Box Score
MOON TOWNSHIP, PA – The Division I-AA Robert Morris University football team defeated Rowan University, 21-0 on Saturday.
Robert Morris held Rowan to -19 yards of total offense. Defensive back Jeff Rommes made eight tackles, including 3.5 for a loss. Defensive end Ray Gensler added seven stops, one pass deflection and 4.5 sacks. Cornerback Jason Davis recovered a fumble and defensive back Mike Niklos had one interception.
On offense, quarterback Erik Cwalinski completed 13 of 24 passes for 112 yards. He also rushed for a touchdown. Running back Brian Harden totaled 38 yards on 14 carries. Wide receiver Sherrod Evers caught three passes for 44 yards.
For Rowan, the defense only allowed Robert Morris 160 yards of total offense. Safety Eric Bailey (jr. Pittsgrove, NJ/Schalick) posted 14 tackles. Linebacker Chris Pinto (so. Barnegat, NJ/Southern Reg.) had 12 stops and one interception. Linebacker Zach Garren (so. Gibbstown, NJ/Paulsboro) added eight tackles. Safety Sal Calaciura (jr. Turnersville, NJ/Washington Twp.) and cornerback Jabrill Joseph (sr. N. Plainfield, NJ/N. Plainfield) each had one fumble recovery.
Quarterback Mike Orihel (sr. Trenton, NJ/Central Bucks W. (PA)) was limited to 25 yards passing with six completions. He was sacked eight times. Super back Davon Edwards (so. Del Haven, NJ/Middle Twp.) was held to 20 yards on 10 carries.
The Colonials went ahead 7-0 after a two yard touchdown run by Cwalinski with 7:18 remaining in the first quarter. Robert Morris started at its own 49 yard line after a fumbled punt return by Kelvin Bellamy (jr. Trenton, NJ/Nottingham). Cwalinski completed a 20 yard pass to Evers, putting the Colonials on the seven yard line. After two rushes, Cwalinski carried the ball into the end zone. In the third quarter, running back Kevin Drakeford had a one yard touchdown run at 5:43. The drive was set up by a fumble recovery off of a botch punt return by Joseph on the RMU 11 yard line. The final touchdown came at 2:01 on a 48 yard punt return by wide receiver Mario Hines.
Robert Morris improves to 2-2 on the season, while Rowan is 1-1. Rowan hosts New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) opponent Western Connecticut State University on Saturday, September 30 at 1 p.m.
