Youngstown, Ohio – The
Robert Morris University football team led for much of the game and pushed nationally ranked Youngstown State into overtime, but the Penguins prevailed, 21-14, in the extra session in non-conference action on a rainy Saturday night inside Stambaugh Stadium.
RMU led for 39:54 against No. 17 Youngstown and never trailed until after the Penguin's overtime possession.
One week after Youngstown State scored 37 points and accumulated over 400 yards of total offense against Pittsburgh, the Robert Morris defense held the Penguins to 14 points and 304 total yards in regulation. RMU held the Penguins into an 11-for-27 passing mark and a 5-for-17 figure on third down.
Redshirt senior captain
Mike Stojkovic led the Colonial defense for the second straight week. He flew all over the field Saturday night, compiling 11 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, a forced fumble and a pass breakup. It was the second straight game in which he hit double figures in tackles, and he also forced a fumble for the second consecutive contest.
Sophomore
Rameses Owens was a workhorse for the Colonial offense. He rushed for 152 yards and a pair of touchdowns, marking the first multi-TD game of his career. Owens surpassed 150 yards rushing in a game for the third time in his eighth collegiate start.
Youngstown State received the opening kickoff, but RMU quickly grabbed momentum when Stojkovic forced a fumble on the Penguins' second play from scrimmage. Sophomore
Gerald Ferguson jumped on the loose pigskin to notch the first fumble recovery of his career.
On RMU's first offensive play of the evening, Owens hit a hole on the right side of the offensive line and rambled 41 yards practically untouched into the end zone, resetting his career-long rush in the process.
Both defenses then dug their heels in for a period as each of the next six drives ended with punts with only one first down being tallied on those half dozen sequences.
The Penguins put together their best drive of the half, spanning the quarter break, as they advanced to the RMU 21-yard line. On third-and-two, Stojkovic teamed up with redshirt junior
Kimani Smith to drop the ballcarrier in the backfield, forcing a field goal attempt that fell short.
After RMU punted on its next drive, Youngstown elected to go for it on fourth down in Colonial territory, but the Robert Morris defense was up to the task and forced a turnover on downs.
Each of the game's next four drives ended in punts with RMU picking up the contest's only first down in that sequence.
Robert Morris committed its only turnover of the game on its final possession of the half, and it came on a deep pass down the field on a third-and-long.
RMU got after the Penguin quarterback on the final drive of the first half as a sack by redshirt senior captain
Forrest Mason brought the game to intermission.
Robert Morris was forced to punt on the opening drive of the second half, and it left the hosts with a very short field. The Penguins took advantage as they drove 41 yards, capped by a 1-yard rush to tie the game.
The Colonials had to punt on their ensuing drive, but their defense again stood tall. Youngstown State had a third-and-one on the RMU 20-yard line, but redshirt sophomore
Zack Zamiska tackled the running back three yards behind the line of scrimmage. His tackle for loss forced a field goal attempt that was missed.
Robert Morris then put together its most impressive drive of the day, spanning the third and fourth quarters. The Colonials rushed 14 straight times and compiled 77 yards to reach the end zone. Owens rushed 11 times on the drive for 63 yards. RMU converted four third downs on the drive with Owens picking up three and sophomore
Cole Blake rushing for another. Owens ran in from 10 yards out to put RMU back on top early in the fourth quarter.
Youngstown State responded right away by driving 75 yards to equalize the score at 14-14 as the Penguins scored on a fourth-and-goal pass play.
RMU picked up a first down on its next possession but was then forced to punt after a penalty set it back with regard to down and distance.
The Penguins then moved the ball near midfield, but a sack by junior linebacker
Jimmy Masson helped set YSU back and eventually force a punt.
The clock ran out on RMU's final drive, sending a RMU game to an extra session for the first time since Sept. 28, 2013.
YSU got the ball first in overtime and drove to RMU's 2-yard line where it faced a fourth down. The Penguins elected to go for it, and their quarterback just escaped the grasp of a Colonial defender in the backfield before tossing a touchdown pass that proved to the be the game winner.
Robert Morris converted on a fourth down on its possession, with true freshman
Mathew Barr firing a bullet to redshirt sophomore
Jordan Blackmon, giving the guests a first down at the YSU 12-yard line. RMU moved seven yards on its next three plays, but a pass play on fourth down did not materialize in time, resulting in a sack.
Sophomore strong safety
Ryan Richards Jr., the reigning NEC Defensive Player of the Week, posted eight tackles for the Colonials. Sophomore cornerback
Drew Allen contributed seven stops, tying his career high, while adding a tackle for loss and a pass breakup. Junior weak safety
Andy Smigiera also notched seven tackles and a pass breakup to aid the RMU cause.
Redshirt freshman
Zach Walker made his first collegiate start Saturday night.
Robert Morris fell to 19-14-1 when playing an opponent for the first time in program history.
RMU will look to get in the win column next Saturday, Sept. 19, as it hosts Notre Dame (Ohio) at 3:00 p.m. as part of the University's Homecoming festivities.
