MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. – RMU football opened its 2026 home schedule in impressive fashion Saturday night, defeating West Virginia State, 29-9, at Joe Walton Stadium. The Colonials improve to 2-0 to start the season, marking the first time RMU has opened a season 2-0 since 2004.
FIRST QUARTER
RMU wasted little time getting on the scoreboard in its home opener.
After forcing a West Virginia State punt, the Colonials marched 61 yards in just four plays. Carson Haggard connected with Galen Combs on a 42-yard touchdown strike with 6:45 remaining in the opening quarter. The Colonials elected to go for two, with Bryson Costa converting the attempt on the ground to give RMU an 8-0 advantage.
The Yellow Jackets threatened later in the quarter, but the Colonials defense held firm to preserve the eight-point lead after 15 minutes.
SECOND QUARTER
West Virginia State got on the board early in the second quarter when Joseph Shrader converted a 23-yard field goal with 14:12 remaining, trimming the RMU lead to 8-3.
The Colonials responded with another sustained scoring drive, covering 75 yards in seven plays. Haggard capped the possession with an 18-yard touchdown run with 10:24 remaining in the half, while Lucca Valens added the extra point to push the lead to 15-3.
The Yellow Jackets answered with their longest drive of the first half, going 77 yards on 16 plays. Joe Dailey found Amare Ary for an eight-yard touchdown with 3:08 remaining, cutting the Colonials' advantage to 15-9. On the ensuing extra-point attempt, Dominic Pesci blocked the kick to keep the Yellow Jackets from cutting further into the deficit.
Neither team scored again before halftime, sending RMU into the break with a 15-9 lead.
THIRD QUARTER
The Colonials took control coming out of halftime.
RMU opened the second half with a 69-yard scoring drive that lasted more than five minutes. Haggard capped the possession by finding Jaqai Carter for a 23-yard touchdown with 9:49 remaining in the quarter. Valens' extra point extended the lead to 22-9.
After the RMU defense forced another West Virginia State punt, the Colonials struck again late in the quarter.
Starting from their own 20-yard line, RMU drove 80 yards in five plays. Haggard found Combs for a second 42-yard touchdown connection of the night, giving the Colonials a 29-9 advantage with 1:18 remaining in the third quarter.
RMU's defense continued to keep the Yellow Jackets off the scoreboard, allowing the Colonials to carry a 20-point lead into the final quarter.
FOURTH QUARTER
The Colonials defense closed out the victory in the fourth quarter, keeping West Virginia State scoreless.
RMU put together a 13-play, 50-yard drive that took nearly six minutes off the clock before a missed field-goal attempt gave the Yellow Jackets possession with 8:29 remaining.
West Virginia State moved into RMU territory, but the Colonials defense ended the threat when Antonio Martin intercepted a pass with just over six minutes remaining.
RMU then drained the clock to secure the 29-9 victory in its first home game of the 2026 season.
BY THE NUMBERS
RMU finished the night with 20 first downs and 427 total yards, compared to 17 first downs and 310 total yards for West Virginia State. The Colonials held the Yellow Jackets to 10-of-33 passing and forced one interception.
Keino Fitzpatrick II led RMU on the ground with 76 yards on 12 carries, while Haggard added 20 rushing yards and a touchdown.
Offensively, Combs led the Colonials with two receptions for 84 yards and two touchdowns. Noah Schaerli recorded four receptions for 58 yards, while Carter finished with 52 receiving yards and a touchdown.
With the victory, RMU improves to 2-0 on the season and will hit the road next Saturday when the Colonials travel to Akron for a 3:30 p.m. kickoff.
