Football Knocks Off Robert Morris - Edinboro University Athletics (2024)

Moon Township, Pa. – The Edinboro football team used a fourth quarter safety and dominated time of possession as they defeated FCS Robert Morris 23-21 on Saturday night.

With the score tied 21-21 early in the fourth quarter, punter Reed Martin did what he has done so many times before and flipped filed position with a 74-yard punt that was downed inside the one-yard line by Angelo Bartolini and Logan Brooks. A holding call on the Colonials moved the ball even closer to the goal line. Tristian Waldier jarred the ball loose from Anthony Chiccitt and the ball went out the back of the endzone for a safety and a 23-21 lead.

After the Scots got the ball back, they took almost four minutes off the clock before turning the ball over on downs at the Colonial 37-yard line. Robert Morris took over and drove the ball to the Edinboro 29, but Zach Malpica and Tristian Waldier teamed up to stop Delvecchio Powell II in for a one-yard loss on fourth and one to give the ball back to the Scots.

Caron Robinson broke off a 30-yard run to help kill the clock as Edinboro take the clock down to 18 seconds before punting the ball back to Robert Morris. The Colonials ran two plays from their own 20 with Wilfredo Diaz wrestling Trenell Ridgley to the ground and securing the victory for the Scots.

On the games opening possession, the Scots methodically marched the ball down the field going 76 yards in 15 plays taking 9:21 off the clock capped by a five-yard touchdown pass from Isaac Bernard to Teagan Brown for the touchdown. Brayden Lambert connected on the extra point to make it 7-0 Edinboro.

The Scots executed an onside kick on the ensuing possession and although they did not score, they took another minute off the game clock. Robert Morris took its first offensive snap at the 4:30 mark of the first quarter. The Colonials moved the ball to the Edinboro side of the field before the drive stalled at the Scot 42 and Robert Morris punted it away.

The connection between Bernard and Brown was on display on the Scots second touchdown drive. Edinboro covered 55 yards in nine plays. Brown made three catches for 48 yards including a 29-yard reception that set up Bo Swartz second rushing touchdown of the season extending the lead to 14-0 with 4:41 left in the first half.

Robert Morris responded with a touchdown drive of its own covering 54 yards in eight plays capped by a Chas Middleton eight-yard touchdown catch with 1:47 showing on the clock. After a Bernard interception set the Colonials up at the 15-yard line, Tyvon Edmonds scampered 15 yards knotting the game at 14 going into the half.

The teams traded punts early in the third quarter, but it was again the Edinboro defense that set up the offense. On a third and 10 from their own 17, Robert Morris dropped back to pass. Malpica hurried Chiccitt forcing an errant throw that was intercepted by Adrian Cuevas. Cuevas returned the ball to the Colonial 10 and an unnecessary roughness call moved the ball to the 5-yard line.

After being stopped for no gain on first down, Bernard hooked up with Clayton Bezon for a five-yard touchdown giving the Scots the lead back 21-14. Robert Morris tied the game on the next possession on a 12-yard run by DJ Moyer with 13:04 left in the fourth.
Bernard was a highly efficient 20-of-27 for 161 yards and two touchdowns. Brown was his top target hauling in eight catches for 80 yards and a touchdown. Jeremiah Neely caught two balls for 24 yards and Bezon pulled in four passes for 16 yards and a score. Robinson led the backfield with 16 carries for 91 yards while Zidane Thomas toted the rock 14 times for 34 yards.

Diaz followed up his PSAC Defensive Player of the Week honors with another 16 tackles, six solo, and two going for a loss. Cuevas added seven stops to his key interception. CJ Waldier chipped in six tackles, 1.5 behind the line of scrimmage, and a pass break up.

Chiccitt was 14-of-21 for just 111 yards with a touchdown and an interception for the Colonials. Edmonds finished with 67 yards on 14 carries. Noah Robinson was Robert Morris' leading receiver with four catches for 73 yards. Jamar Shegog led the Colonials with 11 tackles.

The Scots are back in action next Saturday when they travel to No. 10 Kutztown for a noon kickoff with the Golden Bears.