Staten Island, N.Y. - The Robert Morris University football team forced six Wagner turnovers Saturday afternoon en route to a 35-3 victory over the Seahawks at Wagner College Stadium.

The win, which snaps a six-game losing streak in road contests, improves RMU to 3-5 overall and 2-2 in the Northeast Conference, while Wagner falls to 3-5 overall and 1-3 in league action.

The Colonial defense took charge early, as on the third possession of the afternoon sophomore cornerback Rolf Bathold (Naples, Fla. / Lely) stepped in front of a Matt Abbey pass, intercepted it and raced 65 yards untouched to the end zone for a 7-0 RMU advantage. It was one of three turnovers by the Seahawks in the first quarter, as senior defensive lineman Shannon Smoot (Columbus, Ohio / Bishop Hartley) and junior linebacker Adam Lawrence (Big Run, Pa. / Dubois Area) each came up with fumble recoveries. 

Wagner closed its deficit to 7-3 with 10:24 left in the second quarter when Eric Ortiz capped a 12-play, 66-yard drive with a 29-yard field goal. RMU, which struggled offensively in the first quarter, finally got on track when senior quarterback Erik Cwalinski (Jacobsburg, Ohio / Shadyside) engineered an eight play, 82-yard drive that was capped with a 19-yard touchdown pass to freshman tight end Shadrae King (McKeesport, Pa / McKeesport). Sophomore halfback Myles Russ (Boca Raton, Fla. / West Boca) opened the drive with a 15-yard rush, and the Colonials were aided by a 15-yard personal foul on Wagner due to roughing the passer.  

Robert Morris increased its lead to 21-7 late in the first half when Cwalinski hooked up with King for the second time, this time for a seven-yard touchdown pass with just 37 seconds left before halftime. The Colonials started their drive with just 1:11 remaining before the break and the big play came with a 56-yard pass from Cwalinski to senior split end Sherrod Evers (Philadelphia, Pa. / Mastbaum Area). Evers made his first start since Sept. 20 after sitting out the last four games due to an ankle injury. 

Wagner got first possession after halftime, and on the sixth play of its drive Abbey hit Kyle Trueblood with a four-yard completion. However, Trueblood fumbled after a hard hit by sophomore safety Troy Cree (Waynesburg, Pa. / Waynesburg Central). Junior safety Michael Landers (Springdale, Pa. / Springdale) scooped up the bouncing ball and after changing direction to avoid being tackled rumbled 59 yards to the end zone for a touchdown, giving the Colonials a 28-3 advantage.  

Trueblood again coughed the ball up on Wagner's next possession after hauling in a five-yard pass from Abbey but losing possession after a hit by Bathold. Landers again picked up the loose ball and raced 50 yards down the sideline before being tackled at the 14-yard line of the Seahawks.

Four plays later Russ scored from two yards out to give RMU a 35-3 advantage at the 8:18 mark of the third quarter. Freshman safety David Pittman (Jupiter, Fla. / William T. Dwyer) recorded the final takeaway of the afternoon for Robert Morris, intercepting Abbey in the fourth quarter.

Lawrence paced the Colonial defense with nine tackles, including four solo, while sophomore linebacker Alex DiMichele (Pittsburgh, Pa. / Sto-Rox) recorded eight stops, including five unassisted. Landers, as well as his two fumble recoveries, added six takedowns, a forced fumble and two pass breakups.

Russ finished with 39 yards rushing on 13 carries for RMU, while Cwalinski finished 11-for-22 passing for 126 yards and two touchdowns. Russ paced the Colonial receiving corps with four receptions, compiling 17 yards, while Evers finished with three catches for 72 yards and King three receptions for 32 yards and two scores. 

Robert Morris returns to Joe Walton Stadium for a pair of games, opening the homestand with a 1:00 p.m. tilt with Central Connecticut State Saturday, Nov. 1. The Colonials will also host Albany Saturday, Nov. 8, at 1:00 p.m. before closing out its 2008 campaign at in-state rival Saint Francis Saturday, Nov. 15.