ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Will Varney rushed for two touchdowns, including the gamewinner with 2:03 to play at the University of Rochester defeated Alfred State College, 28-27, at Edwin Fauver Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The win was sealed when Rochester's Jack Yensel intercepted a desperation pass from Aaron Jenkins in the final 22 seconds. The Yellowjackets knelt once with the snap to run out the clock. Rochester is 1-1. Alfred State is 0-2.
Varney's winning TD run capped off a 15-play, 76-yard drive in the last seven minutes for Rochester. Alfred State's Shy'rel Broadwater caught two scoring passes earlier in the fourth period from Aaron Jenkins to build a 27-21 lead.. The first, a 25-yarder, brought the Pioneers within 21-19 with 14:43 remaining. Jenkins tried a two-point pass that was incomplete.
ASC's Joe Alvarado stripped Varney near midfield and Dakotah Mathis recovered at the Alfred State 44. After a short gain, Jenkins found Broadwater behind the defense for a 53-yard TD strike that put the guests ahead, 25-21. This time, Jenkins rushed through the left side for the two-point conversion and a 27-21 advantage.
The guests had a chance to extend their lead with less than 9:00 left, but Dawson Fontaine's 41-yard field goal attempt drifted wide right. Fontaine kicked a pair of 21-yard field goals in the first half.
Rochester took over with 8:37 to go. Varney rushed for 26 yards on five carries and Daniel Papantonis rushed for 22 more on five carries. Sean Casey completed three of five passes in the drive for 34 yards, each of them gaining a first down. UR faced 3rd-and-7 at the ASC 27 with less than 4:00 to go. Casey threw incomplete for Papantonis, then connected with Noah Shinaman for 10 yards and a first down. Papantonis ran for nine yards and Varney carried for seven to make it first and goal at the one. Varney scored on the next play.
The Yellowjackets pressured Jenkins on the final drive (1:54 left at the ASC 22). He was sacked by Jack Dippolito at the 19 and fumbled. Caleb Maier recovered at the ASC 19. On 3rd-and-10, Jenkins hit Broadwater for 12 yards to the ASC 34. He threw incomplete on first down, then with 24 seconds left, over-threw Broadwater on the left side. Yensel ran it down and intercepted.
Rochester scored on its opening drive of the game – Varney scored from the four. After a Fontaine field goal, Casey hit Liam McManus for a five-yard TD for a 14-3 edge. Alfred State pulled within a point by halftime. Fontaine kicked his second 21-yard FG with 10:24 left in the second. Rochester turned the ball over – Jeremiah Nixon recovered a fumble by Papantonis at the Pioneer 32. Alred State moved 68 yards in eight plays to score. Jake Palmer rushed for a two-yard TD and Fontaine's PAT made it 14-13 just before halftime.
Late in the third, Rochester stretched its lead to 21-13. Varney's 44-yard burst up the middle put the Yellowjackets on the ASC 20. Three plays later, Casey faked, then ran through left tackle for a five-yard score. Shane Bombace had the PAT.
Statistically, Alfred State compiled 429 yards – 105 on the ground (Palmer had 62 on 19 carries) and 324 in the air. Jenkins was 19 of 31 for 324 yards, two interceptions, and two TDs. He was sacked twice. Broadwater caught nine passes for 249 yards and two scores.
Rochester had 347 yards in offense. Casey was 12 of 16 for 108 yards. He was not sacked. Shinaman caught five passes for 44 yards. Papantonis rushed 24 times for 143 yards. Varney carried 12 times for 94 yards and two TDs.
Nixon was the tackle leader for Alfred State. He finished with 12 (six solo) plus the forced fumble and half of a tackle for loss. Rylie Van Fleet (five solo), Joel Smith (two solos), and Nuhsar Mike (two solos) had seven tackles each.
For Rochester, Braydon Bush had 12 stops (six solo). Caden Cole had 10 (8 solo). Joe DeBonis and Dippolito had sacks.
Alfred State held a sizeable lead in possession time: 34:53 to Rochester's 25:07.
Next week, Rochester plays at 20th-ranked Brockport. Alfred State hosts the University of New England.
(PICTURE ID: Rochester's Jack Yensel 19 had the game-sealing interception with 22 seconds left).