Bryant came in to Joe Walton Stadium and handed the Colonials their fifth loss of the season when Jordan Brown ran one in from 10 yards out with 32 seconds left, giving the Bulldogs the 34-27 victory.
Before Brown’s game-winning score, Jordan Harris blocked an Anthony LaMancusa punt for the Bulldogs, which was eventually recovered at the 25-yard line, to set up the decisive three-play drive.
“Not trying wasn’t the issue. We played very hard, but playing hard doesn’t make up for mental mistakes,” defensive end Steve Mitchell said.
The Colonials came out firing in the first after Bryant scored on the game’s opening drive when Brown ran 49 yards for his first touchdown of the day, but Tom Alberti pushed the extra point.
After a Greg Langer 22-yard field goal, quarterback Jeff Sinclair led the offense on an eight-play 80-yard scoring drive to open up the second quarter, finding tight end Shadrae King from 12 yards out. After trading touchdowns, Greg Langer’s 36-yard field goal gave RMU a 20-13 lead heading into halftime.
The third wasn’t as electrifying as the second as the Colonial defense tightened lead by ends Mitchell and Nolan Nearhoof, but Bryant found a way to tie things up with an eight-play 72-yard drive that ended with quarterback Mike Croce finding Matt Tracey from seven yards out.
“We played well. We made adjustments at halftime and were beating them upfront,” Mitchell added.
Jamie Cobb gave the Colonials the late 27-20 lead with a 14-yard touchdown catch from Sinclair with 6:14 left. But just like before, Bryant responded the very next drive then stalled Sinclair and company before blocking LaMancusa’s punt.
“All we can do is look forward to Sacred Heart and get better this week. Just look ahead,” Nearhoof stated.
The loss drops RMU to 2-5 on the season and 2-2 in conference play. The Colonials are all but mathematically eliminated from winning the conference crown, but will look to finish out the remainder of their NEC schedule strong. Next week Sacred Heart will come to Moon Township for a noon kickoff.
