BROCKPORT, N.Y. – It was a gallant defensive effort by Rochester on Saturday afternoon against The College of Brockport. The home team won, 16-7, but Rochester grabbed a second quarter lead with a superb defensive play and held it until the Golden Eagles struck on back-to-back possessions in the middle of the fourth quarter.
This was Rochester's second game against a team among those in the D3football.com weekly poll. Brockport was ranked 22nd in pre-season and moved up two spots after a 31-0 win over Framingham State in the season opener. Brockport dropped into the Others Receiving Votes coming into this week after a turnover-plagued loss to Ithaca last week. The other poll-affiliated team was Case Western Reserve, which edged UR 27-20 on opening night.
A giveaway this time put the Yellowjackets in front after an early Brockport lead. On its second possession of the game, Brockport marched 80 yards in nine plays to take a 6-0 lead with 6:08 left in the period. The Eagles converted two third downs. On 1st-and-10 from the UR 26, QB Jack Cheshire found Alex Benson in a seam in the middle. Benson accelerated and raced into the end zone for a touchdown. Nate Wigent's PAT was missed, but Brockport had a 6-0 lead.
In the second quarter, Rochester started at its own 40. After a penalty, Sean Casey gained six on a keeper and Daniel Papantonis sprang free for 17 yards down to the Brockport 24. UR faced 4th-and-5 and went for it, but the pass was incomplete.
Brockport took over at its own 19. The Golden Eagles made two first downs. UR broke up a pass for Benson on 1st-and-10 near midfield. On 2nd-and-10, Caden Cole punched the ball free from a Brockport runner. It landed in the hands of Nicholas Petruzziello and he raced 50 yards down the right sideline for a TD. Jordan Laudani made the PAT for a 7-6 UR lead two minutes into the half. It was the first time UR returned a fumble for a TD since 2015 in a victory over Springfield College at Fauver Stadium.
The defense made another big stand in the third period. Brockport took over at its own 45 after an interception. With the help of a 15-yard illegal block penalty on Rochester, Brockport moved to thge UR 36. On first down, the Golden Eagles were whistled for a false start. On second down, Jala Coad gained three yards to the R38. On third down, Cheshire lost three yards. A hit by Bradley Beckwith jarred the ball loose, but the Eagles recovered. On third and 15 from the 41, Petruzziello broke through and sacked Cheshire back to the R45 which forced a punt.
Brockport relied on its tailback Coad. He carried the ball 35 times for a net of 214 yards and one TD. UR was pinned in its own end late in the third and punted to the 45. Brockport drove, mostly on the legs of Coad inside the 10. He was stopped on 2nd-and-3 at the four and Cheshire didn't connect on a pass to Benson at the 1. Wigert kicked the FG for a 9-7 lead with over 11 minutes left.
Casey was picked off trying to throw deep down the right sideline. The ball was returned 15 yards down to the UR25. Coad swept right, breaking two tackles, and scored – with the PAT from Wigert good this time. That provided a 16-7 lead.
Rochester is idle next week. The Yellowjackets will play at RPI on October 2 to open the Liberty League season. UR returns to Fauver Stadium on October 9 to host Ithaca.
Brockport scores twice in 4th Q to edge Rochester, 16-7
/seasons/2021/boxscores/20210918_m6u5.xml
2021
Rochester
7
Brockport
16
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rochester (1-2) | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Brockport (2-1) | 6 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 16 |
Sep 18, 2021