4th Quarter Scores Lift Yellowjackets

The University of Rochester put together two 4th quarter scoring drives to rally for a 14-7 victory over Alfred State on Saturday afternoon. The Yellowjackets accumulated 149 yards in the final quarter.

Neither offenses could get much going in the 1st half. With the U of R driving late in the 2nd quarter, Michael Zimmerman (Canandaigua) intercepted a tipped pass on the Yellowjackets 14 and returned it 31 yards. After a personal foul the Pioneers moved the ball to the Rochester 40. Three plays later Hunter Evingham (Bolivar Richburg) connected with Jalen Long (Rochester/Bishop Kearney) on a 29-yard pass play with only six seconds left in the half. The Zack Goodwin (Poughkeepsie/F.D. Roosevelt) gave the Pioneers a 7-0 lead at the half.

The Pioneers had the best opportunity to score in the 3rd quarter when they put together a 13-play drive that was stopped inside the Rochester 10 yard line when Konner Oakes intercepted a pass.

Rochester tied it up with 12:16 remaining in the contest when Emanuel Calmar rushed in from five yards out to cap a 11-play, 92-yard drive. After forcing a three and out, Rochester would put together a seven-play 62-yard drive that was capped by a tip-toe catch by Daniel Bronson in the back of the endzone. The 24-yard pass from Matt Gallagher gave the Yellowjackets a lead they wouldn't give back up.

The Pioneers had two more offensive chances. They drove the ball all the way down to the Rochester 28 but the drive was stopped with 3:28 remaining. After forcing a Rochester punt in the final seconds, the Pioneers tried for some last second magic but were only able to advance 22 yards before time expired.

Evingham was 15 for 32 for 177 yards and a score. .Long led the receivers with three catches for 75 yards while Chris Meadows (New Rochelle) led the rushing attack with 61 yards on 17 carries.

Gallagher was 18 for 29 for 196 and a score, Calmar rushed for 120 yards on 29 carries, and Bronson had eight catches for 96 yards.

John Lauretti (Seaford) had a monster day on the defensive side of the ball for the Pioneers. He recorded 13 tackles (11 solo), a sack, and forced a fumble. Justin Espinal (Beacon) record seven tackles while Jamal Little (Brooklyn/Thomas Jefferson) and Austin Parker (Port Byron) each had six.

Josh Churchin led Rochester with 11 tackles while Tim Mascari had seven. Justin Warner recorded 1.5 sacks.

Rochester outgained the Pioneers 331 to 250. 

The Pioneers are off next weekend and will return to action on September 30th when they open ECFC play with a road contest at SUNY Maritime.