TEAM PIC TUE.: 2002 FOOTBALL

The 2002 football team was the highest scoring in school history on its way to winning eight games, including three trophies. Led by head coach Joe King, the Engineers finished 8-2 overall and outscored its opponents 360-209. RPI began the season with four straight wins, including a shutout of Utica in the opener (47-0) and a 34-12 victory at Coast Guard in the Shotglass Trophy Game a week later. A second trophy, the Transit Trophy, remained in Troy after Rensselaer defeated WPI, 33-13, on '86 Field to improve to 3-0. A 31-19 win in the Upstate Collegiate Athletic Association (UCAA) opener against Rochester in week four put the Engineers at No. 23 in the nation. Rensselaer suffered its first loss in week five, but battled back to win its next three contests - all home games. It scored at least 31 points in each, culminating with a 49-7 win over St. Lawrence. RPI's point total in that contest is the fifth most in a league game, while the margin of victory (42 points) is fourth. The regular season concluded with a loss, but King's charges improved to 5-0 all-time in ECAC post-season games as the Engineers defeated Worcester State, 55-29, for a Northeast Bowl victory. Junior quarterback Dan Cole was the game's Most Outstanding Player after he helped the squad tally the third most points in a road game in school history. Cole finished the season with a school-record 2,861 passing yards, including 968 to Flynn Cochran. Pat Hughes led the rushing attack with 325 yards on the ground for an offense that had the second highest scoring average in school history (36.0 points per game). Defensive back Mike Defilippi paced the defense with 72 tackles. Cole, Cochran, Evan Cochran, Chris Pierz and Kevin Solli served as captains of that team, which was 5-0 at home. Flynn Cochran went on to earn the first of his two CoSIDA National Academic All-America honors.