2008 Woodie Awards
Football avoids going 0-3 with a win against Rochester last weekend
Patrick Fergusson
Issue date: 9/27/07 Section: Sports
- Page 1 of 1
Zach Tillo ran sprinting towards a one hundred yard game. Vito Pellerito recording double-digit tackles. R.J. Simoni lept towards his second interception of the season. And seven catches from senior wide receiver Andrew Reigle highlighted the evening.
After weeks of waiting, being just fourteen days removed from surrendering 509 yards to Springfield in the home opener and seven from the 34-0 loss to Muhlenberg, Union football realized its potential in a 13-7 win over Rochester this past weekend. It was their ninth straight victory over the Yellowjackets, and 16th in the past 17 games.
With 2:41 remaining in the first half, starting running back Zach Tillo ran in from the one to cap an 11 play, 50 yard drive, one which bit 5:36 off the clock. Just before his scoring run he caught a nine yard pass from sophomore quarterback Andrew 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, first commanding lead of the season, and first sign of the laudable Union football program that our school had come to know, appreciate, and miss.
The first quarter foreshadowed what would be a successful game for the Dutchmen, with a season-best 16-play drive that took 7:22. 63 yards and Zach Epley's first career field goal later nearly half of the first quarter was shaved away by a Union team looking to bounce back from their 0-2 start; 0-3 would have meant a stain on the program that they had not seen since the 1975 team began their season with three losses.
After a slow, low scoring game, Yellowjacket quarterback Adam Barrett waved the possibility of that 0-3 start in front of the Dutchmen at the end of the first half. After taking over at their own 35, Rochester marched quickly down the field for 65 yards in 41 seconds. On third and three Barrett found Rochester wide receiver JJ Vanderstyne for a 53 yard, Madden 08 like pass which brought the threatening Yellowjackets to the Union five. Rochester runningback Matt Bielecki then ran the ball in the endzone to make it a one possession, 13-7 game.
Late in the second half, Rochester started a drive from their own 41 with 50 seconds left. 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.
Union finished the game 355 yards on 82 plays, while the Yellowjackets had 276 yards on 57 plays.
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 pm.
After weeks of waiting, being just fourteen days removed from surrendering 509 yards to Springfield in the home opener and seven from the 34-0 loss to Muhlenberg, Union football realized its potential in a 13-7 win over Rochester this past weekend. It was their ninth straight victory over the Yellowjackets, and 16th in the past 17 games.
With 2:41 remaining in the first half, starting running back Zach Tillo ran in from the one to cap an 11 play, 50 yard drive, one which bit 5:36 off the clock. Just before his scoring run he caught a nine yard pass from sophomore quarterback Andrew 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, first commanding lead of the season, and first sign of the laudable Union football program that our school had come to know, appreciate, and miss.
The first quarter foreshadowed what would be a successful game for the Dutchmen, with a season-best 16-play drive that took 7:22. 63 yards and Zach Epley's first career field goal later nearly half of the first quarter was shaved away by a Union team looking to bounce back from their 0-2 start; 0-3 would have meant a stain on the program that they had not seen since the 1975 team began their season with three losses.
After a slow, low scoring game, Yellowjacket quarterback Adam Barrett waved the possibility of that 0-3 start in front of the Dutchmen at the end of the first half. After taking over at their own 35, Rochester marched quickly down the field for 65 yards in 41 seconds. On third and three Barrett found Rochester wide receiver JJ Vanderstyne for a 53 yard, Madden 08 like pass which brought the threatening Yellowjackets to the Union five. Rochester runningback Matt Bielecki then ran the ball in the endzone to make it a one possession, 13-7 game.
Late in the second half, Rochester started a drive from their own 41 with 50 seconds left. 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.
Union finished the game 355 yards on 82 plays, while the Yellowjackets had 276 yards on 57 plays.
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 pm.
Be the first to comment on this story