The University of Rochester football team came into Saturday's game averaging 45 points a game with a perfect 3-0 record but St. Lawrence University defense turned those numbers around with a dominating performance and a 20-0 victory in a Liberty League contest on Weeks Field at Leckonby Stadium in front of a near capacity crowd of over 2,500 fans on Family Weekend in Canton.

The Saints (4-1 Overall, 2-0 Liberty League) limited Rochester (3-1, 1-1) to just 209 yards of total offense, less than 100 yards rushing and forced five turnovers as the Saints scored one TD late in the first quarter and then added two more in the third quarter with all three scores coming on pass plays.

Skyler Williamson led a balanced defense with nine tackles, three for loss and a fumble recovery while Alec Dietsch and Chyron Brown-Wallace combined for eight tackles each, seven for loss, two sacks, an interception and two fumble recoveries.

The biggest defensive play came in the fourth quarter as Rochester was threatening to score. After eight plays in a drive that traveled nearly the length of the field, James Holley-Grisham intercepted a pass in the end zone ending the scoring threat.

"I am proud of the way the defense played today," said Head Coach Mark Raymond. "We knew we were going to be challenged by Rochester but the players prepared very well all week and they executed our game plan very well. We forced some big turnovers at critical points in the game and had a great team defensive effort all day."

The Saints scored first in the first quarter as the defense forced a turnover when Rochester quarterback Daniel Bronson fumbled a snap and Brown-Wallace recovered on the 18 yard line. Two plays later Mike Lefflbine connected with Vincenzo Ferraro for a 20-yard scoring pass. The successful point after kick by Andrew Carvalho gave the Saints a 7-0 lead.

Neither team was able to score in the second quarter and St. Lawrence took the one touchdown lead into the halftime intermission.

In the third quarter, St. Lawrence added to its lead with the second drive of the quarter. After a short Rochester punt, Maurice Irby picked up 18 yards on the first play from scrimmage and then Lefflbine connected with tight end Matt Gardiner for a 20-yard TD pass as Gardiner jumped and twisted at the goal line to come down with the reception and the score. Another Carvalho kick made it 14-0.

After a three-and-out drive for the Yellowjackets, Lefflbine directed another scoring drive which included a pair of reception by tight end Mitch Gallagher. The first was a 12-yard catch on a third-and-three situation for a first down and the second was a 28-yard catch over the middle for the TD. Carvalho's kick rattled off the upright but it would not make a difference as the Saints defense held on for the shutout.

For the Saints, it was the first shutout victory since a 31-0 win over Merchant Marine at the end of the 2013 season.

Irby finished with 102 yards on 20 carries and Lefflbine was 20-for-35 for 249 yards and three TDs. Ferraro led the receivers with nine receptions and 97 yards and Gardiner added six catches for 68 yards.