MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. (November 23, 2024) – Robert Morris University built a three-touchdown lead in the opening quarter and then withstood Stonehill College's comeback effort over the middle quarters before a late defensive touchdown secured a 31-13 victory in a Northeast Conference football finale at Joe Walton Stadium this afternoon.
Williams led the Skyhawks defense with 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble (PHOTO BY Bree Smith, '27)
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Postgraduate receiver
Shawn Charles, a transfer from Arizona State University, scored with touchdowns of 86 and 51 yards as he finished with 149 yards on four receptions to lead Robert Morris in its first-quarter surge. Sophomore quarterback
Zach Tanner completed 13-of-20 passes for the Colonials for 268 yards and two scores.
Junior linebacker
Jamar Shegog spearheaded a Robert Morris defense that held Stonehill to 200 total yards, including 62 on the ground, with a game-high 19 tackles (five solo), including 4.0 for a loss of 13 yards, with 1.0 sacks for a loss of four, a pass breakup and forced fumble that led to a game-clinching scoop and score by freshman defensive end
Turner Schmidt in the fourth quarter. Postgrad defensive lineman
Joshua Darisme added five tackles (one solo), including 1.5 for a loss of seven yards, with 1.0 sacks for a loss of six and a forced fumble, while senior lineman
Bernadin Fluerima, Jr. chipped in three stops (one solo), with 1.5 sacs for a loss of 14 and a forced fumble.
Junior
PJ Williams led a gritty Stonehill defensive effort that limited Robert Morris to 173 yards over the final three quarters as the Skyhawks chipped away at its first-quarter deficit to trim the deficit to eight (21-13) heading to the fourth quarter with five tackles (one solo), including 1.5 sacks for a loss of 14 yards, and a forced fumble. Sophomore
Eric Miles contributed five stops (two solo), including 1.0 for a loss of three yards, a fumble recovery, and pass breakup. Senior
Matthew DeVirgilio contributed a team-high seven tackles (four solo) and a forced fumble.
Senior
Danny Hurley converted a pair of field goals for Stonehill, while classmate
Jake Newsham scored the Skyhawks lone touchdown with a nifty grab on the left sideline early in the third quarter. Senior
Jarel Washington finished with 116 all-purpose yards, rushing the ball 19 times for 70 yards to go with another 46 yards on two receptions.
Hurley converted a pair of field goals for the Skyhawks today (PHOTO BY Bree Smith, '27)
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How It Happened
- After being held on the game's opening possession, Robert Morris reached the end zone on its next three drives in the first quarter of play.
- Charles raced 86 yards on a pass from Tanner on the second play of the Colonials second possession for the opening touchdown less than five minutes into the game.
- Junior DJ Moyer capped the Colonials second possession with a one-yard run on a seven-play, 69-yard drive with 5:25 remaining in the first.
- Charles capped the opening Robert Morris surge with a 51-yard score on the first play after a 14-yard Stonehill punt gave the hosts great field position with 3:14 remaining in the first quarter.
- DeVirgilio sparked the Stonehill comeback by forcing a fumble with a strip tackle on third and eight from the Robert Morris 22 that was recovered by Miles two minutes into the second quarter.
- Hurley got Stonehill on the scoreboard with a 29-yard field after the Skyhawks could not get a first down with the great field position.
- The Skyhawks closed the first half with Newsham's 21-yard touchdown grab with 12 seconds to play that marked freshman quarterback Drew Eason's first career touchdown pass in his second collegiate start.
- Stonehill drove into Robert Morris territory with the second half's opening drive but came away empty with a missed 38-yard field goal attempt.
- Hurley rebounded with a 27-yard field goal midway through the third quarter on the Skyhawks next possession after junior cornerback Mo Seide intercepted his team-leading fourth pass of the season.
- Robert Morris sealed the win with ten points in the final quarter, starting with a 25-yard field goal by senior Jayson Jenkins with 10:51 to play and then the backbreaking defensive touchdown with three minutes to play.
Noteworthy
- Stonehill forced three turnovers that led to six points off Hurley field goals.
- Seide's team-leading fourth interception of the year marked his third over the last two weeks of the season. He shares the NEC lead for picks while ranking seventh in passes defended with eight, including his team-high four pass breakups.
- Newsham's second touchdown reception of the year is the third of his career.
- Washington capped his career with 1,114 all-purpose yards after his 116 today, posting 839 career rushing yards on 167 career attempts in 20 games played over his Stonehill career with six touchdowns.
- Robert Morris sacked Stonehill quarterbacks six times for the afternoon.
- Stonehill's four starting quarterbacks and five quarterbacks in all to take snaps are the most in NCAA FCS football this season.
Up Next:
Stonehill wraps up its third season at the NCAA Division I FCS level with a 1-10 record overall, including 0-7 in the NEC, while Robert Morris finishes at 7-5 overall, including 5-2 in the NEC to finish a game shy of first place in the regular season standings.
For the latest on Stonehill Athletics, follow the Skyhawks via social media on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and check out its all-new website, powered by Sidearm Sports, at stonehillskyhawks.com.
