Moon Township, Pa. – The Robert Morris University football team grabbed an early lead against Saint Francis but was unable to hold on and dropped a 40-7 decision in Northeast Conference (NEC) action under mostly sunny skies Saturday afternoon at Joe Walton Stadium.
 
The Red Flash, who was coming off of a bye week, notched their fifth win against RMU in 21 tries.
 
Senior Ryan Thermil carried the ball 17 times for 100 yards Saturday, averaging nearly six yards per rush. It was his second 100-yard effort in the last four games and made him the 10th Colonial in program history to have multiple 100-yard efforts in a season.
 
Senior linebacker Mike Stojkovic tallied a game-high 12 tackles, a tackle for loss and a fumble recovery, the fourth of his career.
 
Saint Francis used five scoring drives under 50 yards on the day to help pull away from RMU.
 
Robert Morris received the opening kickoff and marched into Red Flash territory before having to face a fourth down. Senior Tony LaMancusa then pinned the guests inside their own 10-yard line on a fine boot that was downed.
 
The RMU defense then forced a three-and-out, and the Colonials returned the ensuing punt to the SFU 8-yard line. Three plays later, sophomore quarterback Luke Brumbaugh found junior tight end Justin Kempka in the front left corner of the end zone to open the scoring.
 
After each team punted, Stojkovic pounced on a loose pigskin for a fumble recovery at the Saint Francis 45-yard line. RMU moved 19 yards before a fourth down rush came up just short on the penultimate play of the first quarter.
 
A pair of punts followed before SFU scored on its next two drives to take its first lead of the day. The Colonials' hole then got deeper when they fumbled on a kickoff return, which led to a Red Flash field goal.
 
Robert Morris moved into Saint Francis territory on its next drive before a turnover led to a Red Flash field goal drive to end the first half.
 
After SFU scored on the first drive of the third quarter, Robert Morris marched right down the field and appeared to have scored on its first possession of the half with a six-yard rush. However, the officials ruled that a fumble by the Colonial ballcarrier came before he broke the plane of the goal line. The Red Flash used the momentum of the call to reassert control for the remainder of the quarter.
 
Sophomore linebacker Jimmy Masson provided a highlight for the Colonials on the first possession of the fourth quarter as he dropped back into coverage and picked off the Red Flash quarterback, notching the first interception of his career.
 
Saint Francis would hit two field goals during the final stanza. RMU moved into Red Flash territory on its final drive but ran out of time before it could find the end zone.
 
Junior Austin Trgovcich and true freshman Ryan Richards Jr. each contributed nine tackles on the day. The former added 1.5 tackles for loss and a quarterback hurry while the latter notched a season best two pass breakups to go along with his season high in tackles.
 
Senior defensive back Antwan Eddie notched a career high nine stops while true freshman Gerald Ferguson, the reigning NEC Rookie of the Week, also fell one stop shy of double digits.
 
Senior Duane Mitchell caught a pass for the 32nd consecutive game, extending his own school record in that category. He also moved into a tie for third in single-season receptions at RMU with 47.
 
RMU will put a seal on the 2014 campaign next Saturday, Nov. 22, as it makes the jaunt downtown to take on local rival Duquesne at Noon on ESPN3.