Moon Township, Pa. – The RMU football team returned home after an idle week as they fell to the visiting Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles, 38-13. The Colonials fall to 2-6 overall, with a 0-3 mark in conference action. Meanwhile, the Golden Eagles improve to 3-5 this season behind a 1-2 record in league play.

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
After the Golden Eagles took advantage of their opportunities in the first half, it was the Colonials who stormed back in the third quarter to keep the game within one score, 21-13. However, the fourth quarter told a separate story as Tennessee Tech capitalized on two RMU turnovers en route to 17 points in the final frame highlighted with an interception for a touchdown and a forced fumble returned for a score. 

CONSISTENCY IN THE THIRD
The start of the third quarter kicked off in an interesting manner for the Colonials as they started the half with a three and out, but a muffed punt by the Golden Eagles gave the home team good field position to start their comeback. RMU quarterback Anthony Chiccitt returned to the game to start the second half for the Colonials after being benched in favor of Tyler Szalkowski at the end of the first quarter and put together strong drives in the third quarter for RMU. The Colonials drove down the field starting at the Golden Eagles 42-yard line as Chiccitt targeted Landen Lucas and Trenell Ridgley to set the team up closer to the end zone. Now, with RMU at the one-yard line Chiccitt found a wide-open Tayshaun Mayfield off a boot leg to get the Colonials on the board.

After forcing a three-and-out, the Colonials put together a five play, 51-yard drive in just over two minutes to trim the Golden Eagles lead. After a rush by DJ Moyer to start the drive, Chiccitt took a shot down the field and was intercepted but it was nullified as the referees called a pass interference by Tennessee Tech at the 34-yard line to keep the RMU drive alive. Later in the drive, Chiccitt connected with Noah Robinson for 20 yards to get the Colonials down to the 12-yard line and in prime scoring position. On the very next play Chiccitt found tight end Landen Lucas on the right side of the field for a 12-yard touchdown catch. A Michael Velasco extra point cut the lead to 21-13 for the Golden Eagles with 8:05 left in the third frame.

SECURITY BLANKETS
The Colonials found success in the air during the second half and part of that was due to the play of Lucas and Robinson for RMU. Robinson, after returning in the second half of play due to a suspension for targeting that occurred in the fourth quarter of the Bryant game, ended up leading the team in receptions with seven against the Golden Eagles. Lucas led the Colonials with 38 yards receiving and has now led the team in that category for the second straight game.

ON THE DEFENSIVE
Jamar Shegog and Joe Casale paced the Colonials on the defensive, registering nine tackles while Shegog also added three tackles for loss on the stat sheet. Linebacker Seth Verilus recorded six stops along with William Barber as Verilus also had two pass breakups and two tackles for loss. Diassa Diakite came up with a big interception for the Colonials at the end of the first half to keep the Golden Eagles off the board before halftime.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS
Chiccitt finished 20-of-28 for 133 yards with two touchdowns and one pick while Moyer rushed for 25 yards on 11 attempts. Wide receiver Connor Becker recorded his best line of the season as he had five catches for 35 yards. Mayfield had his first career touchdown reception on the one-yard score as he was used as a running back and receiver today.

UP NEXT
The Colonials will make their last road trip of the regular season as they travel to face Southeastern Missouri next Saturday. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. and can be seen on ESPN+.

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