Football ends season with win
Aaron Rieber
Issue date: 11/19/08 Section: Sports
In a season of ups and downs, the Colonials ended their season on an up note. Robert Morris University scored 21 unanswered 4th quarter points to defeat Saint Francis (Pa.) 35-20.
The Colonials finished the season with a sub .500 record at 5-6 overall, but their 4-3 conference record placed them third overall in the Northeast Conference, tied with Sacred Heart and Central Conneticut State.
The Colonials had two fumbles early on, and both fumbles led to Zak Campbell field goals. St. Francis had the early 6-0 lead.
In his final collegiate game, senior quarterback Erik Cwalinski threw three touchdown passes. His first touchdown gave the Colonials their first lead as he found freshman wide receiver James O'Quinn in the end zone. That score gave Robert Morris a brief 7-6 lead.
George Little threw a touchdown pass to receiver Anthony Howze and the Colonials lost the lead once again. Going into the second quarter, the score had St. Francis ahead 13-7.
The Colonials took the lead once again when Cwalinski hit senior receiver Sherrod Evers for a six-yard touchdown strike. Cwalinski had his only blemish just before the half as his pass, intended for T.J. Green, was intercepted by Terrance Long and ran back 20 yards for a Red Flash defensive touchdown and a 20-14 lead.
The third quarter was scoreless and the Colonials went into the fourth quarter trailing the winless Red Flash by only six points.
After a fumble by St. Francis quarterback Colton Sipe, the Colonials acted quickly after recovering the loose ball. Sophomore fullback Jeff Link ran from two yards out and the five play 39 yard drive gave the Colonials the lead that they would not relinquish.
On the ensuing kickoff, Robert Morris' special teams came up with a huge turnover. Giving the ball back to Cwalinski and the offense led the Colonials fto another score. The quarterback teamed up with O'Quinn again. The two connected for a 43-yard touchdown pass. The Colonials enjoyed some breathing room with a 28-20 lead.
The defense also got into the scoring trend as they finished out the games scoring when sophomore James Snider caused a fumble and scored 65-yards later when he recovered the loose ball.
Cwalinski finished with 179 passing yards and three touchdowns, to go along with that one interception. O'Quinn had 134 of those yards in receptions, and those two touchdowns.
The Colonials finished the season with a sub .500 record at 5-6 overall, but their 4-3 conference record placed them third overall in the Northeast Conference, tied with Sacred Heart and Central Conneticut State.
The Colonials had two fumbles early on, and both fumbles led to Zak Campbell field goals. St. Francis had the early 6-0 lead.
In his final collegiate game, senior quarterback Erik Cwalinski threw three touchdown passes. His first touchdown gave the Colonials their first lead as he found freshman wide receiver James O'Quinn in the end zone. That score gave Robert Morris a brief 7-6 lead.
George Little threw a touchdown pass to receiver Anthony Howze and the Colonials lost the lead once again. Going into the second quarter, the score had St. Francis ahead 13-7.
The Colonials took the lead once again when Cwalinski hit senior receiver Sherrod Evers for a six-yard touchdown strike. Cwalinski had his only blemish just before the half as his pass, intended for T.J. Green, was intercepted by Terrance Long and ran back 20 yards for a Red Flash defensive touchdown and a 20-14 lead.
The third quarter was scoreless and the Colonials went into the fourth quarter trailing the winless Red Flash by only six points.
After a fumble by St. Francis quarterback Colton Sipe, the Colonials acted quickly after recovering the loose ball. Sophomore fullback Jeff Link ran from two yards out and the five play 39 yard drive gave the Colonials the lead that they would not relinquish.
On the ensuing kickoff, Robert Morris' special teams came up with a huge turnover. Giving the ball back to Cwalinski and the offense led the Colonials fto another score. The quarterback teamed up with O'Quinn again. The two connected for a 43-yard touchdown pass. The Colonials enjoyed some breathing room with a 28-20 lead.
The defense also got into the scoring trend as they finished out the games scoring when sophomore James Snider caused a fumble and scored 65-yards later when he recovered the loose ball.
Cwalinski finished with 179 passing yards and three touchdowns, to go along with that one interception. O'Quinn had 134 of those yards in receptions, and those two touchdowns.
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