RMU's Galen Combs (9) battles Akron's Terence Thomas for possession during the Colonials' loss to the Zips on Sept. 12. (Photo courtesy of RMU Athletics)

RMU suffers first loss to MAC foe Akron, enters bye week 2-1

Rock DiLisio

September 18, 2026

A trip to Ohio to play an FBS opponent seemed enticing to the undefeated Colonials, especially since the Akron Zips have had their struggles over the past few years.

In addition, the game received national attention due to a promotion that Akron conducted, allowing one of its fans to call the plays for the team’s first offensive drive.

Marty Whims was the winner of the “Offensive Coordinator of the Day” contest, and he called three offensive plays before the drive was cut short when Akron fumbled on a third down and the ball was recovered by Robert Morris.

However, that was one of the few bright spots on the day for the Colonials, who absorbed a 45-10 loss at the hands of the Zips.

The loss left RMU 2-1 going into a bye week while Akron improved to 1-1.

In the first quarter, Akron quarterback Cibastian Broughton put the Zips up 7-0 with a 41-yard touchdown pass. The Colonials were not to be outdone, as quarterback Carson Haggard and receiver Galen Combs connected on a 42-yard touchdown pass down the middle to tie the score at 7-7. The touchdown was already Combs’ fifth of the young season.

The Zips quickly built a 21-7 lead on touchdown passes of 28 and 6 yards by Broughton. RMU answered with a drive at the end of the half, resulting in a field goal by Lucca Valens to make the score 21-10 going into the locker-room.

The second half belonged to the FBS Zips. The Robert Morris defense, which has played well thus far in the season, kept the team in the game with three sacks, but two lost fumbles by the offense resulted in 10 points for Akron, and the Zips never looked back.

Led by Broughton, who passed for 227 yards and four touchdowns and rushed for an additional 71 yards, the Zips put up 45 points, while the Colonials were shut out in the second half in the 45-10 loss.

Haggard completed 19-of-28 passes for 179 yards and one touchdown, while Combs led all receivers with nine receptions for 119 yards and a touchdown. RMU’s rushing attack was nonexistent with only 14 net yards on the day. Defensively, Noel Roach led the Colonials with five tackles.

The Colonials enter a bye week and will return to action against another FBS opponent from the Mid-American Conference -– the University of Buffalo Bulls -- on Saturday, Sept. 26 in Buffalo, N.Y.