Moon Township, Pa. – The
Robert Morris University football team concluded the non-conference portion of its 2019 schedule Saturday with a 45-10 loss to No. 22 Youngstown State at Stambaugh Stadium. The Colonials slipped to 1-4 overall on the 2019 season.
DASHING THROUGH THE ...
Redshirt sophomore
Alijah Jackson was a key component to the Colonials grabbing a 7-0 lead over the Penguins in the first quarter. Pinned deep at its own three-yard line, RMU faced 3rd-and-10 before Jackson burst through the line for 12 yards and a first down. On the next play, Jackson showed off the wheels again, racing 80 yards to the Youngstown State five-yard line. Melvin Jackson saved the touchdown for the Penguins, but two plays later redshirt sophomore
George Martin hit senior
Terence Stephens, Jr., for a four-yard touchdown pass to give RMU the early advantage.
THE SECOND QUARTER
Tied, 7-7, entering the second quarter, Youngstown State took control, scoring 24 unanswered points to grab a 31-7 cushion at halftime. A key play during the quarter came on special teams, as Jake Coates returned a punt 63 yards for a touchdown that gave the Penguins a 28-7 lead.
THREE IN A ROW
Alijah Jackson has now eclipsed the 100-yard rushing plateau in three consecutive games. He finished with 140 Yards @ Youngstown State on just 20 carries, an average of 7.0 yards per rush. He's the first member of the Colonials to post three consecutive 100-yard rushing performances since
Evan Taylor turned the trick in 2012. Over his last three games, Jackson has rushed for an even 400 yards and two touchdowns on 64 carries, an average of 6.3 yards per attempt.
BUZZ LIGHTYEAR
Sophomore
Aniello Buzzacco is settling in nicely in the middle of the RMU defense. He notched his second consecutive double-digit performance in tackles against the Penguins, finishing with a game-high 11 takedowns, including nine solo stops. He also registered his first career interception in the third quarter, picking off Nathan Mays at the YSU 47-yard line and returning it 22 yards. Robert Morris capitalized on the takeaway, getting a 36-yard field goal from
Nick Bisceglia.
UP NEXT
The Colonials have a week off before opening Northeast Conference action. RMU continues a four-game road trip and opens league play in Loretto, Pa., with a Noon kickoff against Saint Francis at DeGol Field Saturday, Oct. 12. The last game of the road swing comes Saturday, Oct. 19, with a Noon kickoff @ Wagner.
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