A soggy and slippery ’86 Field couldn’t slow Rensselaer’s 10th consecutive win against the Engineers from Worcester Polytechnic Institute to retain the Transit Trophy. Sophomore quarterback Jimmy Robertson’s composure during sloppy play helped him to three touchdown passes, leading the team to a 26-0 victory. “We used the adverse field conditions to our advantage,” said the winning quarterback. “We are used to playing in the inclement weather and I think it showed out there.”
Despite the dreary weather and muddy field, RPI was able to exploit the situation and finished the day with no turnovers. The visitors suffered a tough seven turnovers, including four interceptions. “Limiting turnovers is priority number one for our offense and coming away with zero turnovers is a great accomplishment,” he continued. “Even more impressive is our defense forcing seven turnovers and really giving us momentum. They put us in great positions all day. It was the great positions they put us in that enabled us to win the Transit Trophy. And playing in a game like the Transit Trophy game is what college football is all about.”
The Transit Trophy game series now stands at 18-8-1 and the Engineers have now played each other 100 times with the overall record resting at 52-43-5.
The teams remained scoreless throughout the first quarter. RPI hit the scoreboard first with a 29-yard field goal for three from senior Drew Taranto.
Robertson would strike with just over six to go in the half with an eight-yard pass to senior tight-end Jon Branche, putting RPI up 10-0 heading into the second half, starting off his 15-28 for 168 yards day.
As the rain broke, Rensselaer’s defense scored on a sack for a safety by junior defensive lineman Vince Scicchitano with 7:10 left in the third.
RPI secured the game when a 39-yard kick return by Adam LoGiudice set up Robertson, who again connected with Branche. Robertson found senior Jay Bernardo on a 37-yard pass to bring the score to it’s final 26-0 at the end of the third.
Robertson reflected, “Playing in this offense is a real joy. I’m surrounded by playmakers and the offensive line does a great job protecting me. I have so much confidence in every guy on the field with me. It was clear to see today with the touchdowns by Jon and Jay that all I have to do is get them the ball and they will do the rest.”
On both sides of the ball, the visiting Engineers were troubled as two RPI linebackers had 11 tackles apiece. Junior Tom Rayhill and senior Armin Warner both capitalized on the muddy field to wreak havoc on the visitors.
Also contributing to the team’s defensive performance, freshman Tim Acker was named Rookie of the Week in the Liberty League. Acker put up big numbers again in his first career start with seven tackles, three unassisted, two pass break-ups, and a recovered fumble.
The team heads to league rival University of Rochester next Saturday afternoon. “Hopefully we can take the momentum from this win into the Rochester game,” said Robertson. “They are a great team and gave us some trouble last year. But if we can prepare ourselves all week then it should be another good one.” As always, the noon game will be broadcast live on 91.5, WRPI.
Although the team did come away with a shut out victory in front of the home crowd, a Union victory against St. Lawrence retained Union’s undefeated league status, and as a result the 5-2 (2-2 Liberty League) Engineers lost their chance at an automatic bid. Without the auto-bid, their chances of making the NCAA playoffs are slim-to-none resulting in a bad aftertaste from the weekend results.
The team is already preparing for the annual showdown, the Dutchman Shoes Trophy game between RPI and Union College. Saturday, November 11 will be the 104th meeting of the teams; Union leads the series 76-23-4. The longest running college football rivalry in New York State and one of the longest in the nation will be played on the ’86 Field this year.
