RMU Rebounds with Win Over Mercyhurst, 55-28

Robert Morris University (RMU) secured a dominant 55-28 victory over Mercyhurst on Saturday, bouncing back in style after a disappointing loss to Division II Edinboro. Led by quarterback Anthony Chiccitt, who threw for 307 yards and five touchdowns, the Colonials set the tone early and never looked back. Chiccitt’s performance was complemented by standout wide receiver Noah Robinson, who hauled in four catches for 116 yards and two touchdowns, looking every bit like the Walter Payton Award Watchlist candidate many expected him to be at the start of the season.

The game started quickly for RMU, with their offense marching down the field on a nine-play, 75-yard drive that culminated in a 14-yard touchdown pass from Chiccitt to Robinson, putting the Colonials up 7-0. Moments later, a short field gave RMU another opportunity, which they capitalized on with a 3-yard touchdown run by DJ Moyer, extending their lead to 14-0 before Mercyhurst could respond.

RMU’s offense kept rolling in the second quarter, with Chiccitt connecting with Chaz Middleton for a 5-yard touchdown, capping off a 42-yard drive and making it 21-0. Mercyhurst responded with two quick touchdowns of their own to cut the lead to 21-14, including a 5-yard touchdown pass from Adam Urena to Cameron Barmore and a 1-yard touchdown run by Ayron Rodriguez. However, just when it seemed like Mercyhurst might claw their way back into the game, Chiccitt found Robinson again—this time for a 63-yard bomb—putting RMU ahead 27-14 in a matter of seconds.

By halftime, RMU held a commanding 34-14 lead thanks to a late 17-yard touchdown pass from Chiccitt to Trenell Ridgley. The Colonials’ offensive efficiency, particularly Chiccitt’s ability to find Robinson deep and spread the ball around, had the Mercyhurst defense on its heels throughout the first half.

Mercyhurst came out of the locker room looking to make a statement, and they did just that, driving 75 yards over nine plays to score on a 1-yard touchdown run by Ernest Davis III, trimming RMU’s lead to 34-21. But RMU responded with another long, methodical drive—this time a 15-play, 85-yard march—that ended with a 2-yard touchdown pass from Chiccitt to Ethan Shine, putting the game out of reach at 41-21.

In the fourth quarter, RMU added two more touchdowns: a 4-yard touchdown run by Tyvon Edmonds Jr. and a 14-yard touchdown pass from backup quarterback Zach Tanner to Trevor Wilson, extending their lead to 55-21. Mercyhurst added a late 1-yard touchdown pass from Urena to Barmore to bring the final score to 55-28, but by then, the game was well out of reach.

Mercyhurst struggled to slow down RMU’s offense all afternoon, with Chiccitt picking apart their secondary and the Colonials controlling the game both on the ground and through the air. Despite Mercyhurst’s standout performances from Urena (204 passing yards and two touchdowns) and Barmore (98 receiving yards and two touchdowns), the Lakers were unable to keep pace with RMU’s high-powered offense.

Defensively, RMU was able to create turnovers at critical moments, with interceptions from Zachary Ricci and Jordan Johnson halting Mercyhurst’s drives. Meanwhile, the Colonials’ special teams also contributed, as they consistently gave the offense good field position with solid returns from Trenell Ridgley.

This victory gives RMU much-needed momentum as they improve to 1-2 overall. However, as Mercyhurst does not play a full NEC schedule this season, the win does not count for league play and they are denied a 1-0 start in conference. After a frustrating loss to Edinboro the previous week, RMU showed just how effective they can be when focused, executing on both sides of the ball and showcasing their offensive potential. Chiccitt’s five-touchdown performance is a sign of things to come, while Noah Robinson’s big day reminded everyone why he’s one of the top receivers in the FCS.

For Mercyhurst, this loss marks their second straight after a heartbreaking defeat at Howard. Despite showing flashes of their offensive prowess with Urena and Barmore leading the charge, the Lakers need to regroup quickly. With a win over Wheeling in Week 1, Mercyhurst has shown they can compete, but consistency remains an issue. They’ll need to get back to the basics and tighten up defensively as they move forward in the season.

As for RMU, the Colonials will look to build on this impressive win as they prepare for a crucial stretch of their season. With their offense firing on all cylinders and the defense forcing timely turnovers, RMU has shown they can be a force in the Northeast Conference when they’re locked in. The key for them moving forward will be maintaining this level of focus and intensity as they aim to climb the NEC standings.