The Yellowjackets put together a strong ground attack and rolled to a 37-9 victory over the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, CT on Saturday.
Rochester ran for 258 yards and scored four TDs. Aaron Molisani rushed for three scores; Pat O'Brien rushed for the other. Molisani also threw a six-yard TD pass to Dave Ferris.
The Yellowjackets improved to 4-3 overall, 3-2 in the Liberty League. Coast Guard is 1-6 overall, 0-5 in the Liberty League. The Bears have lost six straight games.
Rochester began to run the football effectively in the latter stages of the first period and finally got on the scoreboard when Molisani swept left end for a nine-yard TD on the first snap of the second quarter. Rob Corey's PAT hit the right upright, and the Yellowjackets led, 6-3.
Freshman Andy Rape picked off Cory Anderson's pass and returned it to the CG 26. Molisani directed an eight-play drive ending with his one-yard plunge for a TD. Corey's spot kick made it 13-6.
The lead grew to 20-3 on Rochester's first possession of the third quarter. O'Brien ended an 11-play, 87-yard drive with a nine-yard TD run with 9:27 and Corey finished it with the PAT.
With 2:48 left in the quarter, Molisani rolled to his right, picked up a couple of blocks, and out-ran pursuers 48 yards for a touchdown. Corey's third PAT of the afternoon followed.
The Yellowjackets surpassed the 30-point barrier for the sixth time in the last seven games when Molisani threw a six-yard TD pass to Ferris and Corey added the PAT on the first play of the final period.
Coast Guard ended the scoring drought by driving 49 yards in 10 plays. Anderson went in from the one. The PAT failed.
Corey added his fifth field goal of the season - this one from 24 yards - with 3:42 left to complete the scoring.
O'Brien led all rushers with 123 yards on 18 carries. Molisani rushed 17 times for 72 yards. He was sacked once. Matt Bielecki rushed 13 times for 64 yards. Molisani completed 13 of 24 passes for 123 yards and was not intercepted. Kevin Toolan caught four balls for 60 yards. Ferris had four receptions for 32 yards.
Coast Guard rushed for a net of 10 yards. Jon Tillman led the Bears with 57 yards on 20 carries. Jesse Keyser had 47 yards. Anderson completed 7 of 23 throws for 58 yards. He was intercepted once - by Rape - that led to the second TD.
