MOON TOWNSHIP– RMU football (2-2, 1-1 Big South) capped off homecoming weekend by defeating the Charleston Southern Buccaneers (1-3, 0-2) by a score of 31-24 in a back-and-forth Big South conference thriller.

Similar to RMU’s home opener against Howard, the Colonials’ defense started the game strong. Even though a 64-yard pass from Buccaneers Quarterback Jack Chambers was completed to Geoffrey Wall, the RMU defense forced a turnover on downs; stopping the Buccaneers’ drive at the two-yard line.

The Colonials’ first offensive drive started a bit slow; however, a 35-yard completion from George Martin to James Westry on 3rd-and-11 sparked the RMU offense. After two runs by Alijah Jackson, a 3rd-and-9 completion from Martin to Hicks led to a 27-yard gain and great field position for the Colonials offense.

The Buccaneers gifted the Colonials with additional yardage after a 15-yard facemask penalty on the next play. A new set of downs on the 13-yard line led to a 13-yard touchdown reception from Martin to D’Andre Hicks to give the Colonials the first score of the game, leading 7-0.

Coach Clark mentioned how the “1-2 combo” of Hicks and Westry has strengthened the RMU offense.

“We have a good combination of receivers, everyone is getting involved… we have some great wide receivers that can make things happen.”

Shortly thereafter, the RMU defense mimicked their previous defensive stand; causing another turnover on downs after multiple QB pressures, stuffing the run, and even forcing a fumble.

When the Colonials offense reclaimed possession, a reverse play to Hicks, runs by Jackson, and throws from Martin were what led RMU to Charleston Southern’s 5-yard line before the end of the first quarter marked a 7-0 RMU lead.

At the start of the second quarter, RMU’s offense stalled out. The Buccaneers’ defense gave the Colonials a taste of their own medicine forcing a turnover on downs and stopping an Alijah Jackson 4th-and-goal run attempt.

After punts from the Buccaneers and the Colonials on back-to-back drives, RMU’s defense forced another three-and-out forcing the Buccaneers to punt. However, the punt turned into a somewhat bizarre play; after the snap, the Buccaneers’ punt was blocked by RMU’s Supilani Mailei, yet the Buccaneers’ punter illegally kicked the ball, then Mailei illegally kicked the ball before recovering it in the endzone. The play was called dead at the time the Buccaneers punter illegally kicked the ball, setting the Colonials offense up at the Buccaneers 16-yard line.

After a strong defensive showing from Charleston Southern, Nick Bisceglia capped off RMU’s drive with a 25-yard field goal, extending the Colonials lead to 10.

On the next Colonial drive, after the Buccaneers three-and-out, a George Martin pass was intercepted by Hombre Kennedy. Kennedy’s interception led to a one-play drive for a CSU touchdown from Jack Chambers to Demetrious Jones.

After another RMU three-and-out, the Buccaneers’ offense seemed to be on a hot streak; multiple long runs by Jack Chambers led to amazing field position for Charleston Southern. The drive ended with a six-yard touchdown run by the Buccaneers Kyris Barnett, stealing the lead from the Colonials 14-10.

After a few uneventful drives for both offenses, Bisceglia finished off the first half with a 39-yard field goal and trimming the Bucs’ lead to a skinny point.

The start of the second half showed a defensive stalemate that would last the entirety of the quarter. The third quarter displayed defensive dominance as neither offense had much production; sacks and phenomenal coverages from both sides kept the score 14-13 CSU

At the start of the fourth quarter, CSU’s Jack Chambers fumbled the ball thanks to a Bryce Fontana strip and RMU took over as Matthew Holmes pounced on it. After the fumble recovery, an offensive three-and-out led to another Bisceglia field goal giving the Colonials the lead back 16-14.

In a close game, the Buccaneers’ offense displayed its desire to win. After three consecutive completions, Chambers released a beautiful 42-yard bomb to Ja’Rell Smith, regaining the lead 21-16 over the Colonials.

After the Buccaneers score, the Colonials answered right back. Martin’s consistency throughout the drive led to the Colonials forcing another lead change; a 19-yard lob from George Martin to James Westry for an RMU touchdown. After a successful two-point conversion by George Martin and Demonte Martin, the Colonials led 24-21.

Desperate to score, the Buccaneers threw their diverse playbook at the RMU defensive with runs, QB scrambles and deep passes yet the Colonials defense shut them down as Sydney Audiger forced a turnover on downs.

On the next Buccaneers drive, RMU safety Lorenzo Euline intercepted a pass and took it to the house for a 50-yard pick-six touchdown, giving RMU a 31-21 lead.

“I told my linebacker to get his hands on [the receiver] who was running a slant, and that knocked him off his route,” Euline said. “The quarterback threw it where he was supposed to go, but he ended up throwing it to me.”

Even after a 26-yard field goal by Charleston Southern’s Sam Babbush on the ensuing drive, the Colonials held on to beat the Buccaneers 31-24.

After the game, Coach Bernard Clark praised the team’s passing attack.

“We need to make some adjustments in the run game… Martin did a great job orchestrating the offense downfield.”

RMU improved to 2-0 at Joe Walton this season and has now won their last six games at the field. They also picked up their first-ever Big South victory.

Next week, the Colonials are on the road against the North Alabama Lions.