RMU football: Colonials look for second straight win Saturday at Stonehill

The Robert Morris Colonials will travel to Massachusetts Saturday to battle the Stonehill Skyhawks in a Northeast Conference FCS matchup.

The Colonials, 2-6 overall and 1-2 in conference play, will be looking for their second consecutive conference win after defeating Saint Francis, 24-14, Saturday in Loretto.

In the game against the Red Flash, RMU had one of its best offensive performances of the season, led by running back Ethan Shine, who had 123 yards rushing and a late key touchdown.

Quarterback Zach Tanner went 11-for-21 for 162 yards and two touchdowns, one each to Richard Ransom and Thomas Lee.

Defensively, the Colonials held Saint Francis to 100 yards net rushing and added an interception from Patrick McDonnell.  Mitchell Robinson led RMU with six tackles, three assists and 1.5 sacks and Noel Roach added seven tackles.

For the season, Shine now has 409 yards rushing as well as five touchdowns.  Lee has 19 receptions for 273 yards and three touchdowns and Chaz Middleton has added 16 receptions for 279 yards and two touchdowns.

Quarterback Zach Tanner is 63-for-121 for 773 yards and seven touchdowns, with only one interception.  On the defensive side of the ball, McDonnell has 35 tackles and 23 assists and Robinson has added 22 tackles and 24 assists.

Saturday’s game against Stonehill, which is 3-5 overall and 2-1 in the conference, will start at 1 p.m. at W.B. Mason Stadium in Easton, Mass.

The Skyhawks have victories over Maine, Long Island and Mercyhurst and losses to Yale, Penn, Lafayette, Duquesne and Sacred Heart.

In last year’s matchup, Robert Morris came away with a 31-13 season-ending victory, as Tanner threw for 268 yards and a pair of touchdowns.