“This was big,” Bernardo, who compiled 249 yards on the ground including an NCAA record 99-yard touchdown in the contest, said. “Last year we struggled early. It was important for us to get off to a good start.”

Bernardo added 23 more receiving yards, tallying 272 all-purpose yards, while the Endicott offense managed only 206.

“Jay has worked harder than any kid we have ever had in the program over my 20-year tenure,” RPI Head Coach Joe King said of his starting running back. “We will need other backs to step up. Jay can’t play too many more like that.”

Endicott looked as though it might jump out to an early lead. After recovering a fumble on the opening kickoff, the Gulls drove to the RPI 19-yard line. The defense stepped up big, however, as sophomore John Tesiero and senior captain Grant Cochran made big stops, and pushed Endicott back to the 25. Junior Adam Maher’s 43-yard field goal attempt bounced off the crossbar and back into the field.

Endicott’s next possession also ended poorly, after sophomore linebacker Tom Rayhill stepped in front of sophomre Vinny Orlando’s pass, snatching RPI’s first interception of the season. Rayhill had a stellar game, also forcing a fumble.

“The coaches have been really preaching to us to go out and make plays,” Rayhill said. “It felt good to get out there and make something happen.”

RPI would return the favor as junior quarterback Frank Catellier was picked off by junior defensive back Orlando Johnson. Catellier, after a flea flicker, lofted a hail mary, but grossly under-threw sophomore wide receiver Brendan McGowan.

The Engineers finally got on the board late in the first quarter when Bernardo punched into the end zone from the two yard line. The five-play, 30-yard drive was set up by a 20-yard punt return by senior Adam LoGiudice.

Bernardo crossed the plane again in the second quarter. Catellier and the offense received excellent field position at the Endicott 40 after a personal foul penalty on the Gulls special teams’ squad, and made short work of the small field. Catellier hit two different receivers to set up a Bernardo one-yard touchdown run.

King was pleased with his defense’s performance all day, though the unit sputtered a bit near the end of the first half. The Gulls responded to Bernardo’s second touchdown run with a running display of their own. They ran the ball down the Engineers’ throat for a seven-play, 68-yard drive, capped by an eight-yard rush by Gerard Festa, and cut the Engineer lead to 14-7. Then after a Catellier interception, his second of the day, they drove to the RPI 19, where Maher missed his second field goal of the day, this one wide right.

Catellier gave the Engineers all the insurance they needed in the third quarter, with a 36-yard touchdown completion to freshman Eren Savalsi making the score 21-7. The long completion was one of the only bright spots for the Engineer passing attack. Catellier finished with 141 yards passing and a touchdown, but threw two interceptions and failed to get pre-season All-American tight-end Jon Branche involved.

“Frank is a very conscientious,” King said of his starting quarterback. “He is so concerned about not making mistakes…he needs to just get out there and let it go.”

After another Bernardo touchdown early in the fourth quarter, the defense made a very impressive goal line stand, and a statement for their run stopping ability. Endicott had a first and goal on the RPI 5, but could not punch through the defensive line. Jimmy Motzkin, Time Frame, and Armin Warner all came up with huge stops, and Honorio Borba and Nick McFeeters stuffed the Gulls on fourth down from the one-yard line.

Bernardo, named the Liberty League Offensive Performer of the Week for his spectacular play, put the final touch on his masterpiece on the ensuing drive. With the Engineer offense taking over on the one-yard line, Bernardo broke three tackles and was off to the races, going 99 yards for the final score of the game. The 99-yard run tied the school record set by Don Patrin back in 1981, as well as the NCAA record.

“I went up the middle, saw some daylight and just broke out,” Bernardo said, admitting the run was probably the best of his career.

Coach King and the Engineers were happy to get an early win, but were not entirely pleased with the results.

“A win is a win, but we can play a hell of a lot better,” King said. “We cannot be satisfied with this performance.”

RPI looks to carry their momentum to next weeks home contest against Utica College (1 pm, ’86 Field), before going on the road for two weeks.