SCHENECTADY, NY – The host Union College football team turned in a stellar defensive effort on Saturday, leading to a 27-0 shutout over the University of Rochester at Frank Bailey Field.
The Garnet Chargers combined to hold the Yellowjackets (3-6, 2-4 Liberty League) to just 40 yards of total offense, which included minus-15 rushing yards that were aided by a bad snap on a punt and a trio of Union sacks. Union (5-4, 4-2 Liberty League) on offense piled up 334 yards.
Rochester did have some bright spots on defense, with senior
Jack Diggins having a monster game, including a team-high 15 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, a sack, forced fumble and interception.
Braydon Felsinger added 12 tackles and a pass break-up, while
Gavin Guidette recorded 11 tackles and 1.5 TFL's.
Offensively,
Cole Raux returned to the URochester lineup and carried seven times for 31 yards, while
Shawn Bellenger completed 10 of 19 passes for 55 yards and an interception.
Justin Rizzo-Troxell grabbed two catches for 25 yards to lead the receivers.
Union started the scoring late in the opening quarter, with Luke Sheehan scampering in from five yards, and after Owen Sanderson's PAT kick, the Garnet Chargers were up 7-0.
The score remained 7-0 through the second quarter, with the Yellowjackets heading into the locker room down just one score.
In the third, the Garnet Chargers got a 39-yard touchdown pass from Sheehan to Gil Rivera to double the lead. Later in the quarter, Sanderson connected on a 26-yard field goal to make it 17-0 heading into the fourth.
Sheehan got his second rushing score of the game early in the fourth quarter and Sanderson completed the scoring with a 21-yard field goal, reaching the final score of 27-0.
URochester was limited to just six first downs in the contest, and the furthest they trekked into Union territory was the Garnet Charger 36-yard line after a drive that started following an interception by defensive back
Jack McNeff.
On that drive, UR had a 3rd-and-5 at the Union 36, but a sack by Michael Barnes-Pace dropped the Yellowjackets back further, not allowing a decent look to go for it on fourth down.
Kyle Brainard stepped up shortly after and booted one of his eight punts, with that one pinning the Garnet Chargers back at their own 4-yard line.
Brainard finished with 283 punt yards (a 35.4 average) on eight kicks, with a long punt of 56 yards.
For Union, Sheehan finished 16-for-24 passing for 186 yards and one TD and two interceptions. He added 34 yards rushing and two scores. Michael Dinardo finished as Union's leading rusher with 66 yards on 14 attempts. Through the air, Rivera caught two passes for 52 yards and his touchdown. Brady Markowski added four receptions for 26 yards.
Dwayne Hinds, Colt Wales and Dom Mazzuca all led the Garnet Chargers with seven tackles, at least one tackle for loss and half a sack.
Other defensive leaders for the Yellowjackets included
A.J. Bicksler's 10 tackles,
Asiel Richards' six tackles 1.5 TFL and one sack performance and
Brendan McDonald's nine tackles and one pass break-up.
URochester has one final game in the 2026 season, with the Yellowjackets hosting St. Lawrence at Fauver Stadium next Saturday at noon. Prior to the game, the UR seniors will be honored with their families as a part of the annual Senior Day celebration.
