Box Score

TROY, N.Y. – The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) defense forced seven turnovers and just 89 yards rushing and sophomore quarterback Jimmy Robertson (Yonkers, NY/Iona Prep) threw three touchdowns to lead the Engineers to a 26-0 victory over Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) in the Transit Trophy Game on a sloppy ’86 Field.

With the win, RPI improves to 5-2 overall and 2-2 in the Liberty League. The Engineers have now won ten straight games over WPI and lead the Transit Trophy Game series, 18-8-1. Overall, Rensselaer holds a 52-43-5 record in the 100 games against WPI. The visiting Engineers fall to 2-5 and 0-5 on the season.

After a scoreless first quarter, Rensselaer took a 3-0 lead on a 29-yard field goal by senior Drew Taranto (Baldwinsville, NY/C.W. Baker) with 12:51 remaining in the second quarter. An eight-yard touchdown pass from Robertson to senior tight end Jon Branche (Schenectady, NY/Colonie) in the back left corner of the end zone capped an 11-play, 40-yard drive. Taranto’s extra point made it 10-0 in favor of RPI with 6:06 left in the first half.

Rensselaer went ahead 12-0 when junior defensive lineman Vince Scicchitano (Centerport, NY/Harborfields) sacked the quarterback in the end zone for a safety with 7:10 remaining in the third quarter. The homestanding Engineers increased their lead to 19 points on the ensuing drive when Branche pulled down a Robertson pass from 18 yards in the front right corner of the end zone. The drive, which covered 21 yards, was set up by a 39-yard free kick return by senior Adam LoGiudice (Massapequa, NY/Massapequa). Robertson’s third touchdown pass, this one from 37 yards off a screen pass to senior Jay Bernardo (East Greenbush, NY/LaSalle Institute), coupled with Taranto’s third PAT, gave RPI a 26-0 lead with 22 seconds left in the third quarter.

Linebackers Tom Rayhill (Grand Island, NY/Grand Island) and Armin Warner (Schenectady, NY/Schenectady) led RPI defensively, making 11 tackles apiece. Rayhill also had a fumble recovery.

Robertson finished 15-for-28 for 168 yards with no interceptions while Branche had seven receptions for 69 yards and two touchdowns.

For WPI, junior quarterback Rob Pantalone (Camp Hill, PA/Cedar Cliff) completed 9-of-15 passes for 90 yards with three interceptions before being replaced by sophomore Justin Wells (Jay, ME/Jay). Wells finished was 7-for-17 with one interception and 52 yards. Junior wide receiver Mike Butler (Athol, MA/Athol) had eight receptions for 81 yards while linebacker Matt Boudreau (Rensselaer, NY/LaSalle Institute) had a team-high ten tackles.

Rensselaer returns to action next Saturday afternoon at the University of Rochester (noon). WPI plays a non-league game at Mount Ida next Saturday at 1pm.