SCHENECTADY, NY – The University of Rochester football team hung with Union College for three quarters but ultimately couldn't complete a late 3rd quarter surge and fell on the road 27-7 to the host Dutchmen in a Liberty League matchup on Saturday afternoon at Frank Bailey Field.
 
The loss drops Rochester to 2-5 on the season and 1-3 in the Liberty League. Union maintains its first place tie in the league standings, moving to 6-1 overall and 3-0 in the conference.
 
In the first half, Rochester's defense held the Dutchmen to a pair of field goals and one touchdown which was a perfect pass from Donovan Pacatte to Andre Ross Jr.
 
Late in the second quarter after Union's touchdown, Rochester charged into Union territory thanks to a big 57-yard run from Will Varney, but Rochester's drive stalled out at the 19-yard line, forcing a field goal attempt by Jordan Laudani which clanged off the left upright. At intermission, the Dutchmen led 13-0.
 
After halftime, Rochester's offense got going, taking the opening possession of the second half 75 yards in 12 plays, converting for a touchdown on a terrific strike from Ryan Rose to receiver Trey Johnson. On the drive, Rose connected with Johnson four times for 52 yards, with the score happening from the 25-yard line.
 
Union's next drive ended near midfield forcing a Dutchment punt. A bad snap was mishandled by the punter and J.B. Mills charged in for the big tackle for loss, turning the ball back over to Rochester at the Union 33-yard line, with the Yellowjackets trailing just 13-7.
 
Coming off its lone touchdown drive of the game, the Rochester offense looked for the go-ahead score, but Union's defense held off the Yellowjackets with some pressure from its defensive line. The 4-and-out drive ended up being two Rochester incompletions, a quarterback scramble and a sack, shifting the momentum back to Union.
 
The Dutchmen used the next 5:24 to march 62 yards for a key insurance touchdown, finished off by a Michael Fiore 2-yard pile moving score. The last eight plays of the drive were runs by Fiore, as the running back picked up 45 of his 54 yards on that drive alone.
 
Rochester's next drive saw the Yellowjackets short-circuit after just three plays, forcing a punt.
 
Union capitalized on the defensive stop and kept the offensive momentum going. The Dutchmen chewed up another six minutes from the clock, going 82 yards down the field for a 27-7 lead following an Ike Irabor scamper around the left end for an 8-yard touchdown.
 
UR got near midfield on its final drive, but Rose's pass fell incomplete to Ryan Pasquali on 4th-and-12, allowing Union to regain possession and finish off the contest with a kneel down.
 
On the ground, Varney carried 16 times for 107 yards, including his 57-yard run which was a season-long. Rose finished 9-for-21 passing for the Yellowjackets, tossing one touchdown and one interception, adding 89 yards through the air. Johnson caught five passes for 57 yards and a touchdown.
 
UR's defense was led by J.T. Monahan who had five tackles, including a pair of sacks for 12 yards. Judah Thomas led all tacklers with 11 stops, all of the solo variety, and one break-up. Caden Cole added ten tackles with Braydon Bush chipping in nine stops. Bradley Beckwith also provided a push from his interior defensive line spot, contributing five tackles, two of which were loss.
 
Union's Pacatte finished 20-for-29 passing for 251 yards and his long touchdown to Ross Jr. On the ground, Irabor had 87 yards and TD, with Fiore adding 54 yards. Nicholas Dunneman hauled in 10 receptions for 119 yards, with Ross contributing 71 yards on five catches.
 
The Yellowjackets return home for their next two games, hosting league rival St. Lawrence on October 29th at noon.