Robert Morris fell to Dayton 21-14, Saturday at Joe Walton Stadium moving their record to 1-2 on the season. For the Colonials, it was the eleventh straight loss to Dayton, dating back to 2000.
RMU quarterback Paul Jones had a rough day, completing just 6 of 24 passes for 112 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Duane Mitchell had three carries for 63 yards and a touchdown for the Colonials but it was Dayton who controlled the ball for most of the game.
The Flyers scored on the opening drive when Will Bardo and Brandon Johnson connected on a 22 yard strike to the back left corner of the end zone. The score came one play after the Flyers converted on a 3rd and 24 thanks to a face mask penalty as the quarterback, Bardo, went down.
The Colonials responded with a touchdown of their own thanks to a Dayton mistake. Cameron Stubbs muffed the punt and RMU recovered the ball on the 11 yard line. Two plays later, quarterback Paul Jones found tight end DJ Pearson in the corner of the end zone for the touchdown.
Dayton sustained a long drive in the second quarter and moved the ball down the field, at will, on the Colonials. But a penalty by Dayton wide receiver Ross Smith for targeting, backed the Flyers outside of the red zone and resulted in the ejection of Smith. The Flyers were able to gain another first down but the drive stalled at the four yard line. Dayton attempted a field goal, but a bobbled snap nixed the opportunity and the Colonials ran the clock out in the first half with the score still tied at seven.
The start of the second half was sloppy for both teams. Neither team had a completion in the third quarter until the two minute mark. Nick Weston picked off Paul Jones’s pass with 6:30 remaining in the third setting up a red zone opportunity for the Flyers. The Colonials forced a fourth and goal from the eight yard line and kicker Conner Shennan pushed the 25 yard attempt wide left.
Robert Morris appeared to gain momentum off the missed field goal, driving to the Dayton 33 yard line from their own eight. But a sack on third and inches forced RMU to punt.
Dayton quarterback, Wil Bardo, rolled out and fired a pass downfield to a wide open Brandon Johnson for 37 yards. Bardo found Johnson again two plays later, when they connected on a 41 yard touchdown to give the Flyers a 14-7 lead.
On the ensuing kickoff, Brian Jones fumbled the ball on his own 40 yard line and the Flyers recovered. Dayton sealed the game with a two yard touchdown run by Connor Kacsor.
The Colonials wouldn’t go away quietly. Paul Jones found a wide open Duane Mitchell for a 40 yard touchdown with 1:43 remaining in the game. Unfortunately, the Flyers were able to recover the onside kick and seal the game.
Photo courtesy of RMU Sentry Media
