STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. – The RMU football team opened the 2026 season in impressive fashion Saturday afternoon, cruising past Wagner, 28-7, at Hameline Field at Wagner College Stadium.
The Colonials received a standout performance from sophomore wide receiver Galen Combs. Combs hauled in four receptions for a career-high 104 yards and three touchdowns, including a pair of scores in the second half.
The victory marked RMU's first season-opening road win since 2003 when the Colonials defeated Buffalo State 33-23 in Buffalo on Sept. 6, 2003.
RMU wasted little time establishing control, taking a 7-0 lead with 9:21 remaining in the first quarter. After the Colonials forced Wagner to punt from its own 26-yard line, RMU blocked the punt and Combs recovered the loose ball and took it to the end zone to give the Colonials an early advantage.
RMU extended its lead later in the opening frame when quarterback Carson Haggard connected with Jaqai Carter for a six-yard touchdown pass, putting the Colonials ahead, 14-0.
Neither team found the end zone in the second quarter, sending RMU into halftime with a 14-0 advantage.
Wagner cut into the deficit early in the third quarter when Julio Tatis returned an interception 40 yards for a touchdown, trimming the Colonials' lead to 14-7.
RMU responded in a big way.
With just over two minutes remaining in the third quarter, Haggard found Combs behind the Wagner defense for a 64-yard touchdown strike. The explosive play pushed the Colonials' advantage back to 21-7.
The Colonials put the game away in the fourth quarter, engineering a 15-play, 76-yard scoring drive that consumed 8:20. Haggard capped the lengthy possession by finding Combs for a 15-yard touchdown with 5:35 remaining, completing Combs' three-touchdown afternoon and giving RMU a 28-7 lead.
Haggard finished 19-of-32 passing for 206 yards and a career-high three touchdowns. Combs led the Colonials with four receptions for 104 yards and three touchdowns, while Carter added four receptions for 39 yards and a touchdown.
On the ground, J'Kharri Thomas paced RMU with 28 rushing yards on 14 attempts.
The RMU defense turned in a dominant performance, limiting Wagner to just 97 total yards, including 22 rushing yards. The Colonials held the Seahawks to six first downs and just 1-of-16 on third-down conversions.
RMU also recorded six sacks, with Khalil Hunter leading the way with 1.5 sacks and 2.5 tackles for loss. Amanuel Dickson added 2.5 tackles for loss, while Hunter finished with a team- and career-high eight total tackles.
The Colonials finished with 285 total yards, including 206 through the air, while controlling the clock for 33:49.
UP NEXT
With the victory, the Colonials improve to 1-0 and return to Moon Township for their home opener next Saturday when RMU hosts Division II opponent West Virginia State at Joe Walton Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 6:00 p.m., with the game streaming live on NEC Front Row.
Tickets for the contest are available now at rmucolonials.com/tickets.
