Box Score

CORTLAND, N.Y. - Senior Jay Bernardo (East Greenbush, NY/LaSalle Institute) tied the school record for career touchdowns, classmate Drew Taranto (Baldwinsville, NY/C.W. Baker) tied the school mark for field goals in a game, and junior linebacker Tom Rayhill (Grand Island, NY/Grand Island) led the defense to earn MVP honors as the Rensselaer football team defeated #15 SUNY Cortland, 26-7, in the ECAC Northeast Bowl.

Rayhill finished with a team-high 11 tackles, including nine unassisted, helping the defense hold the Red Dragons to 211 yards of total offense while forcing seven turnovers.  RPI had five interceptions, including two from senior Nick Foglia (Watervliet, NY/CBA), and two fumble recoveries.  Senior Armin Warner (Schenectady, NY/Schenectady) also had an INT, along with ten tackles).

Bernardo, who finished with 122 yards rushing, ran for a pair of one-yard touchdowns to tie Dan McGovern's school record for career TDs with 48.  Taranto had field goals of 22, 26, 27, and 31 yards and he connected on both point-after-attempts.

Rensselaer opened a 6-0 lead on Taranto's first two field goals but Cortland gained the advantage back on an 85-yard kickoff return for a touchdown and the ensuing PAT.  The Engineers went ahead by six points, 13-7, on Bernardo's first score, which came late in the first half.

Taranto then tacked on his third and fourth field goals before Bernardo scored again for the final margin. 

Sophomore quarterback Jimmy Robertson (Yonkers, NY/Iona Prep) finished with 291 yards passing on 14-of-27, including seven passes to senior tight end Jon Branche (Schenectady, NY/Colonie), who had 120 yards receiving.  Junior wide receiver Brendan McGowan (Mesa, AZ/Mountain View) had six catches for a game-high 148 yards.

RPI, which improved to 7-3 on the season and 7-0 all-time in ECAC Bowls, out-gained SUNY Cortland (9-2), 398-211.