The RPI football team made too many mistakes on this day and it cost them the Transit Trophy.

WPI picked up their first victory in this series between Engineers since 1996 by capitalizing on those mistakes and cashing in for a 24-10 victory at East Campus Stadium.

The Engineers from Troy thought they had the momentum swinging in their favor in the fourth quarter, but after the defense forced a punt with seven minutes to go, Pat McCarthy fumbled and WPI recovered.

The Engineers from Worcester made them pay as Aaron Champagne scored from eight yards out to give WPI a 24-10 lead.

Even before that, RPI’s miscues cost them dearly.

RPI tried a fake punt, trailing 10-7 in the third quarter, but Matt Wood was hauled down on a great defensive play.

The stop seemed to give WPI momentum as they took the ball right down the field for a touchdown and 17-7 lead.

WPI took the game’s opening kickoff and drove right down the field, scoring on a 1-yard run by Ernie Mello.

The drive took 8 plays and covered 62 yards.

RPI thought they had mustered some points when the defense caused a fumble from WPI quarterback Pat McAuley.

Brown picked up the ball and fumbled himself. It was then recovered in the end zone and ruled a touchback.

RPI couldn’t muster a first down in the first quarter. On the last play of the opening quarter, Pat McCarthy caught a 10-yard pass for a first down, but fumbled the ball away.

RPI finally got on the board after an 11-play 63-yard drive, when Mike Hermann tossed a jump ball to McCarthy on 3rd & goal for a 1-yard touchdown.

Sophomore Steven Burpoe made a huge catch on the drive, taking a big hit, but hauling in a first down to set RPI up inside the 5.

UALBANY at DUQUESNE

At Rooney Athletic Field, Pittsburgh, 12 p.m.

(WOFX 980-AM — www.980online.com)

Records: UAlbany (0-0 NEC, 1-1 overall) — Duquesne (0-0 NEC, 2-1 overall)

Last Meeting: UAlbany 55, Duquesne 10 at University Field, Albany, Oct. 10, 2009 — UAlbany leads the all-time series 3-0.

Last Week: UAlbany bye — Duquesne lost to No. 7 Delaware 30-6

About the Great Danes: UAlbany is 5-1 at the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) level after a bye week. The Great Danes have won nine of 11 Northeast Conference openers since joining the league in 1999.

About the Dukes: Duquesne is 1-1 all-time in Northeast Conference openers. Senior receiver Connor Dixon played quarterback last season and is a transfer from Michigan State.

Edge: The Great Danes are on the road, but they still have the upper hand.

WPI at RPI

At East Campus Stadium, Troy, 2 p.m.

(WRPI 91.5-FM — www.wrpi.org)

Records: WPI (0-0 LL, 2-1 overall) — RPI (0-0 LL, 1-1 overall)

Last Meeting: RPI 42, WPI 33 at Alumni Field, Worcester, Mass., Sept. 26, 2009 — RPI leads the all-time series 55-43-5

Last Week: WPI defeated Becker 55-0 — RPI lost to Utica 42-21

About the Engineers (WPI): WPI has a new coach in Chris Robertson, who came to Worcester from Salve Regina. Robertson coached with former WPI coach Ed Zaloom at Siena and played football at the University at Albany. This game marks a return home for Kevin Woods (Hoosick Falls), Jerrod Heiser (Troy) and Greg Mollnow (Cohoes).

About the Engineers (RPI): The Transit Trophy was first awarded in 1979 to the winner of this engineering rivalry. RPI holds the edge in Transit games 21-8-1. Last week’s non-conference loss was only RPI’s second in the last six years (14-2).

Edge: RPI hasn’t lost the Transit Trophy since 1996, but they could be in trouble this season if they don’t play much better than they have this season.

ROCHESTER at UNION

At Frank Bailey Field, Schenectady, 6 p.m.

(Time Warner ch. 3 — WABY 1160-AM — www.teamline.cc)

Records: Rochester (0-0 LL, 0-2 overall) — Union (0-0 LL, 0-1 overall)

Last Meeting: Union 28, Rochester 21 at Edwin Fauver Stadium, Rochester, Sept. 26, 2009 — Union leads the all-time series 49-46-5

Last Week: Rochester lost to St. John Fisher 49-21 — Union bye

About the Yellowjackets: Rochester is averaging 4.1 yards per rush this season. The Yellowjackets allowed 315 yards through the air last week against St. John Fisher.

About the Dutchmen: Senior running back Chris Coney needs just 48 yards to become the fourth player in school history with more than 3,000 yards rushing in a career.

Edge: Union is the better team and playing at home, they should post the victory.