BUFFALO, N.Y. – The RMU football team went toe-to-toe with FBS opponent Buffalo Saturday afternoon, battling until the final whistle before falling just short, 31-28, at Broadview Stadium.
The Colonials (2-2, 1-0 NEC) struck first, carried a 14-7 lead during the second quarter and pulled within three points with under two minutes remaining in the fourth. RMU finished with 316 yards of total offense while forcing three Buffalo turnovers.
DEFENSIVE DUO MAKES HISTORY
Jake Lopinto and Amanuel Dickson delivered career performances to headline the RMU defense, with both linebackers etching their names into the program record book.
Lopinto racked up a career-high 19 tackles, including eight solo stops and 11 assists. His 19 tackles are tied for the second-most in a single game in RMU history. Lopinto also picked off a pass on Buffalo's opening possession.
Dickson was right behind him with a career-high 18 tackles, tying for the third-most in a single game in program history. He finished with a game-high 12 solo tackles, six assists and one tackle for loss while also recording an interception.
The Colonials forced three turnovers on the afternoon, intercepting Buffalo quarterback Jason Wright twice and recovering a fumble for a touchdown. Noel Roach and Khalil Hunter each added 11 tackles, while Jaylen Williams recorded RMU's lone sack and forced a fumble.
COLONIALS STRIKE FIRST
RMU wasted little time making its presence felt against the Bulls.
Lopinto intercepted Wright on Buffalo's opening possession, giving the Colonials the ball at the Bulls' 33-yard line. RMU needed just three plays to cash in as Xavier Goulbourne broke free for a 29-yard touchdown run, putting the Colonials ahead 7-0 with 9:42 remaining in the first quarter.
Buffalo answered with a 16-play, 75-yard drive that ended with a four-yard Nino Hill touchdown run early in the second quarter.
The Colonials responded immediately.
Quarterback Carson Haggard broke loose for a 50-yard touchdown run, capping a six-play, 75-yard drive and putting RMU back in front, 14-7, with 6:08 remaining in the half.
Dickson came away with RMU's second interception later in the quarter, but Buffalo found the end zone with 27 seconds remaining before halftime on a 25-yard touchdown run from Wright, sending the teams into the locker room deadlocked at 14-14.
BULLS TAKE THE LEAD
Buffalo grabbed its first lead of the afternoon midway through the third quarter when Hill capped a 14-play, 63-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown run.
The Bulls extended their advantage to 28-14 early in the fourth when Wright connected with Chance Morrow for a nine-yard touchdown.
With their backs against the wall, the Colonials' defense came through with another momentum-changing play.
Williams forced a Buffalo fumble before Hunter recovered the loose ball in the end zone for a touchdown, instantly bringing RMU back within a score at 28-21 with 9:24 remaining.
Buffalo responded with a 48-yard field goal from Oliver Hautanen to stretch its advantage to 31-21 with 5:49 to play.
RMU wasn't finished.
FIGHT TO THE FINISH
Needing a late spark, the Colonials delivered one.
Haggard engineered a five-play, 81-yard touchdown drive that took just 46 seconds off the clock. The drive ended with Haggard finding Noah Schaerli for a 32-yard touchdown, cutting Buffalo's lead to just three, 31-28, with 1:46 remaining.
The late push ultimately came up just short as Buffalo held on for the three-point victory.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Haggard completed 13-of-31 passes for 163 yards and a touchdown while adding 59 rushing yards and a score. His 50-yard touchdown run was RMU's longest rush of the afternoon.
Goulbourne paced the Colonials on the ground with 77 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries, averaging 6.4 yards per attempt. RMU totaled 153 rushing yards and averaged 7.0 yards per carry.
Tyreke Jinks led the receiving corps with 42 yards, while Jaqai Carter and Attawan Mays each finished with 40. Schaerli hauled in two passes for 36 yards, highlighted by his 32-yard fourth-quarter touchdown.
Bryson Costa continued his strong start to the season, punting six times for 255 yards and averaging 42.5 yards per punt. Two of his punts traveled at least 50 yards, including a long of 53.
Despite Buffalo running 91 offensive plays and possessing the ball for more than 39 minutes, the Colonials stayed within striking distance throughout the afternoon. RMU forced three turnovers without throwing an interception and averaged 6.0 yards per offensive play.
UP NEXT
There's no place like home.
The Colonials are headed back to Moon Township, and they're bringing Homecoming with them.
RMU returns to Joe Walton Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 3, when the Colonials welcome Norfolk State for one of the biggest Saturdays of the season. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. as Bobby Mo returns home looking to defend The Joe in front of the Homecoming crowd.
