GENEVA, N.Y. – The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) football team held a 21-10 lead in the third quarter before watching the Hobart Statesmen score 21 unanswered points as Hobart topped the Engineers 31-21 at Boswell Field at David J. Urick Stadium Saturday afternoon. With the loss, RPI falls to 7-2 overall and 3-2 in the Liberty League, while Hobart improves to the same record.
 
RPI opened up their lead to 14-0 through the opening quarter into the second quarter thanks to a pair of touchdowns from quarterback Justin McCormack. McCormack found Hayden Faraday for a 76 yard touchdown on the opening play of RPI's drive at 7:13 of the first quarter. He then backed that up with an 18 yard run at the 11:39 mark of the second quarter to open up the two score lead.
 
As halftime neared, Hobart fought back with a field goal, and a touchdown drive that brought them a score as time expired. Hobart quarterback Johnny Columbi found Rane Daramola for a three-yard touchdown pass to make it 14-10 in favor of the Engineers at the midway point.
 
The Engineers responded with a score in their opening drive of the second half, as McCormack found Gil Goldsmith from 26 yards out to cap a seven play, 60 yard drive to push RPI to a 21-10 lead with 11:03 to play in the third quarter.
 
From that point, it was all Hobart as they scored on their ensuing drive on an eight-yard run from Rayshawn Boswell, cutting the RPI lead to 21-17 entering the fourth quarter.
 
Columbi then took control for the Statesmen, first bringing Hobart 82 yards down the field and scoring a go-ahead six-yard rushing touchdown to give the Statesmen their first lead of the day, 24-21. Columbi then tallied the cushion for Hobart, punching one in himself from one yard out to give Hobart the 31-21 lead.

The Engineers pushed late, but an interception stopped RPI as Hobart was able to run out the clock for the win. McCormack finished the day 13-for-17 passing for 200 yards and two touchdowns. He was also the leading rusher at 33 yards on the ground. Faraday had a team-high eight receptions for 136 yards and the touchdown. Defensively, Anthony D'Agostino had a huge game with 13 tackles – 10 coming of the solo variety. Desmond Von Tobel also finished with double-digit tackles, putting up 10 with five coming solo.
 
For Hobart, Columbi tallied a 16-for-25 line for 162 yards through the air and a touchdown. Tim Denham Jr. led the Statemen on the ground, putting up 100 net yards , while Boswell totaled 60 net yards. Hobart's receiving was spread evenly, while defensively Jaimen Bliss led the Statesmen with seven tackles.
 
RPI returns to action next Saturday, November 11 at 12 p.m. when they take on Union in the annual Dutchman Shoes Trophy Game. This year's matchup will take place in Schenectady, as the Engineers look to retain the trophy.