TERRE HAUTE, Ind. -- The Rose-Hulman football team was defeated on Saturday in their Homecoming Game against Hanover College with a final score of 44-10. 

The Fightin' Engineers were led by Jay Smith, who totaled 70 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown. Marshall Koch led the defense with 11 tackles, one tackle for loss, and one forced fumble. 

Trevor Saguto was a standout on special teams with four punts for 192 yards and a long of 73 yards. He also hit one field goal from 28 yards out and drained one extra point. 

The Hanover Panthers got off to a strong start, scoring 20 unanswered points to start the game.

The Fightin' Engineers' defense tried to turn the tide at the end of the first quarter after Koch was able to punch the football out, forcing a fumble that was recovered by Wyatt Bell in Hanover territory. 

The turnover led to a 28-yard field goal by Saguto that put Rose-Hulman on the board 20-3. 

Hanover continued to control the momentum and build their lead, standing ahead 37-3 at the halftime break. 

The Fightin' Engineers finally got into the end zone after a hard-fought 12-play 52-yard drive that ended in a one-yard rushing touchdown by Smith in the third quarter.  

Unfortunately, the Panthers' lead would be too much to overcome as the Fightin' Engineers suffered the loss in the HCAC opener. 

Rose-Hulman football will continue HCAC competition, traveling to face Franklin on Saturday, October 11, at 1:30 PM.