RPI 26, WPI 0
Box
Score
Troy, NY --- The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) defense
forced seven turnovers and just 89 yards rushing and sophomore
quarterback Jimmy Robertson (Yonkers, NY) threw
three touchdowns to lead the Engineers to a 26-0 victory over
Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) in the Transit Trophy Game on
a sloppy '86 Field.
With the win, RPI improves to 5-2 overall and 2-2 in the Liberty
League. The Engineers have now won ten straight games over WPI and
lead the Transit Trophy Game series, 18-8-1. Overall, Rensselaer
holds a 52-43-5 record in the 100 games against WPI. The visiting
Engineers fall to 2-5 and 0-5 on the season.
After a scoreless first quarter, Rensselaer took a 3-0 lead on a
29-yard field goal by senior Drew Taranto
(Baldwinsville, NY) with 12:51 remaining in the second quarter. An
eight-yard touchdown pass from Robertson to senior tight end
Jon Branche (Schenectady, NY) in the back left
corner of the end zone capped an 11-play, 40-yard drive. Taranto's
extra point made it 10-0 in favor of RPI with 6:06 left in the
first half.
Rensselaer went ahead 12-0 when junior defensive lineman
Vince Scicchitano (Centerport, NY) sacked the
quarterback in the end zone for a safety with 7:10 remaining in the
third quarter. The homestanding Engineers increased their lead to
19 points on the ensuing drive when Branche pulled down a Robertson
pass from 18 yards in the front right corner of the end zone. The
drive, which covered 21 yards, was set up by a 39-yard free kick
return by senior Adam LoGiudice (Massapequa, NY).
Robertson's third touchdown pass, this one from 37 yards off a
screen pass to senior Jay Bernardo (East
Greenbush, NY), coupled with Taranto's third PAT, gave RPI a 26-0
lead with 22 seconds left in the third quarter.
Linebackers Tom Rayhill (Grand Island, NY) and
Armin Warner (Schenectady, NY) led RPI
defensively, making 11 tackles apiece. Rayhill also had a fumble
recovery.
Robertson finished 15-for-28 for 168 yards with no interceptions
while Branche had seven receptions for 69 yards and two touchdowns.
For WPI, junior quarterback Rob Pantalone (Camp
Hill, PA) completed 9-of-15 passes for 90 yards with three
interceptions before being replaced by sophomore Justin
Wells (Jay, ME/Jay). Wells finished was 7-for-17 with one
interception and 52 yards. Junior wide receiver Mike
Butler (Athol, MA) had eight receptions for 81 yards while
linebacker Matt Boudreau (Rensselaer, NY) had a team-high ten
tackles.
Rensselaer returns to action next Saturday afternoon at the
University of Rochester (noon). WPI plays a non-league game at
Mount Ida next Saturday at 1pm.
Release courtesy of Rensselaer Sports Information
