NCAA Div. I FCS: Robert Morris ends 30-year drought at Duquesne with hard-fought road victory

The visiting Robert Morris Colonials (5–5, 3–2 NEC) finally conquered The Bluff, holding off the Duquesne Dukes (4–5, 3–2) for a 13–10 victory in Saturday’s NCAA Division I FCS Northeast Conference showdown at Rooney Field in Pittsburgh.

It was the Colonials’ first road victory over their crosstown rivals since 1996, ending a 30-year drought that had lasted through plenty of different players, coaches and football seasons.

The win wasn’t particularly pretty, but after three decades of frustration, nobody wearing Robert Morris colors was likely to complain.

Colonials take early control

Robert Morris wasted little time making its intentions clear.

Quarterback Carson Haggard directed a five-play, 65-yard opening drive, connecting with Tyler Evans for 44 yards before finishing the possession himself with a one-yard touchdown run.

Duquesne responded with a 39-yard field goal from Matt Marcinko, but the Colonials continued moving the football.

Haggard repeatedly found receiver Galen Combs, whose 35-yard reception helped set up a 19-yard field goal from Lucca Valens.

The visitors then delivered one of the game’s defining defensive stands.

Facing fourth-and-one at the Robert Morris 12-yard line, Duquesne handed the ball to Ness Davis. Kyree Wimberly and Amanuel Dickson stopped him for no gain, turning the ball over on downs.

The Colonials followed with an 80-yard march that consumed nearly eight minutes, with Valens converting another field goal to stretch the lead to 13–3.

A Blake Allen interception in the end zone ended Duquesne’s final first-half scoring opportunity.

Duquesne fights back

The Dukes refused to go quietly.

Their defense shut out Robert Morris throughout the second half, forcing two turnovers and keeping the home team within striking distance.

Dallas Harper’s fourth-quarter interception gave Duquesne possession at the Colonials’ 12-yard line. Four plays later, Dazhaun Hopkins scored from two yards out, cutting the deficit to 13–10 with 12:24 remaining.

Suddenly, the visitors’ comfortable first-half advantage looked considerably less secure.

The Dukes drove into Robert Morris territory again, but Jaylen Williams forced a Davis fumble that Asher Wilson recovered with 6:51 remaining.

That proved costly.

Duquesne managed one final possession but couldn’t move the chains, and Haggard’s eight-yard completion to Keino Fitzpatrick II on third down allowed the Colonials to run out the clock.

Defense makes the difference

Haggard finished with 217 passing yards, while Combs caught six passes for 110 yards. Fitzpatrick II added 69 rushing yards.

Dickson led the Robert Morris defense with eight tackles, two tackles for loss and a sack, pushing his season total to 105.

For Duquesne, Davis rushed for 127 yards on 24 carries, while Khiryn Boyd caught seven passes for 83 yards. Dashawn Fields recorded 11 tackles.

The Dukes actually outrushed the visitors 144–84, but Robert Morris held a 301–258 advantage in total offense.

More importantly, the Colonials made the decisive plays when the game was on the line.

Thirty years is a long time to wait for a road victory. This one was worth savoring.