Box Score
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Dayton, Ohio – The Robert Morris University football team tallied more first downs than Dayton but was unable to turn those conversions into sufficient points as the Flyers topped the Colonials, 31-7, at a warm and humid Welcome Stadium Saturday afternoon.
 
In addition to first downs, RMU had statistical advantages in yards gained rushing, completions and time of possession while also running 19 more offensive plays than Dayton.
 
The Colonial defense held the Flyers to under 300 total yards of offense and a 3-for-14 mark on third down. It also held the nation's second-leading rusher, Connor Kacsor, to only 47 yards on the ground.
 
Senior linebacker Jake Tkach netted a game-high and career-high 11 tackles, including a tackle for loss, to lead the RMU defense. Junior David Taylor notched an interception in the third quarter, his third pick in the past four games.
 
Senior Duane Mitchell caught eight passes Saturday and was one of eight Colonials to post a reception on the day. With his effort, Mitchell became only the fourth Colonial ever to surpass 100 career receptions. He also moved into third in career receiving yards at Robert Morris (1,497).
 
Sophomore Forrest Barnes ran for 61 yards and a touchdown while also catching a pass in his first collegiate game after entering when two of RMU's running backs left the game due to injury in the first half.
 
Dayton took the opening kickoff and put together its best drive of the day as it used seven plays to trek 77 yards to the end zone. After a Colonial punt, the Flyers used fantastic field position to double their lead as they needed to travel less than half the field.
 
RMU turned the ball over on downs on its next possession before both defenses settled into the game. Each of the next eight drives ended in a punt with the Colonials tallying 46 yards on their four drives while holding the hosts to 21.
 
Dayton then used a short field to drive into the red zone where RMU forced a field goal attempt that was converted. Robert Morris moved 29 yards into Dayton territory before punting on its next drive. The Flyers posted a backbreaking score on their final drive of the half as they reached the end zone in the final minute after consecutive long passes.
 
After each team punted on its first drive of the second half, Robert Morris would strike with a 10-play drive. Barnes ran for 28 yards on the drive while sophomore quarterback Luke Brumbaugh found three different receivers, including hitting true freshman Jamison Williams for 15 yards on a fourth-down play. Barnes would barrel in from two yards out to complete the sequence.
 
Robert Morris forced a Dayton punt after four plays to get the ball back. The Colonials then drove 28 yards before an interception halted the momentum. RMU's problems with turnovers would continue later in the quarter when a fumble near its own goal line essentially gifted the Flyers an insurance touchdown.
 
RMU accumulated at least 30 yards on three of its final four drives, but it could make no further dent on the scoreboard.
 
Brumbaugh finished 17-of-30 passing while junior Derik Abbott was 6-for-11 after coming on when the former was forced from the game after a roughing the passer penalty.
 
Barnes, senior Uyi Akpan and junior Luke Centofanti all tallied their first-career receptions Saturday. Centofanti caught three passes for 41 yards.
 
RMU ran 84 offensive plays, its fifth-highest mark in school history and the most ever in a non-conference contest. Three of Dayton's five scoring drives were under 45 yards.
 
After playing three road games in three weeks, Robert Morris will now enjoy its first bye of 2014. The Colonials will return home for their non-conference finale against Monmouth Saturday, Oct. 4, at 3:00 p.m.