BUFFALO, NY – The University of Rochester football team made a key interception late and secured a touchdown on the next play, completing a 29-22 comeback victory over Buffalo State on Saturday evening at Coyer Field.
Rochester's win is its fourth straight, as the Yellowjackets improve to 4-1 and 1-0 in the Liberty League. UR's last four-game winning streak took place across the 2010-2011 seasons, a streak that lasted straight games.
Buffalo State falls to 1-3 on the year and 0-1 in the conference as Saturday's contest was the Liberty League opener for both squads.
Sophomore cornerback Jordy Tawa intercepted a Noah Kimble pass with 1:11 remaining in the fourth quarter and senior running back Daniel Papantonis scampered 19 yards on the next play for Rochester, putting the Yellowjackets in front 29-22, capping a 14-point fourth quarter for the Yellowjackets.
Rochester emerged with a 15-6 lead at halftime, with all of the scoring taking place in the second quarter.
After Tawa's first interception of the game came late in the first quarter, Rochester was set up with possession deep in its own territory. The Papantonis brothers keyed the offensive drive, accounting for 79 of the 91 yards gained to take the early lead. Daniel rushed for 25 yards and ended with a 10-yard touchdown reception, while Aidan Papantonis hauled in a key 44-yard swing pass up the right sideline.
After the score, a botched snap and hold did not allow UR to convert the PAT, and Rochester was up 6-0.
Buffalo State couldn't get past the 30-yard line on its next possession and was forced to punt after six plays. On the punt, a bad snap sailed over punter Nick Sciandra's head and into the end zone. After a loose ball was picked up and fumbled, Sciandra fell on it in the end zone for a safety, with Happy Chane and Jack Yensel there for the tackle, moving the score to 8-0.
D. Papantonis returned the free kick to near midfield, but the Yellowjackets could not capitalize on the momentum, stalling out on a 3-and-out possession.
The Yellowjackets again forced a Bengal punt on Buffalo State's next possession, but that punt turned awry for Rochester, as Trey Johnson fumbled on the return, giving the ball right back to the home Bengals inside the Rochester 40-yard line.
Buffalo State managed to use the short field to its advantage, scoring on just two plays, with Kimble connecting with Darion Jones for a 26-yard score. The Bengals 2-point attempt failed and Rochester remained in front by two.
Another solid kick return by D. Papantonis set up Rochester near midfield and the Yelowjackets traversed 54 yards in just six plays for a touchdown to answer Buffalo State's score. Will Varney had a big 20-yard run on the drive, with D. Papantonis finishing off the score with a 16-yard run up the middle.
The Bengals started the second half with the ball and methodically marched down the field, scoring on a 22-yard screen pass from Kimble to Ale Wilson, capping an 11-play, 76-yard drive that lasted nearly six minutes.
UR's next two offensive possessions ended in interceptions, allowing the Bengals to take the lead.
The first pick thrown by Rose was a forced ball into tight coverage along the left sideline, which ultimately proved to cause no damage as Rochester's defense held the Bengals off.
On the second interception, one deep in Rochester territory, defensive back Basiaka Butcher jumped a third down swing pass route on the right side at the 4-yard line and easily walked in for a pick-six score. The touchdown and missed 2-point try put the hosts up 19-15 late in the third quarter.
After Rochester went 3-and-out on its next drive, the quarter flipped to the fourth with Buffalo State in possession of the ball. Wilson provided the Bengals with a big 28-yard run up the right side and after 13 plays, Buffalo State added to its lead with a 29-yard field goal from Sciandra.
Rose, D. Papantonis and Varney did yeoman's work on the next Yellowjacket drive to get into the red zone, and Trey Johnson managed to secure the final ten yards and haul in Rose's second touchdown pass of the day, pulling Rochester even on the scoreboard following Jordan Laudani's extra point.
With the score tied, the teams traded 3-and-out possessions, winding the clock down to under 90 seconds remaining.
Buffalo State had the ball with 1:22 left, starting a drive at its own 15-yard line. On the first offensive play, Kimble was pressured on a pass, stepped up in the pocket and as he was getting hit, released a ball that fluttered right to Tawa who grabbed his second interception of the game. After a nine-yard return, Rochester was set up at the Bengal 19.
D. Papantonis weaved through the defense on the next play, going up the left side for his third TD of the game, putting Rochester on top for good. He ended the day with 112 yards rushing on 19 carries (5.9 YPC) with two scores. The senior All-American chipped in three catches for 32 yards and a TD and also contributed 175 yards on six kickoff returns, totaling over 300 all-purpose yards.
Rose ended 17-for-22 passing for 142 yards and 2 touchdowns while also throwing 2 interceptions. He connected with A. Papantonis four times for 68 yards, including the long 44-yard play. Johnson caught a team-high seven receptions for 41 yards and a score.
On defense, Chane accumulated 12 tackles and forced a fumble. Tawa added six tackles and another break up in addition to his two interceptions and teammate Judah Thomas added another interception, his fourth in five games to start the year. Both Yensel and J.T. Monahan recorded sacks on the day.
The overall stats were fairly similar across the board, with Rochester piling up 327 yards and 16 first downs, compared to the Bengals 302 yards of offense and 16 first downs. Both teams had three turnovers.
Up next for the Yellowjackets is a huge matchup on Meliora Weekend Saturday against Union College at home. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. between the 5-0 Garnet Chargers and the 4-1 Yellowjackets, with both teams sitting a 1-0 in the Liberty League.