Union College Athletics

SCHENECTADY, NY – A handful of turnovers and a lack of a running game were the downfall of the Union College football team, as RPI claimed a 20-14 victory in the final Liberty League conference game of the season on Saturday afternoon at Frank Bailey field.
 
Rensselaer had 386 yards in offense compared to Union's 245, but detrimental changes in possession were the reason RPI came out with the victory in the game. The Dutchmen had four turnovers in the form of a fumble and three interceptions.
 
Additionally, Union's offense was stifled without their usual dominant performance on the ground. The Dutchmen ran 27 times, averaging slightly over one yard per carry for a game total of 28.
 
Union was led by receiver Griffin Beal who had a career high 118 yards receiving on six catches. Beal's day also included a 63-yard touchdown catch, a career best.
 
Union attempted to get captain and senior running back Connor Kinzelmann involved in the passing game as well, as Kinzelmann was second to only Beal in receptions with five and had 66 yards receiving on the day.
 
RPI's opening drive was a five-minute long 10-play drive that got RPI deep in Union territory. However, key penetration by senior defensive lineman Brad Tempel on back-to-back runs near the goal line resulted in RPI having to settle for a field goal, to go up 3-0 with 9:44 left in the first quarter.
 
On Union's opening possession, a sack and a fumble gave RPI the ball back at the Union 16-yard line. RPI quarterback George Marinopoulos preceded to find running back Rob Law for a wide open touchdown from two yards out to put the Engineers up 10-0 with 4:37 left in the first quarter.
 
Union and RPI each spent drives punting to each other as the first quarter ran out. Then, on Union's third offensive possession, the passing game moved the Dutchmen down the field as Beal and fellow receiver Chris Nicholas put on a receiving clinic that included a 26-yard Nicholas to put the Dutchmen on the goal line. Kinzelmann ran three times near the goal line and eventually plowed his way into the endzone to cut the RPI lead to three with 9:53 left in the half.
 
On RPI's ensuing possession, Jack Reilly made an amazing play where he chased down Marinopoulos and swatted the ball out of his hands to force a fumble. Union was unable to capitalize on the turnover, however, as an interception ended the ensuing Dutchmen drive.
 
The turnover in RPI territory gave RPI the opportunity to kick a 42-yard field goal to set the score at 13-7 with 5:23 left in the half. After the field goal, Cascione was eventually able to find a wide open Griffin Beal for a Union touchdown that put Union up 14-13 towards the end of the half.
 
Following a surprising RPI onside kick coming out of halftime, the third quarter was marked by an uneventful series of punts that resulted in a scoreless third quarter for both teams.
 
The scoring drought ended with 5:19 left in the game when RPI receiver Keaton Ackerman leapt to catch a 15-yard fade pass from Marinopoulos that gave RPI back a 20-14 lead.
 
The Engineers then used back-to-back interceptions on defense, as Union attempted to stretch the field in the final minutes, to seal their fifth-consecutive Dutchman's Shoes trophy, and claim the 2017 Liberty League Football Championship as well.
 
Other Notables: Union's defense was led by senior captain and linebacker Jake Lombardo who led the team in tackles with 16, tackles for loss with 1.5, and was tied for the lead in sacks with one. Tucker Newman had an interception that brought his season total of six, within one of the Liberty League leading interception total of 7. Jason Nelson was second in tackles with 10. Vincent DiCaterino added to his league-leading sack total that now stands at 11. Chris Nicholas was Union's second leading receiver, notching 65 yards on four catches.