HAMBURG, NY – University of Rochester football put together its highest-scoring total since 2023, opening Liberty League play with a 48-6 win over Hilbert College on Saturday at Saint Francis High School.
The Yellowjacket accumulated 532 yards of total offense, averaging more than eight yards per play, with 250 yards on the ground, and 282 through the air. Rochester notched 29 first downs, compared to just 13 for the Hawks, who totaled just 284 yards and went 3-for-14 on third downs.
Shawn Bellenger connected with three different receivers for scores, going 14-for-24 for 252 yards and three touchdowns.
Justin Rizzo-Troxell was the 'Jackets' leading receiver, catching six passes for 119 yards, while
James Floto,
T.J. Shifflet and
Corey Wang each caught a touchdown pass.
On the ground,
Cole Raux rushed 20 times for 147 yards and two scores, while
Drew Strollo and
Logan Cove also found the end zone.
After the Hawks turned it over on downs on their opening drive, the Yellowjackets needed just three plays to take the lead. Raux got the offense going with a seven-yard run, while Bellenger hit Rizzo-Troxell for 23 yards to set up first-and-goal from the Hilbert three-yard line, where Raux rumbled in for his first score.
Hilbert went three-and-out on its next possession, and the 'Jackets answered with another quick strike, this time marching down the field in four plays to extend their lead to 14-0. Raux caught an 11-yard pass from Bellenger to set up Rochester just outside the red zone, where Bellenger connected with Shifflet for a 27-yard touchdown pass to make it 14-0.
The Yellowjackets would head into the second quarter with the football following another Hilbert punt, in the midst of an 11-play, 69-yard scoring drive. Bellenger connected with Rizzo-Troxell for a 13-yard gain to get the drive going, and picked up a third-and-seven from the UR 47-yard line with an 11-yard completion to Wang.
A six-yard reception by Strollo set up the Yellowjackets at the goal line before the first quarter ended, and Strollo took it in himself for a one-yard rushing touchdown to extend Rochester's lead to 20-0 to start the second quarter.
Rhys Lewis forced a fumble on Hilbert's ensuing drive after a 76-yard completion gave the Hawks their first red-zone opportunity of the day, and while Rochester would drive 87 yards the other way, a missed field goal prevented the Yellowjackets from further extending their lead.
Rochester would take a 20-0 lead into the locker room, but despite getting the ball to start the third, it would quickly punt it away. However, Rochester's defense came up with another third-down stop and forced Hilbert to punt, one of eight punts on the day for the Hawks, and URochester would get back to its scoring ways.
Raux followed Bellenger's 24-yard rush with a 35-yard rushing touchdown to cap off a two-play, 59-yard scoring drive, extending the 'Jackets' lead to 27-0. While after
A.J. Bicksler and
Gavin Guidette came up with a huge sack on third-and-long, Bellenger connected with Wang for his second passing touchdown of the day, a 25-yard strike that made it a 34-0 Rochester lead.
URochester would add one more score, a 32-yard touchdown pass from Bellenger to Floto, before the end of the third, capping off a five-play, 62-yard drive that gave the Yellowjackets a 41-0 lead.
In the fourth quarter, the 'Jackets' defense slowed another Hilbert drive, this time with
Connor Werkman's pass breakup on third-and-20, forcing another Hawk punt, while Cove and
Aniston Marsh would put the capper on Rochester's offensive day with a 10-play, 80-yard scoring drive, finished off by Cove's six-yard rushing touchdown.
And while the Hawks would get on the scoreboard late with a five-play, 65-yard scoring drive of their own, the Yellowjackets were able to run out the clock with their ensuing drive and finish off the 48-6 victory.
With the win, Rochester moves back to .500 at 2-2 (1-0 LL) on the year, while the Hawks fall to 0-3 (0-2 LL).
Defensively, Lewis had a game-high nine tackles and four tackles for a loss, adding a sack and a forced fumble. Bicksler had a team-high two-and-a-half sacks, while
Claudio Pinto and Werkman each had a pass breakup.
Will Ham connected on six of seven extra point attempts for Rochester, while
Kyle Brainard kicked five touchbacks and landed lone punt inside the 20-yard line.
The Yellowjackets are back in action next Saturday, Oct. 3, when they return home for Meliora Weekend, hosting Buffalo State at 1:00 p.m. inside Fauver Stadium.
