ITHACA, N.Y. — The RPI football team captured its fifth Liberty League championship and secured the conference's automatic berth into the NCAA Division III Championship with a 14-10 victory over Ithaca College this afternoon at Jim Butterfield Stadium. The Engineers claimed their first Liberty League title since 2021 while improving to 7-2 overall and remaining unbeaten in conference play at 6-0.
After a scoreless opening quarter, Ithaca broke through early in the second with a three-yard touchdown run from Michael Reed. The RPI defense created the opportunity for an answer later in the period when
P.J. Poknis intercepted Reed at the Ithaca 35-yard line. Four plays later,
Micah Balzarini connected with
Grayson Hunter for a 15-yard touchdown to even the score at 7-7.
Ithaca regained the advantage on the final play of the first half, converting a 24-yard field goal to take a 10-7 lead into the break.
The Engineers' defense came up with another key stand early in the third quarter after Ithaca intercepted a pass and took possession at the RPI 34.
Arthur Hrycak ended the ensuing drive with a 13-yard sack on fourth down, turning the ball back over to the Engineers near midfield.
RPI moved ahead for good later in the third. Starting at its own 37-yard line, the Engineers marched 63 yards in seven plays, highlighted by a 30-yard completion from Balzarini to
Nate Ehui. RPI kept the drive alive with a fourth-down completion to
Kayden White before
Justin McCormack connected with Hunter for a 19-yard touchdown to give the Engineers a 14-10 advantage.
The RPI defense made the four-point lead stand throughout the fourth quarter. Ithaca was held without a first down on its first possession of the period, and after the Bombers regained possession at their own eight-yard line with just over seven minutes remaining, the Engineers eventually forced another punt.
Owen Boland and
Cameron Keeperman combined for a sack during the possession before
Jonathan Walker broke up a third-down pass.
RPI then took possession with 3:29 remaining and picked up two critical first downs on the ground to drain nearly the entirety of the remaining clock before giving Ithaca one final possession with only eight seconds remaining.
Balzarini completed 11 of 15 passes for 118 yards and a touchdown, while McCormack threw for 29 yards and the game-winning score while leading the Engineers with 61 rushing yards on 12 carries. White added 36 yards on the ground and five receptions, while Ehui led RPI with 67 receiving yards on four catches. Hunter finished with three receptions for 43 yards and accounted for both RPI touchdowns.
Defensively,
Matt Krauza led the Engineers with 10 tackles and two pass breakups. Poknis totaled eight stops, a sack, an interception, and four quarterback hurries, while
Joe Dechiaro recorded seven tackles. Boland added five tackles and a sack, with Hrycak also registering a 13-yard sack. RPI finished with four sacks and held Ithaca scoreless throughout the second half.
