Game of the Week Recap: RMU Returns to NEC Play with a Win
In their return to the NEC, Robert Morris made a statement with a gritty 21-14 win over Wagner on Saturday, thanks to standout performances from running back Tyvon Edmonds Jr. and wide receiver Noah Robinson. The victory pushes the Colonials to 2-2 and signals that they are ready to contend for an NEC title once again.
Edmonds Jr. was the driving force behind Robert Morris' offense, rushing for 99 yards and two touchdowns, including a 1-yard score in the third quarter that gave the Colonials a 14-7 lead. His physical running set the tone for the game, while quarterback Anthony Chiccitt added a rushing touchdown of his own to extend the lead to 21-7 in the third quarter. Chiccitt was also effective through the air, throwing for 219 yards, finding his top target Robinson four times for 90 yards, including a 59-yard reception that set up a key score.
Wagner struck first, with quarterback Jake Cady connecting on a 22-yard touchdown pass to Mark Didio in the first quarter. However, the Seahawks were unable to maintain their momentum after that opening drive. Robert Morris responded quickly, marching 75 yards in just over two minutes, capped by a 2-yard touchdown run from Edmonds to tie the game at 7-7.
In the third quarter, the Colonials broke the game open with two quick scores. Edmonds' second touchdown capped an 84-yard drive, and less than two minutes later, Chiccitt punched in a 3-yard run to make it 21-7.
Wagner made things interesting in the fourth quarter when Cady threw his second touchdown pass of the game, a 20-yard strike to Teree McDonald, cutting the deficit to 21-14. Despite their best efforts, the Seahawks couldn't muster another scoring drive as Robert Morris' defense held firm down the stretch, including stopping the Seahawks when they got the ball back with a little over 3 minutes remaining. They would have to punt to conclude that drive.
Cady finished with 120 yards passing and two touchdowns but was often limited to short-yardage completions by the Colonials' defense. Perhaps the biggest accomplishment RMU can point to on the game was stopping standout wide receiver Jaylen Bonelli, who only caught one pass for 6 yards on the day. Wagner’s ground game continued to show promise, with Rickey Spruill rushing for 72 yards and Sekou Kamau adding 52 yards, but they were unable to break through for a score on the ground.
Robert Morris' defense was a key factor in the win, as they pressured Cady throughout the game and forced crucial stops when needed. On special teams, Tahseen Howard provided a spark, returning five punts for 55 yards, including a 43-yard return that gave the Colonials favorable field position.
For Robert Morris, the victory marks a significant rebound after an unexpected loss to Division II Edinboro earlier in the season. With this win, they appear to have shaken off that anomaly and now look like a legitimate NEC contender. A big challenge awaits them next week as they face Eastern Kentucky (2-2, but with no losses to teams that aren’t in FBS), but the Colonials are gaining confidence and could make noise in the NEC race.
Wagner, now 0-1 in NEC play, will need to regroup quickly as they prepare for a major test against FBS opponent Florida Atlantic next week. While the Seahawks' defense showed flashes of promise, they will need to find more consistency on offense to keep their postseason hopes alive- and to slow down an FAU attack prepared by offensive wizard and Head Coach Tom Herman.
