Nov 21, 2015
NEW BRITAIN, Conn.—Buffalo State led 13-3 at halftime, but RPI scored 17-unanswered second-half points to claim a 20-13 victory this evening in the ECAC Asa S. Bushnell Bowl.
THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: RPI – 20, Buffalo State - 13
LOCATION: Arute Field (CCSU) – New Britain, Conn.
RECORDS: RPI (9-2), Buffalo State (7-4)
INSIDE THE BENGAL BOX SCORE
- Senior quarterback Dan Serignese (Pt. Jefferson/Pt. Jefferson) was just 12 of 28 for 115 yards with a touchdown and three interceptions.
- The Bengals potent rushing attack was also held in check, finishing with just 38 yards on 27 attempts. Dale Stewart (Niagara Falls/Niagara Falls) was the leading rusher with 50 yards on 15 carries.
- Stephen Johnson (Buffalo/McKinley) had two catches for 68 yards, including a 58-yard touchdown, and also scored a rushing touchdown.
- Marquis Artis (Amherst/Amherst) and Shaq Frederick (Brooklyn/Holy Cross) both played well in their final games for Buffalo State, registering 15 tackles each. Artis also had a sack and an interception, and Frederick had a fumble recovery.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- RPI outgained Buffalo State, 369-153, with 252 passing yards and 117 on the ground. The Engineers also won the turnover battle, 3-2.
- After a Bengals' three-and out on the opening drive of the game, Buffalo State's defense answered on a short field, and forced a 40-yard Christian Kapp field goal to give RPI a 3-0 lead.
- The Bengals responded with a 12-play, 68 yard drive capped by a 13-yard Johnson touchdown on an end around to give Buffalo State a 7-3 advantage.
- Buffalo State stopped a fourth-and-12 attempt on the ensuing RPI possession, and needed just one play on offense to extend the lead, with Serignese connecting with Johnson for the 58-yard score. The Bengals missed the point after try, leaving the score 13-3.
- The Bengals would punt twice, be intercepted once and run out of time at the half on their next three possessions to take the 10-point lead into the break.
- RPI cut the deficit to 13-10 on the opening drive of the second half, marching 70 yards on 14 plays, culminating with a 3-yard run by Nick Schlatz for the score.
- Buffalo State would punt on its next four possessions. Artis ended one threat by RPI with an interception deep in Bengal territory, but the Engineers would kick a 24-yard field goal to tie the score with 8:55 remaining, and then scored touchdown on a 17-yard run by Austin Emery to complete the comeback with 5:18 remaining.
- The Bengals would get two more chances with the ball, but took a pair of costly sacks to turn the ball over on downs and then Bryan Hayes intercepted a Serignese pass with 56 seconds remaining to seal the win.
FOR THE FOES
- RPI quarterback Jeff Avery was 22 of 37 for 252 yards with an interception.
- Schlatz led the ground attack with 69 yards and a score on 19 carries.
- Emery had a game-high eight catches for 89 yards and two rushes for 26 yards, including the touchdown.
- Mark Grimes led the Engineers defense with 10 tackles, while Anthony Pilla finished with nine stops, including six for loss with three sacks.
NOTEWORTHY
- Buffalo State was undefeated in its previous four ECAC Bowl appearances.
- This was the first-ever meeting between Buffalo State and RPI.