Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Athletics

2015: Captain ... Started all 11 games ... 55 tackles with 33 unassisted ... Team-leading 17 tackles for loss for 76 yards ... Led team with 9.5 sacks for 61 yards ... One pass break-up ... Three quarterback hurries ... Led team with two forced fumbles ... Nine tackles (seven solo), five tackles for loss, three sacks, a hurry, and a forced fumble in Rensselaer's 20-13 win over Buffalo St. in the Asa S. Bushnell Bowl Championship (11/21) ... All-Liberty League First Team ... Liberty League Defensive Performer of the Week (11/24) ... Nominated to National Bowl game ... Cliff Harris Award nominee ... Team's Defensive Grinder Award ... Team's Defensive Player of the Year ... 

2014: Played all 11 games ... Had 41 tackles, including 22 unassisted ... Led team with 8.5 tackles for loss (32 yards) and 2.5 sacks (17 yards) ... Led the team with three forced fumbles, recovering one ... Second on team with one blocked kick ... Liberty League Defensive Performer of the Week for performance against Merchant Marine (10/7) ... Eleven tackles, including eight unassisted and two for lost yards (5) against Mariners ... Eight stops (1 solo) with two for lost yards (4) and 0.5 sacks (1 yard lost) against St. Lawrence (10/11) ... All-Liberty League Second Team ... Team's Defensive Ultimate Grinder Award ...

2013: Started all 10 games ... Had 53 tackles, including 29 unassisted ... Registered 8.5 tackles for lost yards (37) and 5.5 sacks (26 yards lost) ... Broke up one pass ... 

2012: Played on junior varsity ... 

High School: Played offensive line, defensive line, outside linebacker and long snapper … Four years of football … Three-year starter … Four years of basketball (guard) … Two as starter … Three years of baseball (outfield) … Started for one … Captained football and basketball as senior … All-County First Team in football … All-Anthracite League Second Team (center) … Hazleton Standard Speaker Second Team (defensive end) … Times News Second Team (center) … Basketball team won district championship twice … Schuylkill League runner-up once … All-Academic in baseball … School Scholar-Athlete … National Honor Society … 600 Club … Student Council president … PEER Listener … Rock Music Ministry …

Personal: Civil Engineering major … Dean's List ... Son of Louise and Joseph Pilla … Currently desinging a bridge to connect the walkway alongside the Johnson Engineering Center to the Ansel lounge ... Great uncle, Gerry Acanfora, played football at Rutgers ...

On attending Rensselaer: "Outstanding academics along with outstanding athletics. I feel very welcome and at home." - October 2014

Benefits of undergraduate community at Rensselaer: "It's a very close family. It'll help you with many of your problems." - October 2014