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TROY, N.Y. – The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) defense allowed just 44 rushing yards and no touchdowns, including stops on four drives in the fourth quarter during a heavy downpour, to win a defensive battle, 10-7, over St. Lawrence University in a Liberty League football game before a crowd of 1,219 at the East Campus Stadium.

Of the four drives that St. Lawrence had in the fourth quarter, Rensselaer stopped the Saints with an interception, a fumble recovery, a punt and on downs – all while holding a three-point lead. The Engineers were led on defense by seniors Stefan Schulz (Haverhill, MA/Haverhill) and Joe Albano (Dalton, MA/Wahconah Regional), who had eight tackles apiece. Schulz, a linebacker, had six solo stops, a fourth quarter fumble recovery and a pass breakup. Albano, a defensive back, made three unassisted tackles with a pass breakup.

The Engineers took a 10-7 lead in the third quarter when freshman quarterback Mike Hermann (Hardeeville, SC/Avon Old Farms) called his own number, eluded numerous attempted tackles and ran the ball into the front right corner of the end zone from 16 yards out at the 7:11 mark. His run capped an 11-play, 62-yard drive that featured a successful fake punt and a roughing the kicker call on another RPI punt attempt.

Rensselaer started the scoring in the game with a 33-yard field goal from senior Peter Nilson (Appleton, WI/Kimberly) with 13:23 remaining in the second quarter. The field goal was a result of a 10-play, 52-yard drive.

The Saints came back and took the lead with 3:33 remaining in the second quarter when sophomore Phil Hamilton (Winthrop, MA/Winthrop) blocked a Mike Grubbs (Hampton, NJ/North Hunterden) punt in the end zone that was recovered for a touchdown by junior Ryan Fedo (Warwick, RI/Warwick Veterans).

The score stayed that way until the Engineers winning touchdown. Hermann finished with 23 rushing yards and 142 passing yards. He completed 18 of 33 throws with two interceptions. Junior Nick Costa (Yonkers, NY/Iona Prep.) led the ground attack with 89 yards on 26 carries.

For St. Lawrence, senior running back Connor Hackett (Bronxville, NY/Bronxville) had 39 rushing yards and 54 receiving yards on six catches. Junior JP Kearney (Laflin, PA/James M. Coughlin) threw for 193 yards with 20 completions on 42 attempts in extremely difficult conditions. He was intercepted once.

Sophomore cornerback Trevor Saunders (Mount Vernon, NY/Dobbs Ferry) led all players with 12 tackles, including an 11-yard sack, two tackles for lost yards (12), an interception to end the first half, which he returned 30 yards, and a pass breakup. Senior Gerard Bryant (White Plains, NY/White Plains) had 11 tackles (9-yard sack, 2.0 for lost yards) and a fumble recovery with a 7-yard return.

RPI is back in action next Saturday when it travels to Schenectady to play Liberty League foe Union College in the Dutchman Shoes Trophy Game (1pm). St. Lawrence hosts league foe Susquehanna next Saturday afternoon.