KINGS POINT, NY – Aaron Molisani and Pat O'Brien rushed for two touchdowns apiece to lead the visiting University of Rochester to a 32-9 victory over the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy here.
Molisani also threw a 27-yard touchdown pass to David Ferris. The Yellowjackets evened their overall record at 3-3 and improved to 2-1 in the Liberty League. The USMMA is 1-5 overall, 0-3 in the Liberty League.
Rochester rushed for 245 yards on 62 carries. O'Brien rushed 28 times for 107 yards and Molisani carried 18 yards for 103 yards. O'Brien scored on runs of two yards (with 9 seconds left in the third quarter) and seven yards (with 1:59 left in the game). Molisani rushed for an eight-yard touchdown to open the scoring in the second quarter and a 56-yard run midway through the fourth.
The Academy, which was averaging 263 yards passing per game, was hampered greatly by the rain. Chuck Kleinschnitz completed 3 of 19 passes for 29 yards and was intercepted once.
Molisani's eight-yard scoring run came two plays after a 39-yard punt return by Mike Sondericker. The Academy cut it to 7-6 after a turnover. O'Brien was stripped of the ball and Art Dahlin lugged it 21 yards to the 11. Two plays later, Adam Franco took it in.
The hosts took a 9-7 lead at halftime when freshman Geoff Troy kicked a 34-yard field goal with 21 seconds left in the half. It was Troy's 13th field goal in 14 attempts.
Rochester scored on its first two possessions of the second half to take command. The Yellowjackets drove 64 yards in eight plays to take a 13-9 lead. Ferris made a diving catch in the end zone, cradling the ball just before he hit the ground.
On their next drive, the Yellowjackets strung together 13 plays covering 62 yards with O'Brien diving in from the two.
