Box Score Box Score

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. – Junior running back Chris Coney rushed for 138 yards and three touchdowns to lead Union College to a 20-15 victory over Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in a Liberty League football game at Frank Bailey Field. With the victory, the Dutchmen regain the Dutchman Shoes Trophy for the first time in four years.

Union, which scored a fourth quarter touchdown to break a 13-13 tie, improves to 6-2 overall and 5-0 in the league and remains in first place in the standings. RPI falls to 4-3 and 2-3.

Union held a 6-0 lead after the first quarter thanks to a 15-yard run to the right side by Coney (Ft. Lauderdale, FL/Westminster Academy) on the Dutchmen's first possession. The drive concluded an 8-play, 53-yard drive.

A 31-yard field goal by RPI's Peter Nilson (Appleton, WI/Kimberly) capped a 13-play, 47-yard drive early in the second quarter and cut the deficit to 6-3. Coney added a 13-yard touchdown run, again to the right side, to put the home team ahead, 13-3, with 5:28 remaining in the first half. Union's drive, which covered 12 plays and 92 yards, was extended due to a roughing the punter penalty. A missed 24-yard field goal by Nilson at the end of the half kept the score at 13-3 at the break.

RPI pulled to within three points early in the third quarter after freshman quarterback Mike Hermann (Hardeeville, SC/Avon Old Farms) connected with Ray Davis (Worcester, MA/South High Community School) on a 19-yard touchdown pass.

Nilson kicked a 38-yard field goal with 13:20 remaining in the fourth quarter to tie the game at 13-13. Union regained the lead on its ensuing drive when Coney scored his third touchdown of the game, another 13-yard scamper to the right side. With the extra point the Dutchmen held a 20-13 lead with 8:07 left in the fourth quarter. Union gave up a safety with 22 seconds left for the final margin.

Hermann finished with 209 passing yards (21 for 36) and 53 yards on the ground, while junior Nick Costa (Yonkers, NY/Yonkers Prep.) led the team with 88 yards rushing. Freshman Austin Caswell (Round Rock, TX/Stony Point) led all receivers with nine receptions for 63 yards. Senior Joe Albano (Dalton, MA/Wahconah Regional) led the Engineers with 10 tackles, including two unassisted.

Union was led by sophomore linebacker Steve Modiszewski (Syracuse, NY/CBA), who had 12 tackles (2 solos, 0.5 for lost yards). Sophomore quarterback Drew Connolly (Foxboro, MA/Taft School) was 6 for 12 with 59 yards passing.

RPI is back on the road next week when it travels to Hobart College next Saturday at noon. Union is at Merchant Marine at 2:30pm next Saturday. Both games are Liberty League contests.