ROCHESTER, NY – Senior running back Zach Tillo (Lancaster, MA) ran for a career high 108 yards and senior linebacker Vito Pellerito (Pompano Beach, FL) had 10 tackles as Union College defeated the University of Rochester, 13-7 in the Liberty League opener for both teams at Fauver Stadium Saturday afternoon.

 

The Dutchmen improved to 1-2 overall and posted their ninth straight victory over the Yellowjackets. Union has won 16 of the last 17 matchups against Rochester, which fell to 0-3 overall.

 

Tillo eclipsed his previous high of 102 at Hobart last year, with his second career 100 yard game. Sophomore quarterback Andrew Cattelier (Voorheesville, NY), making his first career start, was 19 for 29 for 172 yards and did not throw an interception. Senior  WR Andrew Reigle (Daria, FL) led Union with seven catches for 72 yards. With the Dutchmen leading 13-7 and the Yellowjackets threatening from the Union 38, Union senior defensive back R.J. Simoni (East Greenbush, NY) intercepted an Adam Barrett pass in front of the far left corner of the endzone with 10 seconds left in the half to preserve the lead.

 

Rochester running back Matt Bielecki was 23 for 84 with one touchdown while Barrett completed 13 of 29 pass attempts for 182 yards and one interception. Pedro Sosa had four catches for 46 yards for the Yellowjackets. Jim Milks had game highs of 10 solo and 15 total tackles while John Jackson and Joe Galantini had 11 tackles each for the hosts.

 

Union had 355 yards on 82 plays while the Yellow Jackets had 2767 yards on 57 plays.

 

On the first drive of the game, the Dutchmen consumed nearly half of the first quarter, with a season-best 16-play drive that took 7:22. The 63 yard drive was capped by a 21 yard field goal by sophomore Zach Epley, his first career field goal, with 7:38 remaining. Tillo had eight carries for 36 yards on the drive, while Cattelier kept the drive alive on a third-and-seven from the Rochester 31. He hit Charles Kaliades (Ridgewood, NJ) with a 14 yard pass on that play.

 

After the Yellowjackets went four and out on their first possession, the Dutchmen took over on their own 29 with 6:20 left in the quarter. On a third-and-10 from the Rochester 26 yard line, Cattelier hit Reigle for a 12 yard pass to bring it to the 14. Four plays later, Epley nailed a 37 yard field goal with 43 seconds left in the quarter for a 6-0 Union lead.

 

The Dutchmen scored their lone touchdown of the game with 2:41 remaining in the first half for a 13-0 lead. Tillo ran in from one yard out to cap an 11 play, 50 yard drive in 5:36. Just before his scoring run, he caught a nine yard pass from Cattelier on a third-and-seven from the Rochester 10. This was Union's first touchdown since early in the second quarter of the Springfield season opener.

 

On the ensuing drive, the Yellowjackets took over at their own 35. Four plays and 65 yards later in 41 seconds, Bielecki ran in from five yards out and it was 13-7 Union. Barrett found JJ Vanderstyne for a 53 yard pass to the Union five during the drive in a third and three situation.

 

Rochester started a drive from their own 41 with 50 seconds left in the half. Barrett completed three passes for 21 yards, but on a third and 10 from the Union 38, Barrett was intercepted by Simoni to end the threat with 10 seconds left in the half.

 

At 11:14 remaining in the fourth quarter, Griffin Moar attempted a 22 yard field goal for the Yellowjackets. But  Pat Sheridan (Short Hill, NJ) came in from the kicker's left side and blocked the attempt.

 

Union avoided the first 0-3 start since the 1975 season. The Dutchmen play on the road next week for the third straight time, as Union plays at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Saturday, September 29 at 2 p.m.