Moon Township, Pa. – The RMU football team concluded the road portion of its 2022 schedule Saturday, wrapping up a three-game road trip with a 27-9 loss to Murray State at Roy Stewart Stadium in Murray, Ky.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Trailing, 7-0, entering the second half, the special teams came up big for the Colonials. RMU held Murray State to three-and-out deep in its own territory, forcing the Racers to punt. Freshman
Trey Woods came up with the big play, getting his hand on the offering from punter Lewis Halton.
Jake Kupchella pounced for the Colonials, giving RMU possession at the Murray State 22-yard line.
Jayson Jenkins eventually capitalized with a 42-yard field goal to trim RMU's deficit to 7-3, the third field goal of the 2022 campaign of 40+ yards for the sophomore kicker.
SPLASH PLAY
On the first play of the next possession for Murray State, RMU kept momentum going, as defensive lineman
Daunte Boudy forced a Jawaun Northington fumble, with linebacker
Tony Brown recovering this time for the Colonials at the 24-yard line of the Racers. RMU found the end zone this time, as after running back
Alijah Jackson picked up 13 yards on a pair of rushes, quarterback
Zach Tanner found daylight on the right side, scampering 17 yards for the score to give the Colonials a 9-7 lead.
FOURTH QUARTER
Murray State was able to take control in the fourth quarter, getting a trio of rushing touchdowns, including a pair from Cortezz Jones. The first came with 13:41 remaining, as a Jones found pay dirt with a 24-yard run that pushed the Racers in front for good, 13-9. Damonta Witherspoon added a 20-yard touchdown run and Jones again scored from 24 yards out to settle the final score. Combined, Witherspoon (80) and Jones (75) combined for 155 yards on 29 carries, an average of 5.3 yards per rush.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
For the second consecutive week linebacker
Bradley Magee led the RMU defensive effort, posting nine tackles, including one and-a-half for loss. Brown contributed eight stops, including six solo, and also forced one fumble while recovering a pair. He forced a fumble on the next drive of Murray State after his recovery that led to an RMU touchdown and gave the Colonials a 9-7 edge, popping Q'Darryius Jennings after a 12-yard rush. Brown recovered the ball at the RMU 25-yard line to give the ball back to the Colonials.
UP NEXT
RMU will honor its senior class prior to its next game, welcoming Bryant to Joe Walton Stadium Saturday, Nov. 19, for a Noon kickoff.
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