Moon Township, Pa. (Oct. 17, 2009) – The Red Flash offense was unable to gain any traction for the third straight week, falling to the Robert Morris Colonials 28-0 on a dreary day in Moon Township on Saturday.

The Red Flash fall to 1-6 overall, with a 0-4 record in the Northeast Conference.  The win was the first of the year for the Colonials, who now have a record of 1-6, with a 1-3 record in the conference.

The play on the field mirrored the cold, wet conditions, as neither offense was able to mount much of an attack.  The two teams combined for just 420 total yards of offense; to put this in perspective, the Red Flash posted 452 yards on their own against the Wagner Seahawks on September 26.

The loss also marked the second time the Red Flash was shut out in 2009, and the third time in a row they were held to below 10 points.

Saint Francis started off the game with possession of the football and moved the ball fairly well, traveling 58 yards to the RMU 5.  However, fullback Daniel Conley (Burgettstown, Pa./Burgettstown) was stuffed on a third-and-2, and kicker Josh Thiel (Leesburg, Va./Heritage) (Leesburg, Va./Heritage) had his 22-yard attempt blocked to keep the game scoreless.  

Despite holding the ball for over 11 minutes in the first quarter, the Red Flash was unable to score.

The Colonials would get the only points they would need in the second quarter, when a short Grant Price (Huntertown, Ind/Carroll) (Huntertown, Ind./Carroll) punt gave RMU the ball at the SFU 46.  Eight plays later, running back Josh Keil would carry the ball into the end zone from three yards out to put the Colonials ahead.  Garrett Clawson's extra point made the score 7-0.

Overall, the Red Flash defense acquitted itself very well, allowing just the one touchdown in the first half.  The Colonials almost added a field goal, but Russel Fisher (Kailua, Hawaii/Mid-Pac Institute) (Kailua, Hawaii/Mid Pac Institute) and Scott Lewis (South Fork, PA/Bishop McCourt) (South Fork, Pa./Bishop McCort) combined to get a piece of the kick and deny RMU.

The next Colonial score would come on an uncharacteristic turnover by quarterback John Kelly (Frederick, Md./Tuscarora) (Frederick, Md./Tuscarora).  In the third quarter, Kelly forced a throw to the sidelines that was intercepted by Rolf Bathold and returned 25 yards for a touchdown.

Kelly finished 11-for-28 for 74 yards and two interceptions.  The two interceptions were costly, as both led directly to a Colonials' score; one resulted in Bathold's touchdown return, and the other was returned to the SFU 1  by Alex DiMichele.  Jamar Cromwell would score a touchdown on the very next play, which was also the first play of the fourth quarter, to give RMU a 28-0 lead.  

Despite allowing the three touchdowns, the defense only yielded 247 offensive yards to the Colonials.  Fisher had one of his best days of the season, notching a season-high 10 tackles, including 2.5 for a loss.

Matthew Parker (Darlington, PA/Blackhawk) (Darlington, Pa./Blackhawk) also had a strong day, recording nine tackles – 2.5 for a loss – one sack, one pass breakup, and two quarterback hurries.  He also authored one of the biggest “wow” moments of the day when he crushed RMU quarterback Jeff Sinclair in the third quarter just as he was releasing the ball, with the impact resembling a high-speed car crash.

The Red Flash will return to Loretto next weekend to host the Duquesne Dukes at DeGol Field.  Please note the special start time of 7 p.m., as the Flash will play under the lights for the first time this season.