Rochester Wins Offensive Affair

Alfred State led 27-20 early in the 3^rd quarter but the University of Rochester scored 35 unanswered points as the Yellowjackets earned a 55-27 victory at Pioneer Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Dashon Turner (Camillus/West Genesee) connected with Josh Ashley (Brooklyn/Grand Street Campus) on a 30-yard touchdown pass just under five minutes into the game to give the Pioneers the early lead. An interception by Steven Hubick (Fountain Hills, AZ) set up the short four-play, 40-yard drive.

U of R answered right back with a 10-play, 68-yard drive capped by a 5-yard scoring run by Shane Saucier to make it 7-6 (PAT missed). The Yellowjackets took their first lead on their next drive when Daniel Bronson connected with Shawn Silleman on a 19-yard scoring play (PAT missed).

With 39 seconds left in the 1^st quarter, Zack Goodwin (Poughkeepsie/FD Roosevelt) cut the lead to 12-10 with a 24-yard field goal. The field goal was the first by Alfred State since October 18, 2014.

Alfred State retook the lead with 8:22 remaining in the 1^st half when Hezekiah Williamson (Albany) rushed in from three-yards out to cap a seven-play, 78-yard drive. Saucier gave Rochester the lead right back 1:11 later when he caught a screen pass and went 68-yards for the score. The two-point conversion pass from Bronson to David Angie made it 20-17.

Goodwin sent the game into halftime tied at 20-20 when he connected on a 35-yard field goal.

The 2^nd half started off on the positive note for the Pioneers. Justin Espinal (Beacon) recovered a Yellowjacket fumble on the first offensive play of the half. Three plays later, Khris Greggs (Rochester/Aquinas) raced in from three yards outs to make it 27-20.

U of R answered right back with a 13-play, 79-yard drive to tie the game up. Bronson rushed in from three-yards out for his first of three 3^rd quarter rushing touchdowns. After a long Pioneer field goal was just wide left, Bronson scored from 17-yards out to give the Yellowjackets a lead they would never give up. Bronson dove in from one-yard out with 4:26 left to make it 41-27 after three quarters.

Rochester added rushing touchdowns from Nick Perpignan (4-yards) and Nate Monteith (2-yards) in the 4^th quarter to add to their lead.  The Yellowjackets cranked out 307 yards in the 2^nd half and held the Pioneers to just 93. Rochester also picked off three passes in the half.

Bronson finished the day with 145 yards and three scores rushing and 237 yards (14 for 23) and two TD's passing. Saucier rushed for 61 yards on 11 carries and had 68 yards receiving. The Yellowjackets gained 560 yards on the day, was 9 of 14 on 3^rd downs, and amassed 33 first downs.

Williamson had his first 100-yard rushing game as a Pioneer. He rushed 22 times for 125 yards and a score. Greggs also went over 100-yards with 104 yards receiving on six catches. Turner finished the day 12 for 23 for 174 yards. On the day, the blue & gold offense had a season high 394 yards.

Josh Churchin led Rochester with 12 tackles. Ricky Sparks, Ryan Bell, and Joe Capotelli all had six tackles. Robert Grant, Nick Pirsos, Ricky Simcic, and Jordan Caviness all intercepted passes.

Hubick and Espinal led the Pioneer defense with 12 tackles each. Brandon Davis (Lansing) added 11 tackles.

The Pioneers hit the road next Saturday when they travel to Bangor, ME to battle Husson. Opening kickoff is slated for 1 p.m.