UR was able to even its Liberty League record by mounting a late comeback by the St. Lawrence University Saints this weekend to earn a 27-22 truimph.
The Saints got on the board first, but UR answered quickly with a touchdown early in the second quarter. Senior quarterback Aaron Molisani capped an 11 play, 78 yard drive by finding classmate David Ferris for an 11-yard touchdown pass. Sophomore Rob Corey’s extra point was blocked and returned for a two point conversion by the Saints.
However, in the second quarter offense got nowhere on drive after drive forcing the team UR to punt. The Saints capped the scoring in the quarter when Saints’ kicker Nick Little hit a 46-yard field goal giving the Saints a 12-6 lead at halftime.
The Yellowjackets opened the second half with a bang scoring a go ahead touchdown. Again, Molisani hit senior wideout Daniel Rivers on a 37-yard pass capping a 10 play, 80-yard drive that shaved only four minutes off of the clock. This time Corey’s extra point attempt was true giving UR a 13-12 lead.
UR struck again in the early minutes of the fourth quarter. Senior wideout Nate Gibbons scored on a 30-yard touchdown scamper. On the following Saints drive, senior linebacker Ted Hardenstine picked off quarterback Tom Anderson and carried the ball 20-yards the other direction to cap the scoring for the Yellojackets.
With a few minutes to go the Saints used their quick offense to mount a comeback. They struck with under two minutes left and added a successful two-point conversion to draw to within a score. UR took a safety on their next possession to run out the clock and secure its victory.
Quaterback Aaron Molisani led the offense completing 13 of 20 passes for 130 yards and two scores. Sophomore Matt Bielecki led the ground game running for 136 yards on 32 carries. Molisani added 62 yards on 15 attempts. Ferris led the receiving core with two catches for 25 yards.
Senior linebacker Jon Gorom spearheaded the Yellowjacket defense – that held the Saint offense under 300 yards of total offense – with 9.5 tackles, including one for a loss.
The Yellowjackets look to break the 500 mark in league play this weekend when they travel to face the United States Merchant Marine Academy this Saturday for a 1 p.m. kickoff.
Allard can be reached at dallard@campustimes.org
