Box Score

TROY, N.Y. – Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) scored 21 points in the fourth quarter to turn a 10-7 deficit into a 28-10, come-from-behind win over St. Lawrence University in a Liberty League contest at ’86 Field.

The Engineers, the 23rd-ranked team in the nation, trailed 10-7 with a little over ten minutes left in the fourth quarter when St. Lawrence senior quarterback Brad Heil (Fayetteville, NY/Jamesville-DeWitt) threw a pass that was intercepted by senior captain John Tesiero (Amsterdam, NY/Amsterdam). Tesiero returned it 48 yards down the left sideline to the two-yard line and junior running back Isaac Williams (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa) scored on a two-yard plunge on the next play for a 14-10 lead.

After the Saints went three-and-out on the next possession, the Engineers drove 56 yards on ten plays, culminated when junior quarterback Jimmy Robertson (Yonkers, NY/Iona Prep) found Nick Casale (Waterford, NY/LaSalle Institute) alone in the end zone for a score to make it 21-10 at 5:42. As the game wound down, RPI freshman running back Bob Munier (Wyckoff, NJ/Ramapo) scored from 30 yards out to get the final score of 28-10.

The Saints scored the only points of the first half when sophomore tailback Connor Hackett (Bronxville, NY/Bronxville) caught a screen pass from Heil and outran the defense to the right pylon. The drive covered 49 yards on eight plays in 2:32, culminating with 1:55 left in the opening quarter.

St. Lawrence held the ball for almost nine minutes more than RPI in the first half, outgaining the Engineers, 166-102. The Saints rushed for 40 yards while Rensselaer ran for only 28.

The Engineers took their first possession of the second half and scored to tie the game when Robertson found senior wide receiver Brendan McGowan (Mesa, AZ/Mountain View) for a 14-yard scoring pass. The Saints retook the lead on the first play of the fourth quarter when junior kicker Matt Popov (Syracuse, NY/Onondaga Central) made a 26-yard field goal to make it 10-7.

The Engineers finished with 319 yards of total offense, including 150 rushing, led by Williams’ 14 carries for 65 yards. Robertson completed 13 of 29 passes for 169 yards and two touchdowns. McGowan led all receivers with seven catches and 104 yards and senior Anthony Casale (Troy, NY/Troy) led all tacklers with 17 stops, including seven unassisted and one for lost yards (2). He also broke up a pass.

The Saints compiled 275 yards of offense with Heil completing 25 of 48 passes for 205 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Carl Festa (Auburn, NY/Auburn) led the rushing attack with 37 yards on 11 carries while Anthony Patterson (Lockport, NY/Lockport) caught a team-high six passes for 48 yards. Gerald Bryant (White Plains, NY/White Plains) led SLU in tackles with ten, including seven unassisted and 4.5 for lost yards (20).

Both RPI and St. Lawrence are idle next week. The two team return to action on October 20.