Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology

KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- The Rose-Hulman football team picked up their first win of the season, defeating Kalamazoo on the road Saturday with a score of 27-7.

Alexander Marsteller had a huge game with a team-high 66 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns. Brock Zanetell had another stellar performance, going 14-of-26 with 187 passing yards and one passing touchdown. Zanetell's top target was Avery Cody, hauling in five catches for 96 receiving yards and one touchdown. 

William Fleck had an incredible individual performance on defense, recording 5.0 sacks, seven tackles, and a forced fumble. Anthony Mauro led the defensive backs in coverage, totaling four tackles with one interception and two pass breakups. 

The Fightin' Engineers set the tone on the first drive of the game. The team went 75 yards in eight plays to punch in a 7-yard rushing touchdown from Marsteller.

Kalamazoo found an answer at the start of the second quarter, reaching the end zone to tie the score at 7-7. 

Rose-Hulman got the ball back with 10:41 left before halftime. The team put together a strong drive, making it all the way to the Kalamazoo 33-yard line. Zanetell was able to connect with Cody on a flea-flicker down the right side of the field for an explosive touchdown that gave Rose-Hulman back the lead, 14-7. This would be the score as the game headed to halftime. 

The Fightin' Engineers defense came out of the locker room fired up. On the Hornets' opening drive, Fleck was a menace in the backfield, recording a strip sack that was recovered by Kalamazoo, pushing them back to a third-and-long.

After the Hornets were forced to punt, Rose-Hulman took control at the Kalamazoo 45-yard line. The Fightin' Engineers took advantage of the great field position, putting together a seven-play, 45-yard drive that ended in a two-yard rushing touchdown for Marsteller. Marsteller's second touchdown of the day made the score 21-7 heading into the fourth quarter. 

Kalamazoo looked to get back in the game after gaining possession with 10:02 left on the clock. The Hornets drove all the way down to the Rose-Hulman 36-yard line and were threatening to score. Fleck came up huge for the Fightin' Engineers, with back-to-back sacks on third and fourth down to protect the lead. 

On the next Rose-Hulman drive, the special teams unit for the Fightin' Engineers made a huge play. After being forced to punt, Kalamazoo's returner mishandled the ball. The muffed punt rolled into the end zone where it was recovered by Rudy Griffing for a Rose-Hulman touchdown. After the missed extra point, the score would stand at 27-7. 

This would be the final score as Rose-Hulman defeated Kalamazoo to claim their first victory of the season. The win advances the Fightin' Engineers to 1-1 overall. Rose-Hulman will return home to host Albion on Saturday, September 19, at 1 PM.