RPI travels to WPI to take back the Transit Trophy
TROY, NY » After a two year hiatus, RPI and Worcester Polytechnic Institute will once again battle it out for the Transit Trophy, which currently resides in WPI.
The last time the two teams played, WPI got the better of RPI in a 6-3 defensive battle. Bryce Wade connected on two field goals, including the game-winner from 26 yards out with 3:52 left, to lift WPI to the win. They captured the Transit Trophy win for the first time in three years.
RPI and WPI played every year 1947 and 2019, a streak of 73 years. The 2020 season did not occur due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 57 games from 1947 through 2003 were non-league contests before the two teams became Liberty League rivals in 2004. WPI left the Liberty League in 2016.
Saturday’s game against the Engineers is the 114th
meeting between the two schools, dating back to November 3, 1894. RPI fell to WPI 4-0 in that first game. The all-time series is led by RPI, 60-48-5. Rensselaer’s 113 all-time meetings with WPI are the second most against any one opponent, trailing only Union (117). RPI’s 60 wins over the Engineers rank first against a single foe. Rensselaer’s 48 losses is second (81 to Union).
After the 1979 contest it was decided by the athletic directors of both schools to create a trophy for this longstanding rivalry. A transit was chosen because both schools have engineering curricula. RPI leads the Transit Trophy series, 2613-1.
The Engineers are off to a 2-0 start with both games being won with touchdowns in the final minute of play. They defeated Stevenson 1410 last week and Montclair State 21-20 in Week 1.
WPI is 1-1 this season after last week’s comeback by Endicott handed the Engineers their first loss of the 2021 season.
WPI took a 21-0 lead into the middle of the third quarter, but host Endicott scored four straight touchdowns to shock WPI 28-21 last Friday evening. WPI got two rushing touchdowns from Brandon Winn and a touchdown pass from Dante Coccagnia to Tommy Emrick on the final play of the first half. Making his
collegiate debut, Coccagnia threw for 93 yards, finding his favorite target Emrick seven times for 62 yards and a score. Blake Bragaw led the Engineers with 10 tackles, while Frankie Polito had seven stops, 1.5 sacks and a quarterback hurry.
RPI’s George Marinopoulos has completed 41 passes on 71 attempts through the first two weeks of the season for 439 yards. Marinopoulos has thrown four touchdown passes and two interceptions and rushed for a touchdown. His top target has been Vinne McDonald, who has made eight catches for 144 yards and a touchdown pass. Riley Conboy is the only receiver with two touchdown catches.
On the ground, Delano
Munoz Whatts has rushed 22 times for 99 yards.
On the defensive side of the ball, Joe Deptula has been a part of 20 tackles, leading the way for the unit. Spencer Brockdorff, Perry Francis, Carlos Davis, and Cam Younginer each have one interception. The defense has allowed an average of 15 points per game this season and is averaging 209.5 yards allowed a game.
The Engineers have begun 3-0 under Ralph Isernia three times (2018, 2017, 2013) and 2-1 in the other four seasons. They finished 5-5 in 2013, 8-3 in 2017 and 10-2 in 2018.
After the trip to WPI RPI will be home for the next three weeks for games against St. John Fisher, the University of Rochester, and Buffalo State.