TROY, NY – The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute football team scored 18 second half points to defeat Union College, 25-12, in the Dutchman Shoes Trophy Game at '86 Field. The Engineers defeated the Dutchmen to retain the trophy for the third-straight year, the first time that has happened since 1957-59.
With the victory, the Engineers, the 21st-ranked team in the nation, improve to 7-0 overall and 5-0 in the Liberty League. They remain in sole possession of first place. Union falls to 3-4 and 2-3.
Rensselaer jumped out in front with a 2-yard first quarter run by sophomore running back Bob Munier (Wyckoff, NJ). The Engineers' possession was set up on the Union 21-yard line by an interception with a 26-yard return by junior Bobby Stutz (Dobbs Ferry, NY). A successful extra point by junior Peter Nilson (Appleton, WI) put the home team ahead, 7-0, with 2:19 remaining in the opening quarter.
The Dutchmen countered with a two-yard touchdown run by sophomore running back Chris Coney (Fort Lauderdale, FL) early in the second quarter to pull within one point. RPI's Patrick Gilreath (Catonsville, MD blocked the extra point. Union's drive covered 70 yards on 13 plays in 6:16.
The Dutchmen took the lead on a 65-yard run by Coney, which he took up the middle and outran the defense. Ben Rapple's (Queensbury, NY) extra point was again blocked by Gilreath and the visitors led, 12-7, with 1:53 left in the third quarter.
The Engineers came right back to re-gain the lead on its next possession, which began on the 4-yard line thanks to an 81-yard kickoff return by sophomore Patrick McCarthy (Stafford, NH). Senior quarterback Jimmy Robertson's (Yonkers, NY) touchdown pass to James McLaughlin (Foxboro, MA), a nose guard lined up at tight end, in the end zone gave RPI a 13-12 lead. A two-point conversion pass from Robertson to McCarthy made it 15-12 with 53 seconds remaining in the third quarter.
A 55-yard touchdown pass down the middle of the field from Robertson to senior Eren Savasli (Brooklyn, NY) with 12:51 remaining in the fourth quarter pushed RPI's lead to 10 points, 22-12. The catch was the only reception of the afternoon for Savasli, who entered the game ranked among the leaders in the nation in receptions per game.
Nilson added a 23-yard field goal to cap a 14-play, 86-yard with 4:45 left in the fourth quarter for a 26-12 RPI advantage. The Engineers got the ball on a fumble recovery by senior Pete Rankis (Acton, MA) at their own 7-yard line when Coney fumbled trying to reach the end zone.
Robertson finished the day with 21 completions on 29 attempts for 196 yards and one interception. Union quarterback Andrew Connolly (Foxboro, MA) completed 15 of his 23 passes for 226 yards and was intercepted twice.
Coney led all rushers with 123 yards on 26 carries. Robertson was the leading rusher for the Engineers with 37 yards rushing on 14 rushes.
Stefan Schulz (Bradford, MA) led Rensselaer in tackles with 11, while Tim Acker (Arlington, WA) made seven tackles, while also recovering a fumble and intercepting a pass. Union's top tackler was Tim Romano (Westport, CT), who made a game-high 12 stops.
Union returns to Frank Bailey Field next Saturday, November 8. The Dutchmen host the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at 12 p.m. for Senior Day.
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