HAMBURG, N.Y. – Hilbert College Football opened its home schedule today as the Hawks hosted the University of Rochester in Liberty League action at St. Francis Highschool. The Hawks totaled 284 yards of offense and received a record-breaking 129 receiving yard performance from
Christian Hamilton Jr., but fell to the visiting Yellowjackets 48-6.
The Yellowjackets scored twice in the opening quarter and added a rushing touchdown on the first drive of the second period to build a 20-0 advantage. Hilbert responded with one of its best offensive drives of the first half early in the second quarter. Behind a 76-yard completion from
Noah Workman to Hamilton Jr., the Hawks advanced to the Rochester three-yard line before a turnover ended the scoring opportunity.
The Hawks' defense came up with several key moments throughout the game, including a goal-line stand late in the second quarter that forced Rochester to turn the ball over on downs at the Hilbert 14-yard line. Rochester later held a 20-0 advantage at halftime.
In the third quarter, Hilbert received another spark from the defense when
Marquez Velez intercepted a pass and returned it 12 yards, helping set up a scoring threat deep in Rochester territory. The Hawks later sustained a lengthy 12-play drive that consumed nearly six minutes of game time.
Hilbert broke through in the fourth quarter with a five-play, 65-yard touchdown drive.
Jeremy Ganska highlighted the possession with runs of 31 and 16 yards before finishing it with a two-yard touchdown rush. The drive also included consecutive completions from Workman to Hamilton Jr.
Ganska finished with 129 rushing yards on 27 carries and scored Hilbert's lone touchdown. Hamilton Jr. led the receiving corps with eight catches for a program-record 129 yards, while Workman completed 8-of-9 passes for 125 yards.
Defensively,
Scotty Winchell and Velez each recorded seven tackles.
Anthony Theiss,
Amir Swanson,
Neven Dermady, and
Kaden Beckerink added five or more stops, while
Sherrad Patterson II recorded the Hawks' lone sack and
Danny Nguyen blocked an extra point attempt.
UP NEXT:
The Hawks are back in action next weekend when the team travels to take on RPI on Saturday, October 3
rd at 12 pm.
