AKRON, Ohio – RMU football dropped a 45-10 decision to Akron Saturday afternoon at InfoCision Stadium, moving the Colonials to 2-1 on the season.
After a competitive first half, Akron pulled away in the second half, using a balanced offensive attack to finish with 523 total yards, including 241 on the ground. RMU totaled 194 yards of offense, with 180 coming through the air.
FIRST QUARTER
Akron struck first midway through the opening quarter, putting together an 82-yard scoring drive capped by a 41-yard touchdown pass from Cibastian Broughton to Sean Patrick with 3:52 remaining.
The Colonials' defense forced a fumble by Jake Lopinto that was recovered by David Johnson, but RMU was unable to turn either takeaway into points.
Robert Morris finished the quarter trailing 7-0.
SECOND QUARTER
The Colonials answered immediately to open the second quarter.
On the first play of the period, quarterback Carson Haggard connected with Galen Combs for a 43-yard touchdown, tying the game at 7-7. Combs continued his strong start to the season, finishing with nine receptions for 119 yards and a touchdown.
Akron responded with two touchdown drives, including a 25-yard touchdown pass from Broughton to Elijah Alexander and a six-yard touchdown connection to Miles Burris, giving the Zips a 21-7 advantage.
RMU closed the half with points of its own. Lucca Alcarez-Valens drilled a 22-yard field goal as time expired, sending the Colonials into halftime trailing 21-10.
THIRD QUARTER
Akron controlled the third quarter, adding 10 points to extend its lead.
The Zips opened the scoring with a 38-yard field goal early in the period before Jordan Gant added a one-yard rushing touchdown with 5:21 remaining.
RMU's offense was unable to find the end zone in the quarter, while Akron's defense limited the Colonials to just 17 yards of offense during the period.
Akron entered the fourth quarter with a 31-10 advantage.
FOURTH QUARTER
The Zips added two more touchdowns in the final quarter to pull away.
Alexander scored his second touchdown of the afternoon on a three-yard reception with 11:45 remaining, before Brayden Roggow capped the scoring with a 15-yard rushing touchdown with 3:27 left.
Akron finished the afternoon with 523 total yards on 72 plays, while RMU recorded 194 yards on 49 plays.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
Haggard completed 19-of-28 passes for 179 yards and one touchdown, while Combs led all RMU receivers with nine catches for 119 yards and a touchdown. Keino Fitzpatrick II led the Colonials on the ground with 11 net yards on 10 carries.
Defensively, Jake Lopinto paced RMU with nine tackles and a forced fumble. Noel Roach and Amanuel Dickson added eight tackles apiece, while Asher Wilson recorded six tackles, two tackles for loss and a sack.
Bryson Costa averaged 43.4 yards on seven punts, including two punts of 50-plus yards and three inside the 20.
Robert Morris returns to action Saturday, Sept. 26, when the Colonials travel to Buffalo for a non-conference matchup with the Bulls.
