Bulldogs fall to RMU, 24-3

MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. – Junior running back Michael Perry (Dunmor, Pa.) rushed for a career-high 131 yards on 24 carries but it wasn't enough as Robert Morris caused four turnovers on its way to a 24-3 victory over the Bryant University football team on Saturday afternoon at Joe Walton Stadium.

The victory, RMU's first in six tries over the Bulldogs (4-5, 2-2 NEC), moves the Colonials (4-4, 2-1) into a tie atop the league standings with Duquesne.

Despite what the scoreboard read at the end of the game, Saturday's contest was even for the most part. The Black and Gold were able to muster 14 first downs and 226 yards of total offense but the Colonials weren't much better, putting up 13 first downs and 302 yards.

RMU got off to a hot start, scoring just three plays into the game. After a pair of runs, RMU quarterback Paul Jones hit Duane Mitchell on the sideline and he was able to shed a tackler and race 67 yards down the sideline for a touchdown.

The Colonials defense made sure that it was enough to win. Two drives later, the Black and Gold took over at the RMU 38 but Antwan Eddie picked off a pass on fourth-and-four to give the Colonials the ball back. After another punt, the Bulldogs drove again. Back-to-back runs of 10 and 11 by Perry pushed the Bulldogs into RMU territory and his juggling catch on fourth-and-two kept the drive alive. A 13-yard completion to sophomore Jose Depadua (Hagerstown, Md.) put Bryant to the RMU 28 but it could not convert on fourth down.

Following another RMU three-and-out, the Bulldogs were finally able to get on the board. Senior Mike Westerhaus (Farmingville, N.Y.) hit classmate Jordan Harris (Lincoln University, Pa.) for 14 yards and sophomore John Lavin (Falmouth, Mass.) for 13 yards before a pass interference penalty moved  the Bulldogs to the RMU 13. A four-yard run put Bryant inside the 10 but the Bulldogs were able to get any closer and settled for a 38-yard field goal from senior Tom Alberti (Marshfield, Mass.) to make it 7-3.

Bryant then had the ball coming out of the half but the Colonials quickly turned the momentum. On the first play of the half, Eddie picked off his second pass and returned it to the Bryant 28. Jones then scrambled for a first down on a third-and-seven before connecting with Mitchell for a 12-yard touchdown on third-and-six.

The Colonials kept the pressure on, forcing a three-and-out and taking over at the Bryant 35. Jones turned a first-and-20 around with a nine-yard run and then hit Mitchell again, this time for 13 yards, to make it 24-3.

Robert Morris put the game away in the fourth quarter with a suffocating defense. The Colonials forced Perry to fumble on a third-down run at their 30 just over a minute into the fourth quarter. Bryant got the ball back three plays later but Kyle Cooper ended the Bulldogs' final push as he intercepted a pass at his own 16.

Westerhaus finished 14-of-33 for 115 yards and Perry added three catches for 30 yards, finishing the day with 161 all-purpose yards. Junior Sam Sammons (Cypress, Texas) and senior Robert Wallace (Succasunna, N.J.) finished with eight tackles each. Senior Connor McNamara (Sandy Hook, Conn.) finished with seven tackles and two sacks.

The Bulldogs return home next Saturday, Nov. 9 when they host Saint Francis U at Bulldog Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 12:00 p.m.