

A? 1,200 (est.)