RPI football snapped a four-game losing streak against Ithaca and secured the Liberty League’s automatic bid to the NCAA Division III playoffs with a 14-10 victory on Saturday. The Engineers (7-2, 6-0) defeated the host Ithaca College (7-2, 6-1) to extend their winning streak to six games. While both teams finished with identical league records, RPI claimed the conference title share and the playoff slot via the head-to-head tiebreaker, ending a four-year drought in the postseason.
Senior tight end Grayson Hunter’s two TDs seal Liberty League automatic bid for the Engineers
The game’s decisive moments came from senior tight end Grayson Hunter, who delivered two critical touchdown catches. Hunter tied the score at 7-7 with a diving 15-yard reception from starting quarterback Micah Balzarini with 1:16 remaining in the second quarter. Later, with 4:22 left in the third quarter, Hunter caught a 19-yard pass from backup quarterback Justin McCormack. The ball was tipped by an Ithaca defender, allowing Hunter to secure the lead that RPI would not relinquish.
Coach Ralph Isernia emphasized the culmination of years of hard work for the senior group, noting that the victory validates the time spent in the weight room, on the practice field, and in film meetings. The Engineers now have a chance to win the league outright and claim the Dutchman Shoes Trophy if they defeat Union College in Troy next Saturday. This playoff berth marks a significant milestone for the program, which has not reached the NCAA postseason since 2021.
Source: Yahoo Sports
