By the Numbers: Stacking up RPI’s round
TROY >> RPI Football took control last week and handled Husson University with ease in route to their first round 38-14 win.
Highlights from the game were Nick Smith’s grab on a Hail Mary pass to score a touchdown in the dying seconds of the first half, and key interceptions from Jack Hoggard and Luke Watanabe to seal the win in the second half.
Now, the Engineer’s are tasked with traveling to Western New York to take on The College of Brockport at noon on Saturday.
Brockport finished their regular season 11-0 (7-0 in Empire 8 Conference) and beat Framingham State 40-27 last week to begin the NCAA Tournament.
Brockport has seen some Liberty League action this season to compare to RPI’s schedule. The Golden Eagles beat Hobart 567, Ithaca 13-7, and St. Lawrence 65-12.
Looking back, RPI beat Ithaca 10-9, Hobart 31-24, and St. Lawrence 27-20.
Other common opponents shared between the two teams this season were Buffalo State and Utica.
Brockport beat Utica 22-6 and Buffalo State 65-7. RPI beat Utica
23-20 and Buffalo State 4414.
This will be just the third time the Engineer’s have ever made it to the second round of the NCAA tournament. Their first and second came back in 2001 and 2003. In 2001 RPI fell to Ithaca and 2003 marked a win over Springfield as the Engineer’s marched their way to the semifinals that season.
Brockport’s most recent playoff success came last season when the Golden Eagles made it all the way to the semi finals. Brockport beat Plymouth State 66-0, Wesley College 49-28, Delaware Valley 31-28, before losing to the number one seeded University of Mary Hardin-Baylor 24-0 last season in the NCAA Tournament.
RPI of course lost to Wesley College 45-27 in the first round last season.
Brockport and RPI have come as close to playing each other as it gets. Not only did they share nearly half of their opponents with each other this season, they also had a chance to see Wesley College in last season’s postseason.
The biggest threat to RPI Saturday may actually come from their own backyard.
Brockport Quarterback Joe Germinerio is a Wynantskill native and La Salle Institute alumni.
Germinerio was an all Section II Safety and Quarterback selection. He was also named MVP of the Section II Senior Bowl game.
Germinerio has continued his success to college. Germinerio was named the Empire 8 Offensive Player of the Year and was recently named in the Gagliardi semifinalist list. The Gagliardi trophy is given to the top student athlete of Div. 3 Football.
Germinerio threw for 2900 yards this season after completing 227 passes on 338 attempts. He also threw for 26 touchdowns with seven interceptions.
Brockport’s top receiver Joe Ortiz has made 73 interceptions for 743 yards and six touchdowns.
The Brockport running game is led by Joe Benedict, who rushed for 605 yards on 94 attempts.
Yea, Brockport’s top leaders are all named Joe — it’s a name of strength (completely unbiased opinion).
Brockport’s point differential this season was 487103. For comparison, RPI is outscoring opponents. 290-168.
Last week, RPI Quarterback George Marinopoulos threw for three touchdowns — one to Smith, one to Conor Davies, and one to Keaton Ackermann.
Tommy Avery added a rushing touchdown.
Defensively, John Sadek made a team leading 16 tackles last week. Watanabe’s pick was the final score of the Engineer’s game on 89 yard return.
An exciting week of giving thanks and celebrating with their team will culminate in a NCAA Round 2 matchup with Brockport in Brockport, NY at noon.