Utica absolutely shredded RPI again on Saturday, steamrolling the Engineers 38-14! Quarterback Tyler Szalkowski was lights out, dropping 402 yards and two touchdowns on them at East Campus Stadium. It was a dominant performance that cemented Utica’s 2-0 start to the season.
Szalkowski’s Unstoppable Connection
This guy is just built different, especially against RPI. Szalkowski completed a ridiculous 29 of 38 passes for those 402 yards and a pair of scores, picking apart the Engineers’ defense with surgical precision. And get this: last season, he was even more insane against RPI, going 27-of-29 for 385 yards and six touchdowns in a 41-14 blowout. He clearly owns this matchup!
A huge part of that success comes from his connection with offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Braeden Zenelovic, another ex-UAlbany reserve quarterback who got promoted to coordinator this season. Szalkowski raved about it, saying, “Me and (Zenelovic) see the game really alike. We see the game through each other’s eyes, which is great to have with an OC and a quarterback, so I’m grateful for him.” They’re running an offense that shares “some of the same principles” from Szalkowski’s old UAlbany days, but they’re definitely speaking their own language now.
The Rollercoaster Journey to Dominance
What makes Szalkowski’s current tear even crazier is his journey. He started his college career playing Division I FCS football, appearing in only four games over two seasons at UAlbany, completing 2-of-4 passes for a measly 28 yards. Then he transferred to Robert Morris for two more years, where he started two of seven games, throwing for 239 yards, one touchdown, and five interceptions. It wasn’t exactly highlight reel stuff.
But dropping down to Division III Utica? That’s where everything clicked. He flourished last season, throwing for a massive 3,638 yards and 33 touchdowns! “It’s been a roller coaster,” Szalkowski admitted. “That’s the best way to describe it. You know, starting playing D1 and then coming down and playing at Utica was one of the best decisions I ever made. I love Utica and I can’t wait to keep going the rest of the season.”
He’s also got some serious talent around him. Wide receiver Tyshawn Taylor snagged eight catches for 244 yards on Saturday, including a monstrous 69-yard touchdown in the first quarter that gave Utica a 10-7 lead. Gabriel Zawolo added 13 catches for 104 yards and another score. Even RPI senior linebacker P.J. Poknis, who led his team with 16 tackles, couldn’t deny it: “They’ve got a great quarterback and they’ve got a great scheme. He’s able to make any throw on the field, so hats off to (Szalkowski).”
Utica is now sitting pretty at 2-0, and with Szalkowski slinging it like this, who knows how far they can go? RPI falls to 1-1 and has to figure out how to slow down a guy who clearly has their number. Get ready, because if this is the beginning of Szalkowski’s season, it’s going to be an absolute must-watch.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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