This Weekend
The Union College Dutchmen compete in the 69th annual Dutchman Shoes Game this Saturday, Nov. 10, at ECAV Stadium in Troy, N.Y. Kickoff against the Engineers is set for noon.
Media Coverage
The game against Rensselaer will be streamed live through RPItv.org and an audio feed can be accessed for free through UnionAthletics.com. Live stats will also be provided through RPIathletics.com.
The Series vs Rensselaer
RPI claims a 31-80-4 all-time record with Union, but the Dutchmen list their record as 81-30-4 against the Engineers. Rensselaer claims an 11-4 win in 1886, while Union has a 4-0 score in their favor. Rensselaer's books show a 5-4 RPI win in 1888 while Union has no record of that game. Union's archives show the Dutchmen won two games in 1901 but Rensselaer's records have only one game played that season, an 18-0 Union win. Despite the dispute, Rensselaer and Union have been playing each other in football since 1886, which makes it the oldest college football rivalry in New York State at any level.Â
More recently, Union has not defeated RPI since 2012, a 34-28 victory in Troy. Union has only won three times in the past 10 seasons against the Engineers (2012, 2011, and 2009).
Last Season vs Rensselaer
Despite holding a 14-13 lead at halftime, Union dropped a 20-14 decision to RPI last year in Schenectady. RPI and QB Marinopoulos engineered a 62-yard drive to take the lead in the final minutes of the fourth quarter for RPI's fifth-straight Dutchman Shoes victory and for the 2017 Liberty League title.
Last Week vs Rochester
First-year running back
Ike Irabor had 175 yards and two touchdowns as the Union College football team defeated Rochester, 35-14, at Frank Bailey Field at Bertagna-Class of 1985 Stadium last Saturday. Union College scored on five of its first six possessions, including the first three of the game.
Andre Ross Jr. scored his 12th touchdown of the season.
Griffin Beal led the receiving corps with 40 yards on five catches. Union's defense kept Rochester to just 39 rushing yards. The Dutchmen had four sacks and eight tackles for a loss. Rochester's Matt Gallagher completed 11 passes for 136 yards.
Airing Out the Pigskin
The Dutchmen rank 83rd in the nation, third in the Liberty League, for passing offense, averaging 231.5 yards per game. Sophomore QB
Will Bellamy is 73rd in the nation, first in the Liberty League, for total passing yards (1,837) and 57th in the nation, second in the league, for passing yards per game (229.6). He is also ranked 29th in the nation, first in the league, for completion percentage (.622) and 44th in the nation, second in the league, for passing efficiency (148.5.0).
You Shall Not Pass
Union ranks 15th in the NCAA, second in the Liberty League, for total defense, as the Dutchmen's opponents average 259.6 yards per game. Union also ranks 15th in the NCAA, second in the league, for rushing defense, allowing only 68.1 rushing yards per game.
Rookie Sensation
Wide receiver
Andre Ross Jr. earned three-straight Liberty League Rookie of the Week honors, twice been named to D3Football.com's National Team of the Week, and was named ECAC DIII North Rookie of the Month in September.
The Washington, D.C., native already has 12 touchdowns on the season, with 52 total catches for 847 yards. Ross Jr. recorded over 100 yards receiving in his first five games this season, and currently ranks 23rd in the NCAA in receiving yards per game, averaging 105.9. He is also 39th in the nation for total receiving yards.
Running in the Lead
First-year running back
Ike Irabor leads the Liberty League in numerous categories, including: yards per carry (5.44); total rushing yards (680); rushing yards per game (85.0); and rushing touchdowns (8).
Leading Scorers
Union's
Andre Ross Jr. and
Ike Irabor are ranked first and second, respectively, in the Liberty League for total touchdowns. Ross Jr.'s 12 TDs on the year leads the conference, while Irabor is second with nine.
