First-year quarterback Tyler Grochot shattered a St. Lawrence University school record with 446 passing yards to lead the St. Lawrence University football team to a 40-7 win over Norwich in the second Hoffman Cup contest between the two long-time non-league rivals.
Grochot, who was named St. Lawrence's Most Valuable Player in the game, broke the record previously held by Brad Heil, who passed for 366 yards against WPI in 2007. The rookie from Ottawa was 30-for-48 passing for four touchdowns and two interceptions.
"We've had some great quarterbacks here at St. Lawrence," said head coach Dan Puckhaber. "In my nine years here we've had guys like Mike Lefflbine and Sean Richardson, and neither one of them threw for 400 yards in a game. For Tyler to do what he did today in his second collegiate game speaks volumes about his talent and the work that he's put in so far in his young career."
St. Lawrence struck first, with Grochot hitting a wide open Andrew Murphy on a crossing route at the 5-yard line before Murphy trotted into the end zone untouched for his first career touchdown. Jack Buis gave the Saints a 14-0 lead early in the second quarter, plunging into the end zone on a 1-yard run, and Grochot hit Anthony Ferraro on a slant for a 17- yard score to up the lead to 20-0.
Norwich's Michael Corinna returned an interception 40 yards for a touchdown to trim the lead to 20-7 at the half.
Grochot found Ferraro in stride behind the defensive backs for a 65-yard touchdown pass late in the third quarter, then hit Travis Marnell in the back of the end zone on a fourth-and-goal from the 15-yard line to push the lead to 34-0.
Buis capped the scoring with a 59-yard run down the left sideline halfway through the final quarter.
Ferraro finished the game with six receptions for 153 yards, while Marnell had seven catches for 120 yards. Murphy also had seven receptions for 83 yards for the Saints. Buis totaled 72 rushing yards on 10 carries.
Norwich starting quarterback Matthew Chaffee went 4-for-10 passing, and Matt Dunn, who took over behind center in the second quarter, was 9-for-20 for 107 yards and three interceptions. Aaron Conner led the Cadets' ground game, rushing for 73 yards on 15 carries.
St. Lawrence's defense did not allow a point and held Norwich to just 220 yards on offense and 2-for-16 on third down conversions. The Saints had seven sacks, with Caleb Null and TJ Savvaides both totaling one and a half. Liam Murray led St. Lawrence with 12 tackles, with Null and Ethan Roberts both totaling six. Tyler Burns, Kyle Frimel and Sean Murphy had interceptions, and Savvaides, Tyler Mirabile and Ricky Hober forced fumbles for the Saints.
Bo Phillips had nine tackles and in interception for Norwich, while Corinna added seven solo stops and the interception return for a touchdown to earn MVP honors for Norwich.
The Saints, now 1-1 on the season, make their first road trip next weekend to face Brockport, ranked fifth in this week's D3Football.com national rankings.
"It's always nice to win some hardware, and it's especially nice to do it on Homecoming Weekend in front a big crowd, including our Hall of Fame class which includes three inductees who played a big role in our program history," said Puckhaber. "We'll enjoy this win tonight and then we get right back at it to prepare for a tough test in Brockport."