Photo courtesy of Michael Longo
(Pittsburgh Westside News)

Moon Township, Pa. – The Robert Morris University football team stretched its winning streak to four Saturday with a 28-17 victory over LIU at Joe Walton Stadium. The Colonials improved to 5-4 overall in 2019, including 4-0 in the Northeast Conference.
 
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
RMU fell behind at halftime for the fourth consecutive game but put together a solid second half to earn a victory. Trailing, 17-14, at the break to the Sharks (0-8 / 0-7 NEC), the Colonials put together their longest scoring drive of the 2019 season, marching 90 yards on nine plays and using 4:08 off the clock in the third quarter. Quarterback George Martin capped the driving with a 12-yard touchdown run to give Robert Morris a 21-17 advantage.
 
QUOTABLE
"I don't know what it is with our guys," head coach Bernard Clark, Jr., said. "I guess they feel better coming from behind. It shows moxie but its shows me a heart attack. Falling behind and coming back shows resilience, but it also shows some inconsistencies. We have to fill those holes as coaches so that we're playing a consistent game from the start right through to the end."
 
IN THE POCKET
Martin had his most complete game as quarterback in a RMU uniform in the win over LIU, finishing 12-for-18 passing for 150 yards and two touchdowns while also rushing for a score. He connected with senior tight end Matthew Gonzalez for a 31-yard touchdown with 42 seconds left in the first quarter that gave the Colonials a 14-3 advantage. He also tossed a dart to wide receiver Garrett Houser with 10 minutes left for a 24-yard touchdown pass that capped the afternoon's scoring.
 
QUOTABLE
"Our confidence in George just continues to grow and grow," Clark said. "The pass he made to Houser was an unbelievable throw. While we have confidence in George, he just needs to continue to have confidence in himself. The more relaxed he is on the field the better he's going to be."
 
BACK IN THE SADDLE
Running back Alijah Jackson missed RMU's 24-20 win over Bryant (10/26) due to injury but returned in the win over LIU and immediately made his presence felt. On the opening drive of the contest he rushed for 43 yards on four carries, including a 12-yard scoring scamper that gave the Colonials a 7-0 advantage. Jackson finished with 128 yards on 15 attempts, an average of 8.5 yards per carry.
 
LOCKDOWN
Robert Morris allowed just 23 yards of total offense in the second half in holding LIU in check and completing its comeback. The Colonials also came up with three interceptions after the break, as defensive backs Jacob White and Tavin Harville and linebacker Tiheem Crocker each recorded picks. For Harville, it was his team-high third interception of the season. During its four-game winning streak, RMU has allowed just 17 points in the second half.
 
NINE INCH NAILS
Gonzalez, with his 31-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter that gave Robert Morris a 14-3 lead, has now scored in nine consecutive home games that he's played dating back to the 2017 campaign. He finished with four receptions for 66 yards and has moved into a tie for fourth place all-time in program history with wide receiver Duane Mitchell (2011-14) for career touchdown catches with 17.
 
UP NEXT
Robert Morris concludes its three-game homestand Saturday, Nov. 9, with a 1:00 p.m. kickoff against Duquesne at Joe Walton Stadium. The Dukes, Colonials and Central Connecticut currently sit atop the NEC standings with a perfect 4-0 mark in league action.

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