Football Upsets #22 RPI on the Road, 10-7

(TROY, N.Y.) – The Carnegie Mellon University football team traveled to Troy, New York on Saturday and came away with its sixth straight victory over a ranked opponent with a 10-7 win over #22 RPI.

Game Information
Carnegie Mellon 10, #22 RPI 7
Records: Carnegie Mellon (2-0), RPI (1-1)
Location: Troy, N.Y. (ECAV Stadium)

 How it Happened

• The Tartans took their first possession and drove 73 yards on eight plays which resulted in a 23-yard field goal by senior placekicker Hayden Hairston. The kick gave Carnegie Mellon a 3-0 lead with just over five minutes to play in the first quarter.
• With 5:14 to play in the third quarter, senior Benjamin Cawyer blocked a RPI 33-yard field goal to leave the score at 3-0 Carnegie Mellon.
• Junior Logan Young intercepted Matt Petercuskie and returned the ball 30 yards to the RPI 1-yard line with 8:49 to play in the game.
• Three plays following Young's interception, junior quarterback Ben Mills barreled in from 1-yard out to give the Cardinal and Gray a 10-0 lead with 7:37 on the clock.
• Engineers Jake Kazanowsky connected with Deen Ninche  on a 23-yard touchdown pass with 1:46 left in the fourth quarter to make the score 10-7.

 Stats

• RPI outgained the Tartans 261-161 yards of total offense.
• The Engineers forced two Tartan turnovers with Carnegie Mellon forcing one.
• Freshman Willem Bouma rushed for 48 yards on 15 carries.
• Sophomore Ben Condemi led Carnegie Mellon receivers with three receptions for 56 yards.
• The Tartan defense was led by Robert Coury with 12 total tackles including tying a career-best with seven solo. He also added a sack for a loss of six yards.
• Senior Ben Coyne turned in a career day with eight tackles, four solo, while combining for 3.0 sacks, two solo.
• Petercuskie and Kazanowsky combined for 164 yards on 20-of-36 passing.
• Joe Deptula and Conner Noyes led the Engineers defense with 11 tackles each.

 Game Notes

• Carnegie Mellon has won six straight against D3football.com ranked opponents.
• The Tartan extend their winning streak to nine straight games, second active in Division III.
• It marks the 12th straight win for the Tartans when putting points on the scoreboard first.
• The Tartans are now 25-1 over their last 26 games when holding the opposition to less than 300 yards of total offense.
• Coyne's 3.0 sacks mark the most by a Tartan in a game since Michael Lohmeier had 3.0 on October 26, 2019 against Thiel.
• The Tartans ended RPI's school record 14-game home winning streak.

Thoughts From Head Coach Ryan Larsen

• "I was really proud of the way our team fought all the way until the clock hit zero. We knew it was going to be a hard fought game against a great opponent, and I credit our players and staff for rising to the occasion. We have plenty to fix and improve upon, but winning a road game against a quality opponent like RPI is something that will help us down the stretch as we go into PAC play."

Up Next

•  Carnegie Mellon will open Presidents' Athletic Conference play on Saturday, September 17 when the Wolverines of Grove City College travel to Pittsburgh. Kick is set for 1:00 p.m. on the turf at Gesling Stadium.