WPI 21, Rochester 14

Box Score  

Worcester, MA --- Stefan Nicotra (Wyoming, RI) notched a career-best 14 tackles and quarterback Justin Wells (Jay, ME) ran and threw for a touchdown to help WPI defeat visiting Rochester 21-14 in Liberty League football action on Saturday afternoon.  With the win, the Engineers improve to 6-1 overall and 3-1 in conference play while the Yellowjackets slip to 2-5 on the season and 2-3 in Liberty League play. 

WPI scored a touchdown in each of the first three quarters to open up a 21-7 advantage headed to the final 15:00 of play.   In the fourth quarter, Rochester had the ball inside the WPI 15 yard line on three different occasions but only scored once.  The Engineer defense held for the final time after the Yellowjackets had a 1st and 10 at the 14 with just over a minute remaining.  The Crimson and Gray forced three incomplete passes and a -2 yard rush and then ran out the clock for the win. 

WPI scored first midway through the opening quarter when Wells connected with R.C. Grady (Shirley, MA) on a 16-yard touchdown strike.  Rochester scored its only points of the half in the closing minute of the first quarter when Dan Reynolds (Johnson City, NY) recovered a blocked punt by Matt Stack (Monroe, NY) in the end zone for a touchdown. 

The Engineers took a 14-7 lead into the locker room at intermission when Wells scored on a one-yard keeper with 10:13 left before the break.  WPI added a touchdown score early in the third quarter on a Manny Cambra (Bethel, CT) 6-yard scamper setup by a Brendan Gove (Rutland, MA) interception deep inside Rochester territory. 

The Yellowjackets posted their only offensive touchdown of the day midway through the fourth quarter then Braezen Subick (Mahwah, NJ) found Zach Ingoldsby (Allison Park, PA) on a five-yard touchdown pass.   On the day Subick completed 20-of-33 passes for 149 yards and the one touchdown.  Running back Clarence Onyiriuka (Painted Post, NY) picked up a hard-earned 82 yards on 21 carries while Ingoldsby had a game-best six catches for 43 yards. 

Wells was the offensive leader for WPI, completing 12-of-23 passes for 150 yards and picking up an addition 64 yards on the ground.   

In addition to his 14 tackles, Nicotra added an interception.  Preseason All-American Andrew Sides (Acton, MA) also reached double-digits in tackles (10) while adding a sack, an additional tackle for loss and a pair of pass breakups.  Gove also contributed two tackles for loss while Todd LeClerc (Wilmington, MA) and Michael Oliveri (Milford, MA) both were credited with five stops. 

Sean Simpson (Spencerport, NY) paced the Rochester defense with seven tackles while Bill Campi (Flemington, NJ) and Brad Mills (Basom, NY) each posted a pair of tackles for loss. 

Statistically the game was virtually even with WPI enjoying a 239-227 advantage in total yards while Rochester had a 13-12 edge in first downs.  

Both teams are back in action next Saturday.  WPI hits the road for a key Liberty League showdown at Hobart while Rochester hosts non-conference foe Alfred in a rematch of the last two ECAC Northwest Bowls.  Both contests feature noon kickoffs.