ONEONTA, NY – The University of Rochester defense forced six turnovers, two of which were returned for touchdowns, in a 42-21 road victory over Hartwick College on Saturday afternoon at Wright Stadium.
Rochester (3-6) used a big third quarter to rally past the Hawks (1-7), outscoring the hosts 28-0 in the period thanks to turnovers on four straight possessions.
The Yellowjackets combined to score 21 points less than three minutes apart in the third to break the game open. The big blows were a 39-yard Jack Yensel interception return and a 13-yard fumble recovery by J.T. Monahan, both of which went for touchdowns.
Alex Ortiz grabbed two interceptions for Rochester along with Damon Yargeau and Simon Weeren on defense. The Yellowjackets also combined for three sacks, one each by Aaron Gallay and Cole McHugh, with McHugh forcing the fumble leading to the Monahan touchdown.
Offensively, UR's two-headed running back combination of Daniel Papantonis and Will Varney combined for 161 yards rushing and four touchdowns on the ground. Papantonis finished with 93 yards on 20 attempts, with Varney recording 68 yards on 11 attempts.
Hartwick ended up taking the early 7-0 lead midway through the first quarter, marching off a 10-play, 75-yard drive capped by a Davien Kuinlan 4-yard run.
With UR threatening to score early in the second quarter, Ryan Rose's pass was intercepted at the Hartwick 1-yard line and returned 99 yards for a touchdown by Michael Lombardi, doubling the Hawk lead to 14-0.
Later in the quarter, Alex Wing punted and pinned the Hawks deep in their own territory at the 10-yard line. Hartwick's drive stalled after three plays and UR got the ball back at the Hartwick 35 after just a 21-yard punt.
On the first play, Papantonis scampered 35 yards for the score, cutting the lead in half.
Hartwick responded two drives later though, regaining the 14-point lead after Kuinlan recorded his second TD of the game.
With time winding down in the half, Rochester executed an 8-play drive, traveling 48 yards, capped by a Varney 1-yard plunge to send the Yellowjackets into the locker room down just 21-14.
Rochester tied the score ten minutes into the third when Varney found the endzone from 12 yards out. The big play on the drive was a Rose pass complete to Peyton Monaco for 23 yards down the sideline, setting up the Yellowjackets inside the Hartwick 15.
Yensel returned his interception for a touchdown three plays later and Rochester was now ahead 28-21. After the kickoff, Hartwick's first play was another pass that was picked off, this time by Yargeau, setting Rochester up at the Hawk 23 following a 17-yard return.
UR benefitted from a roughing the passer penalty to immediately crack the Hartwick 10-yard line and Papantonis rushed three straight times, the third being his second touchdown of the game, from 1-yard out to make the score 35-21 Rochester.
After Hartwick regained possession, the second play saw another turnover, this time with McHugh sacking Jason Garcia, popping a fumble up in the air. Monahan, who was one of three UR players swarming the QB on the play, snatched the ball out of midair and cruised into the endzone for Rochester's third score in as many minutes.
It was more of the same on the next possession, with Ortiz picking off his second pass of the game for Rochester, again setting up the Yellowjackets deep in Hartwick territory. UR's drive stalled and ended with a missed field goal, but the big quarter did the damage and Rochester was able to hold on for the 16-point win.
In the kicking game, Shane Bombace connected on all six of his extra points, setting a new career-high, while Wing averaged over 42 yards per punt and had four kicks end inside the 20.
Rose finished with 171 yards passing for the Yellowjackets. Caco Iglesias had five catches for 65 yards, with Monaco ending with three receptions for 44 yards. Noah Shinaman caught a 38-yard pass for his only catch of the game.
Noah Braid led the UR defense with six tackles, while Caden Cole added five. Each had a QB hurry, along with four other members of the defensive unit. McHugh finished with four solo tackles, including a sack, QB hurry and two forced fumbles.
Rochester's next game is its final contest of 2021, coming next Saturday against Hobart College at home. Prior to the noon kickoff, UR's 17 seniors will be honored with a Senior Day ceremony honoring their commitment to the Yellowjacket program over the last four years.