SOMERSET, N.J. – RMU football collected a pair of Northeast Conference weekly honors following its performance against FBS opponent Buffalo, as quarterback Carson Haggard was named the NEC/Atlantic Tomorrow's Office Offensive Player of the Week and linebacker Jake Lopinto earned NEC/Atlantic Tomorrow's Office Defensive Player of the Week honors.
Linebacker Amanuel Dickson joined the duo among the conference's weekly honorees, earning a spot on the NEC Prime Performer list after a career performance against the Bulls.
The Colonials battled Buffalo down to the final whistle Saturday afternoon at Broadview Stadium, falling just short, 31-28. RMU finished with 316 yards of total offense while forcing three Buffalo turnovers.
HAGGARD LEADS THE OFFENSE
Haggard accounted for 222 yards of total offense and two touchdowns against the Bulls.
The sophomore quarterback completed 13 passes for 163 yards and a touchdown while adding 59 yards and another score on four carries. He averaged 14.8 yards per rush and did not turn the ball over.
Haggard provided one of RMU's biggest plays of the afternoon midway through the second quarter. With the game tied at 7-7, he broke free for a career-long 50-yard touchdown run to put the Colonials back in front, 14-7.
With RMU trailing by 10 late in the fourth quarter, Haggard engineered a five-play, 81-yard scoring drive that took just 46 seconds off the clock. He capped the possession with a 32-yard touchdown pass to Noah Schaerli, pulling the Colonials within three, 31-28, with 1:46 remaining.
Haggard was also named an NEC Prime Performer for his performance against the Bulls.
LOPINTO MAKES HISTORY
Lopinto delivered a historic performance on the defensive side of the ball, registering a career-high 19 tackles with eight solo stops and 11 assists. His 19 tackles tied for the second-most in a single game in RMU history.
The sophomore linebacker made his presence felt immediately, intercepting Buffalo quarterback Jason Wright on the Bulls' opening possession. The takeaway gave RMU possession at the Buffalo 33-yard line, and the Colonials converted the turnover into a touchdown three plays later to grab an early 7-0 advantage.
Monday's recognition marks the second time Lopinto has been named NEC Defensive Player of the Week this season. He previously earned the honor following RMU's matchup at Akron, when he posted a then-career-high nine tackles, including four solo stops, along with a tackle for loss.
Lopinto was also selected as an NEC Prime Performer for the second time this season.
DICKSON EARNS PRIME PERFORMER HONORS
Dickson rounded out RMU's weekly conference recognition by earning NEC Prime Performer honors following a career day against Buffalo.
The junior linebacker finished with a career-high 18 tackles, including 12 solo stops and six assists. His 18 tackles tied for the third-most in a single game in RMU history, just one shy of Lopinto's 19-tackle performance.
Dickson also made an impact in the Buffalo backfield with a tackle for loss while recording his first interception of the season, which he returned eight yards.
NEC WEEKLY HONORS
NEC/ATLANTIC TOMORROW'S OFFICE OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Carson Haggard, Robert Morris
Quarterback, Sophomore, 6-0, 195 lbs., Miami, Fla./Gulliver Prep (Abilene Christian)
NEC/ATLANTIC TOMORROW'S OFFICE DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Jake Lopinto, Robert Morris
Linebacker, Sophomore, 6-1, 235 lbs., Columbus, Ohio/Licking Heights
NEC/ATLANTIC TOMORROW'S OFFICE SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Thomas O'Neill, Mercyhurst
Punter, Freshman, 6-7, 225 lbs., Rochester, N.Y./McQuaid Jesuit
NEC/ATLANTIC TOMORROW'S OFFICE ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Lesroy Tittle, Chicago State
Linebacker/Defensive End, Freshman, 6-4, 235 lbs., Aurora, Ill./West Aurora
NEC PRIME PERFORMERS
Adrian Bowers, CSU (LB, Gr.)
Jayden Earley, CSU (S, Sr.)
Carson Camp, DUQ (QB, Gr.)
Zion Patillo, DUQ (DL, Sr.)
Felix Matos, LIU (DB, So.)
Ricky Encarnacion, NHVN (LB, Sr.)
Amanuel Dickson, RMU (LB, Jr.)
Carson Haggard, RMU (QB, So.)
Jake Lopinto, RMU (LB, So.)
