TROY, N.Y.- The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) football team was on the wrong end of a 27-21 Liberty League result against Hobart on Troy Community Day in ECAV Stadium.

The Engineers trailed by as much as 21 points today before mounting a fourth-quarter rally. A pair of touchdowns in the early stages of the fourth gave RPI hope, however the Statesmen were able maintain possession throughout the closing minutes to secure the one-score victory.

Hobart got off to a hot start, as the visitors manufactured two touchdown drives in the first quarter.

Facing a 17-0 deficit after a Hobart field goal in the middle of the second quarter, wide receiver Conor Cruz got RPI on the board with a 12-yard touchdown catch from Jake Kazanowsky. 

Unfazed by the Engineer score, Hobart would find the endzone again prior to halftime before knocking home another field goal halfway through the third to extend its lead to 27-6.

Sean Kelly hauled in both of RPI's touchdowns in the fourth quarter comeback effort. Kelly's first score came from a 20-yard back-shoulder fade, while the other was a three-yard connection.

Trailing by six after the second Kelly score, the Engineers had a chance with the ball  back with 5:37 remaining, but the potential go-ahead drive ran out of downs on the Hobart 24-yard line.

Kazanowsky finished 25-of-36 for 240 yards and three touchdowns. Kelly totaled seven catches for 63 yards, while Paisley Nickelson caught five balls for a team-high 83 yards. Kayden White produced 59 rushing yards as well for RPI.

Johnny Colombi passed for 258 yards for the Hobart, with 137 going to wideout Ahmad Crowell. E.J. Taylor tallied 100 rushing yards in the win.

Prior to today's contest, the City of Troy was celebrated with Mayor Carmella Mantello taking part in a game's coin toss.

Next up, the Engineers will travel west next Saturday to face Buffalo State at 12:00 pm.