Box Score

TROY, N.Y. –. Senior running back Jay Bernardo (East Greenbush, NY/LaSalle Institute) rushed for 134 yards and a touchdown as Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) defeated 25th-ranked Union College, 24-19, in the regular season finale for both teams at ’86 Field. With the win, the Engineers captured the Dutchman Shoes Trophy in the 104th meeting between the two schools – the oldest college football rivalry in New York State.

Union (7-2 overall; 5-1 Liberty League) scored the first points of the game, a six-yard touchdown run by senior Tom Arcidiacono (Castleton, NY/Columbia) on the first possession of the contest. RPI senior Graham Boyd (Wappingers Falls, NY/John Jay) blocked the extra point and Union led, 6-0, with 12:20 remaining in the first quarter. The homestanding Engineers (6-3; 3-3) found the end zone on their first possession, capped by a 14-yard touchdown pass from sophomore quarterback Jimmy Robertson (Yonkers, NY/Iona Prep) to classmate Eren Savasli (Brooklyn, NY/Brooklyn Tech.) in the front corner of the end zone. Drew Taranto (Baldwinsville, NY/C.W. Baker) added the extra point for a 7-6 lead. A long Union drive (16 play, 75 yards) on its next possession ended with a 20-yard field goal by junior Ben Rapple (Queensbury, NY/Queensbury) with 2:04 left in the first quarter, giving the visitors a 9-7 lead.

A 24-yard field goal by Taranto put Rensselaer back in front, 10-9, with 12:01 remaining in the second quarter. A one-yard touchdown run by Bernardo with just 34 seconds left in the first half put RPI ahead by eight points, 17-9. The scoring plunge was set up by a 33-yard pass from Robertson to Branche.

A 20-yard field goal by Rapple with 1:35 remaining in the third quarter pulled Union to within five points, 17-12.

A two-yard touchdown pass from Robertson to Brendan McGowan (Mesa, AZ/Mountain View) on a fade early in the fourth quarter capped a six-play, 42-yard drive. Rensselaer got fine field position to start the drive thanks to a 38-yard kickoff return by Adam LoGiudice (Massapequa, NY/Massapequa) after Union’s field goal. Taranto’s extra point made it 24-12.

Senior Ryan Twitchell (Fayetteville, NY/Fayetteville-Manlius) caught a 15-yard touchdown pass from Anthony Marotti (River Edge, NJ/River Dell) with 3:55 remaining and Rapple’s point-after pulled the visitors to within 24-19, but an interception by Vince Scicchitano (Centerport, NY/Harborfields) with 1:05 remaining sealed the win for the Engineers.

Robertson completed 21-of-35 passes for 211 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. McGowan had a game-high 13 receptions for 109 yards and a score. Defensively, LoGiudice and Armin Warner (Schenectady, NY/Schenectady) both had nine tackles, including four solos.

For Union, Arcidiacano, the nation’s third leading rusher entering the game, had 115 yards and a touchdown. Marotti completed 17-of-37 passes for 268 yards and a touchdown. He was intercepted three times. Wide receivers Twitchell and Steve Angiletti (Plantsville, CT/Southington) both had 121 receiving yards on seven and six catches, respectively. Kevin Flike (Stillwater, NY/LaSalle Institute) made a game-high 12 tackles, including six unassisted, with an interception and a pass breakup.

While this is the final game for Rensselaer, Union will play in the NCAA Playoffs against an opponent to be determined. The announcement of the entire field will take place on Sunday afternoon at 2pm.