HAMBURG, N.Y. – Hilbert College Football played its final game of the 2024 season this afternoon as the Hawks hosted the Pioneers from Utica University. Despite a losing effort, Hilbert posted their best defensive showing of the campaign, allowing just three points in the second half in the 36-6 defeat.
Utica got a pair of scores in the first quarter, and another just seconds into the second quarter to jump out to 20-0 lead. On the ensuing possession, Hilbert's first of the second quarter, the Hawks marched the ball down the field to put points on the board.
After a facemask penalty gave Hilbert a first down,
Brody Hopkins ripped a 40-yard strike down field to
Bryce Robinson to set the Hawks inside the Utica redzone. From there,
Mike Hanlon,
Clifford Zeigler, Hopkins, and Robinson each carried the rock to set up Hanlon for a one-yard score to cut into the lead. A failed two-point conversion attempt made it a 20-6 game.
Following the Hanlon score, the Pioneers tacked on two more touchdowns before the half ended to take a convincing 33-6 lead into the locker room.
The second half saw each side play stout defense as a Pioneer field goal early in the third quarter would be the only additional points in the contest.
Takhi West came up with a pair of key pass breakups to halt two Utica drives, while
Xavier Johnson's fourth-down sack kept points off the board in the fourth quarter.
The Hawks looked to spark the offense with some trickery when Evan Willet connected with
Taivaughn Roach for a 26-yard gain on a fake punt, but time ran out on Hilbert as the game ended 36-6.
GAME NOTES
- Robinson totaled 81 yards from scrimmage while also gaining 77 yards in the return game.
- After being honored before the game as the team's lone senior, Roach put up a vintage performance in his final game in the royal and white. The program's all-time tackle leader added to his total with 13 more stops, including one for a loss. He also hauled in his second career reception on the fourth quarter grab.
- Takhi West had a productive day in the secondary with eight tackles and two pass breakups.
UP NEXT
This loss concludes the season for the Hawks, their first in the Empire 8. After an 0-10 effort that saw marked improvement in all phases of the game, Hilbert will look to secure the program's first victory when they resume play next fall.
