Confident and unscathed, RPI came out of the first test of the year with a W. This was not just a win, however; in a game singled out by Head Coach Joe King early as a tough game on the road, the 27-7 domination of Endicott showed the potential in this year’s team they all knew was there.
The defense, a major sticking point last season, had an outstanding game shutting down Endicott and holding them to just 11 yards of rushing and a single touchdown. They didn’t get the job done in a couple games last year and have been practicing with a chip on their shoulder during the off-season.
With the win, the team has made a good start to a season where the only goal is an NCAA playoff bid. The 18 returning starters provide the team with experienced leadership to surround returning sophomore quarterback Jimmy Robertson, who threw 24 passes, including two touchdown receptions in Saturday’s game.
Senior tight end Jon Branche caught a 12 yard pass from Robertson with 2:39 left in the third. Robertson then sent a 29 yard blast to sophomore Eren Savasli in the first minute of the fourth quarter. Robertson was intercepted three times, which could be a concern against teams like Hobart, who will take advantage of every turnover.
In his building block rookie season, Robertson completed 193 passes for 2,313 yards, including 26 touchdown passes, and he is looking like he may do it again this year as he finished this game with 240 yards and the two scores.
Although star senior running back Jay Bernardo did score in the first half, he was beaten to the scoreboard by classmate Drew Taranto, who made two field goal attempts in a row. Jay Bernardo’s score put the Engineers comfortably up 13-0 at the half. By the end of the game, Bernardo had a team-high 27 carries for 88 yards. The offense was 4-4 in the red zone and converted their only 4th down of the game.
Filling the holes left by graduates Grant Cochran and Jimmy Motzkin, senior linebacker Nick Foglia had seven tackles and a fumble recovery. Junior linebacker Tom Rayhill had six stops including a nine-yard sack, and a junior defensive lineman Doug Ingraham had five unassisted tackles, including a forced fumble.
This Saturday, the Engineers travel to Utica to play them at 1:30 pm for another tough game on the road. They will then host Hobart here at the ’86 field for their home opener next Saturday.
