WPI junior quarterback Dan Eckler threw for two touchdowns and ran for another as the Engineers opened the season by defeating 2014 NCAA tournament second-round participant MIT 31-28 on Friday evening. The junior signal caller was an efficient 18-for-23 on the night for 197 yards and rushed 13 times for 58 yards. His 15-yard scoring strike to Brandon Eccher with three seconds to go in the first half capped an impressive 8-play 72-yard drive.