After a disappointing first two weeks Robert Morris (1-2) was finally able to get its first win of the season. Notre Dame College (1-2) came into the packed Joe Walton Stadium in Moon Township looking to spoil the Colonials’ homecoming weekend.
Finding an early 21-0 lead, Robert Morris got a scare when Notre Dame powered back to take a slight 24-21 lead. However, with the play of quarterback Matt Barr and the defense stepping up, RMU came back to win, 35-24.
Barr, struggling for most of last week’s game, went 14-18 with 134 yards a passing touchdown and two rushing touchdowns. While still dependent on the run game in these early games, Barr has given coaches reasons to lengthen his leash and throw more.
The running game has been Robert Morris’ most prominent weapon in this early season and the run first mentality did not escape the game plan this week. Today, RMU collected 226 yards on the ground with the bulk of the carries from Cole Blake. The sophomore out of Moon Area High School had his season high in carries (25) and yards (136).
Kyle Buss had one of the best performances by a receiver this year racking up 108 yards and a touchdown on nine receptions. Buss has become one of Barr’s biggest target over the past three games. While failing to catch a pass in last week’s game, Buss has managed 13 catches and 182 yards.
The defense stepped up big in the final stages of the game shutting down Notre Dame’s offense. Although failing to record a sack, Austin Trgovcich and Mike Stojkovic combined for 21 tackles. Forrest Mason, a senior defensive lineman out of Maryland, snagged an interception and brought it to the house giving the Colonials a late insurance score.
The first Colonial score came in the first quarter that was closed out by a one yard run by Barr. Still in the first quarter Warren Robinson returned a punt for a touchdown giving Robert Morris an early 14-0 lead.
Buss scored the Colonials’ third touchdown when he nabbed a 22-yard pass from Barr giving his team a commanding 21-0 lead.
Notre Dame didn’t give up bringing themselves back in scoring 24 points in the second quarter. The Falcons’ charge was led Malik Grove who went 17-36 accumulating 248 yards and two touchdowns. However, the story of the game for Grove would be throwing two interceptions that the Colonials jumped all over.
In the second half, Robert Morris’ defense tightened down and prevented the Falcons from scoring anymore points.
Regardless, the Colonials needed at least another score to tally their first win of the season. Barr did just that pushing his team to the red zone and eventually scoring his second rushing touchdown of the night. Forrest Mason gave Robert Morris some much needed insurance when he intercepted and brought the ball back for a 9-yard touchdown.
Now that the Colonials have finally found their first win of the season, the team can look forward to establishing momentum when they face South Dakota State away in South Dakota next Saturday at 6 p.m.
Photo credit: @ RMU Football
