PRINCE ATHLETIC COMPLEX – The University of Rochester football team saw its defense come up with a couple of big fourth quarter stops, but was unable to capitalize on the offensive end in the closing minutes as visiting Union College held on for a 21-17 Meliora Weekend victory on Saturday afternoon at Edwin Fauver Stadium.
Rochester (4-2, 1-1 Liberty League) stuffed running back Jonathan Anderson on a 4th-and-one play inside the UR 10-yard line stalling out a long Union drive to open the fourth quarter and afterwards forced a 3-and-out on the next Garnet Charger possession, giving its offense a chance late in the game.
With 6:41 remaining on the clock, the Yellowjackets began an offensive drive trailing by four at their own 35-yard line. Five Daniel Papantonis rushes pushed the Yellowjackets into Union territory as time ticked under four minutes.
Ryan Rose followed by connecting with Trey Johnson for a pair of receptions and the Yellowjackets sat just outside the Union 20.
On second down, Rose was pressured from Jimaar Edwards off the right side and hurried a pass into traffic where Union linebacker Spencer Goldstein made the play, intercepting the pass, thwarting Rochester's late scoring chance.
Union followed with Anderson, Michael Fiore and quarterback Donovan Pacatte running out the clock over the final three minutes.
Overall, the Garnet Chargers (6-0, 2-0 Liberty League) piled up 403 yards rushing in the game, averaging 6.0 yards per tote. Rochester did its damage through the air, with Rose throwing for a career-high 244 yards and two touchdowns. The junior QB finished 20-for-30 passing on the day.
Johnson was the game's leading receiver, logging 11 catches for a career-high 160 yards, scoring on a 68-yard catch and run up the sideline early in the second quarter. The senior was UR's first receiver to eclipse 150 yards receiving since 2015, and the 60-plus yard reception was the first for Rochester since the 2019 season.
The Yellowjackets went into halftime with a 17-14 lead after a late Simon Weeren interception led to a 2-minute drill touchdown drive, capped by a Rose to Aidan Papantonis toe-tapping touchdown.
Following halftime, the Garnet Chargers took the second half kickoff and marched 65 yards in 12 plays, displaying balance in their offensive attack, using seven runs and five passes, to take the 21-17 lead. Anderson plunged in from two yards out to provide what would amount to the game-winning score early in the third quarter.
The Yellowjackets got on the board first in the opening quarter, capitalizing on a Judah Thomas interception deep in Union territory. The sophomore cornerback jumped a route on Union's first offensive play, setting up the Yellowjackets at the Union 17-yard line.
On the ensuing possession, Union was able hold Rochester to just a field goal, with Jordan Laudani connecting on a 26-yard kick to put his team up 3-0.
Union started its first scoring late in the first quarter at its own 15-yard line and needed just six plays to traverse 85 yards to grab the 7-3 lead. Three chunk plays capped the drive, with Anderson rushing for 23 yards, Pacatte completing a pass to Dan Quinn for 21 and Fiore finishing off the drive with a 21-yard scamper.
Union was pinned deep by Rochester punter Alex Wing who had a terrific day, booting seven punts for 317 yards (45.3 avg), including five of which ended inside the 20, matching the Yellowjacket school record in the process. Wing added punts downed or out-of-bounds at the 1-yard line and 3-yard line in the game and added a 62-yard boot, setting a new personal best.
The Garnet Charger lead was short lived, as just two plays later, Rochester snagged it right back, as Rose and Johnson hooked up along the left sideline for the big catch-and-run play. Rose's pump fake tricked the defender and Johnson executed a terrific double-move and was wide open on the play. The senior now is up to 47 receptions for 524 yards and 4 touchdowns receiving, all career-highs, with still four games remaining on the schedule.
Union followed with another long drive, going 88 yards on 12 straight run plays to surge in front 14-10. Anderson provided the two big plays on the drive, rushing up the middle for 14 yards and then converting a 3rd down with a 32-yard rush up the right side. Fiore finished off the drive with a 1-yard score.
Rochester got near midfield on its next possession before punting it away, but Weeren got the Yellowjackets the ball right back with his pick of Pacatte near the sideline.
UR followed with a well-executed 2-minute offense with Rose finding Papantonis through the air to take the 17-14 lead into the break.
For the game, Union had success on third downs, converting 14-of-21 chances, compared to Rochester who was just 3-for-12 in that category. The Garnet Chargers only mustered points on 2-of-5 red zone chances though, and Rochester combined for 10 points off of turnovers.
Defensively, Happy Chane led all players with 16 tackles for the Yellowjackets. Four Rochester defenders finished with 10 or more stops, with Jack Yensel providing 12, Nolan Ragland ending with 11 and Bradley Beckwith chipping in ten. Jordy Tawa had two pass break-ups and Joe DeBonis provided three QB hurries.
Up next for the Yellowjackets is a road league matchup at St. Lawrence University next Saturday at 1 pm.
Union Squeaks By Rochester In Liberty League Tilt
/seasons/2023/boxscores/20231007_cfo3.xml
2023
Union
21
Rochester
17
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Union (6-0) | 0 | 14 | 7 | 0 | 21 |
| Rochester (4-2) | 3 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 17 |
Oct 07, 2023