WILKES BARRE, PA — The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) football team earned a 32-25 victory on the road at Wilkes this evening.
RPI quarterback Jake Kazanowsky completed 17-of-27 passes for 256 passing yards in the victory. Five of Kazanowsky's completions found Hayden Faraday, who tallied 106 receiving yards.
The Engineers took a 6-0 lead early when Cristian Buckley finished off a four-play, 32-yard drive with a five-yard rushing touchdown. RPI had started the drive in Wilkes territory after Succes Frederic forced a fumble and Cortez Garrett provided a 42-yard return.
Following field goals from each squad, the Engineers manufactured another scoring drive in the closing minutes of the second quarter, with Kazanowsky capping the 10-play, 68-yard march with a five-yard rushing score.
The start of the third quarter saw Wilkes go 80 yards in 13 plays to make it 16-10, however RPI would own the next 10 points to push the advantage back to double digits.
After Aleksandar Maric knocked home his second field goal of the day, Frederic recorded an interception on the very offensive next play for Wilkes. With short field and momentum, RPI cashed in with a rushing touchdown by Kayden White with 4:33 left in the third.
The Engineers took advantage of another Colonels interception in the fourth quarter, with White rushing 39 yards for his second score of the night after Anthony D'Agostino picked off Wilkes quarterback Xavier Powell.
White topped all players 84 yards on the ground while Sean Kelly aided the RPI offense with 90 receiving yards on seven catches.
Miles Lafferty had a game-leading 12 tackles, which also marked a career best for the Engineer linebacker.
RPI will head home to host WPI in the annual Transit Trophy Game next Friday night in ECAV Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7:00 pm in the rivalry matchup.
