Drue Sokol / Photo Editor
The air was ripe with victory on Saturday, Nov. 3, when the Yellowjackets handed Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) a 42-15 defeat. This raised UR’s record to 4-4, while dropping WPI to 2-7.
WPI got off to a rough start, fumbling the ball two plays into the game. However, the first score of the game came off of a bad snap that sailed right over the head of senior punter Mike Carson and out the back of the end zone, giving WPI a safety.
WPI then received the free kick at UR’s 40-yard line. Their drive didn’t last long, though, thanks to junior linebacker Zach Cicero, who forced WPI receiver Trev Rancourt to fumble the ball on the first play. Junior quarterback Dean Kennedy then led UR down the field on a 75-yard drive and, with 32 seconds left in the quarter, freshman wide receiver Derek Wager scored on an eight-yard run.
In the second quarter, junior linebacker Tony Ortega returned an interception for a touchdown, pushing UR’s lead up to 14-2. With the quarter winding down, Wager fumbled and lost a punt return, giving WPI a chance to score.
WPI capitalized on the opportunity and orchestrated a short 17-yard drive, which running back Gallagher Hogan topped off with an 11-yard burst into the end zone. Kicker Mitch Lewis’ point after attempt was blocked, making the score 14-8 going into halftime.
The third quarter started much like the second, with the Yellowjackets recovering a fumbled WPI punt return. It took UR three plays to score a touchdown on a one-yard run by junior full back Brandon Young. The ’Jackets then recovered two more fumbles, bringing their fumble recovery total to five. After the final one, Kennedy exploded and connected with junior tight end Ken Apostolakos for three touchdowns in a nine-minute span.
With 38 seconds left in the game, WPI managed to score a second touchdown after Rancourt caught a six-yard pass in the end zone.
This game is UR’s second highest-scoring of the season and is the first in which Kennedy has thrown three touchdowns.
The team travels to Geneva, N.Y. on Saturday, Nov. 10 to take on Hobart College in their final regular season game.
Ondo is a member of the class of 2014.
