Morehead, Ky. - Junior fullback Karey Murray's (New Brighton, Pa. / New Brighton) two-yard touchdown plunge with 20.4 seconds left lifted the Robert Morris University football team to its third straight win, and seventh consecutive road triumph, Saturday afternoon with a 9-8 win over Morehead State at Jayne Field. The Colonials marched 64 yards on five plays, using just 1:19 of the fourth-quarter clock, to garner the winning score. Junior quarterback Erik Cwalinski (Jacobsburg, Ohio / Shadyside), despite being sacked six times on the game, was a perfect 4-for-4 passing during the decisive drive, including a 45-yard strike to senior split end Alvin Hill (New Kensington, Pa. / Plum) down to the Eagles two-yard line to set up Murray's game-winning touchdown.

On the ensuing kickoff, Dontae Gibson returned the ball 16 yards to the Morehead State 27-yard line before being popped by junior linebacker John Jackson (Bel Air, Md. / Bel Air), forcing a fumble. Sophomore Ryan Smith (Mayfield Heights, Ohio / Mayfield) pounced on the loose ball, helping RMU seal the victory. In a game dominated by defense, the Colonial defensive unit did not allow a touchdown all afternoon, as the Eagles scored on an interception return for a score and a safety.

After a scoreless first quarter, Robert Morris got the ball at its own 46-yard line and marched down to the Eagles two-yard line. The big play of the drive was a 37-yard completion from Cwalinski to senior flanker Mario Hines (Ecorse, Mich. / Ecorse). Two plays later Cwalinski dropped back and tried to hit fullback Rion Listhrop (Miami, Fla. / Felix Varela) in the flat, but Josh Harris stepped in front of the pass for the interception. Harris raced 97 yards untouched to the end zone for a 6-0 Morehead State lead after the extra point was off the mark by hitting the upright. Later in the quarter Morehead State began to drive, but Brian Yost was intercepted by RMU safety James Kazil (Georgetown, Pa. / South Side) at the Colonial nine-yard line.

The first play on the next drive Cwalinski was thrown for an eight-yard loss thanks to a sack from Andrew Doan, and on 3rd-and-18 Wes McDermott stopped sophomore running back Raphael Johnson (Clinton, Md. / Charles H. Flowers) in the end zone for a safety and an 8-0 Morehead State lead. The score remained that way until the third quarter, when the Colonials cracked the scoreboard thanks to a 20-yard field goal from junior kicker Michael Walser (Thornville, Ohio / Sheridan). The field goal was set up by the RMU defense, as Yost was sacked by senior defensive lineman Richard Nagy (Pittsburgh, Pa. / Keystone Oaks) and fumbled. Sophomore defensive end Mark Szymanski (Cadogan, Pa. / Ford City) recovered the loose ball at the MSU eight-yard line, giving RMU good field position. Robert Morris couldn't cash in, however, and settled for Walser's trifecta.

Morehead State tried to use time of possession in its favor the rest of the contest by rushing the ball, but the Colonial defense came up with stop after stop to hold the Eagles in check. In what seemed like a last gasp, Robert Morris got the ball back with 4:03 to play at the Eagles 33-yard line when a Nick Schirtzinger (Hurricane, W.Va. / Hurricane) punt bounced and hit J.D. Cecil in the leg. Junior Jacob Dagrava (Yorkville, Ohio / Buckeye Local) grabbed the live ball to give the Colonials back possession. However, RMU turned it over on downs when Cwalinski's 16-yard completion to Hines on 3rd-and-22 was short of the first down by six yards.

The Eagles got the ball back with just 1:56 remaining, but three straight rushing plays netted only four yards, and Robert Morris used a timeout after each play to force MSU to punt. Mason Webb's punt traveled 40 yards and Hines signaled for a fair catch at the Colonial 36-yard line, setting up the final drive. Cwalinski started with an eight-yard completion to Hill, then a nine-yard hook-up with junior tight end Regis Flowers (Irwin, Pa. / Norwin). After a completion to freshman halfback Myles Russ (Boca Raton, Fla. / West Boca) didn't gain any yardage, Cwalinski hit Hill underneath the defense, and Hill shook off defenders and scampered his way down to the Morehead State two-yard line. Murray scored from two yards out on the next play, but the two-point conversion was off the mark.

Cwalinski completed 19 of his 26 passing attempts for 274 yards and an interception on the day, while Hill finished with career highs in both receptions (7) and receiving yards (164). Hines added four catches for 75 yards, while Russ recorded four receptions for 10 yards. The running game never got off the ground, as RMU was held to -31 yards rushing on the afternoon. Russ finished with 12 attempts for 17 yards.

Another inspired defensive performance was led by senior linebacker Chad Wengert (Kempton, Pa. / Kutztown), who finished with 11 tackles. Szymanski and sophomore linebacker Adam Lawrence (Big Run, Pa. / Dubois Area) each added eight tackles, while Szymanski notched a sack and a fumble recovery. For the second consecutive week RMU forced five turnovers, as Kazil and senior cornerback Mike Niklos (Columbus, Ohio / Bishop Watterson) each picked off Yost in addition to the Colonial fumble recoveries.

Robert Morris returns home to Joe Walton Stadium for a two-game homestand starting Saturday, Sept. 29, when the Colonials entertain Big South opponent VMI for a 1:00 p.m. as part of Hall of Fame Day. RMU will return to Northeast Conference action Saturday, Oct. 6, by welcoming Wagner for a 1:00 p.m. tilt, which is part of Homecoming festivities at the University.