Robert Morris Unable to Keep Pace With Akron in First Loss of Season

It is rare for an FCS program like Robert Morris to be in the national spotlight on a college football Saturday but with Akron’s “First Drive Offensive Coordinator” promotion, all eyes were on the start of the Colonials to kick the day off.

Despite a strong first-half showing from guys like quarterback Carson Haggard and wide receiver Galen Combs, and the ability to stymie the Zips’ once-in-a-lifetime promotion, turnovers and being overpowered by an FBS offense caught up to the Colonials in the second half as the Zips pulled away for a 45-10 victory.

Akron appeared to be moving the ball with ease under “Co-Offensive Coordinator” Marty Whims II’s lead as running back Jordan Gant crossed midfield on the Zips’ first play of the drive. After a short pass and a seven-yard run by Gant, the Zips faced a third-and-short before a false start backed them up.

On the third-down play, quarterback Cibastian Broughton found wide receiver Marcel Williams for what looked like a first down but a Robert Morris defender met him after the catch and jarred the ball loose resulting in a turnover.

The excitement on the Robert Morris sideline was short-lived. After picking up just one first down, the Colonials were forced to punt the ball back to Akron, who went right back to work with redshirt freshman quarterback Cibastian Broughton.

Broughton made plays all day long with his arm and with his legs. He started the game 11-for-11 for 133 yards and three touchdowns. Despite the monster start from Broughton, Robert Morris managed to stick around due to the play of Haggard and Combs.

After Broughton’s first touchdown pass which gave Akron a 7-0 lead, Robert Morris came right back on the next drive and tied the game up when Combs took the top off of the defense for a 42-yard touchdown, his fifth receiving touchdown of the season and sixth overall score.

Akron quickly built a 21-7 lead but Robert Morris had a chance to pull back to within a touchdown right before halftime. Combs got the Colonials rolling with a 19-yard catch followed by a 9-yard reception which put them into Zips’ territory.

A few plays later, Combs raced past his defender and looked like he would haul in his second touchdown of the game but the Zips’ defensive back wisely tackled him around the goal line which resulted in a defensive pass interference call. Later in the drive, Combs nearly scored again as he hauled in a one-handed catch in the end zone but he was ruled out-of-bounds.

Robert Morris settled for a field goal as time expired in the first half and trailed 21-10 entering halftime.

It looked like head coach Bernard Clark Jr. spoke his Colonials up in the locker room as his defense came out and started the second half with their best stand of the game as they forced a quick three-and-out.

Just when it looked like the Colonials would turn defense into offense, as they neared midfield after just two plays, the turnover bug bit them. The Colonials called a zone read and a miscue between Haggard and running back Keino Fitzpatrick II resulted in the first of two crushing lost fumbles in the second half.

Akron turned that turnover into a quick field goal before the Zips forced another fumble on the very next Colonial drive. That turnover turned into a touchdown which made the score 31-10. The Zips put a nail in the coffin at the start of the fourth quarter on Broughton’ fourth touchdown pass of the game.

Despite the tough loss to an FBS foe, Robert Morris did a handful of things that they can build off of moving forward. Haggard was a solid 13-of-19 for 129 yards and a touchdown before halftime, though he finished just 19-of-28 for 179 yards. Combs hauled in his fifth touchdown of the season and finished the game with nine catches for 119 yards.

Before Robert Morris gets back to playing FCS programs and Northeast Conference opponents, they will play Buffalo, another FBS opponent, on Sept. 26 following a weekend off.