MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. – The RMU football team used a balanced offensive attack and a strong defensive performance to secure a 28-14 Northeast Conference victory over Mercyhurst Saturday afternoon at Joe Walton Stadium.
With the victory, the Colonials improve to 4-4 overall and 2-1 in NEC play, while the Lakers fall to 1-7 overall and 0-3 in conference action.
FIRST HALF
RMU wasted little time finding the end zone, scoring on its opening possession of the afternoon. The Colonials marched 61 yards on five plays before Carson Haggard connected with Jaqai Carter for a 16-yard touchdown, giving RMU an early 7-0 advantage.
The Colonials' defense kept Mercyhurst off the scoreboard for the remainder of the first quarter and much of the second before the Lakers broke through with 3:04 remaining in the half. Alex Gevaudan connected with Amare Lattimore for a 40-yard touchdown to cap an 88-yard drive and even the score at 7-7.
RMU responded quickly before heading into the locker room.
After regaining possession with 48 seconds remaining, the Colonials needed just two plays to reclaim the lead. Haggard connected with Carter for a 38-yard completion to move RMU inside the Mercyhurst 10-yard line before Keino Fitzpatrick II finished the drive with a seven-yard touchdown run.
The two-play, 45-yard scoring drive took just 16 seconds and sent the Colonials into halftime with a 14-7 advantage.
SECOND HALF
After a scoreless third quarter, RMU took control of the contest early in the fourth.
Beginning at its own 20-yard line late in the third quarter, the Colonials put together an eight-play, 80-yard scoring drive that carried into the final frame. Haggard capped the possession by connecting with Galen Combs for a 35-yard touchdown with 14:13 remaining, extending RMU's lead to 21-7.
The Colonials' defense delivered another momentum-changing play less than two minutes later.
With Mercyhurst looking to respond, Mekhi Kilburn intercepted Gevaudan and returned the pick 89 yards for a touchdown, pushing the RMU advantage to 28-7 with 12:18 remaining.
The Lakers cut into the deficit with 8:06 left in regulation when Gevaudan connected with Lattimore for a 21-yard touchdown, trimming the RMU lead to 28-14.
The Colonials' defense shut the door from there, forcing turnovers on Mercyhurst's final two possessions to secure the conference victory. Jake Lopinto recorded his second interception of the afternoon with 5:34 remaining before Osman Kamara forced a fumble that Noel Roach recovered with 2:27 left, allowing RMU to run out the clock.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Haggard completed 18-of-32 passes for 242 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 13.4 yards per completion.
Carter led the receiving corps for the second consecutive week, hauling in six passes for 86 yards and a touchdown. Combs followed with five receptions for 76 yards and a score, while Noah Schaerli added three catches for 45 yards.
On the ground, J'Kharri Thomas paced the Colonials with 35 yards on seven carries, while Xavier Goulbourne added 29 yards on seven attempts. Fitzpatrick II chipped in 14 rushing yards and a touchdown.
Defensively, RMU forced four turnovers, intercepting three passes and recovering one fumble.
Lopinto led the Colonials with 11 tackles while adding two interceptions and two pass breakups. Amanuel Dickson followed with nine stops, while Ronnie Woods finished with eight tackles.
Kilburn accounted for RMU's third interception of the afternoon, returning it 89 yards for a touchdown.
The Colonials also generated consistent pressure in the Mercyhurst backfield, recording four sacks for a loss of 35 yards. Khalil Daniels led the charge with two sacks for a loss of 23 yards, while Khalil Hunter registered 1.5 sacks and four quarterback hurries.
RMU limited Mercyhurst to 88 rushing yards on 30 attempts and did not allow a rushing touchdown. Offensively, the Colonials finished with 322 yards of total offense, including 242 through the air.
The victory moves RMU back to .500 on the season and improves the Colonials to 2-1 in NEC play.
UP NEXT
The Colonials continue Northeast Conference action on Saturday, Oct. 31, traveling to New Britain, Connecticut, to take on Central Connecticut State. Kickoff is scheduled for noon.
