Moon Township, Pa. – The Robert Morris University football team used a balanced offensive attack and a strong defensive effort en route to a comfortable 31-14 victory over Morgan State in the Colonials' home opener Saturday afternoon under sunny skies at Joe Walton Stadium.

The RMU defense forced three turnovers, netted six sacks and held the Bears scoreless for the first three quarters before yielding points in the final stanza, including an inconsequential touchdown on the game's final play from scrimmage.

Robert Morris tallied 190 rushing yards and 384 total yards of offense as four Colonials found the end zone.

Junior cornerback Antwan Eddie (Homestead, Fla. / South Dade) came up big for RMU on both defense and special teams. He amassed 96 yards on four punt returns, the second-highest total in RMU single-game history. He also intercepted a pass, tallying his third-career pick, to aid the Colonial cause and finished with a career-best 102 all-purpose yards.

Six distinct Colonials posted at least a half-sack on the afternoon, and the group was led by junior defensive lineman Forrest Mason (Union Bridge, Md. / Hargrave Military Academy). Mason contributed two sacks as part of a career-high five tackles.

Redshirt senior linebacker Mike Cook (Victoria, Minn. / Eden Prarie (Winona State)) tied for team-high honors with nine tackles, including a sack, and also forced a fumble that led to a turnover. He fell one hit shy of his third straight game with double figure stops. Senior safety D.J. Myers (Aliquippa, Pa. / Pittsburgh Central Catholic) matched Cook with nine tackles and also added his first-career sack. It marked the second time in the last three games that RMU had at least six sacks.

After each team punted on its first drive of the game, the RMU offense went to work. Junior quarterback Paul Jones (McKees Rocks, Pa. / Penn State) used his legs twice in key points during the drive as he twice ran for first downs on third-and-seven plays. He also hit true freshman Alex Caratelli (Beaver Falls, Pa. / Blackhawk) with a 20-yard completion to move the ball deep into MSU territory. With RMU knocking on the door, Jones found redshirt senior tight end Tyler Digby (New Westminster, British Columbia / New Westminster) for an eight-yard touchdown pass, the second TD of Digby's career.

Eddie would intercept the Bears on the ensuing drive, but the Colonials were unable to take advantage of the turnover. Each team would fumble on its next drive, and then a 38-yard return from Eddie set the Colonials up with fantastic field position. RMU would advance inside the Bears' 10-yard line, but a penalty and a missed field goal kept the Colonials from adding to their lead.

The RMU defense would force another Bear punt and once again Eddie went off. He returned the punt for 35 yards, setting up Robert Morris for its second score as senior Deontae Howard (Clairton, Pa. / Clairton) punched in a run from four yards out to double the RMU edge, a score that would hold up until halftime.

Robert Morris forced Morgan State into a three-and-out on its opening possession of the second half, and a 23-yard punt return by Eddie brought the ball to near midfield. After two rushes generated 29 yards, Jones kept a play alive by scrambling to his right and found junior wide receiver Chad Dawgiello (Pittsburgh, Pa. / Seton-La Salle) who completed the catch and was able to break the plane of the goal line for a 23-yard TD. The catch was not just Dawgiello's first touchdown but also his first reception, marking the second straight week a Colonial receiver has found the end zone on his first catch as Caratelli pulled off the feat last time out.

Morgan State would finally put a sustained drive together and had a first-and-goal opportunity. However, the RMU defense persevered as it held two rushes for minimal yardage before Mason bowled over the quarterback for a sack, forcing a field goal try. On the attempt, sophomore Marcelis Branch (Homestead, Fla. / Miami Southridge) got a piece of the ball, helping to block it and deny the chance.

The Bears finally broke through on their next drive as a six-yard touchdown pass got Morgan State on the board early in the fourth quarter.

Robert Morris refused to let the Bears get back into the game, though, as it subsequently put together an eight-play, 76-yard drive to reestablish a three-score lead. The big play of the drive was the final one as Jones rifled a pass that hit a streaking Duane Mitchell (Monroe Falls, Ohio / Stow) over the middle, and the junior carried a defender into the end zone for his first TD of the season.

RMU forced a three-and-out on Morgan State's penultimate drive of the day. The Colonials then drove 60 yards on 10 plays before true freshman Connor Shennan (Plymouth, Mich. / Canton) hit a 27-yard field goal to finish off RMU's scoring on the day.

Jones completed 13-of-26 passes for 194 yards and three touchdowns. Digby's career-high four receptions led the receiving corps. Jeter also caught a pass for the 12th straight game and finished with 47 receiving yards.

Howard rushed 16 times for 76 yards while junior fullback Ryan Thermil (Fort Washington, Md. / St. Stephen's & St. Agnes) gathered 59 rushing yards on just eight carries.

Redshirt senior A.J. Holderman (Chagrin Falls, Ohio / Kenston) posted a career-high 1.5 tackles for loss. Senior Chris Thompkins (Webster, N.Y. / Webster) forced a fumble while both redshirt senior R.J. Cook (Beaver, Pa. / Beaver) and sophomore Kimani Smith (Erie, Pa. / Erie Cathedral Prep) both recovered fumbles.

Junior linebacker Mike Stojkovic (Katy, Texas / North Texas) finished with a half-dozen tackles, including a half-tackle for loss, and a pass breakup in his first start in a Colonial uniform.

Robert Morris improved to 14-6 in home openers and is now 8-4 when opening at home after previously playing on the road. The Colonials also improved to 87-12 all-time when leading at the half and 69-5 when scoring at least 30 points.

Robert Morris will remain at home next week as it will look to top long-time non-conference nemesis Dayton. Kickoff is set for Noon.