Points may pile up in rivalry
Two prolific offenses to take the field in the battle for unique trophy
A football rivalry that dates back to when Grover Cleveland was president figures to have fireworks regardless. That RPI and Union both average more than 30 points per game gives the annual Dutchman Shoes game shootout potential.
The Engineers (8-0 overall, 4-0 Liberty League), scoring 30.3 points per game, will try to seal a perfect regular season Saturday at East Campus Stadium.
The Dutchmen (6-2, 2-2) are scoring 30.5 points per game as they try for their first victory in the Route 7 series since 2012.
“Any time you play a rivalry game, you don’t know what to expect,” Union linebacker Jack Riley said. “If it is a shootout, we’ll be ready for a shootout. I’m sure
they will, too. Any time there’s a lot of points scored, it’s always fun to play in those types of games.”
A series that began in 1886 and has been played 115 times has had its offensive showdowns. From 2011 to 2015, the losing team
scored 28 points each time. The matchup in 2005, the last time Union had fewer than three losses in a season, the Dutchmen prevailed 49-42 to cap an 11-1 season.
RPI averages 371.4 yards per game, tops in the Liberty League. Union is second at 369.5.
“Both offenses are capable,” Dutchmen coach Jeff Behrman said. “When you look at RPI, they have the ability to score a lot of points. They have a lot of playmakers and an offensive line that is probably the best O-line in the league right now. They do a great job of getting the ball to the guys that are going to stretch the field for them and move the chains.”
George Marinopoulos, a sophomore from Guilderland, leads an RPI offense that averages 7.8 yards per pass attempt. His 12 touchdown passes have been completed to five different receivers, and 16 players have at least one reception this season.
Senior Nick Cella ranks second in the Liberty League with 521 rushing yards. The Engineers lead the league in total rushing yardage with 1,298.
Union’s biggest weapon has been wide receiver Andre Ross Jr., a three-time Liberty League Rookie of the Week. He tops the Liberty with 847 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns.
“He’s got speed, he’s got length, he’s got good moves,” RPI coach Ralph Isernia said. “They use him in the screen game.”
Sophomore quarterback Will Bellamy has thrown for leaguehigh totals of 1,837 yards and 19 touchdowns. Freshman running back Ike Irabor ranks first in rushing yards (680), rushing TDS (12) and rushing average (5.4).
“They’ve got some dynamic playmakers,” Isernia said. “They can run the football, they can throw it. You’ve got to pick your poison. If you try to stop the run, they’re going to go up top and throw the football. They’ve been very balanced.”
That isn’t to dismiss either defense. Union ranks second and RPI third in scoring defense and total defense (yards allowed).
The Engineers will be bolstered by the return of defensive back and co-captain Sean Egan, a senior from Shaker, who has been out since the season’s third game with a broken arm.
“It’s always hard not playing,” Egan said, “but it hasn’t been too bad because I’ve been excited to watch our defense play, and our offense. I can’t wait to get back.”
Regardless of outcome, RPI is headed to the Division III NCAA playoffs for the second straight year. A victory could secure the Engineers a home playoff game.
Union likely won’t have any postseason options, but for its 22 seniors, this will be the last chance to take home the Shoes trophy.
“A lot of guys haven’t played in games that carry this kind of emotion,” Behrman said. “You do have to pare them down and try to channel the energy correctly. Don’t look at the opponent, don’t worry about the opponent, you’ve got to control who you are and what you do.”