UR’s football team lost to Union College by a score of 34-13 in Schenectady, NY on Saturday, Nov. 9.
Union won the coin toss and chose to defer possession of the ball to UR.
UR’s kick returner, senior Trey Johnson (#3), caught the ball and ran it 35 yards from the UR 6-yard line to their 41, where he was tripped, and advanced the ball another 15 yards. Despite receiving an advantageous field position and making a competitive drive down the field, UR failed to convert when Union senior Emmanuel Green (#3) intercepted the ball on Union’s 2-yard line.
Union was forced to punt early into their drive, giving UR possession on their own 20-yard line.
Neither team would score in the first quarter, with UR regaining possession at the end of the quarter. Starting on their own five-yard line, they advanced all the way down to Union’s 29-yard line before turning the ball over on downs following a failed rushing attempt.
Although Union did not score after recovering possession, UR was similarly unable to find success after they got the ball back.
Union finally broke the scoreless tie after a short punt from UR. They capitalized on passes from junior quarterback Patch Flanagan (#2) to score their first touchdown of the game. Junior Gil Rivera (#13) caught a pass up the middle, which he ran into the end zone 45 yards from the line of scrimmage. They successfully converted the extra point.
UR was unable to retaliate on their next drive as they threw another interception. Taking advantage of the opportunity, Flanagan again found Rivera for a touchdown pass, this time for 56 yards. Union failed to convert a two-point conversion, keeping the score at 13-0.
UR was unable to mount a comeback drive as they received the ball with only 16 seconds left in the first half.
Although Union received the ball to begin the second half, they could not score on their opening drive. UR was similarly unable to create any offense and punted the ball after being stopped at their own nine-yard line.
Union got the ball on their own 42-yard line and were able to move the ball down the field using both running and passing plays. Although UR put up a respectable goal line stand, Union senior Jonathan Anderson (#32) ran the ball in for a touchdown. Union converted the extra point.
UR was unable to score again, as they punted following another unsuccessful drive. Union, meanwhile, scored another touchdown after driving the ball down the field from their 30-yard line.
Although UR were unable to score after getting the ball back, they stopped Union’s next drive as well. Following Union’s punt, UR received the ball on their own 36-yard line. Following a succession of running and passing attempts, UR first year quarterback Creighton Wise (#13) found junior Aidan Papantonis (#4) for a 21-yard completion for a touchdown. UR was unable to convert the extra point, however.
After advancing the ball to UR’s 38-yard line on the kickoff, Union scored their final touchdown of the game and converted the extra point with around eight minutes to go in the game.
Union was forced to redo the kickoff following unsportsmanlike conduct flags for their players, giving UR possession on Union’s 24-yard line. UR, however, was unable to score.
After turning the ball over on downs, UR stopped Union after three plays on their 23-yard line. After receiving Union’s punt at their own 43-yard line, UR went on an 11-play, 57-yard drive to score their second touchdown. They successfully converted the extra point to make the score 34-13 in Union’s favor.
Union did not make an effort to score again with 31 seconds left at the time they regained possession.
The game brought UR’s record to 6-3. They will next play their final regular season game against Hobart College at home at Fauver Field on Saturday, Nov. 16.
