Box Score ROCHESTER, NY – Tariq Nelson had a career-day for the Buffalo State football team, but it wasn't enough for the Bengals to avoid defeat on the road to Rochester in a 12-6 defensive struggle in Liberty League action on Saturday afternoon.
 
THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Rochester – 12, Buffalo State – 6
LOCATION: Edwin Fauver Stadium – Rochester, NY
RECORDS: Rochester (2-4, 1-2 Liberty League), Buffalo State (0-6, 0-3 Liberty League)
 
INSIDE THE BENGAL BOX SCORE

• Tariq Nelson (Brooklyn, NY/Boys and Girls) set new career-highs with 13 receptions and 157 receiving yards, accounting for over 50% of the Buffalo State passing yards.
• Ethan Biscaro (Batavia, NY/Batavia) had an interception for the second straight week, while also leading the Buffalo State defense with 8 total tackles.
• The Buffalo State defense held the nation's leading rushing coming into the game in Daniel Papantonis (181.0 rushing yards per game) to just 129 yards on 23 carries.

 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Rochester offense moved the ball down the field on its opening drive, but the Bengals tightened up just outside the red zone to force a 38-yard field goal by Jordan Laudani for a 3-0 lead.
• Buffalo State responded by driving down the field and into the red zone, but turned the ball over on downs after Phaybian Livingston (Buffalo, NY/St. Joe's) was stopped short of the line to gain from the three-yard line.
• Each team was forced to punt on its next two drives, with the Yellowjackets picking up three first downs combined while Buffalo State picked up two.
• Rochester went on an eight-play, 61-yard touchdown drive, capped by a Papantonis 6-yard rushing touchdown. Alex Westcott (Orchard Park, NY/Orchard Park) blocked the ensuing extra point to keep the score at 9-0.
• After Cam Sionko's (Grand Island, NY/Grand Island) pass was intercepted on the next Buffalo State drive, Rochester moved into scoring position, Laudani's 37-yard field goal attempt was no good as the score remained 9-0 into halftime.
• Buffalo State moved the ball past midfield to start the second half, but Livingston was stopped short once again on fourth down at the Rochester 43-yard line.
• After the Buffalo State defense forced the Yellowjackets to punt, Sionko was intercepted for a second time, leading to a 30-yard field goal for a 12-0 Rochester lead.
• Tom Delgado (Bayside, NY/Bayside) came on in relief of Sionko, but was intercepted on his first pass attempt. Biscaro returned the favor five plays later, intercepting his third pass of the season at the Buffalo State 14-yard line.
• On the second play from scrimmage of the fourth quarter, Delgado was intercepted again, but the Bengals forced a three-and-out to give the ball back to the offense.
• The next Buffalo State drive covered 66 yards in 12 plays, but ended in another interception at the Rochester 14-yard line.
• Buffalo State forced another stop on defense, and then drove down the field, with Ale Wilson (Bronx, NY/Kipp College Prep) rushing it in for a four-yard touchdown with 2:08 remaining.
• Nick Sciandra's (N. Tonawanda, NY/N. Tonawanda) extra point was unsuccessful, and after Rochester recovered the ensuing onside kick, the Yellowjackets were able to gain one first down and run the rest of the clock out.

 
FOR THE FOES

• Simon Weeren made 16 total tackles, intercepted two passes, and broke up three other passes to lead the Rochester defense.
• Papantonis went over the 1,000-yard mark for the season with his 129 rushing yards in the contest.

 
UP NEXT
The Bengals will host #12 Ithaca under the lights at Coyer Field on Friday night at 7 p.m.