Coach Mike Kemp is out at Utica in the middle of his seventh season. The Pioneers, who started playing varsity football in 2001, were 17-50 (.254) in his tenure.

Utica athletic director Jim Spartano told the Utica Observer-Dispatch that Kemp had been replaced but would not say whether Kemp resigned or was fired. "But it's all related to performance on the football field," he told the newspaper. "We're excited about our new direction."

Midseason coaching changes in Division III are rare.

Kirk Jellerson, who is Utica's defensive coordinator and has been in the program since 2004, will take over for the final three games. Utica has beaten Becker and Mount Ida but has scored a total of 29 points in its five losses.

Utica plays at No. 7 St. John Fisher on Saturday.