Box Score
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Easton, Pa. – The Robert Morris University football team shot itself in the foot early and never recovered as it fell to defending Patriot League champion Lafayette, 50-3, in non-conference action at an overcast Fisher Stadium.
 
The loss to the Leopards, a team that participated in the FCS Playoffs last year, set the all-time series even at 1-1 as RMU claimed a victory in the first-ever meeting two years ago.
 
Senior defensive back Antwan Eddie provided one of the bright spots for the Colonials as he grabbed two interceptions from Leopard quarterback Drew Reed who only threw five picks all of last year. It marks the second time in his last seven games that Eddie has tallied multiple interceptions.
 
Senior linebacker Jake Tkach had perhaps the finest performance of his career as he finished with a game-high tying nine tackles. He notched a career-high three tackles for loss and posted his first-career sack.
 
The first two drives for both teams went nowhere as they combined for just 21 yards with each ending in a punt.
 
A pair of turnovers and a poor snap on a punt attempt by the Colonials gifted Lafayette 16 quick points to open the scoring.
 
After two more punts, the Colonial defense came up with a big stop on fourth down. However, the RMU offense would turn the ball right back over to open the second quarter, and the Leopards turned the pick into a defensive touchdown.
 
Eddie and Robert Morris then turned the tables on Lafayette as he intercepted the Leopards twice within three pass attempts, but RMU was only able to generate three points out of the two takeaways.
 
The RMU defense forced the Leopards into field goal attempts after they had driven into the red zone on their next two drives. Lafayette missed one while junior David Taylor came roaring in from the end of the formation and blocked Lafayette's second field goal try of the night.
 
RMU would move the ball near midfield before having to punt it away. Lafayette would tack on a field goal as the first half expired.
 
Lafayette continued to extend its lead during the second half while Robert Morris was unable to find a rhythm on offense.
 
True freshman Cole Blake notched 114 all-purpose yards in just his second collegiate game as he ran the ball 11 times and caught a game-high five passes.
 
Despite the setback, senior Duane Mitchell caught a pass for the 25th consecutive game, keeping alive his chance of breaking the RMU record of 30. He also moved into sole possession of fourth place in career receptions with 95.
 
Sophomore Andy Smigiera tied his career high of nine tackles while classmate Sam Woods reset his with seven.
 
RMU will look to wash the taste of the Lafayette game out of its collective mouth when it closes its three-game road trip next Saturday, Sept. 20, as it continues the longest running non-conference series in program history with a trip to Dayton.