RPI 55, Worcester State 29
Nov 23, 2002
WORCESTER, Mass. — Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute exploded for 35 second-quarter points, scoring on five consecutive possessions, and made that stand up for an impressive 55-29 win over Worcester State to win the ECAC Northeast Championship yesterday at Coughlin Field. Nov 23, 2002
Related Information
RPI
RPI Junior quarterback Dan Cole was selected the game most valuable player. Cole completed 22 of 33 passes for 293 yards and one TD and rushed for 43 yards on 11 carries and scored two touchdowns on quarterback sneaks.
RPI took a 7-0 lead in the first quarter on a 3-yard run by Flynn Cochran and Matt Verenini kicked the PAT.
The Engineers put up two quick TDs within a minute in the second quarter following a pair of Lancer turnovers. RPI’s Tony Spackmann intercepted a Cean Oksanish pass at midfield and then Cole hit tight end Greg Johnson with a 38 yard pass for the Lancer one and on the next play Cole scored the first of his two TDs with a sneak. Following the kickoff Oksanish fumbled the ball away at the 25 and Greg Giadone picked up the ball ran it to the 1-yard line setting up Cole’s second score and a 21-0 lead with 12:41 left.
The Lancers answered that by driving 57 yards in seven plays, capped by a 32-yard touchdown strike from Oksanish to Jeremy Gaucher. Tim Cullen added the PAT with 10:20 left.
RPI added another score at the 8:40 mark with Otis Williams rambled 26 yards for a TD and a 28-7 lead. The Engineers increased the lead to 35-7 with 6:09 left on a 7-yard run by Evan Cochran. Almost four minutes later Cochran scored the fifth TD of the quarter on an 8-yard pass from Cole for a commanding 42-7 lead. With 37 second left in the opening half Oksanish hit Gaucher with a 4-yard td pass and Greg Wood rushed for the PAT to cut the lead to 42-15.
The third quarter belonged to the Lancers as Oksanish scored on a 1-yard run and Wood scored on a 51 yard pass play to cut the lead to 42-29 with 3:20 left in the period.
Momentum was clearly on the side of the Lancers until Oksanish was picked off by J. R. Williams who gave the Engineers possession near midfield. RPI took advantage of the interception and drove for a scored with Flynn Cochran scoring on a one yard run for a 48-29 lead. With 7:56 left. RPI put together an 80-yard scoring drive with 2:15 left in the game and scored when Flynn Cochran scored on a 65-yard dash up the middle to close out the scoring at 55-29.