TROY – Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Union College took the field Saturday for the latest installment of the Dutchman Shoes Trophy game, New York’s oldest college football rivalry, with RPI hoping to regain the trophy after a crushing defeat in 2025.
Behind a record-setting afternoon by senior running back Kayden White and a solid defensive effort, the Engineers avenged that loss and coasted to a 25-8 win in the 76th Dutchman Shoes game at RPI’s East Campus Stadium.
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“This game is really special. It has been for years and years,” RPI junior defensive lineman Jack Chappa said. “To bring the Shoes back to Troy, it’s really special to be a part of something much bigger than yourself. I’m really proud of our guys. We had a hell of a game and really took it to them.”
With Saturday’s win, the Engineers (8-2 overall, 7-0 Liberty League) clinched the Liberty League title outright.
“This is a special group,” RPI coach Ralph Isernia said. “Early in the season when things weren’t going our way, every single guy rededicated themselves to the football program and found a way to right the ship. Coming out here and winning the league, winning the shoes, and obviously doing it at home against a really good Union football team … I’m extremely proud of them.”
“It feels phenomenal,” RPI junior quarterback Micah Balzarini said. “We have a great group of senior guys. We have a great group of junior guys. We’re a team that always likes to play together and that’s all we do. We just want to keep it rolling.”
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The game remained scoreless until White broke free and raced down the sideline for a 70-yard touchdown run with 12:17 remaining in the first half.
RPI running back Kayden White stiff arms Union defender Dwayne Hinds during the Dutchman Shoes game on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026, at RPI in Troy, NY. (Jim Franco/Times Union) (Jim Franco/Times Union)
“I decided to stay patient behind the line, let them get to their blocks,” White said. “After that, I bounced outside and there was just green grass and I ran.”
White, who finished with 182 yards on 21 carries and two touchdowns, set the program’s all-time touchdown record on his 70-yard scamper. He now has 50 total touchdowns in his career.
The Engineers took a 6-0 lead into halftime and scored three more touchdowns to open up a 25-0 advantage.
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Balzarini found Nate Ehui for a 53-yard touchdown and White found the end zone on a 5-yard run to extend the lead to 18-0. Balzarini connected with Robbie Peterson six seconds in the fourth quarter to put a cap on RPI’s scoring.
Union (5-5, 4-3) got on the board with 4:52 left to play when Michael Dinardo scored on a 4-yard run.
Balzarini completed 13 of 20 passes for 161 yards. Union junior quarterback Luke Sheehan finished 14-of-24 for 146 yards and an interception.
Members of the RPI football team pose with the coveted Dutchman Shoes Trophy after beating Union during the on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026, at RPI in Troy, NY. (Jim Franco/Times Union) (Jim Franco/Times Union)
RPI held Union to 50 yards on the ground and was paced defensively by Chappa, who recorded two sacks, and junior Luke Connolly, who intercepted a pass.
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RPI had already clinched an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Tournament and will learn its opponent on Sunday.
“I’m feeling good, but we just need to keep our heads down and keep working,” White said. “Just take it one game at a time and don’t really try to think too far ahead.”
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This article originally published at RPI football regains Dutchman Shoes with emphatic win over Union.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: Sports.yahoo.com
