October 6. 2001

GENEVA, N.Y.--The Hobart College football team avenged its only loss of the 2000 regular season this afternoon, rolling to a 38-12 victory over UCAA rival, the University of Rochester. First-year running back Ty Godinho (Lancaster/Lancaster, N.Y.) eclipsed the 100-yard rushing mark for the second straight game with 101 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries to lead the Statesmen (3-1, 2-1).

The Yellowjackets (2-3, 1-2) entered the game averaging nearly 250 yards passing per game behind quarterback Jeff Piscitelli (Springville Griffith/Springville, N.Y.), but was limited to just 87 yards, as the senior signal caller completed just 9-of-37, while tossing a season-high three interceptions.

Leading Hobart's swarming defense was junior defensive end Chris Hanly (Swampscott/Swampscott, Mass.). He finished with a game-high eight tackles. Sophomore inside linebacker David Szentesy (Lackawanna/Lacakawanna, N.Y.) added four tackles and a pair of interceptions.

The Statesmen offense, which struggled in the season's first two games, turned in a sterling effort for the second straight game. After rushing for 442 yards in a 47-0 romp at St. Lawrence last week, the Hobart offense gave the Yellowjackets a more balanced look this afternoon. The Statesmen rushed for 236 yards and passed for a season-high 169 yards.

Hobart proved especially potent in the first and third quarters, thanks in large part to field position. The Statesmen's average starting field position in the opening frame was the Rochester 42. With their backs against the wall from the start, Rochester yielded 34-yard touchdown runs to Godinho at the 13:54 mark, and 12 minutes later to first-year running back John Holleran (Choate Rosemary Hall/Sharon, Mass.).

In the third quarter, Hobart once again had an average starting field position in Rochester territory, this time at the 49. The offense responded with two touchdowns and a field goal. Sophomore quarterback Craig Swanson (Jamestown/Jamestown, N.Y.), who completed 12-of-22 passes for 169 yards, accounted for both TDs, connecting with classmates Joe Pirozzolo (Elmira Free Academy/Elmira, N.Y.) for a 46-yard strike early in the quarter and Jermaine Patterson (Lockport/Lockport, N.Y.) for a 10-yard score late in the frame.

In between, first-year Eric Ampuja (Brockton/Brockton, Mass.) kicked a 31-yard field, and senior linebacker Jesse Aquilino (Fox Lane/Bedford, N.Y.) returned a fumble 3 yards for a touchdown to complete a 24-0 Statesmen run.

Rochester got on the scoreboard with 5:35 remaining in the first half. Junior running back John Breedy (Webster/Webster, N.Y.) fumbled at the Hobart 5, but classmate Parker Jaques (Rosemont, N.J.) recovered the loose ball in the end zone. The Yellowjackets missed the PAT wide left, and trailed 14-6 at halftime.

Rochester got its only other touchdown of the afternoon with 2:26 remaining in the contest, a 4-yard Piscitelli plunge.

Junior defensive tackle Jon VanValkenburg (Phoenix/Cicero, N.Y.), senior linebacker Brian Kowalski (Liverpool/Liverpool, N.Y.), and sophomore linebacker Craig Pipal (Greece Arcadia/Rochester, N.Y.) eached turned in seven tackles to pace the Yellowjackets' defense.

The Statesmen continue their current home stand on Oct. 13, against Franklin & Marshall. Kick off is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Boswell Field.