Box Score

TROY, N.Y. – The University of Rochester scored with 5:24 remaining in the fourth quarter and held on a Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) first-and-goal with under two minutes remaining and the Yellowjackets defeated the 13th-ranked Engineers, 25-21, in a Division III Liberty League football game at ’86 Field.

Rochester’s victory, coupled with a Hobart win over Union, creates a four-way tie in the Liberty League standings. The Yellowjackets improve to 6-3 overall and 5-1 in the league, while RPI falls to 7-1 and 5-1. Both teams conclude the regular season next Saturday. Rensselaer travels to Union for the Dutchman Shoes Trophy Game, while Rochester hosts Hobart. Both games begin at noon.

Rochester sophomore quarterback Adam Barrett (Avon, NY/Avon) put Rochester ahead, 25-21, on a 25-yard quarterback keeper that he ran through the defense on the left side of the field with 5:24 remaining in the fourth quarter. The two-point conversion attempt failed. The Yellowjackets were set up at the RPI 29-yard line by a 44-yard punt return by senior Andy Rape (Zelienople, PA/Freedom Area).

Rochester held a 13-7 lead at the half. The visitors took a 7-0 lead with 1:19 left in the first quarter when Barrett connected with senior wide receiver J.J. Vanderstyne (Victor, NY/Victor) in the end zone from six yards out. The drive, which covered 53 yards on seven plays, started with a fumble recovery on a punt return.

Rochester increased its lead to 10-0 on a 24-yard field goal by sophomore Griffin Moar (Pittsford, NY/Pittsford Sutherland) in the second quarter. The homestanding Engineers pulled to within three points with 3:20 remaining in the half when junior Justin Heafy (Cheshire, CT/Cheshire) scored on a two-yard plunge. The highlight of the drive was a 36-yard pass down the right sideline from junior Jimmy Robertson (Yonkers, NY/Iona Prep) to sophomore Mike Fil (Wynantskill, NY/Averill Park) to set up first and goal. Moar added a 28-yard field goal with 22 seconds left for the 13-7 Rochester lead.

RPI scored on its second possession of the second half, as well as its possession after that for a 21-13 lead. An acrobatic catch in the end zone by junior Eren Savasli (Brooklyn, NY/Brooklyn Tech) from ten-yards gave the Engineers a 14-13 lead with 5:51 left in the third quarter. Freshman Nick Costa (Yonkers, NY/Iona Prep) then scampered 38 yards for another score, this one with 2:27 left in the third quarter.

Rochester came right back to pull within two points when freshman running back Clarence Onyiriuka (Painted Post, NY/Corning West) scored from four yards out. The Yellowjackets’ two-point conversion attempt, a pass, was unsuccessful and RPI led 21-19 early in the fourth quarter.
Junior defensive back Sean Simpson (Spencerport, NY/Spencerport) led the Rochester defense with 15 tackles (9 solo, including 3.5 for losses), a blocked kick and two sacks, He had ten tackles in the first half. Barrett finished with 187 yards passing on 10 for 19 with one touchdown. Vanderstyne had six receptions for 147 yards and a touchdown and Onyiriuka rushed for 119 yards on 30 carries.

For the Engineers, Robertson completed 25 of 42 attempts for 267 yards and one touchdown. He also rushed for 54 yards. Costa ran 98 yards on 23 carries.