Smithfield, R.I. / Bulldog Stadium - The Robert Morris University football team wrapped up its 2008 non-conference schedule Saturday afternoon with a 20-7 loss at Bryant. The defeat drops the Colonials to 2-5 overall on the 2008 campaign, while the Bulldogs improved to 4-3.

Bryant took an early 7-0 lead by taking the opening kickoff and marching 66 yards on eight plays, with quarterback Jay Graber connecting with Anthony DiNaso for a 13-yard touchdown pass to cap the drive. Lindsey Gamble rushed three times for 31 yards, while Graber was 3-for-5 passing for 35 yards.

Despite the opening score by the Bulldogs, neither club was able to put points on the board the rest of the first half as defense took center stage. The Colonials went with the 4-3 defense the majority of the contest, with sophomore defensive lineman Chris Roberts (Bear, Del. / Caravel Academy) earning the start in place of junior linebacker Ian Milanak (North Apollo, Pa. / Apollo Ridge). Bryant finished with 84 rushing yards in the first half, accumulating just 53 yards on the ground after Gamble posted 31 yards on the first drive of the day for the Bulldogs. 

RMU recorded just one first down before halftime, but its offense finally seemed to get on track with its first possession after the break. Senior quarterback Erik Cwalinski (Jacobsburg, Ohio / Shadyside) completed consecutive 13-yard passes to freshman flanker James O'Quinn (Vandergrift, Pa. / Kiski Area) and senior tight end Regis Flowers (Irwin, Pa. / Norwin), but the drive stalled when Cwalinski was sacked for a seven-yard loss.

Robert Morris held Bryant on its next possession and was aided when Brian Donnelly's punt sailed just 20 yards and was downed at the RMU 43-yard line. However, on the first play of the drive sophomore halfback Myles Russ (Boca Raton, Fla. / West Boca) fumbled, with Don Smith coming up with the loose ball for the Bulldogs. On the next play Jerell Smith got to the outside, found room and scampered 37 yards for a touchdown and a 14-0 Bryant lead. 

The Bulldogs had a chance to extend their lead in the fourth quarter when sophomore punter Nick Schirtzinger (Hurricane, W.Va. / Hurricane) mishandled a snap on special teams and was tackled at the RMU one-yard line. However, the Colonial defense turned away Bryant four straight times to get the ball back to the RMU offense. Gamble rushed three straight times, with sophomore linebacker Alex DiMichele (Pittsburgh, Pa. / Sto-Rox) turning him away on each occasion. On fourth down, Graber tried to hit Doug Emerzian in the end zone, but the pass was broken up by junior safety Michael Landers (Springdale, Pa. / Springdale).

Bryant took a 20-0 lead with 3:56 remaining when Graber hooked up with DiNaso for the second time, this time for a 19-yard touchdown pass. The Colonials avoided the shutout when Cwalinski capped a nine-play, 67-yard drive with an 11-yard touchdown run with 2:38 to go. Cwalinski hit freshman tight end Shadrae King (McKeesport, Pa. / McKeesport) with a pair of passes during the drive, including a 23-yard completion.

Cwalinski finished 11-for-25 passing for 161 yards and was intercepted once, while Russ posted 37 yards rushing on 16 carries, an average of 2.3 yards an attempt. As a club, the Colonials were held to -20 yards rushing as Cwalinski was sacked eight times on the afternoon. Defensively, the Colonials were led by DiMichele, who finished with 13 stops, including a sack and two tackles for a loss. Landers and junior linebacker Adam Lawrence (Big Run, Pa. / Dubois Area) each finished with eight stops.

RMU returns to Northeast Conference action Saturday, Oct. 25, by closing out a two-game road trip when it visits Wagner for a 1:00 p.m. tilt with the Seahawks at Wagner College Stadium.