SCHENECTADY, N.Y. – Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute scored nine points in the final 29 seconds, including the game-winning field goal by Trevor Bisson as time expired, as the Engineers stunned Union College, 19-17, to reclaim the Dutchman Shoes trophy on a dreary Saturday afternoon at Frank Bailey Field at Bertagna-Class of 1985 Stadium.
 
The victory gives RPI (9-1, 5-1 Liberty League) the Liberty League title and automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament, while the loss ends Union's season with an 8-2 (4-2 Liberty League) record.
 
Union looked to have the game won when George Marinopoulos threw an incomplete pass on a two-point conversion attempt with 29 seconds left after the Engineers scored to get within a point. The Engineers lined up for an onside kick from midfield after a Union penalty, and Jimmy Leblo made the improbable recovery to give the visitors life. After two completions by Marinopoulos got the ball to the 20-yard line, Bisson stepped up and split the uprights to cap the comeback victory.
 
The Union offense struggled all game long in the difficult conditions, finishing with just 178 yards of total offense. Senior Ike Irabor finished with 58 yards and a touchdown while junior Donovan Pacatte added 31 yards and a score. Senior William Bellamy completed 8-of-16 passes for 59 yards.
 
The first quarter was a defensive struggle between two great teams, with a pair of three-and-outs to start for each side. Union made the first move by forcing a turnover on downs at the Union 29-yard line, and the home team responded by marching into the red zone before a 35-yard field goal by sophomore Andrew Lau put Union up 3-0.
 
After six straight punts, the Union defense came up big again when senior Colin Lama forced a fumble that was recovered by junior Spencer Goldstien at the RPI 40. The Dutchmen followed with seven straight runs, including two huge rushes by Pacatte in the wildcat formation. Irabor finished the drive with a two-yard plunge to put Union up 10-0 with 1:25 left.
 
But RPI turned the momentum with a key drive at the end of the half. The Engineers were at the Union 35-yard line with six seconds left and Marinopoulos was hit as he attempted to launch a ball into the end zone, and the underthrown pass was caught and run in for a score by Sterling Walker-Sutton to make it a 10-7 score at the half.
 
After a scoreless third quarter, Union increased its lead to 17-7 on the first play of the fourth, when Pacatte came up big with a three-yard touchdown run – his first collegiate touchdown.
 
RPI got back within a touchdown on a Bisson 26-yard field goal with 9:24 on the clock. The visitors got the ball back on their own 20-yard line with 4:44 left after a Union punt, and traversed the field all the way into the end zone to set up the dramatic finish.