“We wanted to attack the whole game, it was going to be all out,” said Head Coach Joe King of the game. “It’s a great rivalry … usually a close game and the emotions are high, every year.” He continued, “This is huge, they think about this all season long.”

The day was Rensselaer’s as they not only captured the Dutchman’s Shoes Trophy but were chosen to play in the ECAC Northeast championship game. “I told them someday we’re going to play four quarters, and I think we can be a pretty good football team and today we did,” said King.

“We had nothing to lose, we didn’t have anything to hold back,” Bernardo said after the victory. “It was just the perfect opportunity for everyone to empty the tank and that’s what we did right up to the end.”

The team has now played in the post-season 10 out of the past 15 years and is currently 6-0 in ECAC championship games. The Engineers end with a 4-3 record in the Liberty League, while Union fared slightly better finishing 5-2.

The first half was dominated by the offense from both teams, starting off with scoring drives on each teams’ first possession. Union also scored a field goal on their next possession giving them a 9-7 lead going into the second quarter. A field goal by RPI’s senior Drew Taranto gave them the lead 10-9. Bernardo was able to score once more with just 34 seconds left in the half bringing it to 17-9. “They played real well in the second half,” said Bernardo. “You could just see that they had something to prove the second half. They played real well the first half, but the second half they turned it on a little bit—we had a lot of opportunity to have some turnovers that we just didn’t convert on; however, even with that adversity they still fought right to the end.”

The third quarter was quiet scoring-wise with only a Union field goal on the board. Sophomore quarterback Jimmy Robertson found junior Brendan McGowan early in the fourth quarter, bringing the score to 24-12. But the Dutchmen didn’t give up without a fight, scoring quickly on a long drive putting them just five points behind. “They played hard right to the end, exactly what you’d expect from a team like that,” said Bernardo.

Looking to score again and take the game, Union was stopped short when junior Vince Scicchitano intercepted the ball and allowed Robertson to take a knee and seal the deal. “We got the turnovers where we needed them,” said King. “I thought the kids on defense did great, I thought the defensive coaches put together a good solid game plan.”

Key turnovers, especially in the second half, helped RPI defeat a Union team that earlier this year had been nearly unstoppable. They just couldn’t get a running game going against the Engineers’ defensive machine. In addition, defense didn’t let them convert several third downs and played with intensity for all four quarters. By the end of the game, the Dutchman’s looked frazzled from going up against a team that is much better than its record would mdrate.

“I had nothing to lose, I just wanted to go out on a high note” said Bernardo, who ran for 134 yards and a touchdown. “And the line, they just blocked beautifully today. Jake Russell, Greg Sandrill, Matt Meril, Shawn Herman, Terence Byron they all just sold out today, even with the tough front. This is Union, they gave everything they have, gave me great running lanes.”

After the game Bernardo said the big rivalry against Union was, “The best way to go out [the game] couldn’t have drawn it up any better.”

Following the win, senior Adam LoGuidice was named Liberty League Special Teams Performer of the year. He set school records with 25 punt returns for 281 yards and 27 kickoff returns for 717 yards and two touchdowns. While playing defensive back, he made 42 tackles and had three interceptions.

King said, “we’ve been a pretty good program; whether we’re going to continue to be or not—it’s hard to say. We lose a lot of really good seniors. I’m not saying it’s a rebuilding year but you need some players to come in here and help with the underclassmen.”