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TROY, N.Y. - The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) football team rushed for 284 yards and four touchdowns to defeat the United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA), 28-13, in a Liberty League contest at East Campus Stadium. The Engineers snapped a four-game losing streak to improve to 4-4 overall and 1-4 in the league, while the Mariners fall to 4-2 and 1-2. The game was originally scheduled for October 5, but was postponed due to the partial government shutdown.

Sophomore running back Matt Lane (Hanover, MA / Hanover) led the Engineers with 84 rushing yards and two touchdowns, while senior quarterback Brendan McGlynn (Sleepy Hollow, NY / Fordham Prep.) ran for 81 yards and a score. The start was the first for McGlynn since the first game of the year, during which he was injured. Sophomore fullback Nick Schlatz (Bridgewater, MA / Bridgewater-Raynham) had RPI's other touchdown, along with 36 yards on the ground.

The visiting Mariners jumped out in front at 6:09 of the first quarter when sophomore Zachary Boucher (Wyckoff, NJ / Ramapo) completed a 6-play, 22-yard drive with a 3-yard touchdown run. The extra point was missed. Merchant Marine gained possession when freshman defensive back Patrick Keyes (Parsippany, NJ / Seton Hall Prep) recovered a fumble on an RPI 1st and 10 run. 

Rensselaer answered with the next three touchdowns, all in the second quarter. On the first scoring series, which culminated at 12:28, 42 of the 68 yards came on the ground, capped by a 1-yard sneak by McGlynn. The lone exception was a 16-yard pass from McGlynn to senior tight end Joe Cozzolino (Chatham, NY / Chatham). RPI made it 14-6 less than two minutes later with a 2-play, 63-yard drive that featured a 25-yard run by McGlynn, followed by a 38-yard scoring scamper by Lane, during which he started up the middle and broke to the left hash-mark before outrunning the defense. And Schlatz finished a 6-play, 66-yard drive with a 1-yard run, his fifth touchdown of the season, with 2:20 left in the first half. A 46-yard hookup between McGlynn and sophomore Lgan Gaddar (South Portland, ME / South Portland) and a Cozzolino fumble recovery that resulted in a first down were two key plays on the drive.

Merchant Marine needed just 1:36 of the second half to pull to within one score as freshman quarterback Kristopher Meyer (Norman, OK / Norman North) connected with Connor Kennedy (Bellerose, NY / St. Francis Prep) from 70 yards to cut the deficit to 21-13. Meyer was playing in place of an injured Matthew McDaniels (Malverne, NY / Kellenberg Memorial), who entered the weekend ranked fifth in Division III with 154.0 rushing yards per game.

The score remained 21-13 until only 2:26 remained in the fourth quarter when Lane scored on a 5-yard run. The drive included seven plays - all runs - and 49 yards in 3:27. The fourth extra point of the day by junior Andrew Franks (Carmel, CA / Carmel) made it a 28-13 advantage.

RPI outrushed Merchant Marine, 284-175. The Engineers entered the game averaging 176.9 rushing yards per game, while the Mariners averaged 285.2 yards on the ground. Senior defensive lineman Ted Abriel (Slingerlands, NY / Bethlehem) had 11 tackles, including six unassisted, two sacks (10 yards lost), a forced fumble and a fumble recovery to lead Rensselaer. Junior defensive back Nick Borkowski (Fort Salonga, NY / Kings Park) had 10 tackles and a pass breakup and freshman defensive lineman Malik Joseph (Bronx, NY / Iona Prep.) also had 10 stops, including four unassisted and 0.5 sacks (2 yards lost).

Senior linebacker Patrick Clarke (Tampa, FL / King) led the visitors with 11 tackles, including nine unassisted and 1.5 sacks (10 yards lost). Classmate Michael Biehn (The Woodlands, TX / College Park) added 10 tackles (9 unassisted) and a forced fumble.

USMMA held a 161-93 edge in passing yards with Meyer connecting on 11 of 21 passes and the touchdown. He also ran for 73 yards on 27 attempts. Bouchey led the team on the ground with 86 yards, while Kennedy was the top receiver with 78 yards on three catches. 

Rensselaer hosts Springfield College next Saturday in the final home game of the season. Merchant Marine plays Union College next Saturday in Kings Point. Both games are league contests that begin at noon.