Colonials Drop Big South Opener to Gardner-Webb 48-0
Freshman Zach Tanner steps back for a pass Photo credit: Malena Kaniuff
October 8, 2022
MOON TOWNSHIP – Robert Morris (0-5, 0-1 Big South) welcomed Gardner-Webb (2-4, 1-0 Big South) during homecoming weekend.
The Colonials got nothing going on both sides of the ball as they fell to the Running Bulldogs 48-0.
Coming into this game, RMU has used four different quarterbacks in five games. But it seems like in this game, head coach Bernard Clark found his guy in true freshman Zach Tanner.
“Going forward, he will be our guy to try and get some familiarity on offense,” said Clark.
Tanner went 12 for 26 with 101 yards. The offensive line could not keep him safe, as he took six sacks.
RMU had a good string of drives in the first half, where they got a couple of first downs, but those drives ended in missed field goals. Coach Clark reiterated that the offense had to get more familiar with each other.
The Colonials went no-huddle the whole game to keep a fast tempo going.
RMU got some help with penalties but could not capitalize on them. It went from bad to worse when they missed the field goal.
Robert Morris got no consistency on defense, but the first quarter seemed promising, getting some stops to start the game. That quickly fell apart in the second half.
“Stamina was a problem and maybe some guys are trying to do too much out there,” Clark said postgame.
Gardner Webb ran up and down the field with little to no resistance.
The second half would go from bad to worse for the Colonials as they would give up 28 unanswered points to the Runnin’ Bulldogs. The run defense for Robert Morris left too many gaps open and missed a lot of tackles that led to big plays.
The Colonials are still searching for their first win on the season and hope to get it next week when they take on the Campbell Fighting Camels on Oct. 15 with a time still TBA.
